Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida
reciprocity
Under what circumstances can a lawyer from another country argue in an American court, in any state?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: reciprocity
In FL, see FL Bar Rule 16-1. http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV?Openview&Start=1&Expand=16.1#16.1
Each state has its own practice rules.
Pro hac vice (for the case) admission can be requested to a particular court. Although, to my knowledge, it requires that the applicant is in good standing with a US state bar association (not foreign country).
The United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) recognizes Canadian attorneys to practice before it in trademark cases. The USPTO, upon application, will allow patent attorneys licensed in many other countries to file patent applications in the USPTO strictly on behalf of their foreign client(s).
Re: reciprocity
It's up to the individual state (or sometimes the court) in which the "foreign" lawyer wants to appear. The practice is called "appearance pro hac vice," and you'd have to look it up for the location in which you are concerned. In Florida, the practice is governed by Rule 1-3.10 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.
Re: reciprocity
This usually requires court permission after an application is made.