Massachusetts Appearance of Substitute Counsel is a legal procedure in Massachusetts that allows an attorney to appear in court on behalf of another attorney. It is commonly used when the original attorney is unavailable or unable to appear in court. This procedure is regulated by the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct and requires the attorney to file a written motion with the court in advance of the hearing. There are two different types of Massachusetts Appearance of Substitute Counsel: pro HAC vice and general appearance. Pro HAC vice is when an attorney from outside of Massachusetts is allowed to appear in court on behalf of another attorney. The attorney must file a motion with the court, and the court must approve the motion before the attorney can appear. General appearance is when an attorney from within Massachusetts is allowed to appear in court on behalf of another attorney. The attorney must file a motion with the court, and the court must approve the motion before the attorney can appear.