Maryland House Counsel
Section 10-206(b)(4) and (d) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions allows certain practices in Maryland without formal admission to the Maryland Bar.
Eligibility
Individuals giving legal advice to a corporation in Maryland may be exempted from formal admission. The individual must:
- Be employed by the corporation.
- Admitted to the bar of any other state.
- Cannot be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
- Cannot appear before a unit of the Maryland government or of a political subdivision unless a court grants the individual a special admission in accordance with § 10-215 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions.
The following may appear on behalf of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or business in a civil action in the District Court of Maryland:
- An officer of a corporation
- An employee designated by an officer of a corporation
- A partner in a business operated as a partnership or an employee designated by a partner
- A member of a limited liability company
- An employee designated by a member of a limited liability company
- An employee designated by the owner of a business operated as a sole proprietorship
For designated employees, the employee cannot be assigned on a full-time basis to appear in the District Court on behalf of the corporation, partnership, or business. The employee must provide the court a power of attorney sworn to by the employer that certifies the employee is an authorized agent and may bind the organization on matters pending before the court. The employee cannot be disbarred or suspended as a lawyer in any state.
Practice
The action must be based on a claim that does not exceed the amount set under §4-405 of the Courts Article for a small claims action and cannot be based on an assignment, to the corporation, partnership, or business, of the claim of another.
The corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or business cannot contract, hire, or employ another business entity to provide appearance services.