Can a US lawyer represent a US citizen over seas?

[cfa_pilot]

If someone holds a citizenship in lets say, Singapore and they also hold a United States citizenship. This person goes to Singapore and wants to take something to court. Can they have a US lawyer represent them if the case pertains to something US related?

 

[Adam B]

A lawyer must be licensed to practice law before the court where he appears. If your US lawyer isn't admitted to the bar in Singapore, he can't appear there without special permission.

Now, if you have a case that requires interpretation of American laws, an American lawyer might be able to appear as an expert witness, but not as your legal representative.

 

[imported_laughter_every_day]

Not unless that lawyer meets the Singapore standards for practicing law. In general, each state and country licenses lawyers and will only do so when a person has attended a law school in that country or otherwise demonstrated familiarity with the law of that country. It seems rather foolish to want to represented by a lawyer who does not know the substantive or procedural law of the country is which the court is located.

 

[Zach]

Doubtful. They probably have to be licensed in the country of Singapore and know Singaporean law, because U.S. law would not pertain to the court there.