Difference between revisions of "Agency Practice Act"

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(Added George Cohen article to bibliography.)
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5 U.S.C. § 500 (2012), originally enacted November 8, 1965, by Pub. L. No. 89 332, 79 Stat. 1281; incorporated into the U.S. Code by Pub. L. No. 9083, 81 Stat. 195 (September 11, 1967) (with minor stylistic changes); amended by Pub. L. No. 106-113, Div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [Title IV, § 4732(b)(2)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.
+
5 U.S.C. § [http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section500&num=0&edition=prelim 500] (2012), originally enacted by [http://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/89/332.pdf Pub. L. No. 89-332], 79 Stat. 1281, Nov. 8, 1965; incorporated into the U.S. Code by [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-81/pdf/STATUTE-81-Pg195.pdf Pub. L. No. 90-83], 81 Stat. 195, Sept. 11, 1967 (with minor stylistic changes); amended by [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-106publ113/pdf/PLAW-106publ113.pdf Pub. L. No. 106-113], Div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [Title IV, § 4732(b)(2)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.
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Overview:
 
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The Agency Practice Act provides that an attorney in good standing in any state may represent persons before federal agencies. An agency may require an attorney to file a written declaration of current qualification and to state that he is authorized to represent the particular person before the agency. Similarly, a duly qualified certified public accountant may represent persons before the Internal Revenue Service. The Act was intended to prohibit agency established admission requirements for licensed attorneys and special enrollment requirements for CPAs. (Note: The Patent and Trademark Office is exempted from the Act. ) The Act expressly neither grants nor denies other persons the right to practice before an agency, nor does it authorize or limit an agency’s right to discipline or disbar persons practicing before it.  
 
  
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In 1982, the Administrative Conference adopted a statement on discipline of attorneys practicing before federal agencies. After studying agency concerns and existing disciplinary procedures,4 the Conference concluded that any current problems concerning attorney discipline before federal agencies were not of such magnitude or so widespread as to require legislative action or the adoption of uniform federal standards.
+
==Overview==
 +
The Agency Practice Act provides that an attorney in good standing in any state may represent persons before federal agencies. An agency may require an attorney to file a written declaration of current qualification and to state that he is authorized to represent the particular person before the agency. Similarly, a duly qualified certified public accountant may represent persons before the Internal Revenue Service. The Agency Practice Act was intended to prohibit agency-established admission requirements for licensed attorneys and special enrollment requirements for CPAs. (Note: The Patent and Trademark Office is exempted from the Agency Practice Act.) The Agency Practice Act expressly neither grants nor denies other persons the right to practice before an agency, nor does it authorize or limit an agency’s right to discipline or disbar persons practicing before it.  
  
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Legislative History:
+
In 1982, ACUS adopted a statement on discipline of attorneys practicing before federal agencies. After studying agency concerns and existing disciplinary procedures, ACUS concluded that any current problems concerning attorney discipline before federal agencies were not of such magnitude or so widespread as to require legislative action or the adoption of uniform federal standards.
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In 1957 the Department of Justice recommended discontinuing the practice of many agencies that required attorneys to apply for agency acceptance as practitioners. Several bills were introduced in the early 1960s to abolish agency admission requirements. By 1965, few agencies retained admission requirements, and only the Treasury Department and the Patent Office objected to discontinuing them. (See House Judiciary Committee Report, cited below.) Pub. L. No. 89-32 was enacted in 1965 with the passage of S. 1758.
 
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In 1999, the Act was amended to substitute “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office.”
 
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Source Note:
 
−
The House report on S. 1758 is reprinted in U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News. Professor Michael Cox’s 1982 report to the Administrative Conference discusses federal agency attorney discipline and contains an extensive bibliography. See also the statement of the Administrative Conference cited in footnote 3 of this chapter and the reports of the Administrative Conference and American Bar Association committees cited below.
 
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Also relevant is section 9 (“Use of Nonattorneys”) of the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (see Chapter 5).
 
−
Bibliography:
 
−
I. Legislative History
 
−
1. Report to Accompany S. 1758, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, S. Rep. No. 755, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. (1965).
 
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2. Report to Accompany S.1758, House Committee on the Judiciary, H.R. Rep. No. 1141, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. (1965), reprinted in 1965 U.S. Code Cong. & Admin. News, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. at 4170.
 
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II. Other Government Documents
 
−
1. Administrative Conference Committee on Governmental Processes, Report Concerning Discipline of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies, 1982 ACUS (Vol. II) 488.
 
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2. Administrative Conference of the U.S., Recommendation 79-7, Appropriate Restrictions on Participation by a Former Agency Official in Matters Involving the Agency, 45 Fed. Reg. 2,309 (Jan. 11, 1980).
 
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3. Administrative Conference of the U.S., Recommendation 86-1, Nonlawyer Assistance and Representation, 51 Fed. Reg. 25,641 (July 16, 1986).
 
−
4. Administrative Conference of the U.S., Statement on Discipline of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies, 47 Fed. Reg. 58,210 (Dec.
 
−
30, 1982).
 
−
III. Books and Articles
 
−
1. Craig H. Allen, Attorney Ethics and Agency Practice: Representing Clients in Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigations, 22 J. Mar. L. & Com. 225 (1991).
 
−
2. American Bar Association, Report to the House of Delegates on Federal Agency Attorney Discipline (August 1982).
 
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3. Michael P. Cox, Regulation of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies, Report to the Administrative Conference of the U.S., 1982 ACUS (Vol. II) 491, reprinted in 34 Case W. Res. L. Rev. 173 (1984).
 
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4. Roberta S. Karmel, Rule 2(e)—A Reprise, 210 N.Y .L.J. 3 (1993).
 
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5. Melanie B. Leslie, Government Officials as Attorneys and Clients: Why Privilege the Privileged?, 77 Ind. L.J. 469 (2002).
 
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6. Nicholas M. Wenner, Comment, Determining Secondary Liability under Securities Laws: Attorney Beware!, 11 Hamline L. Rev. 61 (1988).
 
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Agency Regulations:
 
−
Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 C.F.R. § 1.26
 
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Commodity Futures Trading Commission . . 17 C.F.R. § 10.11, Part 14
 
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau . . . . . . . . . . 12 C.F.R. § 1081.107
 
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Consumer Product Safety Commission . . . . . . . 16 C.F.R. §§ 1025.61-.68
 
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Drug Enforcement Administration (Justice) . . . 21 C.F.R. §§ 1316.50-.51
 
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Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 C.F.R. § 1003.3
 
−
Environmental Protection Agency . . . . . . . . . . 40 C.F.R. §§ 22.10, 305.10
 
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Farm Credit Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 C.F.R. § 622.3, Part 623
 
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Federal Aviation Administration (Transportation) . . . . . 14 C.F.R. § 13.33
 
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Federal Communications Commission . . . . . . . . . . . 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.22-.24
 
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 C.F.R. § 308.6
 
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission . . . 18 C.F.R. §§ 385.2101-.2103
 
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Federal Housing Finance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 C.F.R. § 1209.70-75
 
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Federal Maritime Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 C.F.R. §§ 502.21-.32
 
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Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 29 C.F.R. §§ 2700.3, 2700.80
 
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Federal Reserve Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 C.F.R. § 263.6
 
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Federal Trade Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 C.F.R. § 4.1
 
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Food and Drug Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 C.F.R. § 12.40
 
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General Services Administration (Board of Contract Appeals) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 C.F.R. § 6101.5
 
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Homeland Security (Immigration cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 C.F.R. Part 292
 
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Housing and Urban Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 C.F.R. §§ 26.7-.8
 
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Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 C.F.R. Part 1
 
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Internal Revenue Service . . . . . . . . .26 C.F.R. 601.502; 31 C.F.R. Part 10
 
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Justice (Immigration cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 C.F.R. § 68.33(c)
 
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Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 C.F.R. §§ 18.22, 417.8
 
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Benefits Review Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 C.F.R. § 802.202
 
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Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board . . . . . . . . . . . 20 C.F.R. § 501.9
 
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Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 C.F.R. § 921.10
 
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Maritime Administration (Transportation) . . . . . 46 C.F.R. §§ 201.15-.26
 
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Merit Systems Protection Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 C.F.R. § 1201.31
 
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Transportation) . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . 49 C.F.R. § 511.71-.76
 
