(a) General
An eligible law student acting under the supervision of a member of a bar of this court
may be permitted to appear before the United States District Court for the District of
Alaska on behalf of any client including federal, state, or local government bodies if the
client has filed a written consent with the court.
(b) Eligibility
An eligible student must:
(1) Satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(A) be certified by the state Bar Association as a law student intern, or
(B) be enrolled and in good standing in an American Bar Association approved or
state accredited law school, and have completed one-half of the legal studies
required for graduation, or
(C) be a recent graduate of such school awaiting the result of a state bar
examination;
(2) have knowledge of and be familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal
Procedure; the Federal Rules of Evidence; the Code of Professional Responsibility;
and the rules of this court;
(3) be certified by the dean of the law school as being adequately trained to fulfill all
responsibilities as a law student intern to the court;
(4) not accept compensation for his legal services directly from a client; and
(5) file with the Clerk all documents required to comply with this rule.
(c) Duties of Supervising Attorney
The supervising attorney must:
(1) be admitted to practice before the highest court of any state for two years or
longer and have been admitted to practice before this court;
(2) appear with the student in any oral presentations before the court;
Local Civil Rules for the District of Alaska
Effective October 15, 2025
Page 42
(3) sign all documents filed with the court;
(4) assume professional responsibility for the student's work in matters before the
court; and
(5) assist and counsel the student in the preparation of the student's work in matters
before the court.
(d) Dean’s Certification
The dean’s certification of the student:
(1) must be filed with the Clerk and, unless sooner withdrawn, remain in effect until
publication of the results of the first bar examination following graduation;
(2) may be withdrawn by the dean with notice to the court.
(e) Scope of Functions
Upon fulfilling the requirements of this rule, the student may:
(1) assist in the preparation of briefs, motions, and other documents pertaining to a
case before this court; and
(2) Appear and make oral presentations before this court when accompanied by the
supervising attorney.
(f) Exceptions
The court retains the authority to establish exceptions to this rule in any case.
