House Counsel

House counsel attorneys work exclusively for a single-client such as a business or corporation. House counsel attorneys are often referred to as in-house counsel, corporate counsel, or single-client counsel.

House counsel attorneys are typically licensed in one jurisdiction and employed or working for an organization in another jurisdiction. This is especially true when the attorney is transferred to a new state by his or her employer. Most jurisdictions provide specific rules authorizing house counsel attorneys to practice law without taking the Bar Exam or being Admitted on Motion. House counsel rules usually require attorneys to register
and pay applicable fees.

In addition, the Multijurisdictional Practice Rules (MJP) may overlap with a jurisdiction’s house counsel rules. The MJP rules may exempt house counsel practice from the unauthorized practice of law and the prohibition of continuous and systematic practice within a state where the attorney is not admitted. Please visit the MJP page for further information.

The map below includes states that have special admission rules for house counsel attorneys and whether the state has an MJP rule applicable to house attorneys: