DC Pro Hac Vice Sponsorship & Local Counsel Services

Comprehensive pro hac vice admission and local counsel representation for out-of-state attorneys appearing in DC federal and local courts

What is Pro Hac Vice Admission?

Pro hac vice (Latin for "for this occasion") allows an attorney licensed in one jurisdiction to appear in a court where they are not admitted for a specific case. This temporary admission requires sponsorship by a local attorney who is a member of that court's bar.

For attorneys outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area, pro hac vice admission is the gateway to representing clients in matters before DC courts. Whether your case involves federal agency litigation, government contracts, or any matter within DC's jurisdiction, you need a DC-barred attorney to sponsor your admission.

DC Federal Litigation PLLC provides pro hac vice sponsorship and local counsel services for:

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

  • Superior Court of the District of Columbia

  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Why DC Courts?

Washington, DC is unlike any other jurisdiction in the United States. As the seat of the federal government, DC courts handle a disproportionate share of matters involving federal agencies, government contracts, and constitutional challenges.

Cases that often require DC court admission include:

  • Administrative Procedure Act (APA) challenges to agency decisions

  • USCIS mandamus lawsuits for immigration delays

  • Government contract bid protests at the Court of Federal Claims

  • EPA, FCC, and other agency rulemaking challenges in the DC Circuit

  • Tucker Act claims against the United States

  • FOIA litigation to compel record disclosure

  • Federal employee and security clearance appeals

  • Constitutional challenges to federal actions

If your client's matter involves the federal government, there's a significant chance it belongs in a DC court.

DC District Court Pro Hac Vice Requirements

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has specific requirements for pro hac vice admission governed by Local Civil Rule 83.2(e) for civil matters and Local Criminal Rule 44.1(c) for criminal matters.

Requirements for Admission

To be admitted pro hac vice, you must:

  1. Be a member in good standing of the bar of any United States court or the highest court of any state

  2. Not be suspended or disbarred in any jurisdiction

  3. Have a DC-barred attorney serve as your sponsor

  4. Pay the required admission fee

  5. File the appropriate motion with the court

Application Process

Step 1: Retain Local Counsel Contact us to serve as your pro hac vice sponsor. We will review your matter and confirm eligibility.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents You will need:

  • Certificate of good standing from your home bar (issued within 90 days)

  • List of all jurisdictions where you are admitted

  • List of any disciplinary actions or pending proceedings

Step 3: Prepare the Motion We prepare and file the written motion for pro hac vice admission, including:

  • Your qualifications and bar memberships

  • Statement of your sponsoring attorney's membership

  • Certification that you have read and will comply with local rules

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees The current pro hac vice filing fee for DC District Court is $100 per attorney.

Step 5: Await Court Approval Most pro hac vice motions are granted within a few days if all requirements are met.

Step 6: Comply with Local Rules Once admitted, you must comply with all DC District Court local rules, including electronic filing requirements.

Court of Federal Claims Pro Hac Vice Requirements

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC) has its own admission requirements under RCFC Appendix A.

Requirements for Admission

To appear before COFC, you must:

  1. Be a member in good standing of the bar of any state, territory, or the District of Columbia

  2. Not be under suspension or disbarment

  3. Pay the admission fee

  4. Have a COFC-admitted attorney move for your admission (or submit your own application with sponsorship)

Application Process for COFC

Step 1: Initial Application Complete the Court of Federal Claims Application for Admission.

Step 2: Character and Fitness Provide information regarding any disciplinary history.

Step 3: Fee Payment Pay the applicable admission fee.

Step 4: Sponsorship A member of the COFC bar must move for your admission or endorse your application.

Step 5: Oath or Affirmation Take the prescribed oath before appearing.

DC Circuit Pro Hac Vice Requirements

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit handles appeals from DC District Court and direct challenges to many federal agency actions.

Requirements for DC Circuit Admission

Pro hac vice admission requires:

  1. Good standing in the bar of any U.S. court or state highest court

  2. Motion for admission filed with the court

  3. Sponsorship by a DC Circuit bar member

  4. Payment of applicable fees

When You Need DC Circuit Admission

  • Appeals from DC District Court decisions

  • Petitions for review of agency orders (EPA, FCC, FERC, etc.)

  • Original jurisdiction matters

DC Superior Court Pro Hac Vice Requirements

For matters in the local District of Columbia courts rather than federal courts, Superior Court has its own pro hac vice rules under Superior Court Rule of Civil Procedure 101.

Requirements for Superior Court Admission

To appear pro hac vice in DC Superior Court:

  1. Be an active member in good standing of any U.S. jurisdiction

  2. Not reside in DC and not regularly practice in DC courts

  3. Associate with a DC Bar member who maintains an office in DC

  4. File the Application for Permission to Appear Pro Hac Vice

  5. Pay the required fee

Application Process

The Superior Court application requires:

  • Certificate of good standing

  • Statement of other pro hac vice admissions in DC courts (within past 2 years)

  • Signed association agreement with local counsel

Note: Superior Court limits pro hac vice appearances to a certain number per attorney per year.

