Provision of Legal Services Following a Major Disaster
Rule 60 of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules and the applicable comments to that rule govern temporary admission for out-of-state attorneys following a major disaster. This rule is the ABA model rule.
In rare circumstances, the New Hampshire Supreme Court may declare a major disaster has occurred that affects all or part of the New Hampshire judicial system, the judicial system in another jurisdiction, or a major disaster has caused people in need of legal services to reside in New Hampshire. Following such a major disaster, attorneys in good standing may be granted temporary admission in order to provide pro bono services. The pro bono legal services are assigned and supervised by a non-profit bar association. In addition, displaced attorneys in good standing may provide temporary legal services in New Hampshire that reasonably relate to the attorney’s practice in his or her home jurisdiction.
Attorneys allowed to practice under this rule may not make court appearances except as otherwise provided under New Hampshire’s Pro Hac Vice requirements or the court grants blanket permission under this major disaster rule. Attorneys are subject to disciplinary procedures and the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions must also notify clients in New Hampshire of where they are licensed to practice law, the limits of their authorization, and that they are not licensed to practice law in New Hampshire except under the major disaster rule.