Becoming a Member of Our Bar

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the bar of the District of Connecticut. You will need to apply for admission electronically, using the PACER system at https://www.pacer.gov/. Please submit the following documents as part of your application:

• a current (within the past six months of the application) certificate of good standing from each state bar to which you have been admitted to practice;
• two certificates from Sponsoring Attorneys completed by members of the bar of this court who know your professional legal abilities, skills, and character for at least six months. Please be sure to use the form provided below (handwritten forms will not be accepted). The requirement of two certificates from Sponsoring Attorneys may be waived in whole or in part, for good cause shown, by a majority vote of the Judges of this District.
• Certificate from Sponsoring Attorney

If your sponsor certificates are not typed or are deficient, it will delay the approval of your application. An email regarding any deficiencies with your application will be sent for further information. After your application has been approved, you will receive an email for your initial acceptance with the date, time, and seat of court for your ceremony. Approximately five business days prior to your ceremony you will then receive a calendar for the attorney admission hearing confirming the date, time, and seat of court. This email will also include the presiding judge and courtroom information. You must appear in person at the appointed time and place. Please read the calendar closely for the date, seat of court, and courtroom for the admission hearing. It is not necessary to bring an attorney or your sponsors with you to move the court for your admission. Your Connecticut federal bar number will be included in a packet which will be distributed at the admission ceremony.

Attorney admission hearings are held each month except August. This is subject to change at the discretion of the presiding judge.

Attorney Admissions Clerk: Maria Corriette can be reached at attorney_admissions@ctd.uscourts.gov.

Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided here: (Attorney Admissions Instructions)

To request an attorney’s bar number, date of admission, or practicing status, please go to the Bar Membership Search page.

Pro Hac Vice Admission

Admission of visiting attorneys (pro hac vice) is governed by Local Rule 83.1.

The fee is $200.00.

In civil and criminal cases, the sponsoring attorney may e-file the motion and pay the fee online using pay.gov.

After the motion is granted, the visiting attorney will receive an email with instructions on how to request e-filing privileges in this district. For questions regarding pro hac vice status, you may contact our attorney maintenance department at attorney_maintenance@ctd.uscourts.gov.

Pro Hac Vice Motion and Affidavit of Visiting Attorney

Federal Government Attorneys, Attorneys Appointed By The USCA, Amicus Attorneys, And Attorneys In MDL Cases:

Attorneys above may apply for e-filing privileges in the District of Connecticut. To do this, go to https://www.pacer.gov/ and:

1. Log in with your upgraded PACER account
2. Select “Manage My Account”
3. Click on the Maintenance tab
4. Click on Attorney Admissions/Efile Registration (choose Federal Government Atty, Multi-District Litigation, or E-Filing Registration only for USCA appearances) and complete all screens

Your request is then transmitted to the District of Connecticut for approval and activation. You will receive an email from the District of Connecticut with your bar number assignment.

Interdistrict Transfers

When a case is transferred here from another district, counsel is not automatically added to our case. Counsel not admitted in our district will be notified to comply with Local Rule 83.1 for admission to proceed.