Rule 3 - Pro Hac Vice Admission and Registration of Nonresident AttorneysA. Pro Hac Vice Admission. Pro hac vice admission is required for all nonresident lawyers admitted and licensed to practice law in another state or the District of Columbia, but not licensed in North Dakota, and who engage in the practice of law in this state by appearing, either in person, by signing pleadings, or by being designated as counsel in actions filed in state courts, administrative agencies, or tribunals. 1. Filing Requirements. (a) A nonresident lawyer may be permitted to appear as counsel in an action in a trial court of this state or before an administrative agency or tribunal in this state if the lawyer first: (1) designates an associate lawyer admitted and licensed to practice law in this state;(2) files a motion requesting permission to appear and an affidavit in support of the motion with the clerk of the trial court, the hearing officer of the administrative agency matter, or the presiding officer of the tribunal; (3) files a copy of the motion and affidavit with the State Board of Law Examiners at the same time they are filed with the appropriate individual identified in Section A(1)(a)(2); (4) remits to the State Board of Law Examiners the fee required for an lawyer who has been licensed in this state for five years or more or certifies the lawyer has paid the fee to the State Board of Law Examiners during that calendar year; and(5) obtains permission from the court, hearing officer, or presiding officer.(b) In the affidavit in support of the motion requesting permission to appear in a North Dakota action, the nonresident lawyer must state: (1) the jurisdictions in which the lawyer is admitted to practice law and the number of years admitted; (2) whether the lawyer is presently subject to a disciplinary proceeding in any jurisdiction; (3) whether the lawyer is under any restriction or probation in the practice of law in any jurisdiction in which the lawyer is licensed; (4) whether the lawyer is now or has ever been suspended or disbarred from a court in any jurisdiction; (5) the number of North Dakota actions in which the nonresident lawyer has appeared during the prior three years, and whether the lawyer has ever registered under this rule; (6) the address, telephone number and e-mail address for the lawyer; and (7) that the required fee has been remitted to the State Board of Law Examiners. 2. The motion requesting permission to appear must be filed no later than 45 days after service of the pleading, motion, or other paper. 3. Names and Appearances. The name and address of the associate lawyer must be shown on all papers served and filed. The associate lawyer shall appear personally and, unless excused by the court, hearing officer, or presiding officer, remain in attendance with the nonresident lawyer in all appearances before the court, administrative agency, or tribunal. 4. Frequency of Motions. a. Separate permission is required for each action in which a nonresident lawyer appears in a North Dakota state court proceeding, before an administrative agency, or before another tribunal in the state.b. In the absence of good cause, repeated appearances by a nonresident lawyer, other than as pro bono counsel, under this rule shall be cause for denial of permission. It is presumed more than five appearances by a nonresident lawyer under this rule within the preceding 12 months is excessive use of this rule. (1) A non-resident attorney seeking in excess of five appearances within the preceding 12 months must demonstrate good cause justifying the admission, including facts or circumstances affecting the personal or financial welfare of the client and not the attorney. Such facts may include the following: (1) a showing that the cause involves a complex field of law in which the non-resident attorney is a specialist,(2) a long-standing attorney-client relationship. (3) lack of local counsel with expertise in the field involved, (4) the existence of legal questions involving the law of a jurisdiction in which the non-resident attorney regularly practices, (5) the need for extensive discovery proceedings in the foreign jurisdiction, or (6) multiple representations arising out of a single event. 5. Appeal. (a) If an lawyer desires to appear in a proceeding before a North Dakota appellate court, and the lawyer obtained permission to appear in a proceeding involving the same action in a North Dakota state trial court, administrative agency, or tribunal, the lawyer only needs to file an updated affidavit with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. An additional filing fee is not required to be remitted to the State Board of Law Examiners, unless it is a new calendar year. (b) If a lawyer desires to appear in a proceeding before a North Dakota appellate court, and the lawyer did not obtain permission to appear in a proceeding involving the same action in a North Dakota state trial court, administrative agency, or tribunal, the lawyer shall file a motion and affidavit with the Clerk of the Supreme Court requesting permission to appear. The motion, affidavit, and fee must be submitted as otherwise provided in Section A(l). 6. Alternative dispute resolution process. If a nonresident lawyer represents a client in an alternative dispute resolution process in this state, except one involving an administrative agency proceeding, the lawyer must file with the State Board of Law Examiners an affidavit containing the information required in this rule and the fee, and provide a copy to the mediator. An associate lawyer admitted and licensed to practice law in this state must also provide a letter confirming the designation as an associate and whether the arbitrator or mediator requires the associate lawyer to be present during the alternative dispute resolution process.a. The nonresident lawyer cannot proceed with an alternative dispute resolution process without confirmation from the State Board of Law Examiners that the lawyer has met all filing requirements of this rule.B. Pro Hac Vice Admission - Foreign Lawyers 1. