Attorneys and other case participants are increasingly using third-party services (e.g., PACER Pro, DocketBird, CourtDrive, RECAP, etc.) to collect and organize case filings in matters in which they are involved. To facilitate the use of a third-party support service, an electronic filer might designate the third-party service as a secondary recipient of NEFs, or might share PACER account credentials with the service provider, thereby enabling the provider to download and manage documents on the filer’s behalf.

Sharing PACER account credentials with a third-party service provider or designating that provider as a secondary recipient of a Notice of Electronic Filing or Notice of Docket Activity (NEF/NDA) will give that third party access to restricted or sealed case information and documents, typically in violation of court order. You are urged to use caution in your computer security practices to ensure that restricted or sealed documents to which you have access are not disclosed. Fee exempt users should not share the documents they obtain from PACER under the exemption, unless expressly authorized by the court.

More information? See WSBA Advisory Opinion 201601 (Ethical Practices of the Virtual Law Office) and Electronic Filing Procedures for the Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Washington.