Washington, D.C. (October 14, 2011) — The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), along with the roughly 150 in-house lawyers in Iowa represented by the Iowa Chapter (ACC-IA), filed comments today with the Iowa Supreme Court in support of multijurisdictional practice (MJP) reform of the state’s in-house counsel registration rules.  These comments were drafted in response to a direct request from the Court itself, and advance the unique perspectives of the in-house counsel bar regarding the intersection of legal ethics rules and their day-to-day practice as corporate counsel.  

“ACC and its Iowa Chapter applaud the Iowa Supreme Court for its renewed attention to the unique practice of in-house counsel," states ACC’s Vice President and Chief Legal Strategist Amar D. Sarwal.  “Today's comments address some gaps in a rule that is otherwise well-attuned to the needs of the in-house bar,” he adds.  In the comment letter, Amar further defines these gaps, which inadvertently identify in-house counsel as “second-class citizens of the bar,” as:

• Requiring in-house counsel to go through a pro hac vice process by denying them the ability to represent their clients in court or before administrative tribunals;
• Limiting the type of pro bono services that in-house counsel can deliver to needy clients; and
• Constricting the registration to a five-year period, leaving a small window for corporate counsel to receive admittance to the Iowa bar.  

“For instance, Iowa's proposed in-house counsel registration rule unnecessarily limits the kind of pro bono services in-house lawyers can deliver to indigent clients.  In this time of severe economic need, we believe that in-house counsel can, like their outside counsel counterparts, offer a wide array of legal assistance to individuals who deserve, but not always obtain, access to justice,” Amar explains. 

ACC and ACC-IA urge the Court to take the comment letter under review and will continue to work with the Court and other state bar regulators to reform legal ethics rules in light of the modern practice of law.

Additional Background on ACC’s Legal Strategy Efforts with MJP:

ACC is a long-time advocate for multijurisdictional practice reform and has promoted this change within the legal community for nearly 30-years.  In addition to advocating with national and international organizations charged with ensuring freedom of trade in services, ACC has filed comments with state bar regulators in an effort to represent the interests of an in-house bar whose stature and role within the practice of law increases by the year.  For additional background on ACC’s MJP efforts, visit www.acc.com/advocacy/keyissues/mjp.cfm. 

About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest organization serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations and other private-sector organizations around the globe.  ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save time, money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of global importance. With more than 29,000 members in over 75 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.®  For more information, visit www.acc.com.