Local Rule 2.01 governs membership in the court's bar. Membership or special admission in the Middle District bar is necessary to practice in the Middle District. Neither membership nor special admission is required for a lawyer employed by the United States or a public entity established by federal law to practice within the course and the scope of the lawyer's employment.
Membership in the Court's Bar
To petition for membership in the court's bar, complete the steps below:
Step One: Submit the Attorney Admissions and E-File Registration
The Attorney Admissions and E-File Registration is submitted through PACER. Login to your individual PACER Account or register for an Attorney Filer PACER account to submit your application. To complete the application, you will need your Florida Bar Number, state of residence, business address, undergraduate and law school graduation dates, and a list of jurisdictions in which you are admitted to practice, including admissions dates.
For detailed instructions, refer to Attorney Admissions and E-File Registration. Click below to go to the PACER website to submit your application.
Step Two: Pay $224 Attorney Admissions Fee
After the court reviews your Attorney Admissions and E-File Registration, you will receive an e-mail welcoming you to the Middle District of Florida pending payment of the $224 fee. You will not be able to pay in advance of receiving this e-mail.
Click here to pay the $224 Attorney Admissions fee. Once logged in, select the Bar Admission hyperlink from the Utilities menu. After the court reviews and verifies payment, your e-filing account will be activated. It may take up to three business days for your e-filing privileges to be activated. For detailed instructions, refer to Attorney Admissions and E-File Registration.
Please note: If you need to file electronically in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, you must submit that request separately. Visit the U.S. Bankruptcy Court's website for more information.
Special Admission to Practice
Under Local Rule 2.01(c), a lawyer can move for special admission to practice in an action in the Middle District if the lawyer:
- is not a member in good standing of The Florida Bar,
- is a member in good standing of the bar of a United States district court,
- has not abused the privilege of special admission by maintaining a regular practice of law in Florida,
- lists each case in state or federal court in Florida in which the lawyer has initially appeared in the last thirty-six months, and
- satisfies the requirements for obtaining and maintaining membership in the Middle District bar, except the requirements of membership in The Florida Bar, submission of an application, and payment of a periodic fee.
Step One: File a Motion for Special Admission
Click here to download the Court’s sample motion for special admission under Local Rule 2.01.
Please note that CM/ECF e-filing access for the Middle District of Florida is issued only upon admission. If you do not already have CM/ECF e-filing access, the motion may be filed using the court's Web Portal or the motion may be filed on paper. When applicable, co-counsel with e-filing rights may electronically file the motion on the movant's behalf.
Step Two: Pay $150.00 Special Admission Fee
The fee can be paid while electronically filing the "Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice" or the "PayFee" event. Both events direct the e-filer to pay.gov to pay the $150.00 special admission fee by credit card. The fee may also be paid by mailing a firm check or money order to the division where your case is pending and made payable to "Clerk, U.S. District Court."
Step Three: Submit Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration
It is important to note that the Pro Hac Vice E-Filer Registration should be submitted only AFTER the fee has been paid and the order granting special admission has been entered in the case.
The Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration is submitted through PACER. Click here to login to your individual PACER Account or register for an Attorney Filer PACER Account to submit the Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration. For detailed instructions refer to Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration.
You will receive an e-mail notification from the PACER Service Center when your request has been processed and e-filing access has been activated.
A lawyer who appears in the court based on special admission is deemed to be familiar with and is governed by the Local Rules and the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
Government Lawyers
Pursuant to Local Rule 2.01, neither membership nor special admission is required for a lawyer employed by the United States or a public entity established by federal law to practice within the course and scope of the lawyer's employment.
Federal government lawyers seeking CM/ECF electronic filing privileges, must submit the Federal Attorney E-File Registration through PACER. Login to your individual PACER Account or register for an Attorney Filer PACER Account to submit your E-File request. You will receive an e-mail notification from the PACER Service Center when your request has been processed and the court has activated your e-filing access. For detailed instructions, refer to Federal Attorney E-File Registration.