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Attorney Admissions

NOTICE re: Admission Ceremonies

All attorneys seeking permanent admission to the Western District of New York must appear in person.  All papers must be on file with the Clerk for at least 14 days prior to admission.  The admission fee is due on the day of the admission ceremony; please arrive at the Clerk's Office between 8:30-8:45 a.m. to pay the fee. 

See the Attorney Admissions Procedures document below for more information.

Buffalo Clerk's Office: 716-551-1700
Rochester Clerk's Office: 585-613-4000

Certificate of Good Standing from the Western District of New York

To obtain a certificate of good standing, please submit a letter request that includes a check for the appropriate fee as noted in the fee schedule (made out to the Clerk of Court) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  Requests can be mailed to either city:

Clerk of Court, WDNY
US District Court
2 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202
Clerk of Court, WDNY
US District Court
100 State Street, Rm. 2120
Rochester, NY  14614

Notice of Attorney Admission Fee Increase - Effective 12/1/2023
Effective December 1, 2023 the U.S. District Court will charge $250.00 for a standard attorney admission. The pro hac vice admission remains at the February 1, 2020 amount of $200.00.

The fee increases were adopted to address the needs of the court's pro bono program.  Should the court determine that additional pro bono funds are required, a biennial fee collection shall be instituted no earlier than January 1, 2021.  Should the fee be enacted, attorneys with offices within the jurisdiction of this court shall be charged $50 biennially.  Those with offices outside the jurisdiction of this court shall be charged $75 biennially.

Attachments:


Attorney Admission Procedures

Petition for Attorney Admission (January 2023)

Admission Sponsor Form

Attorney Oath Form

Admission Forms Package (all forms)

Civility Principles - Effective 1/1/2018

Letter from the Chief regarding Pro Bono Service

Pro Bono Volunteer Panel Form

Attorney Database & Electronic Case Filing Registration Form

Courthouse Security and Limitations on Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Note:  All attached documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF file format.  You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view these documents.  If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may get it here.