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National Labor Relations Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 C.F.R. § 102.177
 
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Commerce) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15 C.F.R. § 904.5
 
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National Science Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 C.F.R. § 672.6
 
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National Transportation Safety Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 C.F.R. § 821.6
 
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Navy (JAG cases) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 C.F.R. Part 776
 
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Nuclear Regulatory Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 C.F.R. § 2.314
 
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Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . 29 C.F.R. §§ 2200.22-.23
 
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Postal Rate Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 C.F.R. § 3001.6
 
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Postal Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 C.F.R. Part 951
 
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Securities and Exchange Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 C.F.R. § 201.102; 17 C.F.R. Part 205
 
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Small Business Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 C.F.R. § 134.208
 
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Social Security Administration . . . . . . . . . . 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1700-.1799
 
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Surface Transportation Board (Transportation) . . . . . . 49 C.F.R. Part 1103
 
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Transportation, Office of the Secretary (Aviation proceedings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 C.F.R. § 302.416
 
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Treasury (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 C.F.R. Part 8
 
−
United States International Trade Commission . . . . . . 19 C.F.R. § 201.15
 
−
Veterans Affairs (Board of Veterans’ Appeals) . . . . . . . . . 38 C.F.R. Part 14
 
  
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Appendix:
+
==Legislative History==
−
1. Agency Practice Act, 5 U.S.C. § 500 (2012).
+
In 1957, the Department of Justice recommended discontinuing the practice of many agencies that required attorneys to apply for agency acceptance as practitioners. Several bills were introduced in the early 1960s to abolish agency admission requirements. By 1965, few agencies retained admission requirements, and only the Treasury Department and the Patent Office objected to discontinuing them. H.R. Rep. No. 1141 (1965). [http://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/89/332.pdf Pub. L. No. 89-332] was enacted in 1965 with the passage of S. 1758.
 +
 
 +
In 1999, the Agency Practice Act was amended to substitute “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office.”
 +
 
 +
===Source Note===
 +
The House report on S. 1758 is reprinted in U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News. Professor Michael Cox’s 1982 report to ACUS discusses federal agency attorney discipline and contains an extensive bibliography.
 +
 
 +
Also relevant is section 9 (“Use of Nonattorneys”) of the [[Administrative Dispute Resolution Act]] (5 U.S.C. § [http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section571&num=0&edition=prelim 571 note]).
 +
 
 +
==Bibliography==
 +
===Legislative History and Congressional Documents===
 +
 
 +
*S. Rep. No. 755 (1965).
 +
*H.R. Rep. No. 1141 (1965).
 +
 
 +
===ACUS Recommendations and Other Documents===
 +
 
 +
*79-7 [https://www.acus.gov/sites/default/files/documents/79-7.pdf Appropriate Restrictions on Participation by a Former Agency Official in Matters Involving the Agency].
 +
*86-1 [https://www.acus.gov/sites/default/files/documents/86-1.pdf Nonlawyer Assistance and Representation].
 +
 
 +
*[https://www.acus.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Statement%20%238--Attorney%20Discipline.pdf Statement on Discipline of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies], 47 Fed. Reg. 58,210 (Dec. 30, 1982).
 +
 
 +
===Books and Articles===
 +
 
 +
*Craig H. Allen, ''Attorney Ethics and Agency Practice: Representing Clients in Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigations'', 22 J. Mar. L. & Com. 225 (1991).
 +
*ABA, ''Report to the House of Delegates on Federal Agency Attorney Discipline'' (Aug. 1982).
 +
*Comm. on Governmental Processes, ''Report Concerning Discipline of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies'' (1982) (report to ACUS).
 +
*George M. Cohen, [http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5188&context=flr The Laws of Agency Lawyering], 84 Fordham L. Rev. 1963 (2016).
 +
*Michael P. Cox, [https://www.acus.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Q3%201982-S08%20COX%20Reg%20of%20Attys%20Practicing%20before%20Fed%20Agencies%201982%20ACUS%20491.pdf Regulation of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies] (1982) (report to ACUS).
 +
*Roberta S. Karmel, ''Rule 2(e)—A Reprise'', 210 N.Y. L. J. 3 (1993).
 +
*Melanie B. Leslie, [https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1903&context=ilj Government Officials as Attorneys and Clients: Why Privilege the Privileged?], 77 Ind. L. J. 469 (2002).
 +
*Nicholas M. Wenner, Comment, ''Determining Secondary Liability under Securities Laws: Attorney Beware!'', 11 Hamline L. Rev. 61 (1988).
 +
 
