(a) At the commencement of the action, counsel shall prepare and file the civil cover sheet,
Form JS 44, along with the complaint. When filing a patent, trademark, or copyright case,
counsel is also responsible for electronically filing an AO Form 120 or 121 using the event
Notice of Filing of Patent/Trademark Form (AO 120) or Notice of Filing of Copyright
Form (AO 121).
If service of summons is not waived, the plaintiff must prepare and submit a summons to
the clerk for each defendant to be served with a copy of the complaint. Unless exempt
from electronic filing under Local Rule CV-5(a), the plaintiff must submit the summons
by uploading it to the Electronic Filing System using the Request for Clerk to Issue
Document event.
(b) Electronic Filing of Complaints. Attorneys must electronically file a civil complaint
upon opening a civil case in CM/ECF.
(c) On the complaint, all litigants shall type or print all party names contained in the case
caption with the accurate capitalization and spacing for each party (e.g., Martha
vanDerkloot, James De Borne). This procedure seeks to ensure that accurate computer
party name searches can later be performed.
(d) Service of civil process shall not be executed by the United States Marshal except for
government initiated process, extraordinary writ, or when ordered to do so by a judge. The
party requesting service is responsible for preparing all process forms to be supplied by
the clerk. When process is to be served by the United States Marshal, the party seeking
service shall complete the required U.S. Marshal Form 285.
