Pro Hac Vice Requirements in the Eastern District of Louisiana
For out-of-state attorneys seeking to represent clients in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (EDLA), admission is not a passive checklist. Practicing in the EDLA requires compliance with specific local rules, mandatory association with local counsel, and correct handling of the court’s electronic-filing systems. Missing a step can lead to a deficient motion, delayed admission, or filings struck from the record.
Temporary admission pro hac vice is governed by EDLA Local Civil Rule LR 83.2.5. Here’s how the process actually works.
1. You Must Associate With Local Counsel
The core principle of pro hac vice practice in the EDLA is that out-of-state counsel cannot sponsor themselves or appear alone. Under LR 83.2.5, the applicant must associate with a resident member of the EDLA bar in good standing who serves as local counsel — and local counsel is far more than an administrative convenience.
- The motion comes from local counsel. Admission is sought by written motion of counsel of record who is a member of the EDLA bar, granted by ex parte order. The out-of-state attorney is admitted to appear and participate as co-counsel in the particular case.
- Local counsel signs everything. A pro hac vice attorney may participate fully in hearings, depositions, and trial, but every document filed with the court must also bear the signature of the associated local counsel. Filings missing that signature don’t comply with the rule and can be struck.
- Local counsel remains responsible. Under LR 83.2.5, local counsel is responsible to the court at all stages of the proceeding. Designating the visiting attorney as “Trial Attorney” under LR 11.2 does not relieve local counsel of that responsibility. If lead counsel becomes unavailable, local counsel is expected to carry the case.
2. Required Documents and Disclosures
A pro hac vice motion is deficient if it lacks the required attachments. The moving papers must include:
A. Certificate of Good Standing
An official certificate from the highest court of the state, or a court of the United States, where the applicant is admitted, showing that the attorney is admitted and in good standing there. The rule doesn’t set a specific expiration window, but a recent certificate is prudent — a stale one invites a deficiency notice.
B. Disclosure of Discipline and Criminal Charges, Under Oath
The applicant must state under oath — typically in the supporting declaration — whether any disciplinary proceedings or criminal charges have been instituted against them, and if so, disclose full information about the proceeding or charges and the results. This is an express requirement of LR 83.2.5, and concealment implicates candor to the tribunal.
C. EDLA Consent to Electronic Filing
The motion must have a completed EDLA Consent to Electronic Filing form attached, binding the visiting attorney to the district’s electronic-notice and case-management protocols.
Local counsel typically files the package — the motion, a supporting declaration, the certificate of good standing, the ECF/e-filing consent form, and a proposed order.
3. Fees and PACER E-Filing
- The fee is $100 per attorney, per case. It’s paid electronically through Pay.gov when the motion is filed. A single motion cannot cover an entire trial team — each visiting lawyer needs an individual motion, an individual certificate, and a separate fee.
- Admission does not automatically grant e-filing access. The applicant must have an individual PACER account and separately request e-filing privileges for the Eastern District of Louisiana through PACER, in conjunction with the pro hac vice request. The clerk activates those privileges after the presiding judge signs and enters the order granting admission.
4. Local Disciplinary Authority Applies
A temporary appearance does not put a visiting attorney beyond the court’s reach. Under LR 83.2.7, every attorney permitted to practice in the district must be familiar with its local rules. And under LR 83.2.3, the EDLA has adopted the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct as the standard governing lawyers who appear before it.
By seeking and accepting pro hac vice admission, a visiting attorney submits to the disciplinary authority of the EDLA. Misconduct in connection with the proceeding falls under the district’s jurisdiction, and a willful failure to comply with the local rules can lead to sanctions or revocation of the privilege to appear.
A note on frequency. Pro hac vice admission is meant for case-specific, occasional representation. An attorney who appears so often on the district’s dockets that they are effectively practicing in Louisiana without a license risks having future pro hac vice motions denied — the court retains discretion over the privilege.
A note on MDLs. The EDLA handles major multidistrict litigation, and the rules there differ: attorneys already admitted and in good standing in any U.S. District Court are generally admitted pro hac vice in the MDL without a separate motion, and association of local counsel is not required. If your matter is part of an MDL, check the court’s MDL-specific guidance rather than the standard process above.
Technical Checklist for Pro Hac Vice Compliance
| Requirement | Benchmark | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Local counsel association | Associate with an active, enrolled EDLA bar member who will sign all filings | Out-of-state applicant |
| Certificate of good standing | Official certificate from the applicant’s home court showing current good standing | Out-of-state applicant |
| Disciplinary/criminal disclosure | Signed declaration under oath detailing any disciplinary or criminal history | Out-of-state applicant |
| Motion, consent form, and fee | File the motion with the Consent to E-Filing form; pay the $100 fee via Pay.gov | Enrolled local counsel |
| PACER e-filing privileges | Request EDLA e-filing access through an individual PACER account | Out-of-state applicant |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need local counsel to appear pro hac vice in the EDLA? Yes. Association with a resident EDLA bar member is a condition of admission, and that local counsel must sign every filing and remains responsible to the court throughout the case.
How much is the EDLA pro hac vice fee? $100 per attorney, per case, paid through Pay.gov when the motion is filed. Each visiting attorney needs a separate motion and fee. Confirm the amount on the court’s current fee schedule.
Does pro hac vice admission let me e-file right away? No. You need an individual PACER account and must separately request e-filing privileges for the district. The clerk enables them only after the judge enters the order granting admission.
Which ethics rules apply to me in the EDLA? The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct, which the district adopted under LR 83.2.3, along with the court’s local rules.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Federal local rules, admission fees, and e-filing protocols change and can vary by judge or general order. Out-of-state counsel seeking pro hac vice admission should review the current EDLA local rules and fee schedule, or consult local counsel, before filing.
