General Information for Attorneys

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Attorney Admissions
General Information
Practicing in USDC-MA
CM/ECF Information for Attorneys
Volunteer and Pro Bono Opportunities

Attorney Admissions

Learn about Attorney Admissions

Learn about the process to apply for admission to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Learn about Attorney Re-Registration

Learn about the biennial attorney re-registration process instituted September 1, 2023, for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Learn about Pro Hac Vice Admission

Learn about the process to be admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts pro hac vice.

View the Schedule for Upcoming Admission Ceremonies

Search for Attorneys Registered and Active in USDC-MA

Search for an attorney who is currently registered and active at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Request a Certificate of Good Standing or a Duplicate Admission Certificate

Update Your Name

If your name has changed since your admission to the Bar of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, you may update it through PACER. A request will be sent to this court for approval.

General Information

Contact Staff at the Court

Submit emailed questions via the web form or access the USDC-MA Telephone Directory.

View USDC-MA Local Rules

Access Recent Rule Amendments

View the Court's Current Fee Schedule

View fees charged for services provided by the District Court such as civil actions, notices of appeal, and other miscellaneous fees.

Access After Hours Emergency Info

This page is for emergency judicial matters and is for attorneys only.

View USDC-MA General Orders

View the most recent General Court Orders issued by the Chief Judge here.

View Important Forms

Visit this page and select from a category to access the form you need.

Report Judicial Misconduct

Access information about filing a complaint, including rules and forms. Learn more about the rules and documents relating to the conduct of federal judges.

Learn about Upcoming Events and Announcements

Learn about Transcripts and Ordering Audio Recordings from Magistrate Hearings

Learn about Utilizing the USDC-MA Nursing Room

Coordinating a private space for any attorneys, legal support staff or law students, litigants, and witnesses who are currently breastfeeding and have business at the court.

Learn about Joining Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

View Information on Our Federal Judges

A complete list of our District, Senior, and Magistrate Judges, with their basic information, staff, standing orders, preferences on case management and more.

Practicing in USDC-MA

View the USDC-MA Attorney Handbook

A comprehensive guide for practicing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Covers areas such as preparation of documents, federal holidays, helpful resources and materials, addresses and contact information for all sections of the court.

Review Best Practices for Virtual Hearings

Guidance for participating in a virtual video hearing before the Court.

Learn about Internet Access in the Courtroom

Access CJA Information

Access information about serving on the Criminal Justice Act Panel, including CJA assignment protocol, rates for CJA cases, travel guidelines, and eVoucher information.

Learn about the Technology in the Courtroom

Learn about using technology in our courtrooms, and access answers to most frequently asked questions.

Learn about Viewing Exhibits via the Jury Evidence Recording System (JERS) for an Upcoming Trial

Learn about the eVoucher Program

Information about the Electronic Voucher Management System for use by court-appointed counsel including info about electronic submission, management, and approval of CJA vouchers.

Review Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions

Pattern instructions and commentary to help craft a jury charge in a particular case.

CM/ECF Information for Attorneys

Log into CM/ECF

USDC-MA login page for the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system.

Learn about Electronic Filing

Information about CM/ECF and receive contact information for any questions.

Learn how to Submit Sealed Filings Using the Electronic Drop Box

Instructions for submitting sealed filings using the CM/ECF electronic drop box.

Learn about NextGen CM/ECF

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts upgraded to the Next Generation of CM/ECF (NextGen) on September 20, 2021. Learn about what this means for you here.

Reset my CM/ECF Password

Change your CM/ECF Address

If you need to change your CM/ECF address, you may request a change by updating your address in PACER.

View CM/ECF Administrative Procedures

Access a comprehensive USDC-MA guide about CM/ECF administrative procedures.

Volunteer and Pro Bono Opportunities

Learn about the USDC-MA/FBA Pro Bono Mediation Program

Learn about representing pro se litigants at mediation of civil lawsuits pending in our Court.

Learn about Other Pro Bono Opportunities

Interested in volunteering to be available to take pro bono appointments in this District? Click here to access registration details.

Speak with the Nelson or Lindsay Fellows Solo, or Offer a Tour of Your Agency/Firm

Learn more about these high school and college-level programs aimed at exposing young people to the judiciary and diversifying the Massachusetts bar.

Volunteer with Discovering Justice

Become a legal mentor, serve as a guest speaker, or volunteer to lead a field trip with this civic education organization based in the Moakley Courthouse.

When men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas - that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out that at any rate is the theory of our constitution.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1919