ACC provides a summary of the right-to-practice rules for each U.S. state for working as in-house counsel where you are not admitted to the bar.
Our goal is to publish accurate and current information, but rules can change unexpectedly. Be sure to consult with your state's bar admission agency to ensure you have the most current information. Please let us know if you find any updates.
The information on these pages is not legal advice and is meant only as a guide for your convenience.
Lawyers serving as house counsel in Alabama and not licensed members of the Alabama State Bar must register to become authorized house counsel. The purpose of the rule is to facilitate the relocation of individuals who are employed by and provide legal services exclusively for business organizations in Alabama without the necessity of taking and passing the Alabama bar exam. The requirements of the authorized house counsel rule promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court are covered under Rule VIII of the Alabama State Bar Rules Governing Admission. For more info, application, and checklist check the Rule VIII web pages.
For information and applications contact: The Alabama State Bar
Pro Hac Vice Admissions
(334) 269-1515
E-mail: phv@alabar.org
You may practice and be admitted to the Alabama State Bar without sitting for the Alabama State Bar exam by complying with the requirements of Rule III of the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar.
Alabama State Bar
415 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Phone (334) 269-1515
(800) 354-6154 Last Updated 14 February 2023.
Under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 81(a)(2), an attorney may appear pro hac vice upon filing a Rule 81 Motion to Participate. For further information see the Alaska Bar Association’s Page on pro hac vice.
Applicants must have actively practiced in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C. for at least five of seven years immediately preceding application, and have passed a written bar examination in a U.S. jurisdiction offering reciprocity to Alaska attorneys under conditions no more demanding than Alaska’s reciprocity rules. For more information please see Rule 2(2). See also the page on admission by reciprocity.
Alaska Bar Association
P.O. Box 100279
Anchorage, AK 99510 Street Address:
840 K Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone (907) 272-7469
Fax (907) 272-2932
Email: info@alaskabar.org Last Updated 5 March 2023.
Pursuant to Rule 38(a), Ariz. R. Sup. Ct., A lawyer who is not a member of the State Bar of Arizona who has been admitted to practice law in another jurisdiction may apply for an Arizona Certificate of Registration of In-House Counsel within 90 days of commencement of their employment. In-house counsel registration is for those lawyers not admitted to practice in Arizona who are employed within the State of Arizona as in-house counsel or a related position for a single for profit or non profit corporation, association, or other organizational entity, which can include its parents, subsidiaries and/or affiliates, the business of which is lawful In-house counsel registrants are subject to the disciplinary and disability jurisdiction of the Arizona Supreme Court and the State Bar of Arizona, with the same benefits and responsibilities of active members of the State Bar. See more here.
The Arizona Supreme Court allows admission on motion, allowing eligible candidates to bypass the examination and substitute years of successful, ethical active practice as evidence they meet educational criteria. Candidates must meet specific requirements. See more here.
Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, Pro Hac Vice, became effective May 1, 2020. An attorney who is not a member of the State Bar of Arizona but is currently a member in good standing of the bar of another state or non-U.S. jurisdiction and eligible to practice before the highest court in any state, territory or insular possession of the United States or foreign jurisdiction may appear as counsel pro hac vice in any case before any state or local court board or administrative agency in the State of Arizona upon compliance with this rule. See more here.
State Bar of Arizona
4201 N. 24th Street Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85016-6266
Phone: 602.252.4804
Toll Free: 866.48.AZBAR
Fax: 602.271.4930 Last Updated 20 March 2023.
Rule XIV of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Arkansas allows admission pro hac vice for non-resident attorneys. Please find the required form here.
Admission on the Motion in Arkansas is governed by Rule XVI of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Arkansas.
Arkansas Bar Association
2224 Cottondale Lane
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone (501) 375-4606 Last Updated 20 March 2023.
Rule 9.46 permits in house counsel to practice in California only to the qualifying institution that employs the attorney. An attorney practicing under Rule 9.46 cannot make court appearances in California state courts or engage in any activities for which pro hac vice admission is required if they are performed in California by an attorney who is not a member of the State Bar of California and the attorney may not provide personal or individual representation to any customers, shareholders, owners, partners, officers, employees, servants, or agents of the qualifying institution. Please see subsections (c), (d) and (f) for eligibility and application requirements. In-House counsel must renew his/her registration annually and there is no limitation on the number of years house counsel may register under this rule except that you must remain employed by the same qualifying institution that provided the declaration in support of your application. If registered house counsel leaves he employment he/she must notify the State Bar of California within 30 days. To practice as house counsel for a new employer, you must first register as in-house counsel for that employer.
Rule 5.5 and Comment Other Rules (1) Rule 9.45 - Registered legal aid attorneys An attorney practicing under Rule 9.45 may practice law in California only while working, with or without pay, at an eligible legal aid organization, and at that institution and only on behalf of its clients, may engage, under supervision, in all forms of legal practice that are permissible for a member of the State Bar of California. (2) Rule 9.47 Attorneys practicing law temporarily in California as part of litigation An attorney may under Rule 9.47 temporarily practice law in California as part of litigation if they meet the requirements in Rule 9.47(b) and adhere to the restrictions in 9.47(d) and abide by the conditions in 9.47(e). (3) Rule 9.48 Nonlitigating attorneys temporarily in California to provide legal services An attorney may practice under Rule 9.48 if they meet the requirements of 9.48(b) and adhere to the restrictions and conditions of 9.48(d)-(e). Under Rule 9.48 an attorney may provide legal assistance or legal advice in California to a client concerning a transaction or other nonlitigation matter, a material aspect of which is taking place in another jurisdiction where the attorney is licensed to provide legal services, provide legal assistance or legal advice in California on an issue of federal law or of the law of another jurisdiction to attorneys licensed to practice in California, or is an employee of a client and provide legal assistance or legal advice in California to the client or to the client’s subsidiaries or organizational affiliates. For further information please see the State Bar of California’s Page on Multijurisdictional practice.
Rule 9.40 governs pro hac vice admission in California. If you are a resident, regularly employed in or regularly engaged in substantial business, professional, or other activities in California you are not eligible to appear as counsel pro hac vice. Further, the Rule does not condone repeated appearances as counsel pro hac vice. Please see subsection (c)-(d) for application instructions. For further information please see The State Bar of California’s Page on Pro Hac Vice.
The State Bar of California San Francisco (Main Office)
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone (415) 538-2000 Los Angeles
845 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515
(213) 765-1000 State Bar Ethics Information Last Updated 20 March 2023.