IN THE UNITED ST ATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
INRE:
LEGAL INTERNSHIP BY SUPERVISED LAW STUDENTS
ORDER FOR REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL, BANKRUPTCY, AND CRIMINAL
MATTERS
In an effort to assist pro se litigants in civil, bankruptcy, and criminal matters
before the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern District of
Alabama; to provide access to the judicial system by unrepresented parties; and to
advance legal training of law students, the Court promulgates the following procedures
for the appearance by eligible law students.
THE COURT ORDERS that:
1. A law student eligible under the Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law
Students and acting under a supervising attorney may enter an appearance in any court
within the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of any party, provided the party on
whose behalf the student appears has consented in writing thereto. The student shall have
successfully completed two-thirds of the academic requirements to graduate from law
school and, if appearing in a criminal matter be currently enrolled in or have completed a
class on criminal procedure and, if appearing in a bankruptcy matter be currently enrolled
in or have completed a class on bankruptcy law.
2. The supervising attorney shall be a member of the bar of this Court, pursuant to
Local Rule 83.1 and, with respect to the law student's appearance before this Court shall:
a) file written certification of his or her consent to supervise the student in
each case in which the student appears;
b) review and assume professional responsibility for the student's work; and,
c) appear with the student in all proceedings before the court and be prepared
to supplement any written or oral statement made by the student to this court or opposing
counsel.
3. The student shall:
a) certify in writing that she or he has read and is familiar with the Alabama
Rules ofProfessional Conduct, the Federal Rules ofCivil Procedure, and the Local Rules
of this Court and has completed a course in evidence. If the matter is a criminal matter,
the student must certify in writing that she or he has read and is familiar with the Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure. Further, jf the matter is a bankruptcy matter~ the student
must certify in writing that she or he has read and is familiar with the Federal Rules of
Bankruptcy Procedure;
b) receive training on the Court's CMJECF system prior to his or her entry of
appearance on behal f 0 f a party.
4. The student is prohibited from receiving any compensation, fees or remuneration
of any kind for the services he or she renders to a party. The supervising attorney is
prohibited from billing to the client for the services rendered by the student.
5. Upon filing with the Clerk of the Court the certification required under this Order
and the Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students, the student may:
2
a) engage in the drafting or preparation of complaints, petitions, motions,
briefs, or other pleadings and documents, and may appear in proceedings on such
pleadings, provided the supervising attorney also signs and appears on the pleadings;
b) appear before the courts in this jurisdiction and participate in conferences,
oral argument, mediation, direct or cross-examination of witnesses, provided the
supervising attorney is present in court.
c) take part in other activities in connection with the case, subject to the
direction of the supervising attorney.
6. The court may at any time, without notice, hearing or showing of cause, terminate
such certification or refuse to allow the student to participate in a particular case. The
dean or a faculty member of the student's law school may also withdraw certification by
submitting a notice of withdrawal to the Clerk of the Court. Loss of certification by
action of this Court shall not be considered a reflection on the character or ability of the
student. The dean or other faculty member of the student's law school may recertify the
student for appearances before the court.
7. The Order has been approved by a majority vote of this Court.
SO ORDERED this the t1!day Of~ , 20lf."
1.l~.~
Chief United States District Judge
3
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students
Student Intern Certification
I, _ _ _ _ _ _~_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, a student at
of law school), certify that I meet all of
the following requirements as stated in the Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students.
1. I have registered as a law student with the Alabama State Bar in accordance with the Rules
Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar;
2. I have completed legal studies amounting to at least four semesters of law school;
3. I have read and will comply with the Alabama Code ofProfessional Conduct and all other
rules relevant to the matter in which I am involved;
4. I have read and understand the requirements and limitations imposed by the Alabama Rule
for Legal Internship by Law Students;
5. I will accept no compensation from the party or parties on whose behalf I am rendering
services; and
6. I attest that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Alabama and
will faithfully perform the duties of a student intern.
Signature
Printed Name
State
County
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the _ _day of __.. . _ _ _ _ _ _
Signature of Notary
My Commission Expires- - - - -
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students
Certificate of Supervising Attorney
I, certify the following with respect to the
Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students:
1. I will assume professional responsibility under the Alabama Rules ofProfessional
Conduct for all activities and services rendered by as
a student intern;
2. I will secure prior written consent of every client for services actually performed in
court by this student intern;
3. I will keep the client advised of the services being performed by this student intern;
4. I will supervise the activities and services of this student intern which will be
performed under my direction, knowledge and approval;
5. I will be present in court at all times with this student intern in any case tried before a
jury;
6. I will supply the court or tribunal a copy of this certification and a copy of the client's
written consent upon seeking permission of the court or tribunal to permit the
appearance of this student intern.
Signature
Printed Name
State of ------------------------
County
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the _ _day 1
Signature of Notary
My Commission Expires_________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students
Law School Dean1s Certification
I, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, dean of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
(law school name), certify _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, is a law
student in good standing; has completed at least four semesters of law school work; is, to the best
of my knowledge, of good character and has competent legal ability; and has adequately trained
to perform as an eligible law student under the Alabama Rule ofLegal Internship by Law
Students.
Signature
Printed Name and Position
State
County
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the _ _day
Signature of Notary
My Commission Expires- - - - -
