The bar of this state shall consist of all attorneys in good standing who, prior to July 1, 1931, were duly admitted to practice law by the circuit courts of this state, and all attorneys in good standing who, subsequently thereto, have been or hereafter shall be admitted to practice by this court.

Rule 2. Registration and Fees

(a) Name and Address. All attorneys in active or inactive good standing, duly admitted to the practice of law in the State of Indiana shall file with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, 217 State House, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, their correct name, office and residence address and county of residence. Said attorneys shall notify the Clerk of the Supreme Court of any change of address or name within thirty (30) days of such change. Such notice of a change of name shall be accompanied by a copy of the court record or an affidavit which states the name change. The Clerk shall keep a list of attorneys together with their correct addresses, and certify monthly such list to the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, the clerk of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the Executive Director of the State Board of Law Examiners and the Indiana State Bar Association. The names and addresses so certified shall be effective for all notices involving licenses as attorneys and/or disciplinary matters, and a failure to file same shall be a waiver of notice involving licenses as attorneys and/or disciplinary matters.

(b) Annual Registration Fee—Active Attorneys. Except as provided in sections (c) or (d), each attorney who is a member of the bar of this Court on August 1 of each year shall, so long as the attorney is a member of the Bar of this Court, pay a registration fee of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) on or before October 1 of such year. A delinquent fee in the amount of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) shall be added to the registration fee for fees paid after October 1 and on or before October 15 of each year; a delinquent fee in the amount of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) shall be added to the registration fee for fees paid after October 15 and on or before December 31 of each year; and a delinquent fee in the amount of two hundred and sixty-five dollars ($265.00) shall be added to the registration fee for fees paid after December 31 of each year. An attorney who has paid the registration fee under this subsection and any applicable delinquent fees and who is otherwise eligible to practice law in this state shall be considered to be in active good standing.

Any attorney admitted to practice law in this State on a date subsequent to August 1 of each year shall, within ten (10) days of the date of his or her admission to the Bar of the Court, or by October 1 of said year, whichever date is later, pay a registration fee of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00).

(c) Annual Registration Fee—Inactive Attorneys. One-half (1/2) of the registration fee referred to in section (b) shall be required of an attorney who files with the Clerk, on or before October 1 of each year, an affidavit of inactivity, stating that he or she is currently in active good standing, and that he or she neither holds judicial office nor is engaged in the practice of law in this state. A delinquent fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be added to the registration fee for fees paid after October 1 and on or before October 15 of each year; and a delinquent fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be added to the registration fee for fees paid after October 15 of each year. An attorney who has paid the registration fee under this section and any applicable delinquent fees shall be considered to be in inactive good standing. An inactive attorney shall promptly notify the Clerk of a desire to return to active status, and pay the applicable registration fee for the current year, prior to any act of practicing law.

(d) Annual Registration Fee—Retired Attorneys. No registration fee shall be required of an attorney who is sixty-five (65) years old or older and files with the Clerk, by October 1 of any year, an affidavit of retirement, stating that he or she is currently in active or inactive good standing, neither holds judicial office nor is engaged in the practice of law in this state, does not plan to return to the practice of law. An affidavit of retirement, once filed, shall be effective for each succeeding year or until the attorney is reinstated pursuant to section (e).

(e) Reinstatement of Retired Attorneys. In the event there is no basis for the suspension of the attorney’s license to practice law, a retired attorney’s privilege to practice law shall be reinstated upon submitting to the Clerk a written application for reinstatement and payment of:

(1) the unpaid registration fee for the year of reinstatement;

(2) registration fees, including delinquent fees, in the amount referred to in section (b) for each year of retirement; and

(3) an administrative reinstatement fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00).

The Clerk shall deposit the administrative reinstatement fee referred to in subsection (e)(3) into the “Clerk of the Courts-Annual Fees” account, described in section (m).

(f) IOLTA Certification. On or before October 1 of each year, every lawyer admitted to practice law in this state shall certify to the Clerk of this Court that all client funds that are nominal in amount or to be held for a short period of time by the lawyer so that they could not earn income for the client in excess of the costs incurred to secure such income are held in an IOLTA account (as that term is defined in Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15(f)) of the lawyer or law firm or that the lawyer is exempt under the provisions of Prof. Cond. R. 1.15(g)(2).

(g) Annual Registration Fee Notice. On or before August 1 of each year, the Clerk of this Court shall mail a notice to each attorney then admitted to the bar of this Court who is in active or inactive good standing that: (i) a registration fee must be paid on or before October 1; and (ii) the certification required by section (f) of this rule and by Ind.Prof. Cond. R. 1.15(g) must be filed with the Clerk on or before October 1. The Clerk shall also send a copy of such notice to the Clerk for each circuit and superior court in this State for posting in a prominent place in the courthouse, the Indiana State Bar Association, and such print and other media publishers of legal information as the Clerk reasonably determines appropriate. Provided, however, that the failure of the Clerk to send such notice will not mitigate the duty to pay the required fee and file the required certification.

(h) Failure to Pay Registration Fee; Reinstatement. Any attorney who fails to pay a registration fee required under section (b) or (c) or fails to file the certification required by section (f) of this rule and by Ind.Prof. Cond. R. 1.15(g) shall be subject to suspension from the practice of law and sanctions for contempt of this Court in the event he or she thereafter engages in the practice of law in this State. In the event there is no basis for the continued suspension of the attorney’s license to practice law, such an attorney’s privilege to practice law shall be reinstated upon submitting to the Clerk a written application for reinstatement and payment of:

(1) the applicable unpaid registration fee for the year of suspension;

(2) any delinquent fees for the year of suspension due pursuant to section (b) or (c);

(3) the applicable unpaid registration fee for the year of reinstatement, if different from the year of suspension;

(4) a registration fee, including delinquent fees, in the amount referred to in section (c) for all intervening years of suspension; and

(5) an administrative reinstatement fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00).

The Clerk shall deposit the administrative reinstatement fee referred to in subsection (h)(5) in to the “Clerk of the Courts-Annual Fees” account, described in section (m).

