PART III — ATTORNEYS, PARTIES, AND REPRESENTATION
Rule 19. Lead electronic counsel and additional counsel
One lead electronic counsel
Because the ECMS links one representing attorney to each party, each represented party must designate one lead electronic counsel. That attorney:
occupies the ECMS attorney-of-record field;
receives official electronic service;
maintains current contact and access;
coordinates filings and deadlines;
transmits service and orders to additional counsel and the client; and
is responsible for the party’s compliance unless the Court orders otherwise.
Additional counsel
Additional attorneys may appear by filing a Notice of Co-Counsel under the Notice or Other filing code. The notice must identify the lead electronic counsel. Unless separately added as an authorized participant by the Clerk, additional counsel may not receive portal access or automatic service; lead electronic counsel must provide it.
No unauthorized account sharing
Lead counsel may not share credentials or permit another person to file through lead counsel’s account. An authorized attorney must file through that attorney’s own authenticated account.
Responsibility not altered by drafting assistance
An attorney whose electronic signature appears on a filing is responsible for it even if another attorney, staff member, client, template, document builder, or automated tool prepared part of the document.
Multiple parties
One attorney may serve as lead electronic counsel for multiple aligned parties only if representation is lawful and the filing clearly identifies every represented party.