Apple v. Samsung: One Bar Is Not Necessarily Enough

by Candice Lazar

The judge presiding in the Apple v. Samsung case required all of the trial lawyers to be licensed to practice law in the United States District for the Northern District of California.

One of Samsung’s attorneys was licensed to practice in the state, but had not been admitted to the federal bar. This mistake allegedly violated Model Rule 5.5, which governs the unauthorized practice of law and multijurisdictional practice. Upon discovery of the mistake, the attorney “immediately applied for and ha[s] been admitted to practice before the District Court of the Northern District of California, and [has] filed an appearance in this case.” The offending attorney has not been sanctioned at this time.

For more information:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/08/09/lawyer.co.filed.counter.motion.to.evidence.spoilation.ruling/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/08/10/samsung_attorney_argued_in_court_without_proper_license_to_practice.html

http://www.fosspatents.com/2012/08/fox-news-commentator-concedes.html