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NextGen Information


About NextGen

The Federal Judiciary developed a Next Generation (NextGen) Case Management/ Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system that allows attorneys to use the same account for both PACER and electronic filing access. Attorneys will be required to use their individual PACER login and password for access to the electronic filing system in NextGen Courts.

The District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin upgraded to NextGen on April 8th, 2019.


E-Filing with NextGen

E-Filers must do the following in order to continue e-filing:

1. Obtain your own individual PACER account or upgrade your existing individual PACER account.

2. Know your current CM/ECF Login and Password. If you do not know your current password, contact the court at 1-866-438-5410 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time).

3. Link your PACER account with CM/ECF.


Frequently Asked Questions

Most of your account information will now be updated through PACER. Your secondary email addresses, however, can be updated once you log into NextGen. Please see Maintain Your Central Sign-On Account for instructions.

  • How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?
    Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames that are at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account. Go to https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ and click on Manage My Account to upgrade your PACER account.
  • What happens to my CM/ECF account after the court transitions to NextGen?
    After the court upgrades to NextGen, you will link your current CM/ECF account to your PACER account. After the accounts are linked you will no longer use your CM/ECF username or password.
  • My law firm uses a shared PACER account. Can we continue to use that account?
    Each attorney must have an individual PACER account to use for electronic filing in NextGen. The law firm can create a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage the billing for all of the individual accounts. Staff members who share a PACER account only for research can continue to share. NOTE: The PAA will not allow access to case information.

    Information regarding PACER Administrative Accounts
    Register for a PACER Administrative Account

  • I linked my account when the Court of Appeals converted. Do I have to link my account again?
    Yes, you will need to link your PACER account to your District Court CM/ECF account before you can file in District Court.
  • I am a CJA attorney and I currently have two PACER accounts. Will I continue to need two accounts with NextGen?
    CJA Attorneys will only need one PACER account for filing and viewing in CM/ECF NextGen. If you have a separate exempt CJA account now, those exempt privileges will be added to your individual upgraded PACER account and your current exempt account will be canceled. Click here for instructions on setting up a CJA PACER account and requesting the fee exemption.
  • I already have CJA filing privileges in another NextGen court. Is there anything else I need to do?
    Panel attorneys need to contact the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or by phone at 800-676-6856. Please provide your name, PACER username, and PACER account number. Request that CJA privileges for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are added to your account.

    For additional information, please click here to view the PACER Overview for CJA Panel Attorneys.

  • How do I update the firm information and email addresses on my account?
    Most of your account information will now be updated through PACER. Your secondary email addresses, however, can be updated once you log into NextGen. Please see Maintain Your Central Sign-On Account for instructions.

NextGen Correspondence to Attorneys and Law Firms

January 24, 2019 - Mass email regarding prep for NextGen sent to active attorneys that have filed in the last three years

March 1, 2019 - Mailing regarding prep for NextGen sent to Law Firms

March 20, 2019 - Second mass email re: prep for NextGen sent to active attorneys that have filed in the last three years

March 29, 2019 - Third mass email re: prep for NextGen sent to active attorneys that have filed in the last three years

April 4, 2019 - Mass email regarding NextGen sent to CJA panel attorneys


Help

For assistance with creating a PACER account, please contact PACER at 1-800-676-6856 or visit the PACER website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/. For assistance linking your account after the court transitions to NextGen on April 8, 2019, contact the court at 1-866-438-5410 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time).