WSR 03-13-063

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT


[ June 12, 2003 ]

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO APR 8(f) )

)

 ORDER

NO. 25700-A-771

     The Washington State Bar Association having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendment to APR 8(f), and the Court having determined that the proposed amendment will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice and further determined that an emergency exists which necessitates an early adoption;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That the amendment as attached hereto is adopted.

     (b) That pursuant to the emergency provisions of GR 9(i), the amendment will be published expeditiously and become effective upon publication.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 12th day of June 2003.
     Alexander, C. J.
     Johnson, J.

      Bridge, J.
     Madsen, J.

      Chambers, J.
     Sanders, J.

      Owens, J.
     Ireland, J.

      Fairhurst, J.


APR 8 (f)(1)

SPECIAL ADMISSIONS



     (f) Exception for House Counsel. A lawyer admitted to the practice of law in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia may apply to the Board of Governors for a limited license to practice law as in-house counsel in this state when the lawyer is employed in Washington as a lawyer exclusively for a profit or not for profit corporation, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, association, or other business entity, that is not a government entity, and whose lawful business consists of activities other than the practice of law or the provision of legal services. The lawyer shall apply by (I) filing an application in the form and manner that may be prescribed by the Board of Governors, (ii) presenting satisfactory proof of (I) admission by examination to the practice of law and current good standing in a state of territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and (II) good moral character, (iii) filing an affidavit from an officer, director, or general counsel of the applicant's employer in this state attesting to the fact the applicant is employed as a lawyer for the employer, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, and the nature of the employment conforms to the requirements of this rule, (iv) paying such fee as may be set by the Board of Governors with approval of the Supreme Court, and (v) furnishing whatever additional information or proof that may be required in the course of investigating the applicant. The lawyer must also pass the Professional Responsibility portion of the Washington bar examination.

     (1) Upon approval of the application by the Board of Governors, the lawyer shall take the Oath of Attorney, pay the current year's annual membership fee in the amount required of inactive members, and the Board of Governors shall transmit its recommendation to the Supreme Court which may enter an order admitting the lawyer to the limited practice of law under this section.

     (2) Subject to the exceptions contained in the following sentence pertaining to pro bono client representation, the practice of a lawyer admitted under this section shall be limited to practice exclusively for the employer, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, furnishing the affidavit required by this rule and shall not include (I) appearing before a court or tribunal as a person admitted to practice law in this state, except in association with an active member of the Washington State Bar Association who shall be the lawyer of record therein, responsible for the conduct thereof and Present at all proceedings, (ii) offering legal services or advice to the public or (iii) holding oneself out to be so engaged or authorized. Notwithstanding the above, the Practice of a lawyer admitted under this section may include providing legal services for no fee through a qualified legal services provider, as that term is defined in part 8 (e)(2), including without limitation representation before a court or tribunal without associating with an active member of the Washington State Bar Association. The prohibition against compensation in the preceding sentence shall not prevent a qualified legal services provider from reimbursing an in-house counsel admitted under this section for actual expenses incurred while rendering legal services under this pro bono exception. In addition, a qualified legal services provider shall be entitled to receive all court awarded attorney's fees for pro bono representation rendered by the in-house counsel.

     (3) All business cards and employer letterhead used by a lawyer admitted under this section shall state clearly that the lawyer is admitted to practice in Washington as in-house counsel.

     (4) A lawyer admitted under this section shall pay to the Washington State Bar Association an annual license fee in the maximum amount required of active members.

     (5) The practice of a lawyer admitted under this section shall be subject to the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, and to all other laws and rules governing lawyers admitted to the active practice of law in this state. Jurisdiction shall continue whether or not the lawyer retains the limited license and irrespective of the residence of the lawyer.

     (6) The lawyer shall promptly report to the Washington State Bar Association a change in employment, a change in membership status in a state or territory of the United States or District of Columbia where the applicant has been admitted to the practice of law or the commencement of any formal disciplinary proceeding in a state or territory of the United States or District of Columbia where the applicant has been admitted to the practice of law.

     (7) The limited license granted under this section shall be automatically terminated when employment by the employer furnishing the affidavit required by this rule is terminated, the lawyer has been admitted to the practice of law pursuant to any other provision of the APR, the lawyer fails to comply with the terms of this rule, the lawyer fails to maintain current good standing in at least one state or territory of the United States or District of Columbia where the lawyer has been admitted to the practice of law upon passing the bar exam, or on suspension or disbarment for discipline in a state or territory of the United States or District of Columbia where the lawyer has been admitted to the practice of law. If a lawyer's employment is terminated but the lawyer, within three months from the last day of employment is employed by an employer filing the affidavit required by (iii), the license shall be reinstated.

     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the State Supreme Court and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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