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FAQs

  • Who may become a member of the bar of the district court?

    Any member in good standing of the bar of the Supreme Court of Louisiana is eligible for admission to the bar of this court.  Please review LR83.2.2 Eligibility.

  • May I take the oath of admissions for the bar of the U. S. District Court before an out-of-state federal judge?

    No, the Western District of Louisiana has not authorized this practice as it is not necessary. No appearance is necessary or required for admission to this court.

  • Is there an admission fee to become a member of the district court’s bar?

    Yes, there is a fee for admission to this court. The current fee can be located here on our Fees and Online Payments web page.

  • How can I obtain a duplicate Attorney Admission Certificate or Certificate of Good Standing from the court?

    A duplicate Certificate of Admission or Certificate of Good Standing may be obtained by completing the online request via pay.gov. The current fee can be located here on our Fees and Oline Payments web page.

  • Does the court charge an annual attorney registration fee?

    Yes. Effective November 1, 2020, the court began charging a triennial fee of $45.00.  This fee is applicable to all admitted attorneys (excluding government, public defenders, and pro hac vice) who have been admitted for at least three years.  The renewal fee will be charged every three years from the date of admission or three years after the last renewal payment.

    To Pay the $45.00 Attorney Readmission Fee:

    1. Click here to login to the court's CM/ECF system - https://ecf.lawd.uscourts.gov/ for the Western District of Louisiana.
    2. Once logged in, select the Civil menu.
    3. Select the Attorney Readmission event under the Attorney Readmission Fee Payment heading.
    4. Follow the prompts, including the online payment screen, until the event is complete and submitted.  Please do not use the back button after you have submitted the payment information screen as this may result in double payment.  This process will redirect you pay.gov then back to CM/ECF.  Please follow all prompts to the Notice of Electronic Filing screen.
  • Do I need to place my bar roll number on pleadings that are filed with the court?

    All correspondence and pleadings sent to the court must contain the bar roll number. This number is to be placed by your name in the signature block.

  • How do I get my name placed on the docket sheet as an attorney of record?

    The names of attorneys listed on an initial pleading filed on behalf of a party are placed on the docket sheet. Pursuant to LR83.2.12, where counsel has appeared for any party, other counsel my appear for the same party only:

    1. Upon motion of counsel of record for that party, or motion consented to by him/her;
    2. Upon motion, after counsel for the party has been permitted to withdraw or has died, or is incapacitated, or cannot be found; or
    3. Upon motion of a party after notice to counsel of record and a hearing thereon.
  • How do I get my name removed from the docket sheet as an attorney of record?

    Pursuant to LR 83.2.11, the original counsel of record shall be held to represent the party for whom he or she appears unless the court permits him or her to withdraw from the case. He or she may obtain permission only upon joint motion to substitute counsel or upon a written motion served on opposing counsel and the client before the court acts. If other counsel is not thereby substituted, the motion to withdraw shall contain the present address of the client and the client’s telephone number if the client can be reached by telephone. The motion shall be accompanied by a certificate of service, including a statement that the client has been notified of all deadlines and pending court appearances, on both the client by certified mail and opposing counsel, or an affidavit stating why service has not been made.

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