APEC economy: United States of America; Jurisdiction: Iowa

Temporary practice ('fly-in, fly-out' practice)

There is no express rule allowing temporary practice by foreign lawyers.

Limited licensing of foreign lawyers (foreign legal consultant rules)

A foreign lawyer can obtain a limited licence entitling them to offer advisory services in foreign and international law (ie become a foreign legal consultant).

The relevant legislation is the Iowa Court Rule No 31.8.

In order to offer advisory services in foreign and international law, a foreign legal consultant is not required but may enter a commercial association with local lawyers.

As at June 2009, no limited licences had been granted to foreign lawyers in this jurisdiction. (This rule is relatively new.)

Full licensing

A foreign lawyer can obtain a full licence to practise law in this jurisdiction.

The relevant rules are the Iowa Court Rules 31.12 and 31.13 (Admission on motion); Court Policy (Equivalency Process).

In order to obtain a full licence to practise law in this jurisdiction, foreign lawyers can be admitted on motion if licensed in another jurisdiction, regularly engaged in the practice of law for five of the last seven years. Files are required. Certificates and affidavit are required. Candidates must pass a character and fitness investigation. Candidates can take the Bar if they successfully complete substantial course of study designed by ABA approved law school and approved by the Iowa Supreme Court. These requirements are the same as the rules applicable to a local applicant insofar as they relate to admission on motion. For admission by taking the Bar, the rules are different for foreign lawyers in that local lawyers must receive a JD or LLB degree from an ABA approved school.

Commercial association between lawyers and law firms

In this jurisdiction:

Other regulatory issues

In this jurisdiction:

Contacts

Category Name Website or other contact details
Organisation(s) that controls licensing of lawyers Office of Professional Regulation Bar.admissions@iowacourts.gov
Peak professional association representing the legal profession Iowa State Bar Association www.iowabar.org
Other associations playing a significant role in developing policy for the legal profession Iowa Supreme Court www.iowacourts.gov

Other issues

Iowa recently adopted a foreign legal consultant role to allow foreign attorneys to give advice on foreign law. A system of allow foreign lawyers to take the Bar after successful completion of a course of study developed by one of our ABA approved law schools works well. Foreign lawyers admitted to full practice in another US jurisdiction can utilise our admission on motion process to the same extent as US attorneys.