Source: http://www.ncbar.gov/faq/f_faq.asp
Timestamp: 2013-12-11 08:36:17
Document Index: 708641251

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Admission to the North Carolina State Bar
District Bars Ethics
Q: How can I become a member of the North Carolina State Bar?
Admission to the North Carolina State Bar is the responsibility of the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners. An application and information about admission may be obtained by calling the board at (919) 848-4229 or writing to the board at 5510 Six Forks, Suite 300, Raleigh NC 27609.
You should take your law license and two blank copies of the oath of office form.
The Board of Law Examiners supplies the oath forms to bar applicants. You may also print the oath form here. Q: Where should I file the oath of office forms after being sworn in?
Yes. You are an active member of the North Carolina State Bar as soon as you complete all the requirements for admission set forth by the Board of Law Examiners, even before you are sworn in. As an active member of the North Carolina State Bar you are required to pay the annual mandatory membership fees and complete the annual mandatory CLE requirements. For more information on these requirements and to learn how to petition to become an inactive member of the State Bar, see the Membership FAQ’s and Continuing Legal Education FAQ’s. Q: May I be sworn in by telephone?
See 27 NCAC 1D, Section .1400 Q: Is a lawyer required to pay the Client Security Fund Assessment to maintain his or her active status with the State Bar?
(3) the applicant has exhausted all viable means to collect the applicant's losses otherwise than from the fund. See 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .1401(b)(7). Q: What losses are not reimbursable?
2. Write to any client with an active file, advising them that you are unable to continue representing them and that they need to retain new counsel. Your letter should inform them about time limitations and time frames important to their case. The letter should explain how and where they can pick up their file and should give a time deadline for doing this. If possible, refer the client to another lawyer who may be able to handle the client’s case. 3. For any case that has a scheduled court date, deposition, or hearing, discuss with the client how to proceed. Where appropriate, request extensions, continuances, and resetting of hearing dates. Send written confirmations of these extensions, continuances, and resets to opposing counsel and to your client.
11. Disburse funds held in your trust account to the clients to whom they belong with a final accounting. You can also deliver the funds to new legal counsel designated by a client. Close out your account. For questions concerning closing your trust account you may contact the State Bar at 919-828-4620. 12. Call the membership department at the North Carolina State Bar and update all membership records as to status and contact information. You may contact the membership department at 919-828-4620.
Also, please refer to this ethics article from the Journal. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Please see FAQ's on the CLE website.
For information, please visit the IOLTA website. District Bars
For more information on District Bars, visit the District Bar page. Q: Am I required to be a member of a local district bar?
Q: What if I reside and practice in two different judicial districts? You may choose between the districts. You must notify the State Bar in writing if you elect to be a member of a district bar that is different from the district bar for your address on record with the State Bar. You may email, mail, or fax notice of district bar changes to the State Bar.
Email can be sent to kbeck@ncbar.gov
Mail can be sent to: The North Carolina State Bar
Raleigh, NC 27611 Fax can be sent to (919) 821-9168 Attn: Membership. Q: Can I be a voting member of more than one judicial district bar?
No. Every active member of the State Bar who resides in North Carolina must be a member of the judicial district bar where he/she resides or practices. You may only be a voting member of the judicial district bar on record for you with the State Bar. If you desire to be a non-voting member of another judicial district bar, you must contact that district bar to see if it accepts non-voting members. Q: What if I do not reside or maintain an office in North Carolina?
If you change your district bar affiliation, you must notify both the district you are leaving and the district you are joining. Please see the list of local Judicial District Bar Officers for contact information. Q: What judicial district bar do I belong to? To view the District Bar Map, click here. If you are still unsure of your affiliation, contact the membership department at the State Bar. Q: Where are the rules governing the administration of judicial district bars? To view the regulations governing district bars, see the following Rules and Regulations:
Subchapter B, Section .0200, Rules Governing Judicial District Grievance Committees Subchapter D, Section .0700, Fee Dispute Resolution
To view the District Bar Officer’s Directory, click here. Q: Who is the Councilor(s) of my judicial district bar? To view the District Bar Councilor’s Directory, click here.
Q: What is the role of the judicial district bar and its officers? To view the essential duties of District Bar officers, click here. Ethics
How the State Bar Rules on Questions of Legal Ethics Q: How do I get a question of legal ethics answered?
Q: Where do I find the rules for the procedures of the Ethics Committee for ruling on questions of legal ethics?
Send a letter to the Ethics Committee at PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611, or send an e-mail. All letters of comment received prior to the next meeting of the Ethics Committee are provided to the members of the committee for consideration. Letters of comment should be sent as soon as possible after the publication of the proposed opinion to facilitate their inclusion in the materials mailed to the members of the Ethics Committee prior to the meeting.
