ShareCommittee on Unauthorized Practice of Law
The Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law investigates complaints against persons who are engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. See DC App. R. 49. It also monitors motions made by attorneys from other jurisdictions for permission to appear pro hac vice in the District of Columbia Courts. The Committee has twelve members, eleven of whom are members of the District of Columbia Bar. One member of the committee is a non-attorney, as required by Rule 49.
Forms for Unauthorized Practice Matters
| Title | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Form 8) | Download |
| Certification of Practice Pro Bono Publico (Form 9) | Download |
Articles
| Title | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| How Lawyers Can Avoid the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Simple Steps for Compliance With Rule 49 | Download |
| Important Update: Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law in DC (link to the DC Bar) |
DC App. Rule 49 and Rule 49 Opinions
| Title | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| DC App. Rule 49 and Commentary | Download |
| Opinion 1-98: Compliance With Exception 49(c)(8) | Download |
| Opinion 2-98: Procedure for Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice Under Exception 49(c)(7) | Download |
| Opinion 3-98: Procedure for Practice Pro Bono Publico Under Exception 49(c)(9) | Download |
| Opinion 4-98: Practice of Law by Organizations; Section 49(b)(2)(F) | Download |
| Opinion 5-98: Notices to be Given by Lawyers Having Limited Authority to Practice Law in the District of Columbia: In Directory Listings, Marketing Material, Letterhead, Business Cards, Telephone Listings and the Like | Download |
| Opinion 6-99: Permissible Conduct of Commercial Firms that Place Attorneys on a Temporary Basis With Legal Service Organizations | Download |
| Opinion 7-99: Permissible Practice of Law During the 360 Day Period of Rule 49 (c)(8) | Download |
| Opinion 8-00: Permissible Practice of Foreign Lawyers in the District of Columbia | Download |
| Opinion 9-01: Pro Hac Vice Statements by Lawyers Practicing in the District of Columbia Pursuant to an Exception to Rule 49 | Download |
| Opinion 10-01: Use of the Limited Duration Practice Exception by a Lawyer Who Has Previously Practiced in the District Under Another Exception to Rule 49 | Download |
| Opinion 11-02: Amendments to Disclosure Requirements of Rule 49(c) | Download |
| Opinion 12-02: Supervision of Attorneys Under Rule 49(c) | Download |
| Opinion 13-04: Compliance With Exception 49(c)(4) for DC Government Employees | Download |
| Opinion 14-04: Practice by Foreign Lawyers on an Incidental Basis | Download |
| Opinion 15-05: Holding Out by Foreign Lawyers with Principal Offices in the District of Columbia | Download |
| Opinion 16-05: Compliance with Rule 49 by “Contract” Lawyers in the District of Columbia | Download |
| Opinion 17-06: The Scope of the Federal Court Practice Exception in Rule 49(c)(3) | Download |
| Opinion 18-06: Provision of Pro Bono Services Under the Limited Duration Practice Exception in Rule 49(c)(8) | Download |
| Opinion 19-07: Applicability of Rule 49 to US Legislative Lobbying | Download |
| Opinion 20-08: Limitations on Notice of Bar Status Under Rule 49(c)(8) | Download |
| Opinion 21-12: Applicability of Rule 49 to Discovery Services Companies | Download |
| Opinion 22-17: Use of the Terms "Associate" or "Counsel" as "Holding Out" to Practice Law | Download |
| Opinion 23-18: Practice of Law in Disciplinary Matters by Attorneys Admitted Outside the District of Columbia | Download |
| Opinion 24-20: Teleworking from Home and the COVID-19 Pandemic | Download |
| Advisory Letter Concerning Executive Branch Lobbying | Download |
Committee Members
Chair
Charles Davant, IV
Vice Chair
Tami L. Taylor
Members
Geoffrey M. Klineberg
Theodore P. Metzler, Jr.
Matthew J. Herrington
Alexis P. Taylor
John Longstreth
Andres Echeverri
David C. Simmons
Jeff Bartos
German Gomez
Sharon Hutchins
Woody Peterson
Director, Committee on Admissions and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Shela Shanks
The fee of $100 may be made by money order, certified check or cashier’s check. Please make the payment to “Clerk, D.C. Court of Appeals”
You may mail or deliver the application and payment to:
The Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law
430 E St., NW R. 123
Washington, D.C. 20001
If you have questions or concerns regarding the unauthorized practice of law in the District of Columbia, please email them to CUPL [at] dcappeals.gov
