S.D. Ga. LR Crim. 1B

(a) Admission to the Bar.

(1) Roll of Attorneys. The bar of this Court shall consist of

persons admitted to practice in this Court and those who may

be admitted in accordance with this Local Rule, so long as they

meet the requirements for continued admission.

(2) Eligibility. Any attorney who is an active member in good

standing of the State Bar of Georgia is eligible for admission to

the bar of this Court. Continued admission is contingent upon

an attorney maintaining active membership in good standing

with the State Bar of Georgia.

(3) Procedure for Admission.

(A) Each applicant shall submit to the Clerk of Court a

Petition for Bar Admission, using the form available on the

Court’s website. The Petition shall be signed by two

members in good standing of the bar of this Court.

(B) The Clerk shall provide instructions to the applicant for

appearance and admission in open court or in chambers.

(C) The applicant shall pay to the Clerk the prescribed

enrollment fee.

(b) Pro Hac Vice Admission to Practice in a Particular Case.

(1) Permitted Attorneys and Procedures. An attorney in good

standing with the bar of another federal district court may

appear in a particular case with prior approval of this Court.

Counsel seeking pro hac vice admission shall:

(A) complete and file the Application for Admission Pro Hac

Vice available on the Court’s website;

(B) attach a certificate of good standing from another federal

district court and a list of all cases filed in this Court in

which the applicant has appeared as counsel;

(C) designate a member of the bar of this Court, who shall

enter a written appearance in the case; and

(D) pay to the Clerk the prescribed fee.

(2) Prohibited Attorneys. Attorneys who reside in this District or

maintain their principal place of business in this District are not

permitted to appear pro hac vice.

(c) Attorneys for the United States Government.

(1) U.S. Attorneys Assigned to District. The United States

Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, as well as

Assistant United States Attorneys or Special Assistant United

States Attorneys assigned to the Southern District of Georgia,

may appear in proceedings without seeking admission,

provided the attorney is a member in good standing with the bar

of another federal district court.

(2) Other Attorneys Representing the United States

Government. Any other attorney representing the United

States Government, or any agency thereof, may appear in

proceedings without seeking admission, provided the attorney:

(A) is a member in good standing with the bar of another

federal district court;

(B) files a written notice of appearance;

(C) certifies to the Court, in writing, he or she has read and is

familiar with these Local Rules; and

(D) is accompanied in Court by an Assistant United States

Attorney of this District who shall also review and sign all

pleadings.

(d) Appearance.

(1) Government Counsel. The signature of an attorney for the

Government on an indictment or information shall constitute

that attorney’s appearance in the case.

(2) Appointed Defense Counsel. The order of appointment shall

constitute the appointed attorney’s appearance in the case, and

the appointed attorney shall not file a notice of appearance.

(3) Retained Defense Counsel. An attorney shall file a notice of

appearance promptly upon being retained and prior to

participation in any proceeding.

(4) Grand Jury Proceedings. An attorney who is present in a

courthouse to represent a person or entity in connection with

grand jury proceedings shall notify a representative of the

United States Attorney’s Office upon arrival at that courthouse.

(e) Leaves of Absence. An attorney requesting leave of absence shall

file a motion stating the dates for the period of requested absence

and a brief description of the reason leave is sought. In the absence

of a prompt objection, such leave may be granted as a matter of

course.

(f) Withdrawal of Representation.

(1) Government Counsel. An attorney for the Government may

withdraw without leave of court by filing a notice of withdrawal,

so long as another Government attorney continues to serve as

counsel of record.

(2) Defense Counsel. An attorney representing a Defendant may

only withdraw by leave of court. The attorney shall file a motion

to withdraw that confirms prior service of a notice of intent to

withdraw on Defendant, attaches a copy of the served notice,

and states whether Defendant consents or objects to the

withdrawal.

(g) Disbarment and Discipline.

