Q: May an out-of-state licensed attorney practice law in Colorado as an employee for an entity located in Colorado?

Yes, pursuant to C.R.C.P. 204.1 the Court may certify an attorney who is not licensed in Colorado, but who has declared domicile in Colorado, to act as counsel for a single client if certain conditions are met. Under the rule, the attorney must

·       Be licensed to practice law and be on active status in another U.S. jurisdiction;

·       Be in good standing in all the jurisdictions in which admitted;

·    Not currently be subject to an order of attorney discipline or the subject of a pending formal disciplinary or disability matter in any jurisdiction;

·       Meet the character and fitness requirements of C.R.C.P. 208; and,

·       The attorney’s practice must be limited to acting as counsel for a single client.

The attorney may not act as counsel for the client until certified under this rule. An application for certification should be filed with the Office of Attorney Registration.

Q: May a foreign-licensed attorney practice law in Colorado?

Yes, pursuant to C.R.C.P. 204.2, the Court may certify foreign legal consultants to practice law in Colorado, and when certified may render legal services in Colorado only with regard to matters authorized by the law of the foreign jurisdiction(s) in which the person is admitted to practice.  The rule sets forth many specific requirements, which include but are not limited to the following:

·       The individual is currently and has been for at least the past five years a member in good standing of a recognized and regulated legal profession in a foreign country;

·       The individual has been lawfully engaged in rendering  legal advice or providing legal services concerning the law of the foreign country for at least three of the last five years;

·   The individual must not be currently subject to an order of attorney discipline or the subject of a pending formal disciplinary or disability matter in any jurisdiction; and

·       The individual intends to practice as a foreign legal consultant in Colorado and to maintain an office in Colorado for that purpose or to be employed as a foreign legal consultant by a business organization.

The rule provides further guidance as to the filing requirements, scope and authority, and practice requirements. An application for certification should be filed with the Office of Attorney Registration.