Local Rule L.R. 83-5: Bar Admission

N.D. Ind. L.R. 83-5 Bar Admission

(a) Authority to Practice Before the Court.

(1) Rule. Only members of the court's bar may represent parties before the court.

(2) Exceptions.

(A) Pro Se. A nonmember may represent him or herself in a case.

(B) U.S. Government Attorneys. A nonmember who is an attorney may represent the United States, or an officer or agency of the United States.

(C) Pro Hac Vice. A nonmember who is an attorney may represent parties in a case if the nonmember:

(i) is admitted to practice as an attorney in another United States court or the highest court of any state;

(ii) is a member in good standing of the bar in every jurisdiction where the attorney is admitted to practice;

(iii) is not currently suspended from practice;

(iv) has certified that he or she will abide by the Seventh Circuit Standards of Professional Conduct and these rules;

(v) has paid the required filing fee; and

(vi) has applied for, and been granted by the court, leave to appear in the case.

(3) Foreign Legal Consultants. A person admitted as a foreign legal consultant is not "admitted to practice as an attorney" under this rule.

(b) Bar Membership. The bar consists of those persons who:

(1) are admitted by the court to practice; and

(2) have not resigned or been disbarred or suspended from the bar.

(c) Admission.

(1) Who May Be Admitted. An attorney admitted to practice by the United States Supreme Court or the highest court in any state may become a member of the court's bar on a member's motion.

(2) Character. An applicant will be admitted to the bar if the court is satisfied that the applicant:

(A) has good private and professional character; and

(B) is a member in good standing of the bar in every jurisdiction where the applicant is admitted to practice.

(3) Entry on Court's Records. The attorney's admission will be entered on the court's records and the court will issue a certificate to that effect only after the applicant:

(A) takes a prescribed oath or affirmation;

(B) certifies that he or she has read and will abide by:

(i) the Seventh Circuit Standards of Professional Conduct; and

(ii) the court's local rules;

(C) pays the required fees (law clerks to the court's judges are exempt from these fees);

(D) registers for electronic case filing;

(E) gives a current address; and

(F) agrees to notify the clerk promptly of any change in address.

(d) Local Counsel. The court may require an attorney residing outside the district to retain, as local counsel, a member of the court's bar who resides in the district.

(e) Standards. Indiana's Rules of Professional Conduct and the Seventh Circuit Standards of Professional Conduct (an appendix to these rules) govern the conduct of those practicing in the court.