The Latin term “pro hac vice” literally means “for this turn.” It is used in a court of law to refer to a situation in which a lawyer is allowed to practice in a specific case despite not being licensed by the regional bar. Most commonly, this situation happens when a lawyer from a different state requests permission to practice pro hac vice because he or she is offering expertise to a case. Fans of courtroom dramas may have noticed this phrase in the course of their viewing or reading.
When a lawyer wishes to practice pro hac vice, a formal “motion to appear pro hac vice” must be filed with the court, usually by a sponsoring lawyer who has been admitted to the bar in the state or region where the court is located. The application may need to include a statement from the lawyer's local bar, stating that he or she is a member in good standing, and a filing fee may need to be paid for the court to consider the motion.