(i) Certification of Good Standing. The Clerk of this Court shall issue a certificate of active good standing or inactive good standing approved by this Court to any attorney upon the receipt of the annual registration fee and any applicable delinquent fees referred to in sections (b) and (c), respectively. The certificate of active good standing shall include a statement to the effect that the lawyer has filed the certification required by section (f) of this rule.

(j) Annual Continuing Education Fee – Non-attorney Judges.

(1) On or before August 1, of each year, the Clerk shall mail to each non-attorney judge a notice that an education fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) must be paid on or before the first day of October. Failure to pay the education fee on or before October 1, will result in the imposition of a delinquency fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00).

(2) Any non-attorney judge who fails to pay the education fee shall be automatically suspended from judicial office. A non-attorney judge may resume office upon written application, payment of unpaid education fees and payment of the delinquency fee set out in subsection (1).

(k) Effective Dates.

(1) The requirement in section (c) that inactive attorneys pay an annual registration fee shall apply to all inactive attorneys and shall be effective for the annual fee due on or before October 1, 2002. Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, any inactive attorney who filed an affidavit of inactivity on or before October 1, 2001 and who, after suspension for nonpayment of the annual registration fee referred to in section (c), thereafter seeks reinstatement to active or inactive attorney status pursuant to section (h), shall not be required to pay unpaid registration or delinquent fees pursuant to (h)(4) for any year prior to October 1, 2002.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, any attorney who, after suspension for nonpayment of the annual registration fee referred to in section (b), thereafter seeks reinstatement to active or inactive attorney status pursuant to section (h), shall not be required to pay unpaid registration or delinquent fees pursuant to section (h)(4) for any year prior to October 1, 2002.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, any retired attorney who seeks reinstatement to active attorney status pursuant to section (e) shall not be required to pay unpaid registration or delinquent fees pursuant to (e)(2) for any year prior to October 1, 2002.

(l) Affidavit of Permanent Withdrawal. An attorney in good standing, who is current in payment of all applicable registration fees and other financial obligations imposed by these rules, and who is not the subject of an investigation into, or a pending proceeding involving, allegations of misconduct, who desires to relinquish permanently his or her license to practice law in the State of Indiana may do so by tendering an Affidavit of Permanent Withdrawal from the practice of law in this State to the Executive Secretary of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. The Executive Secretary shall promptly verify the eligibility of the attorney to resign under this section, and if eligible, forward a certification of eligibility, together with the Affidavit of Permanent Withdrawal to the Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, and the Clerk shall show on the roll of attorneys that the attorney’s Indiana law license has been relinquished permanently and that the lawyer is no longer considered an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana. An attorney who permanently withdraws under this section shall not be eligible for reinstatement under section (e) or (h), but may apply for admission under Admission and Discipline Rules 3 through 21. In the event the attorney is not eligible to permanently withdraw under this section, the Executive Secretary shall promptly notify the attorney of all reasons for ineligibility.

(m) Deposit and Use of Funds.

(1) Deposit of Funds. All funds collected by the Clerk under this rule shall be deposited in an account to be maintained by the Clerk and designated “Clerk of the Courts-Annual Fees.” The Clerk shall thereafter issue those funds as directed by the Indiana Supreme Court.

(2) Use of Funds. The Indiana Supreme Court shall periodically apportion the registration fees collected pursuant to this rule for the operation of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education, and the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Committee.

Amended Oct. 15, 1986, effective Jan. 1, 1987; amended Nov. 30, 198, effective Jan. 1, 1990. Amended Aug. 15, 2006, effective Jan. 1, 2007; amended Sep. 10, 2007, effective Sep. 10, 2007.

Rule 2.1 Legal Interns

Section 1. Requirements.

(a) A law student may serve as a legal intern when the following requirements are met:

1. The law student is enrolled in a school accredited pursuant to Admission and Discipline Rule 13V(A);

2. The law student has satisfactorily completed one-half of the academic requisite for a first professional degree in law;

3. The law student has received permission of the Dean of the law school to participate in a legal intern program determined to be beneficial to the law student's training pursuant to the guidelines jointly developed by the law schools of this State; and

4. The law student has completed or is enrolled in a legal ethics or professional responsibility course as set forth in Ind.Admission and Discipline Rule 13(V)(C).

(b) A law school graduate may serve as a legal intern when the following requirements are met:

1. The law graduate has received a first professional degree in law from a school accredited pursuant to Admission and Discipline Rule 13(V)(A);

2. The law graduate is eligible to take the Bar examination under Admission and Discipline Rule 13V; and

3. The law graduate has received permission from an attorney who is a member of the Bar of this State to serve as a legal intern under that attorney's direct supervision.

Section 2. Length of Intern Status.

(a) A law student may serve as a legal intern until graduation from law school or for a lesser period if so designated by the Dean of the law school.

(b) A law school graduate may serve as a legal intern from the date of graduation until the graduate has taken and has been notified of the results of the first examination for which the graduate is eligible under Admission and Discipline Rule 13V, or if successful on that examination, until the first opportunity thereafter for formal admission to the Bar of Indiana.

Section 3. Certification.

(a) The Dean of a law school sponsoring a legal intern program shall advise the Indiana Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners of those students who qualify to be legal interns and the length of that internship.

(b) An Attorney, who is a member of the Bar of this State and who wishes to sponsor and supervise a graduate as a legal intern, shall so advise the Indiana Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners; and also, the Dean of the law school from which the graduate received the first professional degree in law shall advise the Indiana Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners of the date of graduation and the date at which such graduate will be first eligible for examination under Admission and Discipline Rule 13V.

Section 4. Scope of Conduct.

A legal intern may interview, advise, negotiate for, and represent parties in any judicial or administrative proceeding in this State, provided all activities undertaken are supervised and approved by an attorney who is a member of the Bar of this State. A legal intern shall inform each client of his or her intern status, and that the intern is not a licensed attorney. A legal intern shall not interview any person represented by an attorney without the express permission of such attorney. In no event may a person (including private corporations) be charged for the services of a legal intern acting in a representative capacity. The personal presence of a supervising attorney is required in any proceeding in open court.