 +
===Agency Regulations===
 +
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
 +
*'''Agriculture''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=939ff58dc39c179f8b44708086db2eee&mc=true&node=se7.1.1_126&rgn=div8 7 C.F.R. § 1.26])
 +
*'''Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=cc7528a75a628746634101ed8b4ce3f1&mc=true&node=se12.9.1081_1107&rgn=div8 12 C.F.R. § 1081.107])
 +
*'''Commodity Futures Trading Commission''':
 +
**Appearance in adjudicatory proceedings ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ee7357c045a882bfaa0883c590988dc6&mc=true&node=se17.1.10_111&rgn=div8 17 C.F.R. § 10.11])
 +
**Rules Relating to Suspension or Disbarment from Appearance and Practice ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ee7357c045a882bfaa0883c590988dc6&mc=true&node=pt17.1.14&rgn=div5 17 C.F.R. Part 14])
 +
*'''Consumer Product Safety Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=24b1d6b48433f1b81ac1d8c70d14d6ad&mc=true&node=sp16.2.1025.g&rgn=div6 16 C.F.R. Part 1025, Subpt. G])
 +
*'''Drug Enforcement Administration (Justice)'''
 +
**Appearance; representation; authorization ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2de6c17042f9190456feed473b25bdc9&mc=true&node=se21.9.1316_150&rgn=div8 21 C.F.R. § 1316.50])
 +
**Conduct of hearing and parties; ex parte communications ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2de6c17042f9190456feed473b25bdc9&mc=true&node=se21.9.1316_151&rgn=div8 21 C.F.R. § 1316.51])
 +
*'''Energy''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6adb2880700750a2b35715bd7148775f&mc=true&node=se10.4.1003_13&rgn=div8 10 C.F.R. § 1003.3])
 +
*'''Environmental Protection Agency''':
 +
**Appearances ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3ced7faa039976091deef420c1a963e5&mc=true&node=se40.1.22_110&rgn=div8 40 C.F.R. § 22.10])
 +
**Appearances ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3ced7faa039976091deef420c1a963e5&mc=true&node=se40.30.305_110&rgn=div8 40 C.F.R. § 305.10])
 +
*'''Farm Credit Administration''':
 +
**Appearance and practice ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4419338e99e90d2cd720dcecfc87736b&mc=true&node=se12.7.622_13&rgn=div8 12 C.F.R. § 622.3])
 +
**Practice before the Farm Credit Administration ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4419338e99e90d2cd720dcecfc87736b&mc=true&node=pt12.7.623&rgn=div5 12 C.F.R. Part 623])
 +
*'''Federal Aviation Administration (Transportation)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4984ffcd1d6293c47ce0d0cdfc0dd072&mc=true&node=se14.1.13_133&rgn=div8 14 C.F.R. § 13.33])
 +
*'''Federal Communications Commission''':
 +
**Authority for representation ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=eb8b01f2e3b421d70702d02cca543d50&mc=true&node=se47.1.1_122&rgn=div8 47 C.F.R. § 1.22])
 +
**Persons who may be admitted to practice ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=eb8b01f2e3b421d70702d02cca543d50&mc=true&node=se47.1.1_123&rgn=div8 47 C.F.R. § 1.23])
 +
**Censure, suspension, or disbarment of attorneys ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=eb8b01f2e3b421d70702d02cca543d50&mc=true&node=se47.1.1_124&rgn=div8 47 C.F.R. § 1.24])
 +
*'''Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6dd8b43337c0e23af2ef6b5b18d57b64&mc=true&node=se12.5.308_16&rgn=div8 12 C.F.R. § 308.6])
 +
*'''Federal Energy Regulatory Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b96abf500d60feec215f2965917603f4&mc=true&node=sp18.1.385.u&rgn=div6 18 C.F.R. Part 385 Subpt. U])
 +
*'''Federal Housing Finance Agency''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0e7b0a62b1ed7cb8c99e9095026a6e7e&mc=true&node=pt12.10.1209&rgn=div5 12 C.F.R. Part 1209])
 +
*'''Federal Maritime Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5aeb186e76b2cdbb0e7d9b9bbc20aef&mc=true&node=sp46.9.502.b&rgn=div6 46 C.F.R. Part 502, Subpt. B])
 +
*'''Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission''':
 +
**Who may practice ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=991e46f553910f0c7a5234aa6d347f7c&mc=true&node=se29.9.2700_13&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 2700.3])
 +
