2.5 - Law Students and Law Graduates

(a) Generally

Law students and law graduates (law school graduates who are not yet admitted to practice law) may appear before the Board if certain conditions are met. Recognition by the Board is not automatic and must be requested in writing. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(2).

(b) Law Students

     (1) Notice of Appearance - A law student must file a Notice of Entry Appearance as Attorney or Representative Before the Board of Immigration Appeals (Form EOIR‑27). He or she should check the box on the Notice of Appearance for law students and provide on the reverse side of the form both the name of the supervising attorney or accredited representative and that person’s business address, if different from that of the law student. Law students are not issued EOIR ID numbers, and this part of the form can be left blank. If the law student has a supervising attorney or fully accredited representative who has been issued an EOIR ID number, that number should be included on the reverse side of the form.

     (2) Representation statement - A law student wishing to appear before the Board must file a statement that he or she is participating in a legal aid program or clinic conducted by a law school or nonprofit organization and is under the direct supervision of a faculty member, licensed attorney, or accredited representative. The statement should also state that the law student is appearing without direct or indirect remuneration from the alien being represented. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(2). Such statement should be filed with the Notice of Appearance (Form EOIR‑27).

(c) Law Graduates

     (1) Notice of Appearance - A law graduate must file a Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative Before the Board of Immigration Appeals (Form EOIR‑27). The law graduate should be careful to use the most current version of the form, which can be found on the EOIR website. He or she should check the box on the Notice of Appearance and provide on the reverse side of the form both the name of the supervising attorney or accredited representative and that person’s business address, if different from that of the law graduate. Law graduates are not issued EOIR ID numbers, and this part of the form is left blank. If the supervising attorney or fully accredited representative has been issued an EOIR ID number, that number should be included on the reverse side of the form.

     (2) Representation statement - A law graduate wishing to appear before the Board must file a statement that he or she is appearing under the supervision of a licensed attorney or accredited representative. That statement should also state that the law graduate is appearing without direct or indirect remuneration from the alien being represented. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(2). Such statement should be filed with the Notice of Appearance (Form EOIR‑27).

(d) Representative Misconduct

Law students and law graduates must comply with standards of professional conduct. See 8 C.F.R. § 1003.101 et seq.