For information on the IOLTA Program, please visit their website. Lawyer Assistance Program
Click here for information concerning the Lawyer Assistance Program. Legal Malpractice Insurance
For 2013, the annual fees are $375. This includes the membership dues ($300), the Client Security Fund assessment ($25) and the Judicial Surcharge ($50). The amount of the dues is established each October by the State Bar Council pursuant to the authority granted to the Council by the General Assembly in NCGS §84-34. 5: When are the mandatory annual membership fees due?
You will owe a late fee of $30. Continued failure to pay any part of the membership fees may result in the suspension of your North Carolina law license. See 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .0903. If you are suspended, you will have to file a reinstatement petition with the membership department of the State Bar. (For more information on reinstatement, see Membership FAQ #16 below.)
8: What is the Judicial Surcharge?
In the 2005 session of the General Assembly, G.S. 84-34 was amended to impose a $50 surcharge upon each active member of the State Bar who is liable for the annual membership fees. The amended statute makes the State Bar responsible for collecting the surcharge and for remitting all proceeds to the State Board of Elections to support the Public Campaign Fund from which financial assistance is made available to candidates for appellate judicial office. The Board of Elections also publishes a Voter Guide for public information. Starting in 2010, lawyers may designate that their surcharge be spent only on the Voter Guide. The designation is made on the membership fees invoice that is returned to the State Bar or when paying the membership fees online.
9: Once I am licensed by the NC Board of Law Examiners by passing the examination when will I become a member of the North Carolina State Bar and owe membership fees for the first time?
10: Once I am licensed by the NC Board of Law Examiners by comity when will I become a member of the North Carolina State Bar and owe membership fees for the first time?
Your membership with the State Bar is automatic upon licensure. You will be invoiced for membership fees for the calendar year in which you are admitted by comity, regardless of when during the year you are admitted. The State Bar is prohibited by law from waiving or prorating the membership fees. See NCGS §84-34 and 27 NCAC 1A, Rule .0203(c). 11: Once I receive my license from the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners when will I receive my North Carolina State Bar ID number?
12: If I obtain an exemption from the continuing legal education requirements, am I also exempt from the obligation to pay the North Carolina State Bar membership fees?
13: If I am an active member of the North Carolina State Bar but I do not practice North Carolina law, what should I do to be relieved of membership fees and CLE obligations?
You must petition to become an inactive member of the State Bar to be relieved of membership fees and CLE obligations. You must complete and file a Petition for Transfer to Inactive Status with the membership department of the State Bar. See 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .0901. 14: How do I retire or resign from the North Carolina State Bar?
You must petition to become an inactive member of the State Bar. See Membership FAQ #13 above. 15: I have been certified as a specialist by the NC State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. If I change my membership status to inactive, will I lose my specialty certification? Yes, if you remain inactive for an entire calendar year. To retain your certification, you must remain substantially involved in the specialty practice area. Substantial involvement is defined differently for each specialty but, generally, it requires that the specialist devote no less than 25% of a full-time practice to the specialty every calendar year. Check the recertification standards for your specialty by visiting the specialization website. 16: May I still hold myself out as a board certified specialist if I change my membership status to inactive?
No, during any period of inactivity, you must discontinue the active practice of law. Any statements or representations you make about yourself may not imply that you have an active law license. 17: Is there a fee for becoming an inactive member of the North Carolina State Bar?
18: How do I return to active membership in the North Carolina State Bar after being granted inactive status or from an administrative suspension?
You must petition to be reinstated as an active member of the State Bar. You must complete and file the appropriate reinstatement petition (determined by the length of time you have been inactive or suspended) with the membership department of the State Bar (petitions and instructions available under the “Membership” heading on the Forms page).The reinstatement petition must be accompanied by the appropriate reinstatement fee, the membership fees for the year in which you seek reinstatement, and any other fees or obligations owed to the State Bar or the Continuing Legal Education department. See 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .0902. 19. Am I required to be a member of a local district bar?
Yes. Every active member of the State Bar who resides in North Carolina must be a member of the judicial district bar where he/she resides or works. The State Bar automatically assigns you to a local district bar based on your address on record with the State Bar unless you request a different district in a letter or email to the membership department. For more information on the district bars see the District Bar FAQ’s. 20: How do I obtain a certificate of good standing?
Complete and submit the Attorney Document Request Form and appropriate fees to the address on the form.
21: How do I obtain a disciplinary history letter?
Complete and submit the Attorney Document Request Form to the address on the form. There is no charge for the letter.
22: How do I obtain a copy of my bar application?
23: How do I obtain a new State Bar ID card?
All newly admitted lawyers are issued a State Bar ID card upon admission. There will be a charge of $10 for a second Bar ID card requested within a 12-month period. Call the membership department at 919-828-4620 for assistance.
24: How do I change my name in the North Carolina State Bar records?