**Standards of conduct; disciplinary proceedings ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=991e46f553910f0c7a5234aa6d347f7c&mc=true&node=se29.9.2700_180&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 2700.80])
 +
*'''Federal Reserve Board''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1471fc889f2565e1f1c852c507911573&mc=true&node=se12.4.263_16&rgn=div8 12 C.F.R. § 263.6])
 +
*'''Federal Trade Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=37ddc1c1327481ec50f8f0da3829e473&mc=true&node=se16.1.4_11&rgn=div8 16 C.F.R. § 4.1])
 +
*'''Food and Drug Administration''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=bd49d45ed8f428d24c719fc2342c58fd&mc=true&node=se21.1.12_140&rgn=div8 21 C.F.R. § 12.40])
 +
*'''General Services Administration (Board of Contract Appeals)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=83d5ed3bd6c8f82d389b87352b593b69&mc=true&node=se48.7.6101_15&rgn=div8 48 C.F.R. § 6101.5])
 +
*'''Homeland Security (Immigration cases)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c2f0973ecc2b25f3b68f5fad097d2a41&mc=true&node=pt8.1.292&rgn=div5 8 C.F.R. Part 292])
 +
*'''Housing and Urban Development''':
 +
**Respondent’s representative ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5381542bdddae6b3fdf48dc3e15a6fc6&mc=true&node=se24.1.26_17&rgn=div8 24 C.F.R. § 26.7])
 +
**Standards of practice ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5381542bdddae6b3fdf48dc3e15a6fc6&mc=true&node=se24.1.26_18&rgn=div8 24 C.F.R. § 26.8])
 +
*'''Interior''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=040013f12ae2762af63cc0ec53275436&mc=true&node=pt43.1.1&rgn=div5 43 C.F.R. Part 1])
 +
*I'''nternal Revenue Service''':
 +
**Recognized representative ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0770dbd2a43b43da774783adbff18820&mc=true&node=se26.22.601_1502&rgn=div8 26 C.F.R. 601.502])
 +
**Practice before the Internal Revenue Service ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e68ef2eaed78fc35ffe60c6362270999&mc=true&node=pt31.1.10&rgn=div5 31 C.F.R. Part 10])
 +
*'''Justice (Immigration cases)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=887c19433a2dc8a2ea655c9dff179874&mc=true&node=se28.2.68_133&rgn=div8 28 C.F.R. § 68.33(c)])
 +
*'''Labor''':
 +
**Representatives ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c576b6bbc98c54b33c6aeb1c929956e0&mc=true&node=se29.1.18_122&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 18.22])
 +
**Appearances ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c576b6bbc98c54b33c6aeb1c929956e0&mc=true&node=se29.2.417_18&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 417.8])
 +
**Benefits Review Board ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c42b01554983a311900fd306180b6a09&mc=true&node=se20.4.802_1202&rgn=div8 20 C.F.R. § 802.202])
 +
**Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2b2327323032290893364253bb2ddf0f&mc=true&node=se20.3.501_19&rgn=div8 20 C.F.R. § 501.9])
 +
**Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3fc6dd581a35f1ec65b7a711781c30f4&mc=true&node=se20.4.702_1131&rgn=div8 20 C.F.R. § 702.131])
 +
*'''Maritime Administration (Transportation)''':
 +
**Attorneys or agents ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=92f303ab9cc120f2e94444660c0e50aa&mc=true&node=se46.8.201_115&rgn=div8 46 C.F.R. § 201.15])
 +
**Service of process and other documents ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=92f303ab9cc120f2e94444660c0e50aa&mc=true&node=se46.8.201_116&rgn=div8 46 C.F.R. § 201.16])
 +
*'''Merit Systems Protection Board''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=a3325bb7e6d4185b9efdbd5a821385ad&mc=true&node=se5.3.1201_131&rgn=div8 5 C.F.R. § 1201.31])
 +
*'''National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Transportation)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=62b656ae82fbdedcefd5b9d5c02bc0e8&mc=true&node=sp49.6.511.h&rgn=div6 49 C.F.R. Part 511, Subpt. H])
 +
