Rules Governing Admission to Practice in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado

D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.3 - THE BAR OF THE COURT

A. Applicant Information. An applicant for admission to the bar of this court must be a person of good moral character licensed by the highest court of a state, federal territory, or the District of Columbia where a written examination was required for admission and be a member of the bar in good standing in all courts and jurisdictions where he or she has been admitted. Each applicant for admission shall complete an approved form provided by the clerk. Each applicant shall pay to the clerk the fee prescribed by the court.

B. Entry of Appearance. An attorney's entry of appearance by signing a pleading, motion, or other paper does not constitute entry of appearance by that attorney's firm.

C. Consent to Jurisdiction; Familiarity With Local Rules. An attorney who applies for admission to the bar of this court:
1. consents to this court's exercise of disciplinary
2. certifies familiarity with the local rules of this court.

Withdrawal of Appearance. An attorney who has appeared in a case may seek to withdraw on motion showing good cause. Withdrawal shall be effective only on court order entered after service of the notice of withdrawal on all counsel of record and on the withdrawing attorney's client. A motion to withdraw must state the reasons for withdrawal unless the statement would violate the rules of professional conduct. Notice to the attorney's client must include the warning that the client personally is responsible for complying with all court orders and time limitations established by any applicable rules. Where the withdrawing attorney's client is a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, the notice shall state that such entity cannot appear without counsel admitted to practice before this court, and absent prompt appearance of substitute counsel, pleadings, motions, and other papers may be stricken, and default judgment or other sanctions may be imposed against the entity.

E. Member in Good Standing. An attorney admitted to the bar of this court must remain in good standing in all courts where admitted. “In good standing” means not subject to suspension or disbarment by any court for any reason. An attorney who is not in good standing shall not practice before the bar of this court or continue to be an attorney of record in any pending case. Upon notice to this court of lack of good standing from the suspending or disbarring jurisdiction, or otherwise, the clerk of this court shall make a notation in the court record of such lack of good standing.

1. Self-Reporting Requirements. Whenever a member of the bar of this court has been suspended or disbarred for any reason by any court, the disciplined attorney shall, within 10 days of the date the disciplinary order enters, give written notice to the clerk of this court of the terms of discipline, the name and address of the court imposing the discipline, and the date of that court’s action. This notice shall be provided regardless of any notification that is provided to this court by the court imposing the discipline.

2. Separate Violation. Failure to self-report or to cease practicing before the bar of this court as required by this rule are themselves separate causes for disciplinary action, except that failure to self-report administrative suspensions for failure to pay an annual registration fee or to comply with mandatory continuing legal education requirements shall not be cause for further disciplinary action by this court.

3. Reinstatement or Readmission. Reinstatement following administrative suspension for failure to pay an annual fee or to comply with mandatory continuing legal education requirements shall be automatic upon receipt by this court of written proof of reinstatement by the original suspending jurisdiction. Application for reinstatement or readmission following suspension or disbarment from practice as a member of the bar of this court for any other reason shall be made in accordance with the terms of D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.5I.

Relief From Rule of Good Standing. It is presumed that discipline by another court against a member of this court's bar is appropriate. In order to obtain relief, the attorney so disciplined has the burden to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that:
1. the procedure resulting in discipline by the court was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to deny due process,
2. the application of D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.3E would result in grave injustice, or
3. the kind of misconduct established has been held by this court to warrant substantially less severe discipline. Applications under this section shall be filed with or referred to the Committee on Conduct, which shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.5D.

D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.4 - STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Except as otherwise provided in attached Amended Administrative Order 1999-6 concerning unbundling of legal services, the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Colorado Supreme Court and in effect on the effective date of these rules are adopted as standards of professional responsibility applicable in this court.