A memorandum from the court system says that the amendment would enable the appellate division to register as in-house counsel an applicant ‘who is a member in good standing of a recognised legal profession in a foreign jurisdiction’.

Foreigners barred

Currently, attorneys who aren’t admitted to the New York bar, but who are employed full-time in the US state as in-house counsel, can register. However, this does not apply to attorneys registered outside the US.

ABA recommends relaxing the rules

Fifteen jurisdictions have adopted rules recognising foreign in-house counsel so far. The Conference of Chief Justices and the American Bar Association have recommended that states relax their rules governing registration to allow foreign lawyers to register, the memo also says. Source: The Law Society Gazette