FREQUENT FILER - Tips for Success with Electronic Filing

FAKE NOTICES OF ELECTRONIC FILING (NEF) LINKED TO PHISHING SCAM:
Districts across the nation are reporting hoax NEFs that are being sent to attorneys and law firms, purportedly from the Court's electronic filing system, requesting immediate response. Once a recipient replies to the email, they are sent a follow-up message containing a link to a supposed court document. Clicking that link takes the recipient to a malicious website.

The Eastern District of Washington's CM/ECF system will not request a reply email through the issuance of an NEF. We caution you to validate cases and case documentation through CM/ECF only, and do not download any attachments or click links from unofficial or questionable sources.

PREPARING YOUR PDFs AND FORMS FOR FILING:
Before submitting your filings, you may want to flatten your PDFs to remove comments and prevent editing of fillable forms such as civil cover sheets.

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat or another tool.
2. Print the PDF file to your PDF printer (File>Print>select Adobe PDF or another PDF printer listed in the drop-down list).
3. Save the printed PDF and upload into CM/ECF.

WHEN TO USE RESTRICTED-DOCUMENT*** IN CRIMINAL CASES:
There are only three instances in which a non-court user should use Restricted-Document*** docket event. This event should be used when filing a:

• Sealed Memorandum in Support of a Sealed Motion for Downward Departure for Substantial Assistance
• Sealed Sentencing Memorandum having to do with Downward Departure for Substantial Assistance
• Sealed Response or Reply to the sealed Motion for Downward Departure for Substantial Assistance.

YOUR DAY IN COURT - Strengthening Courtroom Decorum and Practices

Join us for the annual Federal Civil Trial Practice Seminar, held in the Auditorium of the Richland United States Courthouse, on Friday, May 16. Navigating federal discovery, juror investigations, and non-economic damages are just a few of the hot topics. Plus, as always, the Ask-the-Judges Panel and Caselaw Update provide you with insights into the judges' preferred advocacy approaches. Registration here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Judge Rebecca L. Pennell Appointed

On Monday, December 9, 2024, President Biden signed the commission of Judge Rebecca L. Pennell to serve as an Article III Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Judge Pennell is assigned to the Spokane Division and will preside over cases throughout the Eastern District.

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