U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

Rule 13. Qualifications to Practice

(a) No attorney shall practice before this Court unless the attorney has been admitted to the bar of this Court or is appearing pro hac vice by leave of the Court. See Rule 38 (b).

(b) It shall be a requisite to the admission of attorneys to the Bar of this Court that they be a member of the Bar of a Federal court or of the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or Possession, and that their private and professional character shall appear to be good.

(c) Each applicant shall file with the Clerk an application for admission on the form prescribed by the Court, together with an application fee in an amount prescribed by Court order and a certificate from the presiding judge, clerk, or other appropriate officer of a court specified in (b) above, or from any other appropriate official from the Bar of such court, that the applicant is a member of the Bar in good standing and that such applicant’s private and professional character appear to be good. The certificate of good standing must be an original and must be dated within one year of the date of the application.

(d) If the documents submitted demonstrate that the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications, the Clerk shall so notify the applicant and he or she may be admitted without appearing in Court by subscribing a written oath or affirmation. However, if the applicant so elects, the admission may be on oral motion by a member of the Bar of this Court in open court. Upon admission, the Clerk shall issue to the attorney a wallet-size admission card and a large certificate of admission suitable for framing.

(e) Each applicant shall take or subscribe the following oath or affirmation:

“I * * *, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I will conduct myself, as an attorney and counselor of this Court, uprightly and according to law. So help me God.”

(f) Admissions will be granted on motion of the Court or upon oral motion by a person admitted to practice before the Court. Special admissions may be held by order of the Court.

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