Overview
The Clerk’s Office supports the D.C. Court of Appeals by managing operational and administrative functions. Some of those functions include:
- Receiving all filings and maintaining the dockets and files for all cases filed in the Court of Appeals.
- Arranging the scheduling of cases for argument or submission without argument (called “calendaring”).
- Coordinating the issuance of opinions, decisional orders and judgments
- Coordinating the processing of petitions for rehearing and petitions for rehearing en banc by the court.
- Coordinating the appointment of and payment to attorneys appointed under the Criminal Justice Act and Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect programs to represent indigent parties with appeals in this court.
- Processing applications for admission to the Bar and requests to investigate complaints of the unauthorized practice of law.
- Monitoring motions made by attorneys who are not members of the bar of this court for permission to appear before the court regarding a particular matter or case (called pro hac vice admission).
- Managing the budget and facilities of the court.
- Overseeing the contracting and purchasing for the court.
Clerk's Office Divisions
The Clerk’s Office of the Court of Appeals is divided into four components: Public Office, Case Management, Committees on Admissions and the Unauthorized Practice of Law, and Internal/Administrative staff. Functionally, these components are involved in three major activities: case processing, Bar admissions and unauthorized practice of law matters, and court administration.
Public Office
The Public Office receives incoming documents, dockets pleadings, maintains official case files, receives and answers public inquiries, provides internal mail service, and supports courtroom operations.
Case Management
Case Management oversees the processing of cases prior to calendaring for argument or submission without argument. This division processes motions matters, issues briefing schedules, monitors deadlines, and those matters expedited by order of the court. Attorneys in the division provide legal analyses and recommended dispositions for substantive motions, emergency matters, and matters brought under the court's original and discretionary jurisdictions.
Committees on Admissions and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
The staff of the Committees on Admissions and the Unauthorized Practice of Law administers the Bar examination. They process applications for admission to the Bar by examination and motion, applications for authorization to practice as special legal consultants. They also collect admission fees and provide staff support for the investigation of complaints against unauthorized persons practicing law.
Internal/Administrative Staff
The Internal staff schedules cases, issues opinions, and processes petitions for rehearing/rehearing en banc. They are also responsible for budget and accounting, personnel, information technology, telecommunications, library, procurement, and facilities management services for the court.