Free Attorney Admission Packet - Maryland

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
ATTORNEY ADMISSION INFORMATION A. FEES Application for Admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 175.00 Application for Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 60.00/6 years 50.00

Fees are automatically waived for members of the judiciary. The pro hac vice fee is waived for federal government attorneys appearing in their official capacity, representing a federal agency or official. In these instances, federal government attorneys must utilize the Court's form entitled, "Request for Entry of Appearance on Behalf of a Federal Government Agency," which must be completed and mailed to the Court, along with the CM/ECF Registration Form that accompanies the form. Admission and renewal fees are required for attorneys employed by the federal government who choose to become members of the bar of this Court, and are required for attorneys employed by state or local government agencies. Payment may be made by check or money order payable to "Clerk, U. S. District Court." However, payment may also be made by major credit card if submitting paperwork in person. B. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION 1. a. Local Rule 701.1 - Qualifications: General Except as provided in subsection c of this rule, an attorney is qualified for admission to the bar of this District if the attorney is a member in good standing of the highest court of any State (or the District of Columbia) in which the attorney maintains his or her principal law office, or of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, is of good private and professional character, is familiar with the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and these Local Rules and is willing, available and competent to accept appointments by the court to represent indigent parties in civil cases in this district unless the acceptance of such appointments is inconsistent with an attorney's professional employment obligations as, for example, a government attorney.

b.

Federal Government Attorneys

U.S. District Court (Rev. 02/18/2009) - Attorney Admission Information

An attorney who is a member of a Federal Public Defender's Office, the Office of the United States Attorney for this District, or other federal government lawyer, is qualified for admission to the bar of this District for purposes relating to her or his employment if the attorney is a member in good standing of the highest court of any state (or the District of Columbia), is of good private and professional character, is familiar with the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and these Local Rules. c. Reciprocity with Other Jurisdictions No attorney, other than a member of the Maryland bar, who maintains his or her principal law office outside the District of Maryland may be a member of the bar of this district if: 1. the United States District Court for the district in which the attorney maintains his or her principal law office has a local rule that denies membership in its bar to any attorney who is a member of the Maryland bar maintaining his or her principal law office in Maryland; and the attorney is a member of the bar of that district.

2. d.

Non-Maryland Lawyers Maintaining Any Law Office in Maryland An attorney who is not a member of the Maryland Bar is not qualified for admission to the bar of this District if the attorney maintains any law office in Maryland.

2.

You must be sponsored by a member of the bar of this Court. Your sponsor must have known you for at least one year (this requirement may be waived if the sponsor sets forth in his/her motion sufficient grounds to satisfy the court that he/she has reason to know you are qualified for admission). Local Rule 701.2.a (D. Md.).

C.

ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Complete the attached application for admission and sponsor's motion for admission. You are required to use the standard forms issued by this Court. Answer all of the questions and fill in all of the blanks. If a particular item does not apply to you, you must write in "N/A". All information must be typewritten or legibly printed. For additional copies of the application for admission, the sponsor's motion for admission, or a pro hac vice form, visit the Court's web site at www.mdd.uscourts.gov, select "For Attorneys" and "applications and forms."

2.

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3.

Send the completed admission application, including payment and sponsor's motion, to the Clerk's Office in Baltimore at: U.S. District Court, 101 West Lombard Street, 4th floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. If the Court has any questions regarding your application, you will be notified by the Attorney Admissions Coordinator. If you do not hear from the Court, you may presume your application has been approved and your admission has been scheduled on the date that you requested. The application for admission, the sponsor's motion and the application fee MUST be received at least fourteen (14) days prior to your requested admission date. You must pick one of the dates listed on the schedule of Admission Ceremonies posted on the court's web site. In selecting your admission date, consult with your sponsor to ensure that you will both be available to appear before this Court. Please be advised that applicants will not be admitted without personally appearing at an admissions ceremony with their sponsor. On the day of your admission, unless notified of a different time, you must personally appear with your sponsor before the Court promptly at 9:30 a.m. in Baltimore or 10:00 a.m. in Greenbelt. You are required to check in with the Clerk's Office at least fifteen minutes in advance of the admissions ceremony to ensure your name is on that day's list of admittees. The list is located at the front counter of the Clerk's Office. If, for any reason, you need to reschedule your admission, you should contact the Attorney Admissions Coordinator. You must reschedule within three months of the original date of your admission application. If you fail to reschedule or appear for admission within three months of your original date of application, your request for admission will require approval from the Bench. If you reschedule more than twice during the three month period, you will be required to pay an additional $25.00 fee. Once you are admitted you MUST notify the Clerk of Court and the Attorney Admissions Coordinator of any change in your address.

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D.

RENEWAL APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Every attorney who is a member of the bar of this Court is required to renew his/her membership periodically. Local Rule 701.2.b (D. Md.). You will be notified by the Court at the address we have on file when it is time to renew your membership. If you fail to receive a timely notice of renewal, please notify the Admissions Coordinator.

2.

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3.

You must complete and return the renewal application and accompanying fee to the Court by the date specified in the renewal notice. Local Rule 102.1.b.i (D. Md.) requires counsel to state at the bottom of all court papers their name, address, telephone number, fax number, and bar number. This information must appear on your renewal application in order for your application to be processed. Failure to submit the renewal application in a timely fashion will result in your membership in the bar of this Court being changed to an inactive status.

4.

E.

ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE 1. Local Rule 101.1.b - Pro Hac Vice The Court may permit any attorney (except any attorney who is a member of the Maryland Bar or maintains any law office in Maryland) who is a member in good standing of the Bar of any other United States Court or of the highest court of any state to appear and participate as counsel in a particular civil case. Such permission shall not constitute formal admission to the Bar of this Court. However, an attorney admitted pro hac vice is subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of this Court. Any party represented by an attorney who has been admitted pro hac vice must also be represented by an attorney who has been formally admitted to the Bar of this court. 2. To be admitted pro hac vice, a member of the bar of this Court must move your admission. It is not necessary for you and/or your sponsor to personally appear before this Court. If the motion is properly completed and the $50.00 fee paid, it will be approved by the Clerk or ruled upon by the judge to whom the case is assigned. Local Rule 102.1.b.i (D. Md.) requires counsel to state at the bottom of all court papers their name, address, telephone number, fax number, and bar number (if applicable). This information must appear on your pro hac vice application in order for your application to be processed.

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND ATTORNEY ADMISSION APPLICATION You must fill in all blanks and answer all questions. If a particular question does not apply to you, write "none" or "N/A". Applications which are not properly completed will be returned. NAME FIRM ADDRESS
MAIN FIRM PHONE NO.

FAX NO. E-MAIL ADDRESS REQUESTED ADMISSION DATE: Baltimore Date ________________________ Greenbelt Date ________________________ *Please Note: You must pick one of the dates listed on the Schedule of Admission Ceremonies which is available on the court's web site. A. BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE Please answer these questions yes or no. If you answer yes to any of these questions you must submit a statement under the penalties of perjury which includes the relevant facts, court, charge, date, whether the occurrence was disclosed to the highest court of the state(s) in which you are admitted, disposition, whether the occurrence was an isolated incident, and any other facts you deem relevant. 1. Are there any disciplinary proceedings pending against you? YES NO Have you ever been denied admission to practice, disbarred, suspended from practice, or disciplined by any court or bar authority? YES NO If you have been suspended or disbarred from the practice of law by any court or bar authority, have you been reinstated? YES NO N?A Have you ever resigned from the practice of law in any court? YES NO Excluding traffic violations punishable by fine only, have you ever been convicted of, or entered a plea of no contest to, any crime or are any criminal charges pending against you? YES NO
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U.S. District Court (Rev. 12/21/2004) - Attorney Admission Application

6.

Have you ever been held in contempt of court? YES NO

B. PRO BONO QUESTIONNAIRE As a member of the bar of this Court you are expected to handle cases on a pro bono basis when called upon to do so by the Court. Please answer the following questions so that your skills and preferences may be taken into account when you are appointed to a case. 1. I prefer to be appointed in the following types of cases: Prisoner Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Bankruptcy ERISA Civil Litigation Other: I prefer to handle cases assigned to: Baltimore Greenbelt My primary area of practice is:

2.

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4.

If you are employed by a government agency, provide the name

5.

Is there any reason other than a specific conflict which might prevent you from accepting appointment in a pro bono case?

C. APPLICANT'S CERTIFICATION 1. I have been admitted to practice law in the following jurisdictions (states or the District of Columbia): STATE COURT DATE OF ADMISSION

2.

Unless otherwise indicated in Section A, I am a member in good standing of the bars of each of the jurisdictions listed above. I am familiar with the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the
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3.

U.S. District Court (Rev. 12/21/2004) - Attorney Admission Application

Local Rules of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. 4. I am willing to accept court appointments to represent indigent parties in civil cases in this district, and unless indicated otherwise in Section B, I am available to do so. My principal law office is located in _______________________________________. (a) I am a member of the bar of the following United States Courts: U.S. COURT DATE OF ADMISSION

5. 6.

(b) I have reviewed the Local Rules of each of those districts. Membership in the bars of these districts do not disqualify me from membership in the bar of this Court pursuant to the reciprocity provisions of Local Rule 701.1.c (D. Md.). YES NO 7. I understand that it is my responsibility to notify the Attorney Admission Coordinator of any change in my address. I understand that I will be required to renew my membership in the bar of this Court periodically.

8.

I hereby certify under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing statements and answers are true and correct.

_____________________________________ Signature

______________________________ Date

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
SPONSOR'S MOTION FOR ADMISSION

1.

I, __________________________________________________, was admitted to the

bar of this court on __________________________ and I am presently a member in good standing of this bar. My bar number is ___________________________. I am moving the admission of ________________________________________________. 2. I believe the applicant is qualified for admission to the bar of this court. I am willing

to assist the applicant in learning the standards, practices and procedures of the court. 3.
TO BE COMPLETED IF YOU HAVE KNOWN THE APPLICANT AT LEAST ONE YEAR

I have known the applicant for at least one year. My relationship with the applicant has been as follows: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 4.
TO BE COMPLETED IF YOU HAVE KNOWN THE APPLICANT LESS THAN ONE YEAR

Attached is a resume of the applicant along with two references. I have known the applicant since _________________________. The basis for my belief that the applicant is qualified to be a member of the bar of this court is: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

I certify under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct. ______________________________ Date ____________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ Printed Name ____________________________________ Firm Name ____________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City, State, Zip Code ____________________________________ Main Firm Telephone Number ____________________________________ Fax Number

****************************************************************************** WAIVER (Required only if paragraph 4 is completed.) Granted [ ] Denied [ ]

______________________________ Date

____________________________________ United States District/Magistrate Judge

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