When attorneys think of becoming admitted to practice law in the United States the first thing that comes to mind is state bar examinations. However, federal courts have their own admission criteria which is typically much less onerous than state bars. There are literally hundreds of federal courts in the United States. They include the Supreme Court of the United States, regional circuit courts of appeals, courts of subject-matter specific jurisdiction, military courts, district courts and bankruptcy courts. Admission to U.S. district cts. is determined by the local rules of each court. Some district cts. require an attorney be a member of bar of the state where the district ct. is located, while others simply require an applicant to be an active member in good standing of any U.S. state or territory bar. Federal cts. typically do not have their own examination requirements; however there are a few exceptions including the U.S. District Cts. for Puerto Rico and the Northern and Southern Districts of Florida. U.S. bankruptcy courts are typically located within each of the federal districts. In almost all districts admission to the U.S. district court allows an attorney to practice in the bankruptcy court in that district. A number of circuits have also established bankruptcy appellate panels. U.S. subject-matter specific courts include the Ct. of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Ct.of International Trade, Ct.of Federal Claims, Tax Court, Ct.of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Ct.of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Air Force Ct.of Criminal Appeals, Army Ct.of Criminal Appeals, Coast Guard Ct.of Criminal Appeals, Navy-Marine Ct.of Criminal Appeals, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Ct., Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Ct.of Review and Alien Terrorist Removal Ct.. Some of the subject-matter specific courts will even allow non-attorneys to become members of their bars. The admission process usually entails submitting an admission application, required fee and certificate of good standing from another bar where the attorney is admitted and a member in good standing. Some courts allow an applicant to submit a notarized oath of admission while others require an attorney to take the oath in person before a judge or court clerk. Some courts also require an applicant to have one or more sponsors from members of the court and may require them to make a motion for the applicant's admission in open court. Admission to a federal court is usually good for the life of the attorney, however, some courts require attorneys to periodically file forms and/or pay nominal dues to maintain their memberships. While federal courts do not have official affiliations with bar associations as many states do, there are a number of voluntary bar associations geared towards members of particular district, circuit or subject-matter specific courts. Many federal courts also have historical societies that members of the bar can join.
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