E-Filing in Federal Court

Although law school prepares us for daily legal practice, the specifics of filing court documents is not necessarily taught in law school and certainly not tested on the bar exam. Properly filing court documents is an essential skill that practicing attorneys must master. It is extremely important to be aware of the nuances of and comfortable with the e-filing system because virtually all notices, motions, and briefs in a matter are required to be filed through the court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system. E-filing has obvious benefits-no more rushing to the courthouse to file an emergency motion-but it comes with its own challenges and learning curve. Understanding the e-filing process and rules can help you file documents with confidence and ensure that your filings are always correct and timely.

Hear step-by-step instructions on how to manage and navigate the e-filing system. Learn how to set up an ECF account, how to use the ECF interface, and how to address specific situations, such as filing documents under seal or physical exhibits.