Rule 311

Attorney Participants in Defender or Legal Services Programs

(a)  Scope.  This rule applies to an attorney who is not a member of the bar of this Commonwealth and who is qualified to practice in the courts of another state and who: 

(1)  is enrolled in a graduate criminal law or poverty law and litigation program in an accredited law school located in this Commonwealth; or 

(2)  after having completed the study of law in an accredited law school, is employed by or associated with an organized legal services program in this Commonwealth providing legal assistance to indigents in civil matt­ers. 

(b)  General Rule.  An attorney to which this rule applies shall be admitted to practice before the courts and district justices of this Commonwealth in all matters in which the attorney is associated with an organized defender association or an organized legal services program which association or program is sponsored, approved or recognized by the local county bar association.  Admission to practice under this rule shall be limited to the matters specified in the preceding sentence.  Motions for restricted admission to practice under this rule shall be made by filing one copy thereof with the Prothonotary.  The motion shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the Board and shall include or be accompanied by:

(1)  A certificate of the highest court or agency of any other state having jurisdiction over admission to the bar and the practice of law stating that the applicant is in good standing at the bar of such court or in such state. 

(2)  A statement: 

(i)  signed by a representative of the law school showing compliance with Paragraph (a)(1) of this rule; or 

(ii)  signed by a representative of an organized legal services program showing compliance with Paragraph (a)(2) of this rule. 

Any such statement shall also contain an undertaking by the school or program to notify the Prothonotary immediately whenever the attorney ceases to be enrolled in or associated with such program. 

(c)  Subscription and Action.  The motion for admission shall be subscribed by a member of the bar of this Commonwealth in good standing.  If the motion and related documents are in proper order the Prothonotary shall enter the name of the applicant upon the docket of persons specially admitted to the bar of this Commonwealth subject to the restrictions of this rule and shall issue an appropriate certificate in evidence thereof. 

(d)  Expiration of Admission.  When an attorney admitted under this rule ceases to be enrolled or associated in a program as set forth in the motion previously filed a written statement to that effect shall be filed with the Prothonotary by a representative of the law school or legal services program.  Admission to practice under this rule shall expire after 30 months, unless the Court for good cause shown shall extend such period in an individual case, or when the attorney ceases to be enrolled in or associated with such program, whichever shall first occur. 

(e)  Enforcement Rules.  The Enforcement Rules shall be applicable to an attorney admitted under this rule.