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FAQ/Pro Hac Vice    [+] Show All Answers

  1. Can I electronically submit the application and fee(s)?

    You can upload the pro hac vice application and pay the required fee(s) online via credit card.

    If you do not wish to submit the application and fee(s) electronically, you can send them via mail. The check or money order should be made payable to the State Bar of Georgia and submitted directly to the State Bar of Georgia with a copy of the application.

    You can pay the renewal annual fee (and late fee, if applicable) online via credit card. Every December, the applicant and sponsor will receive the necessary information regarding how to pay the renewal annual fee (and late fee, if applicable) online via credit card.

  2. When will I be admitted into the case?

    You are admitted into the case when the judge enters an order granting your admission. 

  3. Does my sponsor have to reside in Georgia?

    The rule does not require the sponsoring attorney to reside in Georgia. 

  4. Which rule should I follow for pro hac vice admission?

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in a State or Superior Court of Georgia, please review Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.4.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in a Magistrate Court of Georgia, please review Uniform Magistrate Court Rule 7.5.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, please review State Board of Workers' Compensation Rule 102 (A)(3) and Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.4 here.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in the Georgia Statewide Business Court, please review Rule 4-4 of the Georgia Statewide Business Court.

    Please note: The State Bar of Georgia only reviews pro hac vice admissions for Magistrate, State, Superior Courts, Georgia Statewide Business Court and the Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in a Probate Court of Georgia, please review Uniform Probate Court Rule 3.3.3.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in the Court of Appeals of Georgia, please review Rule 9(c) of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

    If you are seeking pro hac vice admission in the Supreme Court of Georgia, please review Rule 4 (h) of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

  5. Does pro hac vice admission transfer from the lower courts to the appellate courts?

    No, your admission does not transfer from one court to the next court. You must file a separate pro hac vice application in each court. 

  6. Does the State Bar of Georgia have a sample pro hac vice application?

    Yes, you can use the verified application for pro hac vice admission form which will generate a pleading for you. However, we do not have a copy to provide.

  7. Does the State Bar of Georgia keep a list of sponsors?

    No, the State Bar of Georgia does not keep a list of sponsors for pro hac vice applicants. 

  8. Does the State Bar of Georgia provide pro hac vice applicants with a bar number?

    No, pro hac vice applicants do not receive a bar number. 

  9. I am having difficulty finding a sponsor; can the State Bar of Georgia waive the sponsorship requirement?

    No, the State Bar of Georgia cannot waive the sponsorship requirement. However, the court has the authority to waive any part of the Rule.

  10. I was granted admission in December and the case continued into the following year, will I have to pay the $200 annual fee in January?

    Yes, you will have to pay the renewal annual fee.

  11. Is a certificate of good standing required?

    No, the rule does not require a certificate of good standing. 

  12. Should I notify the State Bar of Georgia that the case is closed?

    Yes. Please send an email to phvannualfee@gabar.org and provide the full name of the applicant, the applicant’s email address, case number(s), caption of the case(s) and status of the case(s).

  13. Should I notify the State Bar of Georgia if there are any changes to the applicant or sponsor’s contact information?

    Yes. You can email Kathy Jackson at kathyj@gabar.org. Please provide the full name of the applicant, case number(s), caption of the case(s) and any changes to the applicant or sponsor's contact information. 

  14. Should I wait for an order granting admission before I serve the State Bar of Georgia with a copy of the application?

    No, do not wait to serve the State Bar of Georgia with a copy of the application. Your sponsor can simultaneously file the application and serve the State Bar of Georgia with a copy. 

  15. The Complaint has not been filed yet. Can I serve the State Bar of Georgia with a copy of the application?

    No, there needs to be a case number in order for the State Bar of Georgia to process the application. 

  16. What is the fee for pro hac vice?

    There is an annual fee of $200 and an application fee of $75.

    For the first pro hac vice filed in a calendar year, submit a total of $275 (annual and application fees), unless you already paid the annual fee for a previous application. For any additional pro hac vice filed in the same calendar year, submit $75 (application fee). You can upload the pro hac vice application and pay the required fee(s) online via credit card.

    If you do not wish to submit the application and fee(s) electronically, you can send it via mail.  The check or money order should be made payable to the State Bar of Georgia and submitted directly to the State Bar of Georgia with a copy of the application.

    Further, for every subsequent year that you remain admitted in any case in Georgia you must submit the annual fee of $200 by Jan. 15. Failure to pay the annual fee by Jan. 15 will result in a late fee of $100. The annual fee and late fee must be paid no later than March 1 of that year.

    Every December, the applicant and sponsor will receive the necessary information regarding how to pay the renewal annual fee (and late fee, if applicable) via credit card online.

    If you do not wish to submit the renewal annual fee electronically, you can send it vial mail. The check or money order should be made payable to the State Bar of Georgia and submitted directly to the State Bar of Georgia. Include the applicant’s name, case caption(s), case number(s) and status of the case(s) in the cover letter.

    Failure to pay the annual fee and late fee may result in disciplinary action and the attorney may be subject to prosecution under the unauthorized practice of law statutes of this state. Please review Rule 5.5 (l) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.

  17. What is the pro hac vice process?

    Applicants are required to file the notarized original pro hac vice application with the court in which they seek to appear, and send a copy of the application along with the fee(s) (either online or via mail) to the Office of the General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia. Where possible, applicants should include the name of the judge assigned to hear the case and inform the Office of the General Counsel of any upcoming hearing or trail date in the body of the cover letter submitted with the copy of the verified application and fee.

    Once the State Bar of Georgia reviews the copy of the pro hac vice application, a letter will go to the court informing it whether the application complies with the Rule. The applicant and sponsor will receive a copy of the letter. Only the court has the authority to grant or deny your admission.

  18. What information should I include when submitting the renewal annual fee?

    For every subsequent year that you remain admitted in any case in Georgia you must submit the annual fee of $200 by Jan. 15. Failure to pay the annual fee by Jan. 15 will result in a late fee of $100. The annual fee and late fee must be paid no later than March 1 of that year.

    Every December, the applicant and sponsor will receive the necessary information regarding how to pay the renewal annual fee (and late fee, if applicable) via credit card online.

    If you do not wish to submit your renewal annual fee (and late fee, if applicable) via credit card, you can pay by check or money order (payable to the State Bar of Georgia). Please provide the full name of the applicant, case number(s), caption of the case(s) and status of the case(s). Please note the renewal annual fee is per attorney not per case.