Attorney Federal Attorney Pro Hac Vice Law Student
The attorney admissions process is governed by DUCivR 83-1.1. Attorneys practicing in the U.S. District Court or U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah, must be active members in good standing of the this court's bar, a federal attorney authorized to practice before this court, or admitted pro hac vice.
All attorneys who practice in the District of Utah must read and comply with the Local Rules of Practice, Utah Rules of Professional Conduct, and Utah Standards of Professionalism and Civility.
Attorney Admissions
To become a member of this court's bar, an attorney must be an active member in good standing of the Utah State Bar. Federal attorneys are exempt from this requirement and should proceed to the Federal Attorney section.
Please complete the online application available at www.pacer.uscourts.gov to apply for membership to this court's bar. Detailed instructions are available on the court's website. After the court reviews the application and verifies the information you provide, you will receive an email that includes a link to pay the admission fee. The fee must be paid within 30 days from the date of the email. If the fee is not timely paid, your application will be denied, and you will need to submit a new application.
Attorneys who are Utah residents or practice in Utah on a regular basis, unless exempt, need to apply and be admitted as members to the Utah State Bar to be eligible to practice law in the District of Utah. Please visit the Utah State Bar's website for information about the application process at https://www.admissions.utahbar.org
Attorneys who are already active members of this court’s bar, but who do not have efiling privileges, must register to efile and receive electronic notifications of case activity. Detailed instructions are available on the court's website.
Federal Attorney Admissions
Attorneys employed by or on special assignment for the United States Government and its agencies or employed by a Federal Public Defender’s Office (Federal Attorneys) may practice before this court in their official capacity as long as they are active member in good standing of any state bar (including the Utah State Bar) or the District of Columbia. Detailed instructions are available on the court's website.
The admission and annual renewal fees are waived for Federal Attorneys, including Federal Attorneys who maintain active membership in this court's bar and the Utah State Bar.
An attorney who is requesting pro hac vice admission must associate with local counsel who is an active member of this court's bar. Local counsel will file a motion, application, and proposed order. Pro hac vice instructions and forms are available on the court's website.
Immediately after filing the motion, the pro hac vice attorney must request efiling privileges. The efiling registration request will be approved after the court grants the motion. Without completing the online registration, pro hac vice attorneys cannot efile documents or receive electronic notifications of case activity. Detailed instructions are available on the court's website.
Law Student Admissions
A law student who meets the eligibility requirements under UCJA Rule 14-807 is permitted to represent parties in this district, subject to the following conditions:
- Eligibility Requirements:
- The law student must meet all the criteria outlined in UCJA Rule 14-807 to be eligible for participation in court proceedings.
- Supervision by Attorney:
- The law student may only appear in civil or criminal cases under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
- A supervising attorney must be present during any proceedings, including permissible activities such as negotiations, depositions, or court appearances.
- Consent to Participate:
- The supervising attorney must file a completed "Consent to Participate in Court Proceedings" form on behalf of the law student. This form is available on the court's website.
- The judge assigned to the case must approve the law student's participation in the proceedings. The judge’s consent is required for the law student to actively engage in the case.
- Permissible Activities:
- An eligible law student may engage in activities such as:
- Negotiations
- Depositions
- Court proceedings (as permitted under UCJA Rule 14-807)
- However, the supervising attorney must always be present and available to guide the law student.
- An eligible law student may engage in activities such as:
This process allows law students to gain practical experience in a court setting while ensuring proper oversight by a qualified attorney. For further details or to access the required forms, review DUCivR 83-1.5.
Updated 11/30/2024