Tennessee Pro Hac Vice

Rule 19 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court provides the rule regarding admission for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions who are seeking pro hac vice admission. The rule has recently been repealed and amended as of February 4, 2013.

Eligibility
Eligible attorneys are not Tennessee residents and licensed to practice law in Tennessee Attorney are required to be licensed in another United States jurisdiction. Attorneys must be:

  • Licensed, in good standing, and admitted to practice before the court of last resort in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia where the attorney maintains a residence or an office for the practice of law.
  • In good standing in all other jurisdictions where licensed to practice law.
  • Retained by a client to appear in a particular proceeding pending before the court.

Practice
Attorneys may appear, file pleadings, motions, briefs and other documents and fully participate in a particular proceeding before a Tennessee trial or appellate court.

Attorneys need to associate with a Tennessee lawyer that is admitted, licensed, and in good standing before the Supreme Court of Tennessee.

Attorneys are subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee courts for matters arising out of the attorney’s conduct.

Application
Attorneys must file a motion with the court no later than the first occasion when the attorney personally appears or when he or she files any pleading or papers with the court. Attorneys must include a certificate of good standing from the court of last resort where the attorney principally practices and an attorney affidavit. The affidavit’s requirements are established in the rule.