Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel

An attorney who wants to provide legal help as arbitration counsel in California, but who does not have a State Bar of California license, can still serve as long as they apply to the Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel (OSAAC) program.

Section 1282.4 of the California Code of Civil Procedure details the prerequisites of an OSAAC appearance. Lawyers must be in good standing and eligible to practice before another U.S. bar. An attorney who resides in California will not be eligible to participate in this program.

To apply to the OSAAC program, an attorney must:

  • Log into the Admissions Applicant Portal
  • Click, "Special Admissions" at the top of the webpage
  • Click, "Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel
  • Download and complete the fillable Certificate of Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel (OSAAC). Once an attorney gathers this information, they must submit an online application and upload any required documents through the Applicant Portal
  • Complete the online Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel Application, upload the completed certificate and pay the nonrefundable $50 filing fee, per attorney and per proceeding
  • If the Arbitral forum or arbitrator(s) approve(s) the appearance of the applicant, the applicant must serve a copy of the Certificate bearing such written approval on all other parties and counsel in arbitration whose addresses are known to the applicant and upload the arbitrator signed Certificate to your application case record through the Applicant Portal. Service must comply with California Code of Civil Procedure section 1013a. Your filing will not be approved without the uploaded arbitrator signed copy of the form to your online application case record.

Paralegals, assistants, and California bar licensees can submit OSAAC applications through the 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 reactivate their account to submit the application on behalf of the participating attorney.

The State Bar keeps records for OSAAC applications but does not approve or disapprove the OSAAC certificates. Approval of the certificate is determined by the arbitrator or arbitration panel to which the application is being made.

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

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