LOCAL COUNSEL SERVICES

In addition to serving as lead counsel for parties in lawsuits and arbitration proceedings, Joel Ewusiak frequently serves as local counsel for out-of-state lawyers in federal and state court. In his role as local counsel, Joel provides guidance and input on custom, procedure, and substantive law in Florida. The procedure for pro hac vice admission in federal and state court in Florida is outlined below. For assistance with your particular matter, please contact Joel directly via email (joel@ewusiaklaw.com) or phone (727.286.3559).

U.S. DISTRICT COURT, MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

The U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, consists of several Divisions, which are located in Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, and Tampa. The Middle District Local Rules permit out-of-state counsel (who is admitted in another U.S. District Court) to appear pro hac vice based on a motion filed by counsel admitted to practice in the Court. Moreover, out-of-state counsel must file a written designation and consent-to-act on the part of counsel admitted to practice in the Court, upon whom all notices and papers may be served and who will be responsible for the progress of the case. For more information, please visit the following link: Local Counsel (Pro Hac Vice) in the Middle District of Florida. NOTE: Effective February 1, 2021, the new Local Rules have eliminated the requirement for out-of-state counsel to retain local counsel. According to the Court’s video presentation on the new local rules (starting at 10:03 of the video), “it will often be important and best practices to retain local counsel to guide counsel who is outside the district or not a member of the district’s bar with local practice and custom, but it’s not required in every case and the elimination of this rule recognizes that.” Under the new rule, out-of-state counsel may move for special admission if counsel: (1) is not a Florida resident and is not a member in good standing of The Florida Bar, (2) is a member in good standing of the bar of a United States district court, (3) has not abused the privilege of special admission by maintaining a regular practice of law in Florida, (4) lists each case in state or federal court in Florida in which the lawyer has initially appeared in the last thirty-six months, and (5) satisfies the requirements for obtaining and maintaining general admission, except the requirements of membership in The Florida Bar, submission of an application, and payment of a periodic fee.

U.S. DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, consists of several Divisions, which are located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, and Key West. The Southern District Local Rules permit out-of-state counsel (who is admitted in another U.S. District Court) to appear pro hac vice based on a motion filed by counsel admitted to practice in the Court. An attorney who has been permitted to appear pro hac vice is not authorized to file court documents. All documents, including the motion to appear pro hac vice, must be filed electronically through local counsel. For more information, please visit the following link: Local Counsel (Pro Hac Vice) in the Southern District of Florida.

U.S. DISTRICT COURT, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

The U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, consists of several Divisions, which are located in Gainesville, Panama City, Pensacola and Tallahassee. The Northern District Local Rules permit out-of-state counsel (who is admitted in another U.S. District Court) to appear pro hac vice by motion. An affiliation with local counsel is not a requirement for pro hac vice admission. For more information, please visit the following link: Local Counsel or Co-Counsel in the Northern District of Florida.

FLORIDA STATE COURT

The applicable Florida rule for pro hac vice admission requires out-of-state counsel to secure a Florida Bar member as local counsel. Additionally, each circuit court in Florida (a total of 20) typically has its own pro hac vice requirements, which usually involves the payment of an additional fee for out-of-state counsel to appear. For more information, please visit the following link: Local Counsel for Pro Hac Vice Admission in Florida State Court.