Glossary
Pro hac vice
Latin for "for this occasion." Permission from a court for a lawyer licensed in another state to take part in one specific case. Courts commonly require a local lawyer to join the case too.
General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
Quick answer
Pro hac vice is Latin for "for this occasion." It is permission from a court for a lawyer licensed in another state to take part in one specific case. Courts commonly require a local lawyer to join the case too.
In a car accident claim#
A lawyer's license is state by state, but crashes often happen away from home: on a road trip, or with a trucking company based elsewhere. Under Venue. The county or court location where a lawsuit is filed and heard. State rules decide the proper venue, often the place where the events happened or where the defendant lives. Glossary rules, the lawsuit usually has to be filed where the crash happened or where the defendant is, so your hometown lawyer may not be licensed in that state's courts.
There are two common paths. You can hire a lawyer licensed in that state, or your own lawyer can ask the court for pro hac vice admission and work with a local lawyer. In Alabama, for example, an out-of-state lawyer must bring in a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar on the case before appearing in court. Admission is a privilege, not a right, so a court can refuse it. When lawyers from two firms share a case, the ABA's model rules require, among other things, that you agree in writing, including the share each lawyer will receive. Our guide to checking a lawyer's license explains how to confirm where a lawyer may practice, and our list of questions to ask a lawyer covers fees.
Example#
Related terms#
Questions people ask
Can a lawyer from another state handle my car accident case?
Often, with the court's permission for that case and usually with a local lawyer involved. Rules for work outside court, such as negotiating with an insurer before a lawsuit, vary by state.
Does pro hac vice mean I pay two lawyers?
Not necessarily. When two firms share a case, they often split a single fee, and the fee agreement shows each firm's share.
Sources
- Cornell LII Wex, Pro hac vice — definition and local counsel requirements
- Alabama State Bar, Rules Governing Admission, Rule VII (Pro Hac Vice) — local-lawyer requirement
- American Bar Association, Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(e) — as of October 2026
Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.
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