UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND
IN RE: GENERAL ORDERS 26-MC-9004
GENERAL ORDER 2026-01: SUSPENSION OF LR GEN 201(a) AS TO ATTORNEYS
APPEARING IN CIVIL DETAINEE HABEAS MATTERS
Pursuant to LR Gen 101(c), the Court finds that exceptional circumstances exist due to
the increase in the number of Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed in the United States
District Court for the District of Rhode Island by civil detainees challenging the lawfulness of
their detention. Due to this, the Court hereby suspends the requirements for admission under LR
Gen 201(a) for attorneys seeking to represent those petitioners on a pro bono basis. An attorney
who is not a member of the bar of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode
Island may appear and practice, without local counsel, in civil detainee habeas matters subject to
the following conditions:
1. Any attorney appearing pursuant to this order will be subject to the disciplinary
jurisdiction of this Court as provided in LR Gen 208 through LR Gen 216.
2. Any attorney appearing pursuant to this order will be bound by the Local Rules of the
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.
3. Any attorney appearing pursuant to this order must be a member in good standing of the
bar of at least one state, territory, or the District of Columbia and/or one federal district
court and must not be currently suspended or disbarred in any jurisdiction.
4. This order applies only to civil habeas corpus petitions undertaken without charge on
behalf of detained persons challenging the lawfulness of their detention and does not
extend to any other case type.
5. Any attorney appearing pursuant to this order is eligible to make filings electronically
pursuant to LR Gen 304 and must request filing privileges in this Court via PACER.
6. Any attorney appearing pursuant to this order will disclose in the signature block of any
filing that they are eligible to appear pursuant to this order.
7. The Court may withdraw the permission of any attorney to appear and practice pursuant
to this order at any time.
The suspension of LR Gen 201(a) as outlined above will remain in effect for one year from
the date of this order, and the Court may elect to extend this order if the exceptional
circumstances outlined above continue to exist.
By the Court:
Date: April 13, 2026 /s/ John J. McConnell, Jr. Chief Judge