*'''National Labor Relations Board''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=eb32e45958e5c16020399ac01f825df7&mc=true&node=se29.2.102_1177&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 102.177])
 +
*'''National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Commerce)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5f2370a6952f51bd02f78dde8fc16b14&mc=true&node=se15.3.904_15&rgn=div8 15 C.F.R. § 904.5])
 +
*'''National Science Foundation''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=623c22129e21663d003748e0deb040db&mc=true&node=se45.3.672_16&rgn=div8 45 C.F.R. § 672.6])
 +
*'''National Transportation Safety Board''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=46209e63fd2b5a930416692bf032ba0e&mc=true&node=se49.7.821_16&rgn=div8 49 C.F.R. § 821.6])
 +
*'''Navy (JAG cases)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=adee4211ece1c277c893a7fc6f4acace&mc=true&node=pt32.5.776&rgn=div5 32 C.F.R. Part 776])
 +
*'''Nuclear Regulatory Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=aea5cda3308606eecb9979012d24a66d&mc=true&node=se10.1.2_1314&rgn=div8 10 C.F.R. § 2.314])
 +
*'''Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission''':
 +
**Representation of parties and intervenors ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f2f929295505f2552686bc28d5f51cb7&mc=true&node=se29.9.2200_122&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 2200.22])
 +
**Appearances and withdrawals ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f2f929295505f2552686bc28d5f51cb7&mc=true&node=se29.9.2200_123&rgn=div8 29 C.F.R. § 2200.23])
 +
*'''Postal Rate Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e0198e198aa3255d2cca3b6d901c0b01&mc=true&node=se39.1.3001_16&rgn=div8 39 C.F.R. § 3001.6])
 +
*'''Postal Service''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e0198e198aa3255d2cca3b6d901c0b01&mc=true&node=pt39.1.951&rgn=div5 39 C.F.R. Part 951])
 +
*'''Securities and Exchange Commission''':
 +
**Appearance and practice before the Commission ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=7d8fdfcd06f0d6ad7554fe99b6bbba23&mc=true&node=se17.3.201_1102&rgn=div8 17 C.F.R. § 201.102])
 +
**Standards of professional conduct for attorneys appearing and practicing before the Commission in the representation of an issuer ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=7d8fdfcd06f0d6ad7554fe99b6bbba23&mc=true&node=pt17.3.205&rgn=div5 17 C.F.R. Part 205])
 +
*'''Small Business Administration''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=28f7d50ee548e9a0e3a39016b8e280f3&mc=true&node=se13.1.134_1208&rgn=div8 13 C.F.R. § 134.208])
 +
*'''Social Security Administration''':
 +
**Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=05fb75bc1fe715e79467210d8b6cf257&mc=true&node=sp20.2.404.r&rgn=div6 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpt. R])
 +
**Supplemental Security Income ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=83d1b20bad9d7ed11c16113dc15305b9&mc=true&node=sp20.2.416.o&rgn=div6 20 C.F.R. Part 416, Subpt. O])
 +
*'''Surface Transportation Board (Transportation)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d215d68e430af1602ec553af465c3414&mc=true&node=pt49.8.1103&rgn=div5 49 C.F.R. Part 1103])
 +
*'''Transportation, Office of the Secretary (Aviation proceedings)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b0ee6bf476ca3038416453664d7887f6&mc=true&node=se14.4.302_1416&rgn=div8 14 C.F.R. § 302.416])
 +
*'''Treasury (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3ca903ef2d424c95a7c75100b3de052b&mc=true&node=pt31.1.8&rgn=div5 31 C.F.R. Part 8])
 +
*'''United States International Trade Commission''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=aa58a14f4dd639eea8d1048cf232aca2&mc=true&node=se19.3.201_115&rgn=div8 19 C.F.R. § 201.15])
 +
*'''Veterans Affairs (Board of Veterans’ Appeals)''' ([https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b1839321dd2c2023f65d5f2e138a304b&mc=true&node=pt38.1.14&rgn=div5 38 C.F.R. Part 14])
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
==Statutory Provisions==
 +
Agency Practice Act
 +
 