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a foreign lawyer seeking to appear as counsel in an action in a trial court of this state or before an administrative agency or tribunal in this state must comply with the provisions of Section A. A foreign lawyer is a person admitted in a non-United States jurisdiction and who is a member of a recognized legal profession in that jurisdiction, the members of which are admitted to practice as lawyers or counselors at law or the equivalent and are subject to effective regulation and discipline by a duly constituted professional body or a public authority, and who is not disbarred, suspended or the equivalent thereof from practice in any jurisdiction. 2. A court, agency, or tribunal in this state may permit a foreign lawyer to appear with an associate lawyer in a particular proceeding pending before the court, agency, or tribunal in a defined role as a lawyer, advisor or consultant in that proceeding, provided that the associate lawyer is responsible to the client, responsible for the conduct of the proceeding, responsible for independently advising the client on the substantive law of a United States jurisdiction and procedural issued in the proceeding, and for advising the client whether the associate lawyer's judgment differs from that of the foreign lawyer.3. In determining whether to permit a foreign lawyer to appear in a proceeding as a lawyer, advisor, or consultant, or in an advisory or consultative role, the court, hearing officer, or presiding officer shall consider any factors relating to the lawyer's possible appearance, including: a. the legal training and experience of the foreign lawyer, including in matters similar to the matter before the court or agency; b. to the extent to which the matter will include the application of the law of the jurisdiction in which the foreign lawyer is admitted or international law or other law with which the foreign lawyer has a demonstrated expertise; c. the foreign lawyer's familiarity with the law of a United States jurisdiction applicable to the matter before the court or agency;d. the extent to which the foreign lawyer's relationship and familiarity with the client or with the facts and circumstances of the matter will facilitate the fair and efficient resolution of the matter;e. the foreign lawyer's English language ability; and f. the extent to which it is possible to define the scope of the foreign lawyer's authority in the matter so as to facilitate its fair and efficient resolution, including by a limitation on the foreign lawyer's authority to advise the client on the law of a United States jurisdiction except in consultation with the associate lawyer. 4. The court, agency or tribunal may limit the activities of the foreign lawyer or require further action by the associate lawyer, as appropriate, in light of considerations under paragraph 3. It may, for example, require the associate lawyer to sign all pleadings and other documents submitted to the court or to other parties or to be present at all depositions and conferences among counsel C. Registration. A nonresident lawyer must register under this section if the lawyer represents a client in an alternative dispute resolution process in this state or is employed in North Dakota as in-house counsel exclusively for a corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates, an association, or a business whose lawful activities are other than the practice of law or the provision of legal services. The lawyer must be admitted and licensed to practice law in another state or the District of Columbia, but not licensed in North Dakota, and, except for the time requirements in Rule 7A, must be otherwise qualified for admission to the practice of law in this state. 1. Registration Requirements. An lawyer must file with the State Board of Law Examiners the following: a. An affidavit requesting permission to render legal services in North Dakota for the calendar year as in-house counsel or by representing a client in an alternative dispute resolution process and stating: (1) the jurisdictions in which the lawyer is admitted to practice law and the number of years of admission, including, in addition, if the lawyer is a foreign lawyer, documents proving admission to practice law and current good standing in the foreign jurisdiction. If the documents are not in English, the lawyer shall submit with the affidavit an English translation and satisfactory proof of the accuracy of the translation;(2) whether the lawyer is presently subject to a disciplinary proceeding in any jurisdiction; (3) whether the lawyer is under any restriction or probation in the practice of law in any jurisdiction in which the lawyer is licensed; (4) whether the lawyer is now or has ever been suspended or disbarred in any jurisdiction; (5) whether the lawyer received a juris doctor or equivalent degree from a law school approved or provisionally approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association; and (6) whether the lawyer has appeared in any North Dakota actions based on pro hac vice admission during the past three years, and how many years the lawyer previously registered under this rule. b. With respect to an lawyer registering as in-house counsel, an affidavit from an officer, director or general counsel of the lawyer's employer in this state attesting that the registrant is employed as an lawyer exclusively for the employer, that the registrant is an individual of good moral character, and that the nature of the employment qualifies the lawyer for registration under this rule. With respect to an lawyer registering to represent a client in an alternative dispute resolution process, a letter from the disciplinary authority in each jurisdiction in which the lawyer is admitted indicating the lawyer is in good standing in the jurisdiction. c. The fee required for an lawyer who has been licensed in this state for five years or more. 2. Frequency of Registration. Registration is required for each calendar year in which a nonresident lawyer provides legal services in this state as provided in this rule and N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 5.5. 