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Seal of The State Bar of California The State Bar of California

Pro Hac Vice

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An attorney who doesn’t live, work, or conduct regular business in California can petition the court to represent their client under a title called “Pro Hac Vice.” This Latin term means "for this occasion."

Lawyers licensed in another state must formally petition a California court for permission to appear on behalf of a client on a particular case. To submit a Pro Hac Vice online application for such petitions, a copy of the Pro Hac Vice request made to a state court must be uploaded to the attorney online case record in the State Bar's Applicant Portal. This does not apply to federal courts.

Applying for Pro Hac Vice

The submitted application must consist of documents filed with the state court where the attorney would like to appear. The documents must include the following information:

  • Court case name and number
  • Court name
  • Declaration by the out-of-state attorney with his or her name, email address, home address, and business address where they are licensed to practice
  • Declaration of bar licensing status in the attorney's home state
  • Name, phone number, address, and bar number of the California attorney of record

In addition to filing the documents in court, the attorney must upload a copy of the documents and notice of hearing to the Pro Hac Vice application case record for processing. A filing fee of $50 is due along with the application. It is payable upon submission of your online application. Applications for Pro Hac Vice must be submitted online through Applicant Portal and must include the above information in order for the application to be approved. 

Paralegals, assistants, and California bar licensees can submit Pro Hac Vice applications through the Admissions Applicant Portal on behalf of the out-of-state attorney interested in participating in the program. Paralegals and assistants must create their own portal accounts using their own credentials, while California bar licensees can contact the Office of Admissions to reactive their account to submit the application on behalf of the participating attorney. 

Contact information

For questions, contact the State Bar Office of Admissions at 415-538-2300 or email ProHac@calbar.ca.gov.

For information on the eligibility rules for Pro Hac Vice, or what you should include in the applications, see Rule 9.40 of the California Rules of Court. 

If you have questions, speak with the clerk of the court where the application is submitted.

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