When working on a case outside of his or her jurisdiction, an attorney must diligently adhere to local rules, respect the preferences of the courts and learn the local laws, rules, regulations and precedents that apply.  Employment law in California is heavily regulated and legislated, creating challenges for employers and a steep learning curve for attorneys practicing pro hac vice.

Choosing an experienced California employer defense attorney to serve as local counsel provides lead counsel and their client with an ally and advocate who can be essential to a successful legal outcome. Susan A. Rodriguez, an employer defense attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience, can assist with a range of employment law matters as local counsel in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

Pro Hac Vice and Local Counsel in California: Rules and Requirements

Rule 9.40 of the California Rules of Court sets forth the requirements for pro hac vice admission and appointment of local counsel for cases in California superior courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court of California.

The US District Court for the Central District of California, which has federal jurisdiction over Los Angeles and surrounding areas, outlines the rules for attorneys appearing before the Court—including pro hac vice and local counsel—in its Local Rules (L.R. 83-2.1).

The rules of these courts require attorneys admitted pro hac vice to meet eligibility guidelines and designate local counsel admitted to practice in the court in question.  Pro hac vice attorneys must be familiar with all rules applicable to the court in which they request to practice.  They must meet the court’s standards of professional conduct and are subject to disciplinary action, just like any attorney admitted to practice in the jurisdiction.

Choosing and Working with Local Counsel in Los Angeles

Lead attorneys and their teams should consider multiple factors when selecting Los Angeles local counsel to assist in a case and represent their client.  The attorney chosen should have substantial experience practicing in the applicable court and area of law.

Additional factors to consider when choosing local counsel in Los Angeles and surrounding areas include the following:

• Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal laws, regulations and rules;
• Relationships, rapport and reputation with court or agency personnel, judges and the local legal community;
• Communication preferences;
• Law firm support staff and resources available for the case;
• Level of availability;
• Access to local personnel, officials and resources, including investigators and experts; and
• Rates and fees that are agreeable to the client.

Preferably, the local attorney’s personality and style of practice will complement that of the lead attorney and essential team members.  Examining these factors before choosing local counsel will help establish a strong foundation for effective, efficient representation.

Local Counsel for Employment Defense in Los Angeles

Susan A. Rodriguez is a Los Angeles employer defense attorney with more than three decades of experience representing clients in local, state and federal courts and government hearings.  She represents employers in class action cases, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) complaints and other employment disputes and litigation.

Contact Susan at the Law Offices of Susan A. Rodriguez, APC to discuss her qualifications and availability to serve as local counsel in Los Angeles and Southern California by calling (213) 943-1323 or completing this online contact form.

When working on a case outside of his or her jurisdiction, an attorney must diligently adhere to local rules, respect the preferences of the courts and learn the local laws, rules, regulations and precedents that apply.  Employment law in California is heavily regulated and legislated, creating challenges for employers and a steep learning curve for attorneys practicing pro hac vice.

Choosing an experienced California employer defense attorney to serve as local counsel provides lead counsel and their client with an ally and advocate who can be essential to a successful legal outcome. Susan A. Rodriguez, an employer defense attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience, can assist with a range of employment law matters as local counsel in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

Pro Hac Vice and Local Counsel in California: Rules and Requirements

Rule 9.40 of the California Rules of Court sets forth the requirements for pro hac vice admission and appointment of local counsel for cases in California superior courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court of California.

The US District Court for the Central District of California, which has federal jurisdiction over Los Angeles and surrounding areas, outlines the rules for attorneys appearing before the Court—including pro hac vice and local counsel—in its Local Rules (L.R. 83-2.1).

The rules of these courts require attorneys admitted pro hac vice to meet eligibility guidelines and designate local counsel admitted to practice in the court in question.  Pro hac vice attorneys must be familiar with all rules applicable to the court in which they request to practice.  They must meet the court’s standards of professional conduct and are subject to disciplinary action, just like any attorney admitted to practice in the jurisdiction.

Choosing and Working with Local Counsel in Los Angeles

Lead attorneys and their teams should consider multiple factors when selecting Los Angeles local counsel to assist in a case and represent their client.  The attorney chosen should have substantial experience practicing in the applicable court and area of law.

Additional factors to consider when choosing local counsel in Los Angeles and surrounding areas include the following:

• Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal laws, regulations and rules;
• Relationships, rapport and reputation with court or agency personnel, judges and the local legal community;
• Communication preferences;
• Law firm support staff and resources available for the case;
• Level of availability;
• Access to local personnel, officials and resources, including investigators and experts; and
• Rates and fees that are agreeable to the client.

Preferably, the local attorney’s personality and style of practice will complement that of the lead attorney and essential team members.  Examining these factors before choosing local counsel will help establish a strong foundation for effective, efficient representation.

Local Counsel for Employment Defense in Los Angeles

Susan A. Rodriguez is a Los Angeles employer defense attorney with more than three decades of experience representing clients in local, state and federal courts and government hearings.  She represents employers in class action cases, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) complaints and other employment disputes and litigation.

Contact Susan at the Law Offices of Susan A. Rodriguez, APC to discuss her qualifications and availability to serve as local counsel in Los Angeles and Southern California by calling (213) 943-1323 or completing this online contact form.

Posted by Susan A. Rodriguez, Esq.

The information, comments and links included in this blog do not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship has been or will be formed by any communication(s) with the blogger.  Do not send any confidential or privileged information to the blogger.  No information, documents or materials you send to the blogger will be considered confidential or privileged by the Law Offices of Susan A. Rodriguez, APC or its lawyers and no information, documents or materials will be returned to you.  If you do send any information, documents or materials to the blogger, you give permission for the blogger to include them on or in the blog. For legal advice, contact an attorney at  Law Offices of Susan A. Rodriguez, APC  or an attorney actively practicing in your jurisdiction.