Rule APR 27 - PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES FOLLOWING DETERMINATION OF MAJOR DISASTER(a) Determination of Existence of Major Disaster. Solely for purposes of this Rule, the Supreme Court shall determine when an emergency affecting the justice system, as a result of a natural or other major disaster, has occurred in: (1) Washington and whether the emergency caused by the major disaster affects the entirety or only a part of the State of Washington, or(2) another jurisdiction, but only after such a determination and its geographical scope have been made by the highest court of that jurisdiction. The authority to engage in the temporary practice of law in Washington pursuant to paragraph (c) shall extend only to lawyers who principally practice in the area of such other jurisdiction determined to have suffered a major disaster causing an emergency affecting the justice system and the provision of legal services.(b)Temporary Practice in Washington Following Major Disaster in Washington. Following the determination of an emergency affecting the justice system in Washington pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Rule, or a determination that persons displaced by a major disaster in another jurisdiction and residing in Washington are in need of pro bono services and the assistance of lawyers from outside of Washington is required to help provide such assistance, a lawyer authorized to practice law in another United States jurisdiction, and not disbarred, suspended from practice, or otherwise restricted from practice in any jurisdiction, may provide legal services in Washington on a temporary basis. Such legal services must be provided on a pro bono basis without compensation, expectation of compensation, or other direct or indirect pecuniary gain to the lawyer. Such legal services shall be supervised by a lawyer licensed to practice in Washington and assigned by a qualified legal services provider as defined in APR 1 or as otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court. A qualified legal services provider shall be entitled to receive all court-awarded attorney's fees for any representation rendered by the assigned lawyer pursuant to this Rule. When a lawyer authorized to practice under this rule signs correspondence or pleadings, the lawyer's signature shall be followed by the title "active disaster relief lawyer."(c)Temporary Practice in Washington Following Major Disaster in Another Jurisdiction. Following the determination of a major disaster in another United States jurisdiction, a lawyer who is authorized to practice law and who principally practices in that affected jurisdiction, and who is not disbarred, suspended from practice or otherwise restricted from practice, in any jurisdiction, may provide legal services in Washington on a temporary basis. Those legal services must arise out of and be reasonably related to that lawyer's practice of law in the jurisdiction, or area of such other jurisdiction, where the major disaster occurred.(d)Duration of Authority for Temporary Practice. The authority to practice law in Washington granted by paragraph (b) of this Rule shall end when the Supreme Court determines that the emergency affecting the justice system caused by the major disaster in Washington has ended except that a lawyer then representing clients in Washington pursuant to paragraph (b) is authorized to continue the provision of legal services for such time as is reasonably necessary to complete the representation, but the lawyer shall not thereafter accept new clients. The authority to practice law in Washington granted by paragraph (c) of this Rule shall end 60 days after the Supreme Court declares that the emergency affecting the justice system caused by the major disaster in the affected jurisdiction has ended.(e)Court Appearances. The authority granted by this Rule does not include appearances in court except: (1) pursuant to Rule 8(b) and, if such authority is granted, any fees for such admission shall be waived; or(2) if the Supreme Court, in any determination made under paragraph (a) of this Rule, grants blanket permission to appear in all or designated courts of Washington to lawyers providing legal services pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Rule. If such an authorization is included, any admission fees shall be waived.(f)Disciplinary Authority and Registration Requirement and Approval. Lawyers providing legal services in Washington pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) are subject to the disciplinary authority of Washington and the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct as provided in Rule 8.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Lawyers providing legal services in Washington under paragraphs (b) or (c) must file a registration statement with the Bar. The registration statement shall be in a form prescribed by the Bar. Any lawyer seeking to provide legal services pursuant to this rule must be approved by the Supreme Court before being authorized to provide such legal services. Any lawyer who provides legal services pursuant to this Rule shall not be considered to be engaged in the unlawful practice of law in Washington.(g)Notification to Clients. Lawyers licensed to practice law in another United States jurisdiction who provide legal services pursuant to this Rule shall inform clients in Washington of the jurisdiction in which they are licensed to practice law, any limits on that license, and that they are not authorized to practice law in Washington except as permitted by this Rule. They shall not state or imply to any person that they are otherwise licensed to practice law in Washington.Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. APR 27
Adopted effective 9/1/2008; Amended effective 9/1/2017.