A. Eligibility
A lawyer applying for admission to the bar of this court must be licensed to
practice law by the licensing authority of one of the fifty states, the District
of Columbia, or a Territory of the United States. If licensed by a licensing
authority other than the State of Texas, then an attorney must also be a
member in good standing of a United States District Court. Attorneys
employed by the Department of Justice or the Federal Public Defender
are exempt from the requirement of good standing in another United States
District Court. (Amended by General Order 2018-6, effective March 22,
2018).
B. Application
The lawyer shall file an application on a form prescribed by the Court.
C. Committee on Admission
The district shall have one committee on admissions comprised of seven
attorney members chosen by the Chief Judge and who shall serve staggered
three-year terms. The participation of four members, either in person or by
electronic means, shall constitute a quorum.
D. Action on the Application
After a review of the application, the Court will admit or deny admission. A
person not admitted may request a hearing to show why the application
should be granted. The hearing will be conducted under the procedures for
disciplinary matters.
E. Uncompensated Assignments
The pro bono representation of indigent clients is encouraged by this Court.
It is hoped that as a matter of public service a member of the Bar of the
Southern District of Texas will accept an uncompensated assignment to an
indigent’s civil matter as often as every twelve months.
F. Expiration
Members of the bar must renew their membership every five years from the
date of admission by filing a renewal application and paying the fee. If a
member fails to renew before the expiration of the term, the attorney may
file a request for renewal after expiration. If an attorney’s membership has
been expired for 10 years, the attorney will need to submit a new
application to be readmitted to the Southern District of Texas.
G. Oath
On admission, the lawyer will take this oath before any judicial officer of
the United States, clerk of court or deputy clerk, or notary public:
I do solemnly swear [affirm] that I will discharge the duties of
attorney and counselor of this court faithfully, that I will demean
myself uprightly under the law and the highest ethics of our
profession, and that I will support and defend the Constitution of
the United States.
H. Fee
The applicant will pay the fee set by order.
I. Practice Without Admission
A lawyer who is not admitted to practice before this Court may appear for
a party in a case in this Court with the permission of the judge before whom
the case is pending by filing a Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on the
prescribed form. A Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice filing fee may be set by
the Court.
J. Conduct of Attorneys
The Rules of Discipline in Appendix A govern membership in the bar of the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
83.2 Withdrawal of Counsel
Although no delay will be countenanced because of a change in counsel,
withdrawal of counsel-in-charge may be effected by motion and order, under
conditions imposed by the Court.
83.3 Notices
All communications about an action will be sent to the attorney-in-charge who is
responsible for notifying associate counsel.
83.4 Change of Address
Notices will be sent only to the address on file. A lawyer or pro se litigant is
responsible for keeping the clerk advised in writing of the current address.
Counsel of record and pro se litigants must include in this advice the case
numbers of all pending cases in which they are participants in this district.
83.5 Parties’ Agreement
Agreements among the parties are enforceable by the Court only if they are
announced in open court or reduced to writing and signed. Nevertheless,
agreements of the parties are not binding on the Court.
83.6 Preserving Confidentiality
A. Civil Actions
On the filing of a civil action that the party desires be sealed, the party shall
present an application to the clerk attaching the complaint and
accompanying materials in a sealed envelope marked “sealed exhibit.” A
miscellaneous case number will be assigned and the case file presented
to the miscellaneous judge. Once that judge has ruled on the application,
the case file and order will be returned immediately to the clerk for the
drawing of a civil action number and random assignment to a judge.
B. Jurors’ Names
The trial judge may hold the names of petit jurors confidential. Names of
jurors held confidential shall not be disclosed other than to employees of
the judiciary of the United States in their official duties.
