Iowa offers foreign legal consultant licensure to foreign attorneys who have been a member in good standing of a recognized legal profession in a foreign country and intend to render legal services in Iowa or advise Iowa clients on the laws of the foreign country. 

What are the basic requirements to be licensed as a foreign legal consultant?

·         Applicants must have been a member in good standing of a recognized legal profession in a foreign country.

·         The members of that legal profession must be subject to effective regulation and discipline by a duly constituted professional body or public authority.

·         Applicants must have been lawfully practicing law for at least five years in the foreign country or elsewhere, with such practice substantially relating to the rendering of advice or provision of legal services concerning the law of the foreign country.

·         Applicant must be of good moral character and fit to practice law.

·         Applicant must intend to practice as a foreign legal consultant in Iowa and maintain an office for that purpose in this state.

What is the fee for applying for a foreign legal consultant license?

The total fee is $1,000. $600 of this amount is paid directly to the National Conference of Bar Examiners at the time the application is filed. The remaining $400 is paid to the Office of Professional Regulation as an administrative fee.

What is the filing process? 

1)     Check to see that you meet all eligibility requirements listed in Iowa Court Rule 31.18. 

2)     Send the (1) certificate regarding admission, good standing, and discipline required by court rule 31.18(2)(a), (2) letter of recommendation required by court rule 31.18(2)(b), (3) duly authenticated English translations of the certificate and letter of recommendation if they are not in English, (4) documentation establishing compliance with U.S. immigration laws, and (5) the $400 administrative fee to the address below: 

David M. Ewert 

Office of Professional Regulation 

Judicial Branch Building, Second Floor 

1111 East Court Avenue 

Des Moines, Iowa 50319 

NOTE: The certificate, letter of recommendation, and immigration documentation do not have to be filed at the time the application is filed and fee is paid. However, if they are not filed within two or three months after the application is filed, they may delay consideration of your application. 
 

3)     Complete the electronic application and file it with the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Pay the $600 investigative fee to the National Conference of Bar Examiners at the time the electronic application is filed. Do not send a copy of the application to the Office of Professional Regulation. The National Conference of Bar Examiners will submit the application to the Office of Professional Regulation when the character and fitness examination is complete. 

NOTE: Applications must be completed online. If you are unable to complete the online application, you must contact the Office of Professional Regulation to request an exemption from the online filing requirement. Exemptions will only be granted upon the showing of the most unusual and compelling circumstances. The filing fee should be sent to the Office of Professional Regulation contemporaneously with the online filing of the application with the National Conference of Bar Examiners. If the fee is not received within 10 days after the application is filed, the application will be deleted and the applicant will have to file a new and complete application.

4)     Please remember that you have a continuing duty to update your application. Updates must be filed with the Office of Professional Regulation and the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Any failure to promptly update an aspect of your application may result in denial of the application or disciplinary sanctions. 

Are foreign legal consultants considered to be admitted to the bar of Iowa?

No. A foreign legal consultant cannot hold himself or herself out as a member of the bar of this state. The foreign legal consultant also cannot render legal advice on the laws of Iowa or the United States of America. Further significant limitations on the foreign legal consultant’s practice are set forth in rule 31.18(3). However, the foreign legal consultant may be affiliated with members of the bar of this state, including being a partner or a shareholder of a business entity with Iowa lawyers.

Are foreign legal consultants subject to discipline?

The foreign legal consultant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board and must comply with the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct and applicable Iowa court rules.

Are foreign legal consultants subject to client security obligations?

The foreign legal consultant upon licensure must pay a $200 registration fee to the client security commission and must file annual client security statements and pay the annual disciplinary fee.