Overview

Effective July 12, 2017, the New York State Court of Appeals amended its Rules for the Licensing of Legal Consultants (Part 521).

The amendment adds a requirement for all individuals licensed in New York as legal consultants to register with the Office of Court Administration. The Rules of the Chief Administrator (Part 118.3) were also amended, effective January 1, 2018, to implement the procedures for the biennial registration of legal consultants in New York.

Failure to register is deemed professional misconduct under Part 521.5. Individuals who were licensed as legal consultants and subsequently admitted to the New York bar are not subject to Part 521's registration requirement.

Legal Consultants, while not admitted to practice law in New York, may render advice or provide legal services in New York only for matters concerning the law of the  country in which they are admitted to practice. The complete rule, including definitions of the scope of legal services which may be performed by licensed legal consultants, is available at: https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/521rules10.htm

Application to be licensed as a legal consultant must be filed with the clerk of the Appellate Division of Supreme Court in which he or she resides or intends to practice. Please contact the court directly for complete instructions:

1st Department

2nd Department

3rd Department

4th Department

 

 

Biennial Registration

 

If the Appellate Division licenses a candidate as a legal consultant, the candidate will receive further instructions by mail on how to register with the Office of Court Administration (OCA) as required pursuant Part 118.3. Legal consultants must renew their registration online on a biennial basis with OCA, which maintains a database of registered legal consultants.

Any legal consultant previously licensed by an Appellate Division who has not yet registered with OCA must contact the Attorney Registration Unit to request the correct form. Please email the office at: attyreg@nycourts.gov or call 212-428-2800.

At this time, legal consultant applicants are not assessed application or registration fees, nor are they required to complete New York State Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.