Attorney Admission Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How do I obtain the Application for Admission?

   Attorneys must first submit the application fee to the Clerk's Office. Upon receipt, the Clerk will send the application and information about being sworn-in. The check should be payable to, "Clerk, U.S. District Court" and mailed to:

   Office of the Clerk
   U.S. District Court
   Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse
   231 W. Lafayette Blvd, Fifth Floor
   Detroit, MI 48226-2797
   

2. What happens after I receive the Application for Admission?

   Complete the Application and return it to the Clerk's Office in which you anticipate being sworn in. When the Clerk's Office receives the application, you will be admitted as a "pending " member of the local bar. "Pending" status allows you to register for electronic filing and complete online training. Once the online training is completed, you can file documents electronically.

3. How do I get sworn-in?

   After returning your Application, you and a sponsor will need to appear before a U.S. District, Bankruptcy or Magistrate Judge. (Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judges and Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court can also administer the oath.) Once he or she administers the oath of admission the admission process is complete.

   If you are attorney of record in a case, you can contact the judge's chambers and schedule the swearing-in prior to your first appearance in court.

   If you do not have a pending case in the district court, you can schedule an appointment to be sworn-in. Please call the Clerk's Office at 313-234-5005 and ask for the name of the presiding judge for the week. You can then contact that judge's chambers and make an appointment.

4. How do I obtain an electronic filing login and password?

   Once you have paid the admission fee, filled out your Application for Admission card and returned it to the Court, you may register for electronic filing. For more information on registering for electronic filing, see electronic filing frequently asked questions.

5. Who can act as my sponsor? How can I find a sponsor?

   Any active member of the Eastern District of Michigan's local bar can sponsor an attorney.

   If you are out of state, your local counsel or opposing counsel can sponsor you. If neither are possible, contact chambers and inquire if the Judge will swear you in without a sponsor.

6. What does a sponsor do?

   The sponsor signs a "declaration" on your Application for Admission, attesting to your good character and reputation. Your sponsor also attends your swearing-in.

7. Do you allow admission pro hac vice?

   The Eastern District of Michigan does not grant pro hac vice admission. Exceptions have been made for multi-district litigation, appointed counsel in death penalty cases and for good cause, at the discretion of the Judge.

8. I am out-of-state and have retained local counsel per LR 83.20(f). Do I still have to join the local bar?

   Yes, if you plan to submit documents under your signature. Submitting signed documents is considered "practice in this court" and requires admission.

9. Is your attorney application available online?

   No, the attorney application is not available online. It will be sent to you upon receipt of your application for admission fee.

10. Is it okay to have my local counsel purchase the Application for Admission for me?

    Yes.

11. What happens if I file a document and I am not admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Michigan?

    Attorneys who submit documents for filing but are not admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Michigan will be contacted by the Clerk of Court. The Clerk's letter advises counsel of their non-member status and instructs them to make application to the local bar within 14 days.

12. I have been contacted by the Clerk of Court, advising that I am not admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Michigan. However, I believe that I am admitted. How do I correct this?

    Contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 313-234-5044.

13. The Clerk contacted me because my name was included as counsel of record on a filing. However, the inclusion of my name was inadvertent and I do not wish to be of record. What do I do?

    Contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 313-234-5044 and request your name be removed from the list of non-admitted counsel. If your name appears again, the matter will be referred to the Chief Judge.

14. A letter from the Clerk of Court threatened to strike my filing if I did not complete the application process. However, that filing also listed co-counsel who is admitted. Is the document still at risk of being stricken?

    No. You are still required to make application, but the document will not be stricken if it includes admitted co-counsel.