SDNY BOARD OF JUDGES REVISES ITS ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY

NOTICE TO THE BAR
CONTACT: Edward Friedland, 212-805-0500

SDNY BOARD OF JUDGES REVISES ITS ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY

        The Board of Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has revised its policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices and general purpose computing devices. A copy of the new policy is attached to this notice.

        The new policy allows members of the bar of any court, with the advance written permission from the judge presiding and subject to security screening, to bring one or more personal electronic devices or general purpose computing devices into the courthouses for that trial.

        Attorneys who are admitted in the Southern District of New York and have a valid New York State Office of Court Administration Secure Pass should still apply for an SDNY Secure Pass, which permits the holder to bring a personal electronic device into the courthouse. For more information on how to obtain a SDNY Service Pass, visit the court’s website at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/file/forms/attorney-service-pass-application.

SDNY ANNOUNCES A NEW EDITION OF ELECTRONIC CASE FILING RULES & INSTRUCTIONS

NOTICE TO THE BAR
CONTACT: ECF Help Desk, 212-805-0800

SDNY ANNOUNCES A NEW EDITION OF ELECTRONIC CASE FILING RULES & INSTRUCTIONS

        On March 17, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a new edition of the Court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Rules & Instructions. [Here is a link to the PDF: http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf/ECF%20Rules%20Revision%20031714.pdf]

        The ECF Rules & Instructions were revised to reflect the new requirement for parties to file electronically amended pleadings in civil cases through the Court’s ECF system. Summonses for amended pleadings must also be requested through the ECF system. In response, the Clerk will issue summonses suitable for printing through the ECF system.

        Pro se parties who do not have permission to file electronically are exempt from any requirement to file through the ECF system.

        Please visit the court’s website at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf.phpto view the new Electronic Case Filing Rules & Instructions and online ECF training materials.

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NAPABA Elections Reminders

Deadline to Cast Ballots in the 2013-2014 NAPABA Board Elections is September 15

All electronic votes must be cast by 11:59 pm PDT on Sunday, September 15, 2013. An electronic ballot was sent to every member’s email address of record. If you prefer to vote by paper ballot, complete and detach the ballot (back page of the Election Edition NAPABA Lawyer Newsletter) and fax or mail it to NAPABA by 11:59 pm PDT on September 15, 2013. If you have not received a ballot, please contact the NAPABA office at 202-775-9555 or by email to [email protected].

Important Reminder about Voting Eligibility

Only members in good standing as of August 1, 2013, are eligible to vote in NAPABA elections. Members must be admitted to the practice of law and (a) be in good standing with the bar of any state, territory, or province of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Canada, or (b) have heretofore met the requirements in category (a) and now be retired. Associate members – which include law students, paralegals, and legal assistants – are not eligible to vote in NAPABA elections.

Request for Positive Campaigning

NAPABA’s Nominating and Elections Committee has determined that campaigning by supporters of both candidates for President-Elect has been unnecessarily negative and is now requesting your assistance to ensure that all future campaigning during this election be conducted in a civil matter. Please maintain a civil discourse during your campaign activities and engage only in campaigning that upholds the ideals of NAPABA for the remainder of the election period. We recognize that your participation is critical to our efforts to eliminate negative campaign tactics and we appreciate your assistance in ensuring that the individuals engaged in the election process adhere to the highest ideals of NAPABA. 

SDNY ANNOUNCES A NEW EDITION OF ELECTRONIC CASE FILING RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

NOTICE TO THE BAR 
CONTACT: Clerk of Court, 212-805-0136

SDNY ANNOUNCES A NEW EDITION OF ELECTRONIC CASE FILING RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

On August 1, 2013, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will issue a new edition of the court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Rules & Instructions. Updates include: 
        
Electronic Letters 
Effective September 3, 2013, letters addressed to judges who accept letters, including certain letter motions, may be filed electronically unless the assigned judge’s Individual Practices provide otherwise. Letters solely between counsel may not be filed electronically. More information and a schedule of in-person demonstrations are available at www.nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf
        
Service in Pro Se Cases 
The Clerk’s Office will scan filings from pro se parties and add them to the ECF system. Effective July 19, 2013, the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) sent in conjunction with such filings will constitute service upon all other Filing Users (one who has permission to file electronically) and Receiving Users (one who has registered to receive notice from the court by electronic mail).   
        
