Rule 89(c) of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure allows attorneys admitted in other jurisdictions that are employed by legal service organizations based in Maine to practice on a limited basis.
Eligibility and Practice
Attorneys must be members in good standing of the Bar of another state or of the District of Columbia and be employed by a legal services organization based in Maine that is funded from a state, federal, or recognized charitable source that provides legal assistance to indigents in civil matters.
Attorneys cannot represent themselves to be members of the Maine Bar and cannot practice law in Maine outside of the scope of the attorney’s employment with a legal services organization based in Maine.
Attorneys cannot accept compensation for their services, except the salary paid by the legal services organization, governmental body, or charitable institution.
Application
Attorneys are required to file an application for temporary permission to practice law in Maine. The application includes:
- A certificate of good standing where admitted.
- Employer Affidavit. A statement signed by the executive director or chief executive officer of the legal services organization that the attorney is currently employed by the organization and has expressly agreed not to practice law in Maine outside of the scope of the attorney’s employment with the legal services organization.
Attorneys are permitted to practice on the date the application is approved by a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. Permission to practice is effective when a copy of the Court’s approval is filed with the Board of Overseers of the Bar.
All pleadings must bear the name and office address of the temporary attorney and be signed on behalf of an attorney supervisor of the organized legal services organization. The supervising attorney is fully licensed to engage in the general practice of law in Maine.
Attorneys are subject to the Maine Bar Rules and may be disciplined or suspended in the same manners as members of the Maine Bar.
Termination
Permission to practice cannot exceed two years from the date the application is approved and terminates when the attorney ceases to be employed by the legal services organization. Attorneys ending their employment must file a statement with the Clerk of the Law Court and the Board of Overseers of the Bar.