Amended effective Feb. 16, 1972; amended Nov. 24, 1975, effective Jan. 31, 1976; amended Dec. 23, 1976, effective Jan. 1, 1977; amended Nov. 1, 1982, effective Jan. 1, 1983; amended Nov. 16, 1984, effective Jan. 1, 1985; amended Oct. 30, 1992, effective Jan. 1, 1993; amended Dec. 18, 1995, effective Feb. 1, 1996.

Rule 3. Admission of Attorneys

Section 1. Admission of Attorneys.

The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to admit attorneys to practice in Indiana. Admission to practice law by the Court pursuant to Rule 21 shall entitle attorneys to practice in any of the courts of this state.

Section 2. Temporary Admission on Petition.

(a) Requirements for Temporary Admission on Petition.
The Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Tax Court, or a trial court, of this state, in the exercise of discretion, may permit a member of the bar of another state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, not admitted pursuant to Rule 21, to appear in any particular proceeding, only if the court before which the attorney wishes to appear determines that there is good cause for such appearance and that each of the following conditions is met:

(1) A member of the bar of this state has appeared and agreed to act as co- counsel.

(2) The attorney is not a resident of the state of Indiana, regularly employed in the state of Indiana, or regularly engaged in business or professional activities in the state of Indiana.

(3) The attorney has made payment to the Clerk of the Supreme Court an annual registration fee in the amount set forth in Admission and Discipline Rule 2(b), accompanied by a copy of the Verified Petition for Temporary Admission that the attorney intends to file pursuant to subdivision (4) below. Upon receipt of the registration fee and petition, the Clerk of the Supreme Court will issue a temporary admission attorney number and payment receipt to the attorney seeking admission. If the attorney’s verified petition for temporary admission is thereafter denied, the attorney shall provide a copy of the order denying temporary admission to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, and the Clerk shall issue a refund of the registration fee.

(4) The attorney files a verified petition, co-signed by co-counsel designated pursuant to subdivision (a)(1), setting forth:

(i) The attorney's residential address, office address, and the name and address of the attorney's law firm or employer, if applicable;

(ii) The states or territories in which the attorney has ever been licensed to practice law, including the dates of admission to practice and any attorney registration numbers;

(iii) That the attorney is currently a member in good standing in all jurisdictions listed in (ii);

(iv) That the attorney has never been suspended, disbarred or resigned as a result of a disciplinary charge, investigation, or proceeding from the practice of law in any jurisdiction; or, if the attorney has been suspended, disbarred or resigned from the practice of law, the petition shall specify the jurisdiction, the charges, the address of the court and disciplinary authority which imposed the sanction, and the reasons why the court should grant temporary admission not withstanding prior acts of misconduct;

(v) That no disciplinary proceeding is presently pending against the attorney in any jurisdiction; or, if any proceeding is pending, the petition shall specify the jurisdiction, the charges and the address of the disciplinary authority investigating the charges. An attorney admitted under this rule shall have a continuing obligation during the period of such admission promptly to advise the court of a disposition made of pending charges or the institution of new disciplinary proceedings;

(vi) A list of all proceedings, including caption and cause number, in which either the attorney, or any member of a firm with which the attorney is currently affiliated, has appeared in any of the courts of this state during the last five years. Absent special circumstances, repeated appearances by any person or by members of a single law firm pursuant to this rule shall be cause for denial of the petition;

(vii) A demonstration that good cause exists for the appearance. Good cause shall include at least one of the following:

(a) the cause in which the attorney seeks admission involves a complex field of law in which the attorney has special expertise,

(b) there has been an attorney-client relationship with the client for an extended period of time,

(d) the cause presents questions of law involving the law of the foreign jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed, or

(e) such other reason similar to those set forth in this subsection as would present good cause for the temporary admission.

(viii)A statement that the attorney has read and will be bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Supreme Court, and that the attorney consents to the jurisdiction of the State of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission to resolve any disciplinary matter that might arise as a result of the representation.

(ix) A statement that the attorney has paid the registration fee to the Clerk of the Supreme Court in compliance with subdivision (a)(3) of this rule, together with a copy of the payment receipt and temporary admission attorney number issued by the Clerk of the Supreme Court pursuant to subdivision (3).

(b) Notice of Temporary Admissions.
All attorneys granted temporary admission under the provisions of subsection 2(a) shall file a Notice with the Clerk of the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days after a court grants permission to appear in the proceeding. A separate Notice of Temporary Admission must be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court for each proceeding in which a court grants permission to appear. Failure to file the notice within the time specified shall result in automatic exclusion from practice within this state. The notice shall include the following:

(1) A current statement of good standing issued to the attorney by the highest court in each jurisdiction in which the attorney is admitted to practice law; and

(2) A copy of the verified petition requesting permission to appear in the court proceedings, along with the court order granting permission.

(c) Renewal of Registration for Temporary Admission.
If an attorney continues to appear on the basis of a temporary admission in any case pending as of the first day of a new calendar year, the attorney shall pay a renewal fee equal to the annual registration fee set out in Admission and Discipline Rule 2(b). This renewal fee shall be due within thirty (30) days of the start of that calendar year and shall be tendered to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, accompanied by a copy of the Notice of Temporary Admission for each continuing proceeding in which a court has granted permission to appear. Failure to pay the required renewal fee within the time specified shall result in automatic exclusion from practice within this state. The Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court shall notify the trial court of the attorney’s exclusion. If the proceeding has concluded or if the attorney has withdrawn his or her appearance, the attorney must so notify the Clerk of the Supreme Court by the deadline for renewal of registration.

(d) Responsibilities of Attorneys.
Members of the bar of this state serving as co-counsel under this rule shall sign all briefs, papers and pleadings in the cause and shall be jointly responsible therefor. The signature of co-counsel constitutes a certificate that, to the best of co-counsel's knowledge, information and belief, there is good ground to support the signed document and that it is not interposed for delay or any other improper reason. Unless ordered by the trial court, local counsel need not be personally present at proceeding before the court.

(e) Failure to Register, Renew, or Otherwise Perform as Required.
Any foreign attorney who fails to register or pay the registration fee as required under subsection (a), fails to file a Notice of Temporary Admission under subsection (b), or fails to pay a renewal registration fee required under subsection (c) shall be subject to discipline in this state. Members of the bar of this state serving as co-counsel under this rule shall be subject to discipline if the attorney admitted under this rule fails to pay the required fees or otherwise fails to satisfy the requirements of this rule.

(f) Scope and Effect of Automatic Exclusion from Practice Within the State.

(1) When an attorney is automatically excluded from practice within the state under Section 2(b) or (c), any further action taken by that attorney in any case in the state shall constitute the unauthorized practice of law.

(2) An attorney may seek relief from the automatic exclusion from practice within the state by filing a "Petition for Relief from Automatic Exclusion" with the Supreme Court. The petition shall be captioned: "In re Temporary Admission of [Attorney's name]." The petition shall describe the circumstances causing the exclusion, shall list all pending cases, including court and case number, in which the attorney had been granted temporary admission prior to the automatic exclusion, and shall be accompanied by a "Notice of Temporary Admission" if the exclusion is under Section 2(b) or a renewal admission fee if the exclusion is under Section 2(c).

(3) If the Supreme Court grants the petition, the exclusion from practice shall be lifted and the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall notify all courts in which the attorney had been granted temporary admission to practice in cases pending at the time of the automatic exclusion. Unless the Supreme Court directs otherwise, all actions taken by the attorney during the period of automatic exclusion from practice shall be deemed valid to the extent the actions would have been valid if the attorney had not been subject to automatic exclusion. However, the attorney remains subject to a charge of the unauthorized practice of law for actions taken during the automatic exclusion.

Amended effective April 14, 1965; amended Nov. 30, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990; amended Dec. 4, 1998, effective Jan. 1, 1999; amended Sep. 30, 2004, effective Jan. 1, 2005; amended Aug. 15, 2006, effective Jan. 1, 2007; amended Sep. 10, 2007, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Official Commentary

The amendments apply only to requests for Temporary Admission on Petition filed on or after January 1, 2007.

If an attorney files the notice with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and pays the fee required by subpart (b) of the Rule in one case in any given calendar years, the attorney need not pay another fee for any other case in which the attorney seeks Temporary Admission on Petition during that same calendar year.

If an attorney files the notice with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and pays the fee required by subparts (a) and (b) of the Rule in a particular calendar year, and a new calendar year begins and the attorney is still appearing in any case pursuant to a Temporary Admission on Petition, the attorney must file a new notice and pay a fee within 30 days of the start of the new calendar year.

If more than one (1) attorney from one firm is appearing pursuant to a Temporary Admission on Petition in a particular case on behalf of the same client, each attorney appearing nevertheless has an individual obligation to comply with the Rule as amended.

Amended Aug. 15, 2006, effective Jan. 1, 2007.

Rule 4. Roll of Attorneys

A record shall hereafter be made and entered on the order book of this court of the admission, enrollment, resignation, suspension, disbarment, reinstatement, and recertification of any and all members of the bar of this court. In addition, the clerk of this court shall keep, and from time to time revise, a permanent alphabetical card index roll of the members of the bar of this court who have been enrolled as such, showing the name, address, and date of admission of each living member.

Rule 5. Foreign Legal Consultants

(1) General Regulation as to Licensing. In its discretion, the Supreme Court may license to practice in Indiana as a foreign legal consultant, without examination, an applicant who:

(a) is a member in good standing of a recognized legal profession in a foreign country, the members of which are admitted to practice as attorneys or counselors at law or the equivalent and are subject to effective regulation and discipline by a duly constituted professional body or a public authority;

(b) for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding his or her application has been a member in good standing of such legal profession and has actually been engaged in the practice of law in the said foreign country or elsewhere substantially involving or relating to the rendering of advice or the provision of legal services concerning the law of the said foreign country;

(d) intends to practice as a foreign legal consultant in Indiana and to maintain an office in this State for that purpose.

(2) Proof Required. An applicant under this Rule shall file with the State Board of Law Examiners:

(a) a certificate from the professional body or public authority in such foreign country having final jurisdiction over professional discipline, certifying as to the applicant's admission to practice and the date thereof, and as to his or her good standing as such attorney or counselor at law or the equivalent;

(b) a letter of recommendation from one of the members of the executive body of such professional body or public authority or from one of the judges of the highest law court or court of original jurisdiction of such foreign country and a letter of recommendation from at least one attorney who is licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana other than as a foreign legal consultant;

(c) a duly authenticated English translation of such certificate and such letter if, in either case, it is not in English;

(d) the National Conference of Bar Examiners questionnaire and affidavit along with the payment of the requisite fee and such other evidence as to the applicant's educational and professional qualifications, good moral character and general fitness, and compliance with the requirements of Section 1 of this Rule as the State Board of Law Examiners may require;

(e) a copy or summary of the law and customs of the foreign country that describes the opportunity afforded to members of the Bar of Indiana to establish offices for the giving of legal advice to clients in such foreign country, together with an authenticated English translation if it is not in English; and

(f) the requisite documentation evidencing compliance with the immigration laws of the United States.

(3) Reciprocal Treatment of Members of the Bar of Indiana. In considering whether to license an applicant to practice as a foreign legal consultant, the Supreme Court may in its discretion take into account whether a member of the bar of Indiana would have a reasonable and practical opportunity to establish an office for the giving of legal advice to clients in the applicant's country of admission. Any member of the bar who is seeking or has sought to establish an office in that country may request the court to consider the matter, or the Court may do so sua sponte.

