A. Upon written application, an attorney who is not admitted to practice law in the state courts of Montana and who is at the time admitted and authorized to practice law in the highest court of another state may, with leave of the presiding court, appear pro hac vice in any action or proceeding, if an attorney admitted to practice in the courts of Montana is associated as attorney of record.
B. An attorney may not appear pro hac vice under this section if the attorney is a resident of Montana, is regularly employed in Montana, or is regularly engaged in the practice of law or in substantial business or professional activities in Montana, unless the attorney has an application for admission pending with the Bar Admissions Administrator.
C. Upon an attorney or firm’s second appearance pro hac vice, no further pro hac vice appearances are permitted except upon a showing of good cause. Findings of good cause to exceed the two-appearance limit are not to be routinely granted. For purposes of this Rule, “good cause” includes, by way of example only, a showing that the attorney or firm seeking to appear pro hac vice possesses experience or expertise not commonly available in the membership of the State Bar of Montana or where the attorney or firm is acting as counsel in a multistate class action. For purposes of this Rule, only those appearances made after November 17, 1998, will be considered.
D. Applications for pro hac vice must be obtained from the State Bar of Montana. The application form must require that the applicant provide the following information:
- the applicant's residence and office addresses;
- the state and federal courts to which the applicant has been admitted to practice and the dates of admission;
- whether the applicant is a member in good standing in those courts;
- whether the applicant is currently suspended or disbarred in any court and, if so, a description of the circumstances under which the suspension or disbarment occurred;
- whether the applicant has been formally notified of any complaints pending before a disciplinary agency in any other jurisdiction and, if so, a description of the nature and status of any pending disciplinary complaints including a copy of the complaint;
- an identification of all law firms with which the applicant is associated and a description of all pending pro hac vice appearances of the applicant's firm(s) in Montana;
- the title of each state court and cause in which the applicant has filed an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice, the date of each application, and whether it was granted;
- the name, address, and telephone number of the active member of the State Bar of Montana who is the attorney of record;
- an affirmation that the applicant will comply with the applicable statutes, law, and procedural rules of the state of Montana; be familiar with and comply with the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct; and submit to the jurisdiction of the Montana courts, the Montana disciplinary process, and the State Bar of Montana with respect to acts and omissions occurring during appearances under this rule; and
- whether payment has been made to the State Bar of Montana in accordance with the requirements of Section IV(D) of these rules.
E. The completed application, along with a fee equal to the annual amount paid by active members of the Montana Bar, must be filed with the Bar
Admissions Administrator.
F. The application will be reviewed by the Bar Admissions Administrator, who shall certify the number of prior appearances the applicant has been granted under Rule VI.C., whether the applicant has provided the required information, whether the applicant is in good standing in the other jurisdiction(s) where admitted, and whether Montana counsel is in good standing.
G. Upon certification, the Bar Admissions Administrator shall forward the application to the appropriate court or agency. The court or agency shall enter an order granting or refusing the application and, if the applicant is refused, the court or agency shall state its reasons. The court or agency shall mail a copy of the order to the applicant, counsel of record, and the Bar Admissions Administrator.
H. The Bar Admissions Administrator shall maintain a record of all pro hac vice applications as a public record. Attorneys appearing pro hac vice shall notify the Bar Admissions Administrator upon conclusion of the matter in which the attorney appeared.
I. An attorney appearing pro hac vice under this Rule is subject to the jurisdiction of the Montana courts and agencies with respect to Montana law governing the conduct of attorneys to the same extent as an attorney admitted to practice in the courts of this state. The attorney appearing pro hac vice shall comply with the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct and is subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Montana Supreme Court. The court or agency in which an attorney is appearing pro hac vice or the Montana Supreme Court may, for violations of Montana law, the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana, or orders of the court, withdraw its permission for an attorney to appear pro hac vice.
J. Montana attorneys of record shall sign all pleadings, motions, and briefs and participate actively in all phases of the case, including, but not limited to attendance at depositions and court or agency proceedings, preparation of discovery responses and briefs, and all other activities necessary to be prepared to go forward with the case at all times. A district court or agency, upon motion by local counsel, may waive this Rule based upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances. Upon waiver of the Rule by the district court or agency, all papers subsequently filed shall be signed by counsel actively involved in the case. Such a waiver is not to be routinely granted.
K. Attorneys admitted pro hac vice shall continue to pay annual dues and fees as provided in Rule I.G.6. while the case is pending.