Complete and submit the Attorney Name Change Request Form to the address on the form. 25: How do I change my address, telephone, fax, and email contact information in the North Carolina State Bar records?
You can use the Member Login section of the State Bar website. You must be a registered user to access your account. If you are not a registered user, click on “First Time Registration” on the Member Login page and follow the instructions. You may also email, mail or fax address change requests.
Email can be sent to bmclamb@ncbar.gov
PO Box 26088 Raleigh, NC 27611 Fax can be sent to:
Attn: Membership.
Professional associations, professional corporations, and professional limited liability companies organized for the practice of law are required to register with the State Bar. See NCGS §55B-12 and §57C-2-01(c).
Prior to filing the organization's articles with the Secretary of State, you must file the articles along with an application for registration with the membership department of the North Carolina State Bar, and pay a registration fee of $50. Applications can be found on the Forms page under the Professional Organizations heading.
Yes, provided there is a determination by the State Bar that the name is not potentially misleading and the trade name is registered with the membership department of the State Bar. See Rule 7.5(a) of the Revised Rules of Professional Conduct. The trade name registration form can be found on the Forms page under the Trade Names heading.
Click here to search the trade names directory. Pro Hac Vice
The NC Administrative Office of the Courts has determined that there is no separate, additional $20 motion fee. However, if more than one lawyer applies for admission in the same motion, $225 is owed for each lawyer seeking Pro Hac Vice admission.
19: Is the sponsoring North Carolina lawyer (who provides the statement required by G.S. 84-4.1(5)) required to be present, with the out-of-state lawyer admitted pro hac vice, at all court proceedings including depositions?
20: What steps need to be taken if the North Carolina sponsoring lawyer wishes to withdraw from a case?
21: What steps need to be taken if the out-of-state lawyer wishes to withdraw from a case?
Additional Information-Review the Guidelines for Attorneys Licensed in Other Jurisdictions but Seeking to Work in North Carolina. Publications (Ordering the Lawyer's Handbook and Journal)
The Lawyer's Handbook can now be downloaded for free. There will be a very limited number of hard copies available for purchase. You can send a check or money order for $14.95 to the North Carolina State Bar, Attn: Handbook, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611. Please enclose a note with your name and address and what publication you are requesting.
Individual copies of the Journal may be purchased at the rate of $5.34 for each issue. Please enclose a note with your name and address and what publication you are requesting. Mail to: North Carolina State Bar, Attn: Publications, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611. Specialization
Please see FAQ's on the Specialization website. Trust Accounting
View Trust Accounting Questions and Answers View the Trust Account Handbook Unauthorized Practice of Law
Q: May a non-lawyer perform acts constituting the practice of law for him or herself?
Q: May a non-lawyer do legal work for a relative, friend, or another person, if the non-lawyer does not charge any money or fees for such work?
No. It is a violation of North Carolina's unauthorized practice of law statutes for a non-lawyer to practice law regardless of the relationship with the individual for whom the services are provided or that no fees are charged.
Q: May a non-lawyer assist or represent another person in negotiations or settlement discussions on a legal claim, such as an automobile or personal injury matter?
No. A paralegal or other non-lawyer may only perform work constituting the practice of law if it is under the supervision and at the direction of a licensed North Carolina attorney. Attorneys may hire or contractwith paralegals or other non-lawyers to perform such services provided that the non-lawyers are properly supervised. See Rule 5.3 of the Revised Rules of Professional Conduct.
Q: May a corporation (including nonprofit corporations) provide legal representation to third parties? Generally, no. NCGS §84-5 prohibits corporations from practicing law for others. However, the statute does not prohibit legal corporations, authorized to practice under Chapter 55 of the NC General Statutes, from practicing law.
Q: May a non-lawyer do legal work for a corporation? Generally, an owner, officer, or employee of a corporation may do legal work for the corporation if the corporation has a primary interest in the transaction at issue. See State v. Pledger, 257 N.C. 634, 127 S.E. 2d 337 (1962). However, a corporation may not appear pro se and a non-lawyer may not file or appear in court proceedings, except small claims actions, on behalf of the corporation. See, LexisNexis, Division of Reed Elsevier, Inc. v. Travishan Corporation, 155 N.C.App. 205, 573 S.E.2d 547 (2002).
Q: May non-lawyers sell or distribute standard legal kits, forms, or books to the public? Generally yes. Generalized legal statements and opinions, not tailored to any specific or particular situation, do not constitute the unauthorized practice of law. However, if a non-lawyer attempts to meet with a person, discuss the person's particular situation, or assist the person in filling out a form legal document, the non-lawyer is committing the unauthorized practice of law. Q: How are the prohibitions on the unauthorized practice of law enforced?