Obligation to View PDF Documents 
New Rule 4.3, effective July 19, 2013, describes the parties’ obligation to view PDF documents in addition to the summary docket text. If a discrepancy occurs between the two, the language in the PDF document will control. 

Case Caption Requirements 
A case caption no longer has to include an indication that it is an “ECF Case.” Please visit the court’s website at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_filing.php to view the new ECF Rules, online ECF training materials, and a schedule of in-person demonstrations of the electronic filing of letters and letter motions. 

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SDNY Announces Two New Electronic Case Filing Rules & Instructions

NOTICE TO THE BAR

From: Stephanie Cirkovich, Esq., Public Information Officer, SDNY

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York announces an interim revision to the court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Rules & Instructions, effective July 19, 2013. A complete revision of the court’s ECF Rules & Instructions will be available in August 2013.

Obligation to View PDF Documents
New Rule 4.3 describes the parties’ obligation to review the PDF images of orders, decrees and judgments of the court in addition to the summary docket text. If a discrepancy occurs between the two, the language in the PDF document will control.

Service in Pro Se Cases
Revised Rule 9 notes that the Clerk’s Office will scan filings from pro separties and add them to the ECF system. The Notice of Electronic Filing sent by the court in conjunction with such filings will now constitute service upon all other Filing Users (one who has permission to file electronically) and Receiving Users (one who has registered to receive notice from the court by electronic mail) thereby eliminating the need for pro se litigants to serve paper copies of court submissions (except on a party who will not receive the Notice of Electronic Filing).

Please reference the court’s ECF Rules & Instructions for newly revised rule 9 and rule 4.3; click here to read the full text of the rules.

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USCIS Electronic Immigration System

On May 22, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched the first phase of our new electronic immigration system, known as USCIS ELIS. This new system brings the agency closer to realizing the web-based future of immigration services. Currently, USCIS ELIS is available for individuals who need to file a stand-alone Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539). Future releases will add form types and functions to the system, gradually expanding to cover all USCIS immigration benefits. More information about USCIS ELIS is available at www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis.

USCIS welcomes feedback from customers and stakeholders on USCIS ELIS and is hosting a series of engagements to share updates and discuss users’ experiences with the system. The conversation at each engagement will focus upon the following topics:

·        An overview of USCIS ELIS and recent updates;
·        How to electronically file a benefit request using USCIS ELIS; and
·        Customer feedback regarding their experiences with USCIS ELIS

The schedule for the USCIS ELIS engagements is as follows:

Location                                                 Date/Time

USCIS Washington Field Office          Thursday, Oct 5
2675 Prosperity Avenue                       10:30 am – 12:00 pm (Eastern
Fairfax, VA 20598

USCIS New York District Office          Friday, Nov 2
26 Federal Plaza, Third Floor,               10:00 am – 11:30 am (Eastern)
Room 3-300
New York, NY 10278

USCIS Los Angeles District Office         Thursday, Nov 8
300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 1001        1:00 – 2:30 pm (Pacific)
Los Angeles, CA  90012

To Participate in a Session:

These engagements are in person only. If you wish to attend, please email the Public Engagement Division at [email protected] no later than the day before the session. In the subject line of your email, please reference the following:

·        For the Oct 25 engagement, reference USCIS ELIS – DC
·        For the Nov 2 engagement, reference USCIS ELIS – NYC
·        For the Nov 6 engagement, please reference USCIS ELIS – LA

Please include your full name and the organization you represent in the body of the email. Following your registration, we will provide an email confirmation. Also, be sure to bring government-issued photo identification and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete the security process.

Kind Regards,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services