What is Pro Hac Vice Admission?

If you’re involved in a personal injury lawsuit—especially one with out-of-state parties—you may hear that a lawyer is appearing “pro hac vice.” This Latin phrase translates to “for this occasion only,” and it refers to a legal process where an attorney who’s not licensed in the state where the case is being heard is granted temporary permission to participate in that specific case.

Pro hac vice admission is a common but important part of civil litigation, especially in high-stakes or multi-jurisdictional personal injury lawsuits. It allows clients to work with specialized attorneys, even if they aren’t licensed in the state where the lawsuit is pending.

What does pro hac vice admission mean in a personal injury case?

Pro hac vice admission allows an out-of-state attorney to represent a client in a specific court case, despite not being licensed to practice law in that jurisdiction. The attorney must be sponsored by local counsel—someone who is admitted to practice in that state—and must follow all procedural rules of the court.

This can be crucial for personal injury plaintiffs who want to work with a specific attorney who specializes in a certain type of case, such as medical malpractice, mass torts, or product liability.

• It grants temporary, case-specific access to a state court, without full bar admission.

• The attorney must work with local counsel, who files the pro hac vice motion on their behalf.

• Approval is not automatic—the judge must review and accept the motion.

• The out-of-state attorney agrees to follow local rules and court procedures.

Why would a lawyer need pro hac vice admission?

Pro hac vice is often used when a client hires a lawyer from another state who has specific experience, resources, or expertise. This is especially common in complex or high-dollar personal injury cases where the attorney has a national reputation or niche practice area.

It’s also useful when a national law firm handles cases across multiple jurisdictions and needs to collaborate with local counsel to meet court requirements.

• To bring in specialized legal expertise not readily available in the local market.

• To represent a long-term client in another state, especially corporations or mass tort plaintiffs.

• In multi-state litigation, where the same lawyer is handling related cases across jurisdictions.

• To support class actions, MDLs, or high-profile injury claims, where consistency is key.

What is required for pro hac vice admission?

Each state has its own rules, but most require the out-of-state attorney to file a motion with the court that includes a certificate of good standing, a statement of no disciplinary actions, and consent to follow local rules. The sponsoring local attorney also must agree to be responsible for the conduct of the out-of-state lawyer.

Courts generally approve these motions unless the attorney has a history of misconduct or the request violates procedural rules.

• A motion must be filed with the court, usually by local counsel.

• The out-of-state lawyer must be in good standing with their home state bar.

• Fees may apply, often including both court and bar-related charges.

• Some states limit the number of pro hac vice appearances, especially per calendar year.

How does pro hac vice admission affect the client?

From the client’s perspective, pro hac vice admission offers more flexibility in legal representation. You’re not limited to attorneys licensed in your state—you can hire someone based on experience, results, or personal trust. However, the local counsel will still play an active role in the case and may be your point of contact for certain filings or hearings.

It’s also worth noting that the court can revoke pro hac vice privileges if the out-of-state attorney violates rules or behaves improperly.

• You gain access to a broader range of legal talent, especially for niche or complex cases.

• You’ll usually work with both the lead out-of-state attorney and local counsel.

• The court ensures the out-of-state lawyer abides by all ethical and procedural standards.

• You don’t have to worry about legal gaps, as local counsel ensures compliance with state law.

Conclusion

Pro hac vice admission gives plaintiffs in personal injury cases access to legal talent beyond state borders. Whether you want a nationally recognized trial lawyer or are involved in a multi-state claim, this process lets out-of-state attorneys participate legally and ethically—so long as they follow the rules and work alongside local counsel. It’s a tool that helps ensure you get the best representation possible, regardless of geography.