Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.)
Common questions
Who can be admitted to the bar of the Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.)?
Florida Bar (Special Rule 1). Rule: RULE 2. PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION AND PROOF OF QUALIFICATIONS.
What is the admission fee for the Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.)?
$224.00 (of which $25.00 goes to the Federal Bench and Bar Fund). Payment: by credit card or by check for the $224.00 admission fee.
Does the Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.) allow pro hac vice admission, and what does it cost?
Pro hac vice available: yes. Local counsel: Pro hac vice motion must be filed and served by co-counsel admitted to practice in this District. Fee: $250 per attorney per case.
General admission
- Who qualifies
- Florida Bar (Special Rule 1)
- Rule
- RULE 2. PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION AND PROOF OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Oath
- Clerk shall require each qualified practitioner to sign the oath of admission
- Swearing-in
- by electronically signing an Oath of Attorney
- Fee
- $224.00 (of which $25.00 goes to the Federal Bench and Bar Fund)
- Fee payment
- by credit card or by check for the $224.00 admission fee
5 not found in the pulled documents
- Sponsor
- Not in the pulled documents
- Exam or course
- Not in the pulled documents
- Good standing cert.
- Not in the pulled documents
- Certificate age
- Not in the pulled documents
- Apply
- Not in the pulled documents
Pro hac vice
- Available
- yes
- Who qualifies
- Member in good standing of the bar of any United States Court or of the highest Court of any State or Territory or Insular Possession of the United States but not admitted in the Southern District of Florida
- Rule
- Rule 4(b)
- Local counsel
- Pro hac vice motion must be filed and served by co-counsel admitted to practice in this District
- Residency limits
- Attorneys residing within this District and practicing before this Court are expected to be members of the bar of this Court.
- Limits
- No more than three pro hac vice motions in different cases in this District within the last 365 days; more than three presumed general practice
- Fee
- $250 per attorney per case
- Fee covers
- (per Attorney, per Case)
3 not found in the pulled documents
- Certifications
- Not in the pulled documents
- Form
- Not in the pulled documents
- E-filing
- Not in the pulled documents
Ongoing and other
- Renewal
- Attorney renewal fee of $25 suspended; Clerk shall cease collecting further renewal fees
- Pending changes
- Proposed (AO 2026-78, effective Dec. 1, 2026): Special Rules 3 and 4(b)(2). Adds an exception for pro hac vice and government-attorney appearances; no change to eligibility, local counsel, the three-motion limit, or fees.
- Rules dated
- December 1, 2025
2 not found in the pulled documents
- CLE or course
- Not in the pulled documents
- Bankruptcy court
- Not in the pulled documents
Checked against the rule text
from AO 2026-78 PROPOSED amendments (Special Rule 4(b)(1), effective Dec. 1, 2026 if adopted): PHV motion "filed and served by co-counsel admitted to practice in this District"; certification must state the applicant "has not filed more than three pro hac vice motions in different cases in this District within the last 365 days"; PHV does not authorize CM/ECF filing. Court fee page lists PHV $250 per attorney per case (Special Rule 4(B)). Hearing outcome (Oct. 8, 2026) still to check. Source: flsd.uscourts.gov/sites/flsd/files/adminorders/2026-78.pdf; flsd.uscourts.gov/court-fees
Language from the source documents
16 quoted passages
Who qualifies
An attorney is eligible for admission to the bar of this District if the attorney is currently a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.flsd.uscourts.gov
Admission rule
Pursuant to Rule 1 of the Southern District of Florida Rules Governing the Admission, Practice, Peer Review, and Discipline of Attorneys,flsd.uscourts.gov
Oath
Upon receipt of the application fee, the Clerk of the Court shall require each qualified practitioner to sign the oath of admissionflsd.uscourts.gov
Pro hac vice available
Only members of this Court’s bar may appear as attorneys before the Court, except when the Court permits an appearance pro hac vice.flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro hac vice: who qualifies
An attorney who is a member in good standing of the bar of any United States Court or of the highest Court of any State or Territory or Insular Possession of the United States but is not admitted to practice in the Southern District of Florida mayflsd.uscourts.gov
Pro hac vice rule
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Pursuant to S.D.F.L. Rule 4(B) of the Special Rule Governing the Admission and Practice of Attorneys)flsd.uscourts.gov
Local counsel
upon submission of a pro hac vice motion filed and served by co-counsel admitted to practice in this Districtflsd.uscourts.gov
Residency limits
Attorneys residing within this District and practicing before this Court are expected to be members of the bar of this Court.flsd.uscourts.gov
Appearance limits
has not filed more than three pro hac vice motions in different cases in this District within the last 365 daysflsd.uscourts.gov
Pro hac vice fee
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Pursuant to S.D.F.L. Rule 4(B) of the Special Rule Governing the Admission and Practice of Attorneys) $250.00 (per Attorney, per Case)flsd.uscourts.gov
Renewal
the attorney renewal fee of $25, established by Administrative Order 2012-4 is suspendedflsd.uscourts.gov
Pending changes
Effective December 1, 1994. Amended effective Jan. 1, 1996; April 15, 2007; December 1, 2011; December 1, 2015; December 1, 2017; December 1, 2026.flsd.uscourts.gov
Fee payment
you will be prompted to pay the $224.00 admission fee. If payment is made by credit card, you can begin the online application process immediately. If payment is made by check, you will receive a payment confirmation email once your payment has been processed.flsd.uscourts.gov
Swearing-in
Upon completion of the online application, you will be prompted to electronically sign an Oath of Attorney.flsd.uscourts.gov
Application link
Each applicant for admission shall submit a verified petition via an on-line form available on the Court’s website (www.flsd.uscourts.gov) and shall also pay the application fee in the amount set by the Court.flsd.uscourts.gov