Foreign Legal Consultants (Rule 11)

Under Rule 11 of the Rules for Admission to the Bar, a person who has been admitted to practice in a foreign country as a lawyer or counselor at law may apply for a license as a foreign legal consultant in the State of Minnesota.

Requirements

You must meet the following minimum requirements to apply under Rule 11:

  • Have been admitted to practice in a foreign country as a lawyer or counselor at law
  • Have been engaged in the practice of law of that country as your principal occupation for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding the application
  • Be able to provide documentation that you are in good standing as a lawyer or counselor at law or the equivalent in that country, and that you have remained in good standing throughout the period of your practice
  • Receive a good character and fitness recommendation from the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners
  • Have a post-secondary degree in law
  • Intend to practice as a foreign legal consultant in this state
  • Maintain an office in this state for the purpose of practicing as a foreign legal consultant
  • Provide evidence that you have professional liability insurance in an amount deemed sufficient by Director

See Rule 11 for additional guidance.

Limitations

  • You must maintain an office in this state for the purpose of practicing as a foreign legal consultant
  • You may not practice U.S. law
  • You may only render services in this state respecting the laws of the country in which you are licensed to practice law
  • You must re-certify every three years with the Board of Law Examiners
  • You must pay an annual registration fee to the Minnesota Supreme Court Lawyer Registration Office

See Rule 11 for additional guidance.

Apply

To apply you must:

1. Register using the online Minnesota Bar Application Registration form

2. Complete and send in a signed Minnesota Bar Application along with the proper fee and any supplemental information required by the application

3. Submit foreign language documents (documents in a language other than English) in the original language and accompanied by a certified English translation of the document

Click here to begin the application process.

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