(4) Scope of Practice. A person licensed to practice as a foreign legal consultant under this Rule shall be limited to rendering professional legal advice on the law of the foreign country where the foreign legal consultant is admitted to practice. A foreign legal consultant shall not:

(a) appear for a person other than himself or herself as attorney in any court, or before any magistrate or other judicial officer, in this State other than upon admission pro hac vice;

(b) prepare any instrument effecting the transfer or registration of title to real estate located in the United States of America;

(i) any will or trust instrument effecting the disposition on death of any property located in the United States of America and owned by a resident thereof; or

(ii) any instrument relating to the administration of a decedent's estate in the United States of America;

(d) prepare any instrument in respect of the marital or parental relations, rights or duties of a resident of the United States of America, or the custody or care of the children of such a resident;

(e) render professional legal advice on the law of this State or of the United States of America (whether rendered incident to the preparation of legal instruments or otherwise) except on the basis of advice from a person duly qualified and entitled (otherwise than by virtue of having been licensed under this Rule) to render professional legal advice in this State;

(f) be, or in any way hold himself or herself out as, a member of the bar of Indiana; or

(g) use any title other than "foreign legal consultant" and affirmatively state in conjunction therewith the name of the foreign country in which he or she is admitted to practice (although he or she may additionally identify the name of the foreign or domestic firm with which he or she is associated).

(5) Rights and Obligations. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4 of this Rule, a person licensed as a legal consultant under this Rule shall be considered a lawyer affiliated with the bar of this State and shall be entitled and subject to:

(a) the rights and obligations set forth in the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct or arising from the other conditions and requirements that apply to a member of the bar of Indiana under the Indiana Rules of Court; and

(b) the rights and obligations of a member of the bar of Indiana with respect to:

(i) affiliation in the same law firm with one or more members of the bar of Indiana with respect to:

(A) employing one or more members of the bar of Indiana;

(B) being employed by one or more members of the bar of Indiana or by any partnership or professional corporation which includes members of the bar of this State or which maintains an office in this State;

(C) being a partner in any partnership or shareholder in any professional corporation which includes members of the bar of Indiana or which maintains an office in this State; and

(ii) attorney-client privilege, work product privilege and similar professional privileges.

(6) Disciplinary Provisions. A person licensed to practice as a legal consultant under this Rule shall be subject to professional discipline in the same manner and to the same extent as members of the bar of Indiana and to this end:

(a) every person licensed to practice as a foreign legal consultant under these Rules:

(i) shall be subject to control by the Supreme Court and to censure, suspension, removal or revocation of his or her license to practice by the Supreme Court and shall otherwise be governed by the Admission and Discipline Rules; and

(ii) shall execute and file with the Supreme Court, in such form and manner as such court may prescribe:

(A) his or her commitment to observe the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Indiana Rules of Court to the extent applicable to the legal services authorized under Section 4 of this Rule;

(B) a written undertaking to notify the court of any change in such person's good standing as a member of the foreign legal profession referred to in Section 1(a) of this Rule and of any final action of the professional body or public authority referred to in Section 2(a) of this Rule imposing any disciplinary censure, suspension, or other sanction upon such person; and

(C) a duly acknowledged instrument, in writing, setting forth his or her address in this State and designation the clerk of such court as his or her agent upon whom process may be served, with like effect as if served personally upon him or her, in any action or proceeding thereafter brought against him or her and arising out of or based upon any legal services rendered or offered to be rendered by him or her within or to residents of Indiana, whenever after due diligence service cannot be made upon him or her at such address or at such new address in this State as he or she shall have filed in the office of such clerk by means of a duly acknowledged supplemental instrument in writing.

(b) service of process on such clerk, pursuant to the designation filed as aforesaid, shall be made by personally delivering to and leaving with such clerk, or with a deputy or assistant authorized by him or her to receive such service, at his or her office, duplicate copies of such process together with a fee of ten dollars ($10). Service of process shall be complete when such clerk has been so served. Such clerk shall promptly send one of such copies to the foreign legal consultant to whom the process is directed, by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to such foreign legal consultant at the address specified by him or her as aforesaid.

(7) Application and Renewal Fees. An applicant for a license as a foreign legal consultant under this Rule shall pay an application fee which shall be equal to the fee required to be paid by a person applying for admission as a member of the bar of Indiana under Ind.Admission and Discipline Rule 6. A person licensed as a foreign legal consultant shall pay the annual registration fee required by Admis.Disc.R. 23(21).

(8) Revocation of License. In the event that a person licensed as a legal consultant under this Rule no longer meets the requirements for licensure set forth in Section 1(a) or 1(c) of this rule, the license granted to such person hereunder is revoked.

(9) Admission to Bar. In the event that a person licensed as a foreign legal consultant under this Rule is subsequently admitted as a member of the bar of Indiana under the provisions of the Rules governing such admissions, the license granted to such person hereunder shall be deemed superseded by the license granted to such person to practice law as a member of the bar of Indiana.

(10) Application for Waiver of Provisions. The Supreme Court, upon application, may in its discretion vary the application of or waive any provision of this Rule where strict compliance will cause undue hardship to the applicant. Such application shall be in the form of a verified petition setting forth the applicant's name, age and residence address, the facts relied upon and a prayer for relief.

Adopted effective Jan. 1, 1994

Rule 6. Admission on Foreign License

Section 1. Provisional License. A person who has been admitted to practice law in the highest court of law in any other state (herein defined as state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia), may be granted a provisional license to practice law in Indiana upon a finding by the State Board of Law Examiners that said person has met each of the following conditions:

(a) The applicant has actively engaged in the practice of law for a period of at least five (5) of the seven (7) years immediately preceding the date of application. "Actively engaged in the practice of law" shall mean:

(i) performing legal services for the general public as a lawyer for at least 1,000 hours per year; or

(ii) employment by a state or local governmental or business entity as a lawyer performing duties for which admission to the practice of law is a prerequisite for at least 1,000 hours per year; or

(iii) performing the duties of a teacher of law on a full-time basis in an ABA accredited law school; or

(iv) serving as a judge of a court of record on a full-time basis; or

(v) serving on a full-time salaried basis as an attorney with the federal government or a federal governmental agency including service as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Department of one of the military branches of the United States; or

(vi) a combination of the above..

