Beginning January 3, 2022, litigants must follow a two-step process to disclose their affiliates as provided in Amended Local Rule 3.2. The first step is old; the second step is new.

First, parties must file a Notification of Affiliates as a PDF pursuant to Amended Local Rule 3.2. Second, parties must disclose their affiliates by adding their names using a new event in CM/ECF, the Court’s electronic filing system. The new event will require litigants to manually enter the name of each corporate parent or affiliate (individually) in CM/ECF with its first appearance, pleading, petition, motion, response, or other request addressed to the court.

This new process will bolster the Court's conflict-checking measures.

Pursuant to Amended LR 3.2, any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, shall file a statement identifying all its affiliates. "Affiliate" is defined to include any entity or individual owning 5% or more of a party. Any entity or individual who owns 5% or more of any such affiliate shall also be included within the definition of "affiliate."

A party must file the statement with its first appearance, pleading, petition, motion, response, or other request addressed to the court.

Going forward, the obligation to file a statement includes both (1) the filing of a PDF file and (2) the disclosure of affiliates by entering their names through the new event in CM/ECF.

A supplement to the statement shall be filed within thirty (30) days of any change in the information reported.

Please note that this requirement applies to every civil case filed on or after January 3, 2022. This requirement does not apply to civil cases that were filed before that date.

Each designation is case-specific and does not follow a party over its record through the docketing system. For example, if Company A has 50 cases, it must follow this procedure in each case.

If you need further assistance, please consult the resources below.