(a) Notice of appearance. When first making an appearance, each representative of a party must file a notice of appearance that indicates on whose behalf the appearance is made and the proceeding name and docket number.

(b) Who may appear. Persons who may represent a party or subpoenaed witness before an ALJ or the Commission include:

(1) An attorney who is a member of a bar in good standing of the highest court of a State, Commonwealth, or Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia where the attorney has been licensed to practice law, who will promptly disclose to the ALJ any action suspending, enjoining, restraining, disbarring, or otherwise currently restricting the attorney in the practice of law in any jurisdiction where the attorney is licensed to practice law;

(2) A party;

(3) A representative of miners;

(4) An owner, partner, officer or employee of a party when the party is a labor organization, an association, a partnership, a corporation, a governmental agency, other business entity, or a political subdivision; or

(5) Any other person with the permission of the presiding ALJ or the Commission.

(c) Entry of appearance. A representative of a party shall enter an appearance in a proceeding under the Act or these procedural rules by signing the first document filed on behalf of the party with the Commission or ALJ in accordance with § 2700.6; filing a written entry of appearance with the Commission or ALJ; or, if the Commission or ALJ permits, by orally entering an appearance in open hearing.

(d) Duties. All representatives authorized to appear before the Commission shall be subject to § 2700.80 (Standards of conduct; disciplinary proceedings). A representative must be diligent, prompt, and forthright when dealing with parties, other representatives and the ALJ, and act in a manner that furthers the fair and orderly conduct of the proceeding.

(e) Withdrawal of appearance. A representative who desires to withdraw after filing a notice of appearance, or a party desiring to withdraw the appearance of a representative, must file a motion with the Commission or ALJ. The motion must state that a notice of the withdrawal has been provided to all parties. The Commission or ALJ may deny a representative's motion to withdraw when necessary to avoid undue delay or prejudice to the rights of a party.