(b) The practice of law must have been in the jurisdiction where the applicant is licensed and during the period of licensure unless the practice falls under (iii) or (v) above. Practice under a business counsel license admission as defined in Section 2 shall apply toward years of practice for a maximum of five (5) years so long as the application for provisional license admission is made within seven (7) years of the grant of the initial business counsel license.

(d) The admission of the applicant is in the public interest.

(e) The applicant meets the character and fitness requirements of Indiana.

(f) The applicant has paid or tendered the required fee.

(g) The applicant has not failed the Indiana Bar Examination within five (5) years of the date of application.

(h) The applicant has graduated from an ABA accredited law school.

(i) The applicant has filed an affidavit of the applicant’s intent to engage in the practice of law as defined in Section 1(a) predominantly in Indiana. “Predominantly” means that the applicant’s practice in Indiana must exceed, or be equal to, his or her practice in all other jurisdictions combined.

Section 2. Business Counsel License. A person who has been admitted to practice law in the highest court of law in any other state who becomes a resident of Indiana to accept or continue employment by a person or entity engaged in business in Indiana other than the practice of law, whose practice complies with Section 1(a)(ii), and is, or will be, devoted solely to the business of such employer, and who receives, or will receive, his or her entire compensation from such employer for applicant’s legal services, may be granted a business counsel license to practice law in Indiana, without examination, so long as:

a) such person remains in the employ of, and devotes his or her time as set forth in Section 1(a)(ii) to the business of, and receives compensation for legal services from no source other than applicant’s said employer;

b) the applicant is a member in good standing of the bar(s) of admission;

c) the admission of the applicant is in the public interest;

d) the applicant meets the character and fitness requirement;

e) the applicant has paid or tendered the required fee;

f) the applicant has not failed the Indiana Bar Examination within five (5) years of the date of application; and,

g) the applicant has graduated from an ABA accredited law school.

Upon the transfer of such employment outside the State of Indiana, the right to practice law in Indiana shall terminate. Upon the termination of such employment, the right to practice law in Indiana shall terminate unless 1) such business counsel license admittee has secured employment from another person or entity within three (3) months of their termination, which employment meets the criteria of Section 2; or 2) such business counsel license admittee shall have been admitted to practice law in this state pursuant to some other rule.

Section 3. Fees. The applicant shall submit his application accompanied by a fee of eight hundred dollars ($800.00). The Executive Director of the Board may refer said application to the National Conference of Bar Examiners for investigation and report. The Board is authorized to pay all expenses incident to the investigation of the qualifications of the applicant. However, in the event said application is considered and denied by the Board prior to referral to the National Conference, the Board is authorized to refund to the applicant one half (1/2) of the application fee. No part of the application fee shall otherwise be refunded.

Section 4. Renewal of Provisional License and Business License. A provisional license admission on a foreign license may continue in force for one year, and may be renewed for a like period upon the submission of such verified individualized information as will demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant has during the past year been both (a) engaged in the practice of law as defined in Section 1(a), and (b) predominantly in Indiana. Each application for renewal of provisional license admission shall be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). Upon the fifth consecutive renewal of the provisional license granted to the applicant, the admission to practice shall be permanent. A business counsel license may continue in force for one year, and may be renewed for a like period for a maximum of four (4) additional years upon the submission of such verified individualized information as will demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant has during the past year been employed under the terms of the business counsel license and will continue to be so employed. A fee of fifty dollars ($50) shall accompany each application for renewal of a business counsel license.

Section 5. Education Requirements for Provisional License and Business Counsel License. Within twelve (12) months of an applicant’s initial provisional license or business counsel license admission, the applicant shall attend an annual Indiana law update forum, which forum shall provide a minimum of 12 hours of continuing legal education which has been approved by the Indiana Commission For Continuing Legal Education. Applicants admitted on provisional license or business counsel license are subject to, and shall comply with, the Indiana Rules For Admission to the Bar and the Discipline of Attorneys, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and all other requirements of statute and Supreme Court Rules.

Section 6. Application of Rules and Appearance Before Board. The provisions of Rule 12, Sections 7, 8, and 9 apply to admission under this Rule. An applicant for admission on foreign license who is denied admission may request an appearance before the Board and a hearing thereafter.

Amended May 10, 1961; Oct. 25, 1963; Jan. 8, 1970; Oct. 27, 1971; Jan. 24, 1972, Feb. 16, 1972; July 30, 1973; Oct. 1, 1973; Aug. 31, 1976, amended Dec. 30, 1976, effective Jan. 1, 1977; Dec. 14, 1977, effective Jan. 1, 1978; amended Dec. 4, 1980; Nov. 1, 1985; amended April 14, 1988, effective Jan. 1, 1989; Nov. 30, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990.. Amended Dec. 23, 1996, effective March 1, 1997. Amended July 1, 2003, effective January 1, 2004; amended Sep. 30, 2004, effective Jan. 1, 2005.

Rule 7. Certificates

An applicant admitted through examination shall be entitled to a certificate of his admission upon taking the oath of attorneys and being entered on the roll of attorneys by the clerk of this court.

Amended Nov. 4, 1991, effective Jan. 1, 1992; amended Feb. 12, 1992, effective Jan. 1, 1992.

Rule 8. [Vacated June 23, 1971]

Rule 9. State Board of Law Examiners

The State Board of Law Examiners of the State of Indiana shall consist of ten (10) members of the bar, two (2) from each Supreme Court judicial district, who shall be appointed by this Court to serve for terms of five (5) years and until their successors are appointed. The terms of two (2) members of such Board shall expire on December 1 of each year. The Board shall elect annually, a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer. These officers shall take office on December 1. The Board shall maintain its office in a location determined by the Indiana Supreme Court. The Court shall appoint a person to serve as Executive Director to said Board.

Amended Oct. 15, 1986, effective Jan. 1, 1987.

Rule 10. Expenses and Compensation of Members of Board

The board shall have authority to prescribe such forms and adopt such rules as are necessary, not inconsistent herewith. The board shall maintain in a separate fund the fees received under these rules which shall be expended only upon the approval of the Supreme Court. The members of the board of law examiners shall be allowed their necessary expenses and a reasonable compensation which shall be fixed from time to time by the court.

