Pro Hac Vice in Texas: How Non-Resident Attorneys Appear in Texas Courts

Texas is a frequent destination for out-of-state litigation, and non-resident attorneys regularly need to appear in its courts. If you are licensed in another state and your case is in Texas, pro hac vice lets you participate in that specific matter, provided you bring in Texas counsel and pay the state's fee first.

This is general information, not legal advice. Court rules and fees change, so confirm the current version of Texas's rule before you file. For the concept in general, see our overview of what pro hac vice means. Here is how it works in Texas.

Can a Non-Resident Attorney Appear in Texas Courts?

Yes. Under Rule XIX of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas, a reputable attorney who is licensed and in good standing in another jurisdiction, and who is not a member of the State Bar of Texas, may request permission to participate in a specific proceeding in a Texas court.

Texas calls these lawyers "non-resident attorneys," and the admission is for the particular proceeding, at the court's discretion. As elsewhere, meeting the requirements lets you ask; the court decides whether to grant it.

Do You Need Local Counsel in Texas?

Yes. A non-resident attorney must associate a Texas resident attorney who is licensed and in good standing, and that Texas lawyer participates in the proceeding. The motion to appear is filed with the court where the case is pending.

Your Texas local counsel is central to the appearance. They carry responsibility to the court, handle Texas procedure, and are the local point of accountability for the matter. Lining up the right one is the practical foundation of the whole process.

What Does Pro Hac Vice Cost in Texas?

There is a $250 fee per attorney, per cause, paid to the Texas Board of Law Examiners. This non-resident attorney fee is set by the Texas Government Code, and the Board collects it through its non-resident attorney fee process.

The timing matters: the fee is generally paid to the Board before you participate in the proceeding, and it is assessed for each case. Ordinary court filing fees can apply on top of it. Because amounts change, confirm the current figure with the Board before you file.

How Do You Apply for Pro Hac Vice in Texas?

You pay the Board fee and file a sworn motion with the court, supported by your Texas counsel. The process has two tracks that work together: the fee submission to the Texas Board of Law Examiners and the motion in the specific court where the case is pending.

The motion establishes that you are a reputable attorney in good standing elsewhere, that you are associating a Texas resident attorney, and that you have met the Board's fee requirement. Your Texas counsel will know the current forms and the specific court's local practices.

Is There a Limit on How Often You Can Appear?

Pro hac vice in Texas is for specific proceedings, and the Board's involvement means your appearances are tracked. There is no license to practice generally hidden inside it, and appearing repeatedly can draw scrutiny about whether you are effectively practicing in Texas without admission.

If Texas is becoming a regular part of your practice, that frequency works against the occasional nature of pro hac vice. A steady local counsel relationship, or admission, is the better long-term answer.

What Happens After You Are Admitted?

You are subject to Texas's authority over your conduct in the matter, and your Texas counsel stays involved throughout. Being admitted for one proceeding brings you within Texas's rules for that proceeding rather than keeping you outside them.

You follow Texas's rules of professional conduct and court procedures for the duration, and your Texas resident attorney shares responsibility for the representation. The association is meant to continue through the life of the matter.

Why Does Texas Collect the Fee Before You Participate?

Because the fee is a gateway requirement, not an afterthought. Texas assesses the non-resident attorney fee per case through the Board of Law Examiners, and it is generally paid before you participate in the proceeding, so the Board can record the appearance.

That sequence matters in practice. Budget time for the Board submission as part of your schedule, because the motion in the court and the fee to the Board work together, and missing the fee step can hold up your entry into the case.

What Should You Look for in Texas Local Counsel?

A Texas resident attorney in good standing who will genuinely participate, not just lend a name. Rule XIX requires associating that lawyer, and they share responsibility for the matter before the court.

Look for someone who knows the specific court and county, stays on top of Texas procedure, and coordinates well with out-of-state counsel. Texas practice varies by venue, and a well-chosen local counsel keeps your appearance aligned with the court's expectations.

How Is Texas Different From Other States?

Its fee runs through a central board, per case, and is tied to statute. Where some states route the fee through the bar or set none in the rule, Texas assesses a $250 non-resident attorney fee per cause through the Board of Law Examiners under the Government Code.

The practical takeaway is that Texas has a clear, centralized step you cannot skip. Pair that Board requirement with a solid Texas resident attorney and a correctly filed motion, and the appearance is straightforward, as long as you respect the sequence.

Is Pro Hac Vice the Same as Being Admitted in Texas?

No. Rule XIX lets you participate in a specific proceeding; it does not make you a member of the State Bar of Texas. When the case ends, so does your authority to appear.

Lawyers who want to practice in Texas more broadly have other paths, but pro hac vice is not one of them. It is the narrow, case-specific option, which is exactly why the fee is per cause and the appearances are tracked.

How Do You Find Texas Local Counsel?

Through Texas attorneys you know, or through a vetted referral network when you do not have a contact in the state. Because Rule XIX requires associating a Texas resident attorney, finding the right local counsel is the first step in any Texas appearance.

A referral network lets you find a vetted Texas attorney to associate on your matter, participate as required, and share the fee ethically under Texas's rules, which our guide to attorney fee splitting explains. Join Overture for free to find Texas local counsel and keep your client's matter in your hands.