(1) Applicability. Any attorney who appears in this Court, or who

represents a party in interest in a case or a proceeding before

this Court, may be the subject of a complaint of professional

misconduct and shall be subject to the Court’s disciplinary

authority.

(2) Standards of Professional Conduct. All attorneys shall

practice in conformity with the Georgia Rules of Professional

Conduct.

(3) Disciplinary Procedures.

(A) Allegations of misconduct by an attorney shall be made in

writing to the Chief Judge of the District.

(B) An attorney subject to the Court’s disciplinary authority

shall immediately self-report the following to the Chief

Judge of the District:

(i) disbarment or suspension from the practice of law in

any federal or state court;

(ii) voluntary surrender of the privilege to practice

before a court or in a jurisdiction while the subject of

a disciplinary investigation; or

(iii) conviction of a felony, a crime requiring proof of a

dishonest act or false statement, or a crime

involving moral turpitude.

(C) The Chief Judge shall designate a judge to conduct

proceedings consistent with this Local Rule regarding any

nonfrivolous allegation under subsection (g)(3)(A) or any

self-report under subsection (g)(3)(B).

(D) The designated judge shall notify the attorney of the

allegations and afford the attorney an opportunity to show

good cause why discipline should not be imposed.

(E) The designated judge may conduct a disciplinary hearing,

at which the attorney shall appear and be afforded the

opportunity to:

(i) be represented by counsel;

(ii) present evidence, including testimony and

documents;

(iii) compel the attendance of witnesses and the

production of documents;

(iv) cross-examine witnesses; and

(v) present argument orally and in writing.

(F) The designated judge shall issue a written report

containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and any

recommended disciplinary measures.

(G) Upon consideration of the designated judge’s report, the

district judges (including any senior judges) shall decide

by majority vote and issue a final order regarding

imposition of any disciplinary measures.

(4) Available Forms of Discipline. The Court may impose any

sanction the Court deems appropriate, including but not limited

to the following forms of discipline: disbarment; suspension;

reprimand; and monetary sanctions.

(5) Reporting Attorney Misconduct. The Court may report

alleged attorney misconduct to a state bar, court, or other

agency, including referral for criminal prosecution.

(6) No Limitation on Judicial Authority. This Local Rule does

not limit the authority of a judge to manage cases, including the

authority to hold attorneys in contempt, disqualify attorneys,

and impose any other appropriate penalties or sanctions.

However, an attorney may only be disbarred or suspended

upon a majority vote of the district judges in accordance with

the procedures set forth in this Local Rule.

(7) Readmission. Any disbarred or suspended attorney seeking

readmission shall submit a petition to the Chief Judge showing

the attorney is fit to practice, attaching the order of disbarment

or suspension, and attaching supporting affidavits from five

current members of this Court’s bar. Readmission requires a

majority vote of the district judges (including any senior judges).

(h) Law Student Practice.

(1) Entry of Appearance. A law student may appear in cases,

while enrolled at an accredited school of law, by filing an entry

of appearance through a supervising attorney that includes the

following:

(A) certification the student has satisfied all eligibility and

registration requirements for student practice established

by the Supreme Court of Georgia and State Bar of

Georgia;

(B) written consent by the party concerning the law student’s

representation; and

(C) certification by the supervising attorney, who is a member

in good standing of the bar of this Court and has entered

an appearance in the case, to assume full responsibility

for the case and quality of the law student’s work.

(2) Written Submissions. All pleadings, motions, and other

written submissions signed by the law student shall also be

signed by the supervising attorney as lead counsel.

(3) Court Proceedings and Depositions. With permission of the

presiding judge, an eligible law student may participate in

depositions and courtroom proceedings so long as the

supervising attorney is present and prepared to intervene.

(4) Duties of Supervising Attorney. The supervising attorney

shall comply with all requirements established by the Supreme

Court of Georgia and State Bar of Georgia for supervision of a

registered law student.