The United States is not one legal market for local counsel purposes. State admission, court rules, local practice, and sometimes pro hac vice procedure can all affect who you need.
Start with state and court
Do not ask for "a US lawyer" if the task is tied to a state, federal district, agency, or local court. Name the venue and procedural step as early as possible.
Ask about admission and local rules
US local counsel may need admission in a specific state or court. In litigation, local rules can also create obligations around filings, signatures, and appearances.
Clarify pro hac vice support
If an out-of-state or foreign lawyer needs to participate, ask whether local counsel can support a pro hac vice application or coordinate with admitted counsel. Requirements vary.
Control client communication
Cross-border US matters can move quickly. Define who speaks to the client, who signs filings, who receives service, and who reports deadlines back to the originating lawyer.
The safest US local counsel instruction begins with geography, court, admission, and authority.