Filing most notices of appearance, substitution and withdrawal no longer require preparation of a separate document in the Northern District’s ECF system. These actions should be filed using the ECF omnibus event entitled “Notice of Appearance/Substitution/Withdrawal of Attorney” (found in Civil Events → Other Filings → Notices).
Notice of appearance: Any attorney who is already a member of the N.D. Cal. Bar can simply log in to ECF, select the new ECF event, enter the case number and party they represent, and press “submit.” The attorney can file documents on behalf of their client within minutes of filing this notice.
Notice of substitution: Using the same ECF event, the newly-appearing attorney (already a member of the N.D. Cal. Bar) provides the name of the lawyer(s) leaving the case. The court will remove the attorney(s) substituted out from the docket within one business day.
Notice of withdrawal or change in counsel: An attorney may withdraw from a case if other counsel for that party remain. The attorney withdrawing so indicates by using the new ECF event. Alternatively, an attorney on the case may indicate that an attorney from the same firm is withdrawing. Within one business day, the attorney seeking withdrawal will no longer be associated with the case.
Some instances still require filing of a PDF.
- When one firm seeks to replace another firm, the filing attorney should use Motion to Substitute Firm (under Motions – General), along with the form motion with a proposed order on the court’s website under Civil Forms called “Substitute Law Firm; Proposed Order.”
- When an attorney who is the sole remaining counsel for a party seeks to withdraw, the attorney should prepare a supporting document and file a Motion to Withdraw as Attorney (under Motion – General).
Questions? Click here to email or call a docketing specialist.