3. Continuing Legal Education Requirements. Each nonresident lawyer who is registered as in-house counsel under this section must complete not fewer than 45 hours of approved coursework in Continuing Legal Education during each three-year period the lawyer is registered and must file a report as provided in the North Dakota Rules for Continuing Legal Education. 4. Limitation on Registration. A nonresident lawyer may provide legal services under this rule for 5 years or until the lawyer becomes eligible for admission based on practice as provided by Rule 7A, whichever is earlier. After that time, the lawyer must apply for and be admitted to the practice of law in North Dakota to provide any legal services in this state. 5. Automatic Termination of Registration. Permission to render legal services based on registration expires at the end of each calendar year, if employment by the employer filing the affidavit required by this rule is terminated, or if the nonresident lawyer becomes eligible for admission under Rule 7(A). 6. Pro Hac Vice Admission Separate. If a nonresident lawyer registered as in-house counsel under this section desires to appear, either in person, by signing pleadings, or by being designated as counsel in actions filed in courts, administrative agencies, or other tribunals in this state, a separate motion for pro hac vice admission is required under this rule. However, a separate fee is not required, provided in-house counsel has registered under this rule. D. Ineligibility for Pro Hac Vice Admission or Registration. A nonresident lawyer who is currently under suspension, disbarment, or license restriction in any jurisdiction is not eligible for pro hac vice admission or registration under this rule. E. For purposes of this Rule, a "foreign lawyer" is a member in good standing of a recognized legal profession in a foreign jurisdiction, the members of which are admitted to practice as lawyers or counselors at law or the equivalent and are subject to effective regulation and discipline by a duly constituted professional body or a public authority. F. Use of Fees. Fees collected by the State Board of Law Examiners under this rule must be distributed in the manner provided for the distribution of license fees under N.D.C.C. Section 27-12-04. Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of May 6-7, 1999, pages 2-7; January 28-29, 1999, pages 13-16; November 7-8, 1991, page 6; October 25-26, 1990, page 19; June 21, 1984, pages 1-2 Joint Committee on Attorney Standards Minutes of June 24, 2003, pgs. 5-8; September 25, 2003, pgs. 2-8; November 14, 2003, pgs. 2-6; February 27, 2004, pgs. 3-5; and April 16, 2004, pgs. 1-6; June 13, 2012, pg.11February 26, 2016; and April 29,2016.
Amended effective 3/1/2000; amended effective 3/1/2005; amended effective 1/1/2013; amended effective 4/1/2013; 10/1/2016; amended dated September 4, 2019, effective 1/1/2020. EXPLANATORY NOTE Rule 3 was amended, effective 3/1/2005, to incorporate N.D.R.Ct. 11.1, with modifications, and provide for pro hac vice admission for all adjudicative proceedings and for registration of in-house counsel and nonresident attorneys representing clients in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Subparagraph 3(A)(1)(b) was amended, effective 1/1/2013, to add a requirement that the nonresident lawyer's affidavit contain a statement that the required fee has been remitted to the State Board of Law Examiners. Section A(6) was added effective 10/1/2016, to provide for non-resident lawyers to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under the filing requirements for pro hac vice admission. This rule is not limited to an appearance in a North Dakota state court action. Under this rule, an appearance is not limited to actual physical presence in a court action. An attorney also makes an appearance by signing or otherwise being designated as counsel on a pleading, motion, or other paper served or filed in an action venued in a North Dakota state court, administrative agency, or other tribunal. Section A(2) of this rule requires a motion for permission to appear to be filed within 45 days of service of a pleading, motion, or other paper. If an action is commenced by service, an attorney should be aware that the action must be filed before the attorney moves for permission to appear. If the action settles before it is filed, a motion requesting permission to appear does not need to be filed. New Section B was adopted, effective October 1,2016, to provide procedures for pro hac vice admission of foreign lawyers. Section B was amended and adopted as Section C, effective October 1, 2016, to include registration provisions applicable to foreign lawyers. New Section E was adopted, effective October 1, 2016, to provide a definition related to pro hac vice admission and registration of foreign lawyers. A lawyer seeking to take a deposition within the state of North Dakota for an action pending in another jurisdiction must comply with N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 5.5. N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 5.5. SUPERSEDED: N.D.R.Ct.11.1