Pro Hac Vice

Pro Hac Vice

Pro Hac Vice, which is a Latin term meaning “for this occasion," allows an out-of-state attorney to request permission from a California state court to represent their client in California. Please see rule 9.40 of the California Rules of Court. 

Requirements

  • You must have an active license and be in good standing to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction. 
  • An active licensee of the State Bar must be associated as attorney of record for the case.
  • You must not live, work, or conduct regular business in California. 
  • You must file an application with the court to appear on behalf of the client in the related case. Please refer to rule 9.40(c) of the California Rules of Court. 
  • The filing submitted to the court must include a copy of a proof of service showing that all parties and the State Bar of California have been served. 
  • You must also remit a fee to the State Bar with a copy of the application.

Applying for Pro Hac Vice

The application to the court must state:

  • Your residence and office address;
  • The courts to which you have been admitted to practice and the dates of admission; 
  • That you are a licensee in good standing in those courts; 
  • That you are not currently suspended or disbarred in any court; 
  • The title of each court and cause in which you have filed an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice in California in the preceding two years, the date of each application, and whether or not it was granted; and 
  • The name, address, and telephone number of the active licensee of the State Bar of California who is attorney of record.

In addition to filing the documents in court, you must provide the State Bar with a copy of the application and the notice of hearing. Please submit the documents and the requisite fee through the Applicant Portal via the State Bar’s Pro Hac Vice application.

Paralegals, assistants, and California bar licensees can submit the State Bar's Pro Hac Vice application 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 accounts for the Applicant Portal using their own credentials, while California bar licensees may contact the Office of Admissions to reactivate their account to submit the application on behalf of the participating attorney requesting Pro Hac Vice status. 

Questions? 

For questions, please contact the clerk’s office of the court where you submitted the application. You may also contact the Office of Admissions at 800-843-9053, or email ProHac@calbar.ca.gov.

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