PRACTICE
(a) Appearance in Court by Law Students.
Upon satisfaction of the requirements of this rule, a law student is deemed eligible to
assist in the preparation of briefs, motions and other documents in civil and criminal matters on
behalf of an indigent defendant, as assigned by the court, provided that the law student is
supervised by an attorney admitted to the bar of this court. At the discretion of the court, and
upon the express prior approval of the presiding judge, the student may appear and make oral
presentations accompanied by a supervising attorney. Law students in law school clinics are
prohibited from receiving direct or indirect payment or remuneration of any kind in connection
with his or her student practice before this court.
The court may, at its discretion, establish any exception it deems necessary to this rule,
and at any time may revoke permission for an eligible law student to appear and practice, without
cause, notice, or hearing.
(b) Eligible Law Students.
Eligible law students must be actively enrolled and in good standing in a law school
accredited by the American Bar Association and have completed four (4) semesters of the legal
studies required for graduation, including courses in civil and criminal procedure, and evidence.
Motions requesting permission for an eligible law student to appear and practice before
this court must be filed by a supervising attorney with the clerk, accompanied by all necessary
documents demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this rule, including: A certification
by the dean of the law school that the law student is adequately trained to fulfill all
responsibilities as a law student intern to the court; and a statement by the law student that he
has read and is familiar with the Local Rules, the American Bar Association Model Rules of
Professional Conduct and the American Trial Lawyers Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct, as
adopted by this court.
(c) Certification.
The dean of a duly accredited school of law may certify a law student who meets the
following requirements:
(1) has completed legal studies amounting to at least 4 semesters;
(2) is of good character and competent legal ability and is adequately
trained to perform as a legal intern;
-58-
(3) promises not to ask for or receive any compensation or remuneration of any
kind for his or her services from the person on whose behalf service is
rendered; but this shall not prevent a legal aid bureau, law school, law firm,
or government from paying compensation to the eligible law student, nor
shall it prevent any agency or law firm from making such charges for its
services as it may otherwise properly require; and,
(4) has read and is familiar with the American Bar Association’s Model Rules
of Professional Conduct, the American College of Trial Lawyers Code of
Pretrial and Trial Conduct, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Local
Rules of this court.
The certification shall be filed with the clerk and may be withdrawn by the dean at any
time by mailing notice to that effect to the clerk; it is not necessary that the notice state the cause
for withdrawal. The certification may be terminated by the court without notice or hearing and
without any showing of cause. Notice of termination shall be filed with the clerk.
(d) Supervising Attorneys.
Supervising attorneys must have been admitted to practice before this court for at least three
(3) years. Supervising attorneys shall attend all assigned law student practice proceedings before
the court and sign all filings submitted to the court. Supervising attorneys must assist and counsel
law students in all aspects of, and assume professional responsibility and liability for, the supervised
law students' practice in matters before the court.
-59-
