Document: 482 U.S. 641 107 S.Ct. 2607 96 L.Ed.2d 557 David C. FRAZIER, Petitionerv.Frederick J.R. HEEBE, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern of Louisiana, et al. No. 86-475. Argued April 29, 1987. Decided June 19, Syllabus Petitioner, an attorney who maintained both his residence and law office in Mississippi was a member Louisiana State Bars, denied admission to Bar because he neither lived nor had as required by court's local Rule 21.2. He also ineligible under 21.3.1, which requires continuous uninterrupted or maintenance continuing eligibility bar. sought writ prohibition from Appeals, alleging that restrictions Rules were unconstitutional on their face applied him. The court remanded case appropriate proceedings entry appealable judgment. That upheld 21.2 constitutional. Appeals affirmed. Held: not empowered adopt requiring members apply its bar live, maintain office, Louisiana. Pp. 645-651. (a) A district has discretion rules are necessary carry out business, including governing However, this may exercise inherent supervisory power (as it does here) ensure consistent with principles right justice. 645—646. (b) 21.2's requirement is unnecessary arbitrarily discriminates against out-of-state attorneys willing pay fees dues order be admitted Bar. There no reason believe such less competent than resident attorneys. Moreover, other more effective means ensuring competence available courts, examination seminar attendance requirements. Nor alleged need immediate availability require blanket rule denies all nonresident As practical matter, high percentage take state annual will reside places reasonably convenient court. modern communication systems make possible minimize problem unavailability, courts have alternative prompt at important conferences. 646-649. (c) in-state similarly irrational. It imposed lawyer residing whose only equally unavailable office. mere fact warrant assumption she any justify requirement. link between residency within proximity courthouse. P. 650. (d) contention lawyers totally foreclosed practice they can appear pro hac vice unpersuasive. Such allow same terms In Court's Rules, must associate association imposes financial administrative burden counsel. Furthermore, "local" counsel located much farther courthouse 650—651. 788 F.2d 1049, reversed. BRENNAN, J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, JJ., joined. REHNQUIST, C.J., filed dissenting opinion, O'CONNOR SCALIA, joined, post, p. 651. Cornish F. Hitchcock, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Curtis R. Boisfontaine, New Orleans, La., respondents. Justice BRENNAN Court. 1 question decision whether applicants general either where sits. 2 * Petitioner Frazier having Pascagoula, Mississippi. An experienced litigator, Bars Courts Fifth Eleventh Circuits Southern 1982, His application addition, 3 challenged these petitioning Circuit. petition 21.3.1 unconstitutional, did petition, but All judges recused themselves. matter assigned Judge Edwin Hunter, Senior Western held 1-day bench trial two Judges, Magistrates, Clerk testified support Rules. 4 several constitutional grounds, primarily equal protection Due Process Clause Amendment.1 Applying standard intermediate scrutiny, constitutional.2 594 F.Supp. 1173, 1179 (1984). 5 found serves Government objective efficient administration Ibid. relied testimony officials Orleans when emergencies arise during proceedings, participation complicates scheduling routine matters. Id., 1183-1184. unduly restrictive increases Finally, stated failure open reasonable, since "must necessity office," and, even absent likely available. Without further explanation, declared attorney's "does raise concern justice does." After reviewing petitioner's claims, Frazier's extraordinary relief dismissed suit. 6 affirmed over dissent. 1049 (1986). discrimination issue heightened exclusion rationally related goal promoting hearings. characterized before "of one voice: vice, fail comply impede District." 1054. noted disadvantaged restriction, could affiliate vice. 1054-1055. request invalidate through use Appeals' expressed reluctance authority Circuit Judicial Council time 1055. 7 We granted certiorari, 479 960, 454, 93 401 (1986), now reverse. Pursuant our authority, we hold live in, therefore address questions presented. II 8 begin analysis recognizing conduct business. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1654, 2071; Fed.Rule Civ. Proc. 83. This includes regulation admissions own promulgating not, however, without limits. " 'the justice.' re Ruffalo, 390 544, 554, 88 1222, 1227, 20 117 (1968) (WHITE, concurring) (citation omitted)s see Snyder, 472 634, 643, 105 2874, 2880, 86 504 (1985); Theard v. States, 354 278, 282, 77 1274, 1276, 1342 (1957); Ex parte Burr, 9 Wheat. 529, 530, L.Ed. 152 (1824).3 Section 2071 "shall with" "rules procedure prescribed Supreme Court."4 Today invoke prohibit arbitrary Bar, out-of-state, otherwise qualified join District. present case, attention focused requirements Louisiana,5 namely that, bar, Respondents assert facilitate justice, allegedly disagree. find 10 passed No empirical evidence introduced demonstrate why class attorneys, although should excluded District's Bar.6 Instead, limited almost exclusively experiences practitioners, unlike petitioner, Tr. 153. Experience category one-time occasional practitioners provide basis predicting behavior seek regular basis. 11 Indeed, there former group federal been tested demonstrated extent lawyers, qualified. unwilling assume "a lawyer—any resident—would disserve clients failing familiarize himself [or herself] [local] rules." Hampshire Piper, 470 274, 285, 1272, 1279, 84 205 (1985).7 previously recognized substantial incentive, learn keep abreast rules. lawyer's particular based expectation considerable practice, personal investment taking paying dues. Complete unnecessary. 