Representation and Appearance

(a) Representation Requirements. A corporation, partnership, organization, or other legal entity must be represented by counsel before this court. An individual person may choose to be represented by counsel or to proceed without counsel but may not be represented by a non-member of the bar of this court. (b) Appearance.

(1) Counsel. Counsel retained prior to docketing must file an entry of appearance within fourteen (14) days after the court dockets the case, and one counsel must be designated as the “principal counsel.” Counsel retained after initial docketing must file an entry of appearance within fourteen (14) days after being retained or admitted to the court’s bar, whichever is later. All counsel must file an entry of appearance, except for government officials, who, by reason of their status as supervisors or heads of offices, may be listed on filings in their ex officio capacity. (2) Counsel Not Entering Appearances.

Except for government officials noted above, counsel who have not filed an entry of appearance will neither be listed on the case docket nor on any decision in the case. (3) Intervenor and Amicus Curiae. Counsel for each intervenor, amicus curiae, or movant must file an entry of appearance contemporaneously with the first document filed by that intervenor, amicus curiae, or movant. (4) Appearance Before Merits Panel.

Counsel seeking to appear for the first time after the case is assigned to a merits panel must file a motion for leave of court to appear. Only counsel who have filed entries of appearance may present oral argument. (5) Unrepresented Parties. Each unrepresented party must submit a notice of unrepresented person appearance within fourteen (14) days after the case is docketed or fourteen (14) days after the last remaining counsel for the party has withdrawn.

Federal Circuit Rules of Practice (December 1, 2025) (Return to Table of Contents)