Who is who in a federal case
Pro Hac Vice
Pro hac vice is permission for a lawyer admitted in another state to appear in a specific case in this court, for this case only.
The motion is usually filed by local counsel, includes a certificate of good standing, and carries an admission fee that varies by district. The out-of-state lawyer agrees to follow the local rules and the court's disciplinary authority.
Most districts require local counsel to stay in the case, and some require them to attend hearings. Admission can be revoked for misconduct, and it does not carry over to the next case.
The motions are also a useful signal. A stack of pro hac vice applications from a national firm early in a case tells you which side is investing heavily, sometimes before any substantive filing appears.
How it appears on a docket
MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice of attorney J. Whitfield of the Illinois bar, filed by local counsel. GRANTED; fee paid.
Related terms
- Pro Se — Pro se means representing yourself in court without a lawyer.
- Notice of Appearance — A notice of appearance is the filing by which a lawyer tells the court and the parties that they now represent someone in the case.
More on who is who in a federal case
See this term in a real case
Search federal court records and read the filings where pro hac vice actually shows up. New to federal dockets? Start with how to find a federal case.