Rule 85 – Out-of-state Counsel.

May 14, 2021 | Domestic Relations, Family Law, Rhode Island

No person, who is not an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island, shall be permitted to act as attorney or counselor for any party in any proceeding, hearing, or trial in the Family Court unless granted leave to do so by the Family Court or by the Supreme Court. Unless the Family Court or the Supreme Court permits otherwise, any attorney who is granted such leave to practice before the Family Court shall not engage in any proceeding, hearing, or trial therein unless there is present in the courtroom for the duration of the proceeding, hearing, or trial a member of the bar of Rhode Island who shall be prepared to continue with the proceeding, hearing, or trial in the absence of counsel who has been so granted leave.

Subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth in Art. II, Rule 9 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Admission of Attorneys and Others to Practice Law, leave shall be granted by the Family Court, in its discretion, upon a miscellaneous petition signed by the petitioner in a form approved by the Supreme Court, supported by certifications of the attorney seeking admission pro hac vice and of Rhode Island associate counsel, and assented to by the party being represented in a client certification. The most current forms for pro hac vice are located on the Judiciary’s website at www.courts.ri.gov under the heading of Public Resources, Forms.

R.I. Fam. Ct. R. Dom. Rel. P. 85