Our Pro Hac Vice & Local Counsel Services

Pro Hac Vice Sponsorship Services

What We Provide:

  1. Eligibility Review - We confirm your eligibility for pro hac vice admission in the appropriate DC court

  2. Motion Preparation - We draft and file all required pro hac vice motions and applications

  3. Fee Coordination - We handle filing fee payment and reimbursement

  4. Rules Guidance - We provide summaries of local rules you must follow

  5. Ongoing Compliance - We ensure your continued compliance with admission requirements

Local Counsel Services

Beyond sponsorship, we offer comprehensive local counsel support:

  1. Document Review - We review filings for local rule compliance before submission

  2. ECF Filing Assistance - We file documents through the court's electronic filing system

  3. Service of Process - We accept service of process on your behalf

  4. Court Appearances - We attend status conferences, scheduling hearings, and other proceedings when you cannot travel

  5. Local Rule Expertise - We advise on DC-specific procedural requirements

  6. Judge-Specific Practices - We share insight on individual judges' preferences and standing orders

  7. Clerk's Office Coordination - We handle communications with court staff

  8. Emergency Filings - We manage time-sensitive filings requiring immediate attention

Court Appearance Coverage

When you cannot be physically present, we can:

  • Attend scheduling conferences

  • Appear at status hearings

  • Handle routine procedural motions

  • Represent your client for limited matters with appropriate authorization

Pricing

Pro Hac Vice Sponsorship

U.S. District Court for DC Starting at $500 (flat fee) Includes motion preparation, filing, and basic local counsel association

Court of Federal Claims Starting at $500 (flat fee) Includes application assistance and sponsorship

DC Circuit Starting at $500 (flat fee) Includes motion preparation and filing

DC Superior Court Starting at $500 (flat fee) Includes application and required association agreement

Local Counsel Services

Basic Local Counsel Package Starting at $1,000 Includes pro hac vice sponsorship, document review, ECF filing for duration of matter

Comprehensive Local Counsel Starting at $2,500 Includes all basic services plus court appearances, service of process acceptance, and ongoing consultation

Hourly Local Counsel $350/hour For matters requiring extensive local counsel involvement

Court Appearance Coverage Starting at $500 per appearance Status conferences, scheduling hearings, routine motions

All fees are separate from court filing fees and costs

Why Choose DC Federal Litigation PLLC?

Federal Court Focus

Unlike general practitioners who occasionally handle pro hac vice matters, federal court litigation is our primary practice. We understand the specific requirements, local rules, and practical considerations for each DC federal court.

Responsive Service

We understand pro hac vice needs often arise with tight deadlines. We respond to inquiries within 24 hours and can expedite sponsorship when necessary.

Nationwide Relationships

We work with attorneys from across the country and understand the challenges of practicing in an unfamiliar jurisdiction. We provide the local support you need without overstepping your role as lead counsel.

Transparent Pricing

Our flat-fee sponsorship pricing eliminates surprises. You know your costs upfront.

Ongoing Support

Our relationship doesn't end with admission. We remain available throughout your case for local rule questions, filing assistance, and appearance coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Pro Hac Vice Questions

  • Pro hac vice is Latin for "for this occasion." It allows an attorney licensed in one jurisdiction to appear in a court where they are not admitted, but only for a specific case. The attorney must be sponsored by a local attorney who is a member of that court's bar.

  • Yes. If you are not admitted to the DC federal court where you wish to appear, you must seek pro hac vice admission. You cannot file documents or appear without admission.

  • For most DC federal courts, admission is typically granted within 3-7 business days after filing, assuming all requirements are met. We can often expedite urgent matters.

  • Federal courts generally do not impose strict limits on pro hac vice appearances. DC Superior Court may limit the number of pro hac vice appearances per attorney per year.

  • Denials are rare if all requirements are met. If issues arise (such as disciplinary history), we can advise on how to address them before filing.

Sponsorship and Local Counsel Questions

  • Your sponsor vouches for your good standing and agrees to assist with compliance with local rules. The sponsor's name appears on your pro hac vice motion.

  • A sponsor facilitates your admission to the court. Local counsel provides ongoing support during the case, including filing assistance, appearance coverage, and local rule guidance. Many attorneys need both.

  • Pro hac vice admission allows you to appear, but does not provide local filing access, local rule expertise, or physical presence in DC. Local counsel fills these gaps. Some courts require local counsel association.

  • Yes. Depending on the matter, we can take a more active role as co-counsel while you remain lead counsel. We can discuss the appropriate arrangement for your case.

Fees and Process Questions

  • Fees vary by court. DC District Court charges $100 per attorney. COFC and other courts have their own fee schedules. These fees are separate from our service fees.

  • Yes. Most DC courts require a certificate of good standing from your home bar, typically issued within 90 days. We can advise on specific requirements

  • We need:

    1. your bar admission information for all jurisdictions

    2. certificate of good standing

    3. any disciplinary history

    4. case information for the matter requiring admission.

  • Standard turnaround is 2-3 business days. For urgent matters, we can often complete same-day or next-day filing.

Court-Specific Questions

  • The appropriate court depends on your case type. Generally: APA challenges and mandamus actions go to DC District Court; government contract disputes and Tucker Act claims go to COFC; appeals from agencies with DC Circuit review go there directly. We can help determine the proper venue.

  • Yes. We handle pro hac vice admission for the DC Court of Appeals, which hears appeals from DC Superior Court.

  • Yes. We can assist with admission to the Federal Circuit, which hears appeals from COFC, patent cases, and certain agency matters.

Start Your Pro Hac Vice Application

If you have a matter requiring appearance in a DC court, contact us to discuss pro hac vice sponsorship and local counsel services.

We need to know:

  • Which court(s) your matter involves

  • The nature of your case

  • Your timeline for admission

  • Whether you need local counsel services beyond sponsorship

Request Pro Hac Vice Sponsorship

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