UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND
IN RE: LOCAL RULES Misc. 71-7163
GENERAL ORDER
REGARDING EMERGENCY AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL RULES
Pursuant to LR Gen 113(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 83(a)(1), and 28 U.S.C. §2071(e), the Court
hereby amends the following local rules: LR Gen 202, LR Gen 203, and LR Gen 215.
LR Gen 202 ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION
(a) Requirements for Admission. In order to be eligible for membership in the Bar of this
Court, an attorney must:
(1) Be a member in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island;
and
(2) Be a member in good standing in every other jurisdiction in which the attorney has been
admitted to practice; and
(3) Certify that he or she has read and understands these Local Rules; and
(4) Establish to the satisfaction of this Court, that he or she is of good moral character and
otherwise qualified and fit to be admitted to the Bar of this Court; and
(5) Complete the attorney demographic survey issued by the Court.
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LR Gen 203 CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS OF BAR
(a) General. Unless otherwise permitted by the Court for good cause shown, in order to
remain a member in good standing of the bar of this Court, an attorney must:
(1) remain a member in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of
Rhode Island and all other bars to which he or she has been admitted; and
(2) not be suspended, disbarred or found unfit, for any reason, to continue practicing
law by any other court or body having disciplinary authority over attorneys.
(b) Notifications
(1) By Counsel. Each member of the bar of this Court shall promptly notify the
Court of:
(A) any change in the member’s name, address, telephone number, fax
number, e-mail address and/or law firm name shown on such member’s
application for admission or if the member has re-registered, on the most
recent re-registration form by the member.
(B) any disciplinary proceedings initiated or disciplinary action taken against
such member and/or any restrictions placed on such member’s practice by
any court or body having disciplinary authority over attorneys; and
(C) any conviction of such member for any crime regardless of whether the
conviction resulted from a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, was not
followed by a term of imprisonment and/or is pending on appeal.
(2) By the Court. Any notice sent to a member of the bar of this Court shall be
deemed delivered if sent to the most recent address or fax number or e-mail
address provided by such member pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(A) of this rule.
(c) Periodic Registration Procedure.
(1) Renewal of Bar Registration. Each member of the bar of this Court shall renew
his or her bar registration between January 1 and March 31 June 1 and August 31
of every fourth second year (“Registration Renewal Period”), beginning with the
year 201024. Bar registrations must be renewed even if an attorney has been a
member for only a portion of the 4 2 years preceding the Registration Renewal
Period.
(2) Notice by Clerk. At least 60 days prior to each deadline date for registration, the
Clerk shall issue a notice and regarding the Rregistration Renewal Period form to
each attorney who is then registered as a member of this Court’s bar.
(3) Method of Registration. A member shall register by:
(A) Completing and filing the registration form through CM/ECF provided by
the Clerk which form shall include: (i) a certification that the attorney
continues to satisfy all of the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of
this rule; and (ii) a statement as to whether the attorney has been convicted
of a serious crime as defined in LR Gen 213(a)(3) or been disciplined by
any other court or body having disciplinary authority over attorneys; and
(B) Completing the attorney demographic survey issued by the Court; and
(B)(C) Paying the applicable registration fee established by the Court, except that
the fee need not be paid by attorneys employed on a full-time basis by the
United States, and/or the State of Rhode Island, or a non-profit agency.
(4) Action by the Court.
(A) Except as provided in subsection (B) of this subsection, upon receipt of an
attorney’s properly completed registration form, attorney demographic
survey, and registration fee, the Clerk shall maintain the attorney’s name
on the list of active members of the bar of this Court.
(B) If an attorney fails to register in accordance with this Rule or if an
attorney’s registration form shows (i) that the attorney does not satisfy the
requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this rule; (ii) that the attorney
has been the subject of disciplinary action referred to in subsection
(b)(1)(B) or (iii) that the attorney has been convicted of a crime as defined
in subsection (b)(1)(C), the Clerk shall notify the Chief Judge who, then,
may issue a show cause order as to why the attorney should not be
administratively suspended or why disciplinary action should not be
initiated pursuant to LR Gen 209.
(d) Effect of Failure to Register. An attorney’s failure to register in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (c) may be cured by filing the completed completing the
registration form and attorney demographic survey through CM/ECF no later than 60
days after the applicable deadline for registration and paying the registration fee and the
late fee established by the Court except that the Court, for good cause shown, may permit
the attorney to cure more than 60 days after the applicable deadline for registration.
An attorney who does not cure a failure to register within the aforesaid 60-day period, or
at any extension permitted by the Court, must apply for reinstatement pursuant to LR Gen
215.
(e) Use of Registration Fees. All registration and late fees paid shall be deposited in the
Bar Fund maintained by the Court and shall be used only for purposes benefitting the
members of the bar of this Court in accordance with the regulations governing the Bar
Fund adopted by this Court and any applicable regulations established by the Judicial
Conference of the United States.
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LR Gen 215 REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
(a) Application for Reinstatement.
(1) An individual who has ceased to be a member of the Bar of this Court for any reason,
including disbarment, suspension, failure to comply with the requirements for
continuation of membership, resignation or failure to renew membership in a timely
manner, may apply for reinstatement by filing a completed application for reinstatement
on a form provided by the Clerk, and paying the applicable reinstatement fee established
by the Court, and completing the attorney demographic survey issued by the Court.
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The Court will take steps to formally modify LR Gen 202, 203, and 215 during the next local
rules review cycle.
By the Court:
Date: 4/2/2024 /s/ John J. McConnell, Jr. Chief Judge