12 do some district-court If significant problem, poorly crafted remedy it. For example, presume Shreveport, 300 miles District, able attend conference 110 away, cross boundary way "reasonably convenient" Cf. U.S., 286-287, S.Ct., 1280. systems, telephone arrangements, unavailability. instance, impose sanctions schedule. adopted 21.8.1, specifically hearings.8 conclude 13 Similarly, First, allowed her outside surely Requiring petitioner number, answering service elevate understanding reveals, location simply nothing intellectual ability experience litigating cases Federal 14 observed regard requirements, specify somewhere State, regardless how far courthouse.9 Thus, justified.10 15 contend "on bar." 277, n. 2, 1274 2. licensed repeatedly file motions each appearance F.Supp., 1177. 21.5, sign documents.11 association, course, counsel.12 ironic away reasonable seeks Bar.13 16 Reversed. 17 whom SCALIA join, dissenting. 18 may, "supervisory authority," modify reverse judgments lower accordance derived Constitution Act Congress. Hasting, 461 499, 505, 103 1974, 1978, 76 (1983); Cupp Naughten, 414 141, 146, 94 396, 400, 38 368 (1973). power, reasoned, inheres appellate called upon "to review concludes wrong." expands notion revise regulate But follow judgment another wrong set aside promulgated similar 19 Congress provided § prescribe business.1 clear 1654 membership bar.2 Hvass, 355 570, 575, 78 501, 504, 496 (1958). Neither sections Civil Procedure 83,3 governs rulemaking gives intimation possesses power" provisions. history provisions demonstrates broad possessed At Equity 79 made "[w]ith concurrence majority circuit circuit," restriction abolished 731 (1940 ed.), And enabling ever approval Justices thereof, promulgation finds Enabling Act, 2072, "confirms" decide rational necessary. Ante, 646, 4. heretofore regarded statutory authorization itself, grant wisdom default action See, e.g., Burlington Northern Co. Woods, 480 1, 5, 3, 967, 969, (1987); Hanna Plumer, 380 460, 463-466, 471-474, 85 1136, 1139-1141, 1143-1145, (1965). 21 To viewed "confirming" rules, 83 suggests apparently relinquished Councils Circuits. 83, recently amended 1985, provides detailed procedures adoption amendment Under procedures, amend after notice opportunity comment public provided. shall "remain effect unless abrogated judicial council located." Civ.Proc. (emphasis added). role entertain ad hoc challenges rationality alone, would think orderly 83.4 22 Unquestionably relating violate conform conferring respect. One violates applicable statute course obtain reversal if claims well founded. today's rests grounds.5 23 Prior addressing validity confined analyses four inquiries: conflicts Congress; Court; constitutionally infirm; subject governed regulate. Colgrove Battin, 413 149, 159-160, 162-164, 2448, 2454, 2455-2456, 37 522 (1973); Miner Atlass, 363 641, 651-652, 80 1300, 1306-1307, 1462 (1960); Story Liv- ingston, Pet. 359, 368, 200 (1839). today suggest here invalid reasons, instead determines merely view, "unnecessary irrational." 650, 10. 24 newfound quite unwarranted contrasts starkly observations Marshall, writing (1824): 25 "Some doubts felt respecting towards officers; deciding question, inclined interpose, irregular, flagrantly improper." 530. 26 force behind Burr interfere recognition nearly exclusive 531. reflected throughout cases. Secombe, How. 9, 12-13, 565 (1857); Garland, Wall. 333, 379 (1867); (1985). 27 contends component Amendment, waved wand, question. reasons Circuit, I classify so irrationally run afoul Amendment Clause. affirm Appeals. contended violated Commerce Clause, Full Faith Credit Privileges Immunities First Fourteenth Amendments Constitution. determining level challenge, determined fundamental implicated suspect class. concluded strict scrutiny determine deferential classifications residency, 1180-1182 Flanders, Local Courts: Usurpation, Legislation, Information, Loyola (L.A.) L.Rev. 213, 252-256 (1981); Martineau, Regulation Legal Profession, Hastings Const.L.Q. 199, 234-236 Note, Supervisory Power Courts, Harv.L.Rev. 1656, 1656-1657 (1963). 2072 confirms courts: "The forms process, writs, pleadings, motions, appeals civil actions. . ." 2072. Acts 2071. thus chosen leave bars courts. challenge good standing During trial, occasion witness, testifying favor distinguished practitioners. witness offer anecdotal about 214-215 (testimony Magistrate Wynne). (1985), residents Art. IV, context considered contentions those presented here. rejected presumed 285-286, 1279-1280. discriminate difference treatment bears close relationship reasons. difficult federal-court area state-court laws differ substantially State. Comisky & Patterson, Case Federally Created National 55 Temp.L.Q. 945, 960-964 (1982). growing body specialized mobile accompanied increased demand legal services boundaries. Simonelli, License Practice Law, 56 N.Y. J. (May 1984). allows intervene protect integrity system, while enforcing Because differences, emphasized, disqualification necessarily lead Selling Radford, 243 46, 49, 377, 378, 61 585 (1917); cf. Sperry Florida ex rel. 373 379, 385-387, 1322, 1325-1327, 428 Piper "[t]he court, discretion, resides great distance retain unscheduled meetings hearings." 287, Port Arthur, Texas, opened branch just across line Lake Charles, though twice admission, long desires remain extend unfairness 21.6, waiver local-counsel hardship client. From standpoint, disadvantage attracting clients. Clients compensation duplicate principal efforts. drive up cost litigation steer business client number excellent select nonlocal lawyer: most familiar issues nonlocal; specialty locally; involved unpopular cause reluctant associated. 281, 1277. many status purely discretionary freely alternative. supra, 2; Leis Flynt, 439 438, 442, 99 698, 700, 58 717 (1979). provides: established Court." "In parties plead personally as, respectively, permitted manage causes therein." "Each thereof time, giving comment, inconsistent date specified located. Copies amendments furnished Administrative Office public. rule, magistrates manner act." noting Conference presently light pending review, particularly disruptive declares prerogative standards "the justice." 645. Yet "law justice" cited derives reviewed disbarment decisions concurring result); 51, (1917). unable cite example used evaluate Although questioned

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