D.C. Cir. R. 46

(a) Appearances. Except as otherwise provided by law, the docketing statement and all papers filed

thereafter in this court must be signed by at least one member of the bar of this court, and only

members of the bar of this court may present oral argument. However, on motion for good cause

shown, the court may allow argument to be presented in a case by an attorney who is not a member of

the bar of this court.

(b) Admission. Each applicant for admission to the bar of this court must file with the clerk an

application for admission on a form approved by the court and furnished by the clerk, accompanied

by a certificate, executed not more than 60 days prior to the date of the application, from the court

upon which the application is based, evidencing the applicant's admission to practice before that court

and current good standing. Upon the court's grant of an application for admission, the clerk will mail

to the applicant a certificate of admission. Applicants for admission to the bar of this court need not

appear in person for the purpose of taking the oath or affirmation of admission. The fee for

admission will be set periodically by order of the court and must be tendered with the application.

(c) Change of Address. Changes in the address of counsel and pro se litigants must be immediately

reported to the clerk in writing. Counsel and pro se litigants who are registered for the court’s

CM/ECF system must immediately report any change in their postal or e-mail address by updating

their appellate filer account.

(d) Change of Name of Attorney After Admission. Any member of the bar of this court may file

with the clerk a certificate that he or she is engaged in practice under a new name. The clerk will note

such change of name on the roll of attorneys and on the records of this court.

(e) Disbarment and Suspension. For provisions governing the discipline of members of the bar of

this court, see the court's Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement.

(f) Committee on Admissions and Grievances. For provisions governing the Committee on

Admissions and Grievances and the referral of matters to that committee, see the court's Rules of

Disciplinary Enforcement.

(g) Appearance by Law Student.

(1) Entry of Appearance on Written Consent of Party. An eligible law student may enter an

appearance in this court on behalf of any party including the United States or a governmental agency,

provided that the party on whose behalf the student appears has consented thereto in writing, and that

a supervising lawyer has also indicated in writing approval of that appearance. In each case, the

written consent and approval must be filed with the clerk.

(2) Appearance on Briefs and Participation in Oral Argument. A law student who has

entered an appearance in a case pursuant to paragraph (1) may appear on the brief, provided the

supervising attorney also appears on the brief; may participate in oral argument, provided the

supervising attorney is present in court; and may take part in other activities in connection with the

case, subject to the direction of the supervising attorney.

(3) Eligibility. In order to be eligible to make an appearance pursuant to this rule, the law student

must:

(A) be duly enrolled in a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;

(B) have completed legal studies amounting to at least 4 semesters, or the equivalent if the

school is on some basis other than a semester basis;

(C) be enrolled in or have passed a clinical program of an accredited law school for credit, held

under the direction of a faculty member of such law school, in which a law student obtains practical

experience by participating in cases and matters pending before the courts;

(D) be certified by the dean of the law school as being of good character and competent legal

ability, and as being adequately trained to perform as a legal intern.

(4) Students Not to Be Compensated by Parties. A law student appearing pursuant to this rule

may neither ask for nor receive any compensation or remuneration of any kind for services from any

party on whose behalf the services are rendered; this rule does not prevent a lawyer, legal aid bureau,

law school, public defender agency, or the government from paying compensation to the eligible law

student, nor does it prevent any agency from making such charges for its services as may otherwise be

proper.

(5) Withdrawal or Termination of Certification. The certification of a student by the law

school dean must be filed with the clerk of this court and, unless it is sooner withdrawn, will remain

in effect for 18 months, or until the announcement of the results of the first bar examination following

the student's graduation, whichever is earlier. For any student who passes that examination, or who is

admitted to the bar without taking an examination, the certification will continue in effect until the

date the student is admitted to the bar. The certification may be withdrawn by the dean at any time by

mailing a notice to that effect to the student and to the clerk of this court. It is not necessary that the

notice state the cause for withdrawal, unless requested by the student. The certification may be

terminated by this court at any time without notice or hearing and without any showing of cause.

(6) Supervising Attorney. An attorney under whose supervision an eligible law student

undertakes any activity permitted by this rule must:

(A) be a member in good standing of the bar of this court;

(B) assume responsibility for the quality of the student's work;

(C) guide and assist the student in preparation to the extent necessary or appropriate under the

circumstances.