 +
Title 5 U.S. Code
 +
 
 +
[http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section500&num=0&edition=prelim § 500. Administrative practice; general provisions]

Revision as of 16:25, 27 December 2019

5 U.S.C. § 500 (2012), originally enacted by Pub. L. No. 89-332, 79 Stat. 1281, Nov. 8, 1965; incorporated into the U.S. Code by Pub. L. No. 90-83, 81 Stat. 195, Sept. 11, 1967 (with minor stylistic changes); amended by Pub. L. No. 106-113, Div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [Title IV, § 4732(b)(2)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-583.

Overview

The Agency Practice Act provides that an attorney in good standing in any state may represent persons before federal agencies. An agency may require an attorney to file a written declaration of current qualification and to state that he is authorized to represent the particular person before the agency. Similarly, a duly qualified certified public accountant may represent persons before the Internal Revenue Service. The Agency Practice Act was intended to prohibit agency-established admission requirements for licensed attorneys and special enrollment requirements for CPAs. (Note: The Patent and Trademark Office is exempted from the Agency Practice Act.) The Agency Practice Act expressly neither grants nor denies other persons the right to practice before an agency, nor does it authorize or limit an agency’s right to discipline or disbar persons practicing before it.

In 1982, ACUS adopted a statement on discipline of attorneys practicing before federal agencies. After studying agency concerns and existing disciplinary procedures, ACUS concluded that any current problems concerning attorney discipline before federal agencies were not of such magnitude or so widespread as to require legislative action or the adoption of uniform federal standards.

Legislative History

In 1957, the Department of Justice recommended discontinuing the practice of many agencies that required attorneys to apply for agency acceptance as practitioners. Several bills were introduced in the early 1960s to abolish agency admission requirements. By 1965, few agencies retained admission requirements, and only the Treasury Department and the Patent Office objected to discontinuing them. H.R. Rep. No. 1141 (1965). Pub. L. No. 89-332 was enacted in 1965 with the passage of S. 1758.

In 1999, the Agency Practice Act was amended to substitute “Patent and Trademark Office” for “Patent Office.”

Source Note

The House report on S. 1758 is reprinted in U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News. Professor Michael Cox’s 1982 report to ACUS discusses federal agency attorney discipline and contains an extensive bibliography.

Also relevant is section 9 (“Use of Nonattorneys”) of the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (5 U.S.C. § 571 note).

Bibliography

Legislative History and Congressional Documents

  • S. Rep. No. 755 (1965).
  • H.R. Rep. No. 1141 (1965).

ACUS Recommendations and Other Documents

Books and Articles

  • Craig H. Allen, Attorney Ethics and Agency Practice: Representing Clients in Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigations, 22 J. Mar. L. & Com. 225 (1991).
  • ABA, Report to the House of Delegates on Federal Agency Attorney Discipline (Aug. 1982).
  • Comm. on Governmental Processes, Report Concerning Discipline of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies (1982) (report to ACUS).
  • George M. Cohen, The Laws of Agency Lawyering, 84 Fordham L. Rev. 1963 (2016).
  • Michael P. Cox, Regulation of Attorneys Practicing Before Federal Agencies (1982) (report to ACUS).
  • Roberta S. Karmel, Rule 2(e)—A Reprise, 210 N.Y. L. J. 3 (1993).
  • Melanie B. Leslie, Government Officials as Attorneys and Clients: Why Privilege the Privileged?, 77 Ind. L. J. 469 (2002).
  • Nicholas M. Wenner, Comment, Determining Secondary Liability under Securities Laws: Attorney Beware!, 11 Hamline L. Rev. 61 (1988).

Agency Regulations

Statutory Provisions

Agency Practice Act

Title 5 U.S. Code

§ 500. Administrative practice; general provisions

Retrieved from "https://sourcebook.acus.gov/index.php?title=Agency_Practice_Act&oldid=1482"