Amended effective Jan. 24, 1972; amended effective Sept. 24, 1974; amended effective Aug. 31, 1976.

Rule 11. Forms

Application for admission and all information in reference thereto shall be upon forms furnished by the secretary of the board.

Rule 12. Committee on Character and Fitness

Section 1. The State Board of Law Examiners shall inquire into and determine the character, fitness and general qualifications to be admitted to practice law as a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Indiana. It is a condition precedent to admission, whether upon examination or upon foreign license, that the Board report and certify to the Supreme Court that the applicant, after due inquiry, has been found to possess the necessary good moral character and fitness to perform the obligations and responsibilities of an attorney practicing law in the State of Indiana, and has satisfied all general qualifications for admission.

Section 2. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and possess good moral character and fitness to practice law. The applicant shall have the burden of proving that he or she possesses the requisite good moral character and fitness to practice law. The applicant has the absolute duty to inform the Board with full candor of any facts which bear, even remotely, upon the question of the applicant's character and fitness and general qualifications to practice law, which obligation continues from the date of application to the time of admission, and includes the obligation to promptly and to fully inform the Board of any such facts occurring or discovered prior to admission. The term "good moral character" includes, but is not limited to, the qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, and of the laws of this State and of the United States, and a respect for the rights of other persons and things, and the judicial process. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony prima facie shall be deemed lacking the requisite of good moral character as defined in this section. The term "fitness" includes, but is not limited to, the physical and mental suitability of the applicant to practice law in Indiana. In satisfying the requirements of good moral character and fitness, applicants should be persons whose record of conduct justifies the trust of clients, adversaries, courts and others with respect to the professional duties owed to them, and whose record demonstrates the qualities of honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability. In the determination of good moral character and fitness, relevant considerations may include, but are not limited to the following: unlawful conduct; academic misconduct; making of false statements, including omissions; misconduct in employment; acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; abuse of legal process; neglect of financial responsibilities; violation of an order of a court; evidence of mental or emotional instability; evidence of drug or alcohol dependency; denial of admission to the bar in another jurisdiction on character and fitness grounds; and disciplinary action by a lawyer disciplinary agency or other professional disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction.

General qualifications are those requirements to be admitted to the practice of law established by these rules, other than those dealing with examinations and character and fitness.

Section 3. No person who advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or this state by force, violence or other unconstitutional or illegal means, shall be certified to the Supreme Court of Indiana for admission to the bar of the court and a license to the practice of law.

Section 4. There shall be appointed by this Court a Committee on Character and Fitness in each Supreme Court judicial district, consisting of at least one attorney-at-law from each county in such district. The members of such committee shall continue in office until their successors are appointed. The State Board of Law Examiners shall send a copy of each application for admission to the bar of this state to the local member of the Committee on Character and Fitness in the Indiana county which the applicant selects. A member of the committee, or some member designated by the State Board of Law Examiners, shall require the personal attendance of each applicant before the member, and inquire into the question as to whether or not the applicant is possessed of those requisites of good moral character and fitness, has adequate knowledge of the standards and ideals of the profession, and is familiar with and agrees to be bound by the Indiana Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct, all as necessary to qualify him to serve as an attorney. The member of the committee shall make such further inquiry into the matter as the member sees fit. At least thirty (30) days before the examination, the member of the committee conducting the inquiry, or promptly, if upon application for admission upon foreign license, the Board member conducting the inquiry shall make a finding: (1) That the applicant is familiar with and agrees to be bound by the Indiana Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct and that such Applicant is a person of good moral character and is fit to practice law in Indiana; or (2) That the member is unable to certify that the Applicant is a person of good moral character and is fit to practice law in Indiana, setting forth the reasons for this conclusion; or (3) That there is some question as to the Applicant's good moral character and/or fitness to practice law in Indiana and therefore recommends that the State Board of Law Examiners conduct a personal inquiry with the Applicant, stating the reasons for the member's conclusion. The committee member shall forward such findings and recommendations and all papers filed in connection therewith to the State Board of Law Examiners, which Board shall at its next meeting review said findings, make such further inquiry as it sees fit, and take such action as the matter requires.

Section 5. The Board may, upon its own motion, require an applicant to appear before the full Board, or a committee composed of members of the Board, for inquiry into the applicant's character and fitness. The Board may continue such appearance and require that the applicant submit additional information, evaluations or proofs before concluding such appearance.

Section 6. The Board of Law Examiners shall make a finding regarding each applicant:

(a) That the applicant possesses the requisite good moral character and fitness and has satisfied the general qualifications to be eligible to be admitted to practice law in Indiana, subject to continued qualification; or

(b) That the applicant has failed to sustain his or her burden of proof that the applicant possesses good moral character and fitness, and has satisfied all of the general qualifications to be admitted to the practice of law, in which case the Board may find that the applicant should not be permitted to reapply for admission to practice law or should be permitted to reapply only after a specific period of time; or

(c) That the Board has special concerns about the proof of applicant's moral character and fitness based upon evidence of drug, alcohol, psychological or behavioral problems, but in lieu of denying admission to the bar finds that the applicant has satisfied the Board as to his or her character and fitness, and has also satisfied the general qualifications, sufficiently to be eligible for conditional admission upon such terms and conditions as specified by the Board, said conditional admission to be administered by the Board over a period of time not to exceed five (5) years. The conditional admission shall be governed by Internal Rules and Policies adopted by the Board. The fact that the admission is conditional shall be confidential; or

(d) That the Board has special concerns about the proof of applicant's moral character and fitness based upon evidence of drug, alcohol, psychological or behavioral problems, but in lieu of denying admission to the bar finds that the applicant's admission be withheld for a specified period of time, not to exceed two (2) years, to allow the applicant to establish and prove rehabilitation. If at the end of the specified period of time the applicant shall have satisfied requirements to be eligible for admission to practice law, barring subsequent disclosure of matters adversely reflecting upon the applicant's character and fitness, the applicant will be eligible for admission upon passing the examination requirements. The Board may permit the applicant to take any examination administered during that period; or

(e) That the Board has special concerns about the proof of applicant's moral character and fitness based upon evidence of drug, alcohol, psychological or behavioral problems, but in lieu of denying admission to the bar finds that the behavior giving rise to the special concern has occurred of such recent date to prevent the Board from determining whether the applicant has sufficiently established his or her qualifications and the Board extends the time for further inquiry for a reasonable time, not to exceed one (1) year, and the Board may permit the applicant to take any examination administered during that period.

