Rule 321

Requirements for Formal Participation in Legal Matters by Law Students and Law School Graduates

(a)  General Rule.  The requirements for eligibility for formal participation in legal matters by a law student or law school graduate pursuant to Rule 322 (relating to authorized activities of certified legal interns) are: 

(1)  Enrollment in or graduation from an accredited law school or a law school that has been approved by the Board which has filed and is actively pursuing an application for accreditation with the American Bar Association; provided that students who attend or graduated from a law school that is located in a jurisdiction that has a program permitting law students to participate in legal matters, which does not afford students attending law school in Pennsylvania the same privilege or opportunity to formally participate in legal matters as a law student in the jurisdiction as is granted to students attending law school in the jurisdiction, shall not be eligible to participate in legal matters pursuant to Rule 322. 

(2)  Completion of legal studies amounting to at least three semesters, or the equivalent if the law school is on a basis other than the semester basis. 

(3)  Existence and maintenance of certification as prescribed in Subdivision (b) of this rule. 

(4)  Introduction to the judge or magisterial district judge before whom the law student or law school graduate is appearing by a member of the bar of this Commonwealth. 

(5)  Absence of a request for or receipt by the law student or law school graduate of compensation or remuneration of any kind for his or her services from the person on whose behalf the law student or law school graduate renders services.  This paragraph shall not prevent: 

(i)  An attorney or a law school, legal services program, defender association, or government unit from paying compensation to the law student or law school graduate. 

(ii)  Any person other than the law student or law school graduate from making such charges for services as such person may otherwise properly require. 

(b)  Certification.  Only those law students or law school graduates shall be eligible for the benefits of Rule 322 who have been certified by the dean of their law school as being of good character and competent legal ability, and as being adequately trained to perform as a legal intern.  The certification shall be made by filing one copy thereof with the Prothonotary.  The certification: 

(1)  Shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the Board and shall remain in effect until the expiration of 24 months after it is filed, or until the announcement of the results of the first bar examination following the completion of the study of law by the student or law school graduate, whichever is earlier.  In the case of a student or law school graduate who passes that examination, the certification shall continue in effect until the student or law school graduate is admitted to the bar. 

(2)  May be withdrawn at any time by the dean by filing a notice to that effect with the Prothonotary.  It is not necessary that the notice state the cause for withdrawal. 

(3)  May be terminated by the Court at any time without notice or hearing and without any showing of cause.