The North Carolina State Bar has the authority by statute to investigate allegations of unauthorized practice of law as well as the District Attorney. The State Bar may seek injunctive relief. District attorneys may prosecute charges of unauthorized practice of law as a class 1 criminal misdemeanor. Q: How does the State Bar process complaints relative to the unauthorized practice of law? The Authorized Practice Committee of the North Carolina State Bar investigates complaints of unauthorized practice of law. The procedures for the committee are found at 27 NCAC 1D, Section .0200.
All complaints regarding the unauthorized practice of law in North Carolina must be in writing. There is no special form required to file a complaint. Complaints should be mailed to the North Carolina State Bar, ATTN: Authorized Practice Committee, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611. Q: What do I include with an unauthorized practice of law complaint? Include a written summary of the circumstances constituting and surrounding the potential unauthorized practice of law. Also, include all documents or materials available that would establish a potential unauthorized practice of law violation. Make sure you include the name, address, and phone number of the person alleged to have committed the unauthorized practice of law and the names of any material witnesses to such acts, if available.
The Authorized Practice Committee meets once a quarter in January, April, July, and October. The committee considers all complaints filed during the preceding quarter for which the investigation has been completed. Whether an investigation is completed during the quarter in which it is filed depends upon many factors including: (1) when the complaint was received; (2) the complexity of the investigation; and (3) the ability to locate the accused individual, material witnesses, and relevant evidence. Q: May I attend a meeting of the Authorized Practice Committee? Yes, all meetings of the committee are public.
Q: Who should I contact at the State Bar to discuss matters relating to the unauthorized practice of law? You may contact David Johnson at the North Carolina State Bar at (919) 828-4620. Review Guidelines for Attorneys Licensed in Other Jurisdictions but Seeking to Work in North Carolina
Q: Who may practice law in North Carolina? Only active members of the North Carolina State Bar may engage in the practice of law in North Carolina. Any person other than an active member of the North Carolina State Bar who engages in the practice of law for another commits the unauthorized practice of law in violation of Chapter 84 of the North Carolina General Statutes, unless the acts are performed under the direction and active supervision of a licensed North Carolina attorney. It is a class 1 criminal misdemeanor to engage in the unauthorized practice of law.
Q: May a non-lawyer perform acts constituting the practice of law for him or herself? Yes. An individual may represent him or herself on any legal matter. A person commits the unauthorized practice of law only by performing acts constituting the practice of law for another person or entity.
Generally no. NCGS §84-4.1 sets forth the limited circumstances under which an out-of-state attorney may practice law in North Carolina. All the requirements set forth in NCGS §84-4.1 must be satisfied before a lawyer licensed in another state may practice law in North Carolina. Also, non-resident attorneys cannot habitually practice in North Carolina, regardless of whether they satisfy the conditions set forth in NCGS §84-4.1 in an individual case. See
State v. Hunter, 290 N.C. 556, 227 S.E. 2d 535 (1976). As of March 2003, Rule 5.5 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct also provides additional guidance on the limitations on activities in North Carolina by out-of-state attorneys. Q: May non-lawyers sell or distribute standard legal kits, forms, or books to the public? Generally yes. Generalized legal statements and opinions, not tailored to any specific or particular situation, do not constitute the unauthorized practice of law. However, if a non-lawyer attempts to meet with a person, discuss the person's particular situation, or assist the person in filling out a form legal document, the non-lawyer is committing the unauthorized practice of law. Q: How are the prohibitions on the unauthorized practice of law enforced? The North Carolina State Bar has the authority by statute to investigate allegations of unauthorized practice of law as well as the District Attorney. The State Bar may seek injunctive relief. District attorneys may prosecute charges of unauthorized practice of law as a class 1 criminal misdemeanor. Q: How does the State Bar process complaints relative to the unauthorized practice of law? The Authorized Practice Committee of the North Carolina State Bar investigates complaints of unauthorized practice of law. The procedures for the committee are found at 27 NCAC 1D, Section .0200.
Q: How do I file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar? All complaints regarding the unauthorized practice of law in North Carolina must be in writing. There is no special form required to file a complaint. Complaints should be mailed to the North Carolina State Bar, ATTN: Authorized Practice Committee, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611. Q: What do I include with an unauthorized practice of law complaint? Include a written summary of the circumstances constituting and surrounding the potential unauthorized practice of law. Also, include all documents or materials available that would establish a potential unauthorized practice of law violation. Make sure you include the name, address, and phone number of the person alleged to have committed the unauthorized practice of law and the names of any material witnesses to such acts, if available.
Q: Who should I contact at the State Bar to discuss matters relating to the unauthorized practice of law? You may contact David Johnson at the North Carolina State Bar at (919) 828-4620. THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR 217 E. Edenton Street • PO Box 25908 • Raleigh, NC 27611-5908 • 919.828.4620