Section 7. If the Board finds that the applicant is not eligible for admission, or if the Board finds that an applicant is eligible for admission only upon condition under Section 6(c), whether after inquiry into the applicant's character and fitness to practice law, or determination that the applicant has failed to establish satisfaction of general qualifications, or in the case of an applicant for admission on foreign license, failure to prove that he or she has met the requirements of Rule 6, Sections 1 through 3, or if a conditional admittee has violated the terms of conditional admission, the applicant or conditional admittee may request a hearing under Section 9 of this Rule by filing a written request for such hearing with the Board within thirty (30) days of mailing of notice to the applicant of the finding of the Board.

Section 8. The necessity of a hearing as provided in Section 9 of this Rule may be dispensed with by the Board where the evidence is not in dispute and the subject matter of the hearing may be submitted to the Supreme Court upon written findings and specifications adopted by the Board.

Section 9. If the applicant or conditional admittee timely requests a hearing, or if the State Board of Law Examiners in connection with further inquiry shall deem it advisable to hold a hearing, the State Board of Law Examiners will schedule a hearing pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

(a) In such event, the Board may appoint a hearing panel from the members of the Board, consisting of three members. Said panel shall select from among its members a presiding officer and shall schedule and conduct such hearing. All of the above rules and regulations with respect to the action of the Board shall apply at said hearing.

(b) If, in connection with said further inquiry, the State Board of Law Examiners shall deem it advisable to hold a hearing, the applicant or conditional admittee shall be informed of the substance of the matter to be inquired into by written notice served on the applicant or conditional admittee by mailing such notice to the applicant or conditional admittee at such person’s last known address as shown by the Board's record by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least ten (10) days before the date set for said hearing.

(c) A record of the proceedings shall be taken by electronic recording equipment provided by the Board. If necessary this record shall be transcribed by the staff of the Executive Director.

(d) The panel shall report its findings to the Board for consideration and decision.

(e) The State Board of Law Examiners, at any such hearing, or otherwise, shall have the power to administer oaths, to issue subpoenas to require attendance at said hearing and for the production of documentary or other evidence. In case of the refusal of a witness to attend said hearing, to produce documentary or other evidence or to testify, the said Board shall certify such failure to the Court, and such witness shall be dealt with as for a contempt. Witnesses shall receive the fees and mileage provided by law for witnesses in civil cases. The Board may employ outside legal counsel to represent the interest of the State of Indiana at such hearing.

(f) The applicant or conditional admittee shall have the right to attend such hearing in person, to examine and cross-examine witnesses and otherwise participate in said hearing and to require the attendance of witnesses and production of documentary and other evidence by subpoena. An applicant or conditional admittee may be represented by counsel at such person’s expense.

(g) Upon the conclusion of said hearing, the State Board of Law Examiners shall enter findings as provided in Section 6(a) through (e) of this Rule.

(h) In the event the Board makes a finding other than that the applicant or conditional admittee does possess good moral character and fitness and has satisfied the general qualifications to be admitted to practice as provided in Section 6(a) of this Rule, a final report of the proceedings, including specific findings of fact, conclusion and recommendations shall be prepared. The Board shall notify the applicant or conditional admittee and all counsel of record of the action of the Board, including with such notice a copy of the final report.

Section 10. If, after following the hearing procedures in Sections 5, 8 & 9 of this Rule, the Board determines that a conditional admittee has violated any of the conditions of the admission, or if the Board determines that any applicant admitted under these rules falsified or failed to fully inform the Board of facts bearing upon the applicant's character and fitness and general qualifications to practice law prior to admission, the Board may impose additional conditions, including without limitation, an additional term of conditional admission for up to five (5) years, or the Board may certify such findings to the Supreme Court of Indiana with the recommendation that the Court revoke such admission, along with a recommended period of time before the conditional admittee can submit a new application for admission A conditional admittee whose conditional admission has been revoked by the Supreme Court shall not be readmitted, except upon a new application and examination, after the expiration of the revocation period set by order of the Supreme Court.

Section 11. Any person who has been accepted for admission to a law school accredited as required in Rule 13V may file an application with the State Board of Law Examiners, on such forms as the Board shall provide, for determination of his character and fitness to practice law in the State of Indiana in advance of the completion of his legal education. His application shall be processed and the final determination made through the same procedures set out above for the handling of submissions by applicants who have completed or are about to complete their formal legal education. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). Thereafter, upon filing an application for admission to the Bar of this State, said person shall again be screened by a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness in the proper county as required by this Rule 12, to determine the applicant's continued qualification for admission to the Bar of Indiana as far as his character and fitness is concerned.

Amended effective June 2, 1970; amended Nov. 24, 1975, effective Jan. 31, 1976; amended Dec. 23, 1976, effective Jan. 1, 1977; amended Nov. 30, 1989, effective Jan. 1, 1990. Amended Dec. 23, 1996, effective March 1, 1997. Amended Aug. 15, 2006, effective Jan. 1, 2007.

Rule 13. Educational Requirements for Admission to Examination

Section 1. Authority. Constitution of Indiana, Article 7, Section 4, and this court's inherent power.

Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish minimal educational prerequisites for the effective assistance of counsel in civil or criminal matters and cases in the State of Indiana, which minimal educational prerequisites shall be held by all persons admitted to the bar of this Court by written examination after the effective date of this rule.

Section 3. Notice. Notice is hereby given to all persons who seek admission to the bar of this Court by written examination, after the effective date of this