Removal to federal court
Wisconsin Local Counsel Services
Need Local Counsel in Wisconsin?
Our AV-rated law firm has served as local counsel in Wisconsin in conjunction with other lawyers for almost 30 years. Because we are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, we are able to efficiently and effectively serve either out-of-state counsel or in-house counsel in all Wisconsin state and federal courts in Wisconsin. Our lawyers have also served as local counsel in other tribunals such as administrative hearings, arbitrations, and mediations. We are located directly across the street from the Waukesha County Circuit Court and regularly appear in these courts as well.
Our experienced litigation lawyers can do as little, or as much, of the case as we are asked to do. Whether it is responding to pleadings, conducting discovery, filing briefs, taking a case to trial, or appealing a case, our experienced Wisconsin licensed attorneys stand ready to assist you with your Wisconsin case.
Civil Litigation Services
Listed below are some of the ways we have assisted out of state lawyers and clients:
Practice Pointers When Hiring Local Counsel
• Whether being retained on behalf of a Plaintiff or a Defendant, an attorney hired as local counsel should be experienced and familiar with the court in which the case is pending and knowledgeable of the local rules and customs that apply. Given almost 30 years of practicing in the Wisconsin courts, our law firm will often know the opposing attorney, the opposing in-house counsel or the specific court in which the matter is pending. We put all of this to work for our clients when we are retained as local counsel.
• The terms of retaining local counsel should be put in writing just as any other retention of an attorney’s services. Our firm will ask that a written retainer agreement be entered to expressly set forth the roles of the primary counsel and our firm’s lawyers.
• The specific undertaking or project should be defined and confirmed in writing. If an out-of-state client has interrelated matters pending in court or at issue, the parameters of local counsel’s involvement in each matter should be specified in writing.
• Your local counsel should have significant trial experience before both juries and courts. Our firm has found that cases resolve much quicker and on better terms when opposing counsel understands that they are facing a firm with significant trial and complex litigation experience. Our firm has that.
• Local counsel should be readily available whether by telephone, email or by web-based conferencing. Our lawyers are accessible to effectively and efficiently serve our clients and their lawyers through our role as local counsel.
Pro Hac Vice Admission in Wisconsin
We are also able to assist attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions who seek pro hac vice admission in Wisconsin. This is a two-step process. An attorney seeking admission pro hac vice in Wisconsin must file an application with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation, along with a $50 registration fee. The application is available here.
After submitting the application, Wisconsin local counsel must file a motion with the trial court in which the matter is pending for pro hac vice admission of the out-of-state attorney. The motion must be accompanied by a copy of the completed application to OLR along with the supporting materials and proof of payment of the fee, by either photocopy or affidavit.
Some of the Wisconsin circuit courts/trial courts also have certain local rules concerning pro hac vice admission, which must be followed in addition to the statewide rules. For example, Milwaukee County requires that an attorney seeking pro hac vice admission attest that they will abide by the Milwaukee County circuit court local rules. Some circuit courts do not have specific local rules but follow local procedures that vary by specific judge.
When you have a Wisconsin case and need the assistance of an experienced Wisconsin lawyer, turn to Schott, Bublitz & Engel s.c. for your local counsel needs. Either call us at (262) 827-1700 or email us directly here.
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