Out-of-state attorneys not admitted to the Wisconsin Bar must be admitted pro hac vice before practicing law or risk violating the unauthorized practice of law prohibition.
Pro hac vice admission in Wisconsin allows an out-of-state attorney to practice law on a temporary basis as co-counsel with a Wisconsin lawyer. Where out-of-state lawyers wish to continue acting as primary counsel rather than refer a personal injury case, our Wisconsin personal injury attorneys will work as local counsel and help to gain such lawyers admission to practice before a Wisconsin court.
Pro hac vice admission is governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and certain Wisconsin Circuit Court Rules. Specifically, SCR 10.03 governs Bar Membership and subsection (4) states that "A judge in this state may allow a nonresident counsel to appear in his or her court and participate in a particular action or proceeding in association with an active member of the state bar of Wisconsin who appears and participates in the action or proceeding." Thus, an out-of-state lawyer does not have a "right" to appear pro hac vice.
Depending on the facts of your client's personal injury case, our firm's role as local counsel may be limited or extensive. Often, our firm will need to take care of drafting, filing and serving a complaint and summons and help to get out-of-state counsel admitted, but beyond that, the firm's involvement varies depending on the Court, the nature of the case, the out-of-state lawyer, and co-counsel's knowledge of Wisconsin evidentiary law, procedural law, and local rules.
Contact the firm at (262) 785-0802 or attorney@frankpasternak.com to discuss a local counsel relationship, fee arrangements, and pro hac vice admission in Wisconsin.
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Inquiries are free without obligation. To learn whether the law firm can help with a Wisconsin accident, injury or death, call (262) 785-0802 or email attorney@frankpasternak.com. Wisconsin attorneys may only practice as an attorney in state but may work at no added fee or cost with personal injury attorneys or wrongful death lawyers outside the state and may be admitted to practice law on a temporary basis in some states. The firm may help with personal injury accidents outside and accidents in Wisconsin. In addition, the firm works with out-of-state attorneys needing local counsel and pro hac vice admission to practice in Wisconsin personal injury matters.