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Attorney Admission and Registration

The following are requisites for an attorney to become a member of the bar of this district:

The application will be submitted to the Chief Judge, or designee, for review.  If the application is granted, the attorney will be added to the list of attorneys admitted to practice in this district, and the attorney will receive a certificate of admission.  To expedite the process, petitions will be submitted and fee payments will be made electronically.  The electronic process of submission became mandatory on October 1, 2015.

Before submitting the Petition for Admission, please be certain that all of the attorney admission requirements are met.  Failure to comply with all of the requirements will delay the processing of your petition.  Common mistakes include:

1.  Missing original signature(s).

Note that manuscript signatures are required on all submitted paperwork.

2.  Incomplete sponsor statement.

A statement of a sponsoring attorney of the Bar of this court is required.  The sponsoring attorney's statement must include:

  • when the sponsoring attorney was admitted to practice in this court,
  • under what circumstances the attorney has known the applicant,
  • that the attorney knows the applicant to be of good character and reputation, and
  • that the attorney believes the applicant to be well qualified as a member of the Bar of this court.  For applicants residing in another state, the sponsor may be a judge of a court of record of that state, or a federal judge. 
  • The sponsoring attorney (or judge) must sign and date the statement.

3. Requests for waiver of sponsorship that do not meet the criteria.

A waiver of sponsorship is applicable to recent law school graduates only.  See Local General Rule 2.1

Prior to seeking admission, you must familiarize yourself with the Local Rules.

To Submit a Petition for Admission and Register to E-File:

  1. Complete an Attachment to Petition for Admission/E-Filing Registration.  After completion, the document must be printed and signed by both the applicant and the sponsor with manuscript signatures (graphic and other electronic signatures should not be used).
  2. Scan the form into PDF format.
  3. From the https://pacer.uscourts.gov website, click Manage My Account.  Log in using the credentials for your upgraded individual PACER account. 
  4. From the Maintenance tab, select Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration.  You will be prompted, "In What Court Do You Want to Practice?"  Select the Western District of Michigan. 
  5. From the "What would you like to apply/register for?" page, select Attorney Admissions and E-File. 
  6. Review the information presented.
  7. Complete all sections requested (items with a red asterisk are required).
  8. Upload the Attachment to Petition for Admission/E-Filing Registration and any additional attachments (as required).
  9. Upon completion of the petition on line, PACER will automatically notify the Attorney Admissions Clerk.  The Attorney Admissions Clerk will contact you via e-mail with further instructions regarding how to make electronic payment of the admission fee.  The electronic process accepts payment by bank account (ACH) or debit or credit card.

To Register for E-Filing Only (attorney is already a member of the Bar of this court):

  1. From the https://pacer.uscourts.gov website, click Manage My Account.  Log in using the credentials for your upgraded individual PACER account.
  2. From the Maintenance tab, select Attorney Admissions/E-File Registration.  You will be prompted, "In What Court Do You Want to Practice?"  Select the Western District of Michigan.
  3. Select E-File Registration Only.  Most of the pertinent information can be completed on-line.
  4. The ECF Help Desk will be automatically notified when your registration application is complete, and will contact you via e-mail with further instructions.

If we can answer any questions, please contact the Clerk's Office at (616) 456-2381.