CM/ECF Is Outdated So Get Ready for the 9th Circuit’s ACMS, with Susan Gelmis

The California Appellate Law Podcast

Have you ever had trouble e-file something and had someone tell you to try a different web browser? When it comes to the CM/ECF system used by federal courts, that problem has to do with aging technology reliant on “java” plugins, which have security problems. Susan Gelmis, the Chief Deputy Clerk for Operations, explains why the 9th Circuit is leaving the CM/ECF system, in favor of a new, more secure, and fully web-based (not plugin-reliant) system called the Appellant Case Management System, or ACMS.

The 9th Circuit is also saying goodbye to remote oral arguments. Starting January 2024, all oral arguments will be in-person, unless you make a showing of hardship.

Want meaningful work and oral argument experience? Apply to the 9th Circuit Pro Bono Program.

We discuss other 9th Circuit inside baseball, like hyperlinked briefs.

Susan Gelmis’s LinkedIn profile.

Appellate Specialist Jeff Lewis' biography, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter feed.

Appellate Specialist Tim Kowal's biography, LinkedIn profile, Twitter feed, and YouTube page.

Sign up for Not To Be Published, Tim Kowal’s weekly legal update, or view his blog of recent cases.

The California Appellate Law Podcast thanks Casetext for sponsoring the podcast. Listeners receive a discount on Casetext Basic Research at casetext.com/CALP. The co-hosts, Jeff and Tim, were also invited to try Casetext’s newest technology, CoCounsel, the world’s first AI legal assistant. You can discover CoCounsel for yourself with a demo and free trial at casetext.com/CoCounsel.

Other items discussed in the episode:

• Here is the link to the efiling in ACMS page that has information and instructions and training videos about the new system https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/efiling/acms/
• Administrative Order Regarding ACMS: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/general/2023/06/16/Admin-order-final-June-2023.pdf
• ACMS Portal: https://ca9-portal.powerappsportals.us/
• Oral Argument Protocols here.
• Here is a link to information about the pro bono program: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/probono/
• Videos from this episode will be posted at Tim Kowal’s YouTube channel.