Alaska Multijurisdictional Practice (MJP)

Rule 5.5 (Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law) and Rule 8.5 (Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law) of the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct address MJP in Alaska. See the MJP hub for general background.

Alaska’s Rule 5.5 generally tracks the ABA Model Rule framework: temporary practice under 5.5(c), and employer / federally authorized practice under 5.5(d). Out-of-state lawyers generally may not establish a systematic and continuous presence for the practice of law or hold themselves out as Alaska-admitted except as authorized by rule or other law.

Temporary practice

Subject to pro hac vice and other forum rules, temporary services typically include association with local counsel, tribunal-related work with a reasonable expectation of authorization, ADR related to the lawyer’s home practice, and other services reasonably related to the lawyer’s practice where admitted (Rule 5.5(c)).

House counsel and authorized practice

Alaska has no separate house-counsel registration. Rule 5.5(d)(1) permits employer/affiliate services that do not require pro hac vice; Rule 5.5(d)(2) covers services authorized by federal or Alaska law. See Alaska House Counsel.

Confirm the current rule text and comments in the official Alaska RPC PDF before relying on a particular safe harbor.