Author Archives: Matthew Carpenter

Attorney ECF Connection Threshold

October 24, 2022 by Matthew Carpenter
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Effective immediately, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas has implemented a threshold on its ECF website to limit the number of data retrieval attempts for a single connection. Any connection that exceeds the court’s threshold will be temporarily blocked and re-directed to an explanation page.  This action is being taken to improve the site’s stability and ensure quality service to the public. We do not anticipate that customers who are logged into our ECF site on a day-to-day basis will Continue reading →

Upgrade to CM/ECF Scheduled for the Western District of Texas

June 8, 2022 by Matthew Carpenter
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The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas will be upgrading its case management software to the Next Generation (commonly called NextGen) of ECF during the weekend of July 29-31, 2022.  Beginning Monday, August 1, 2022, attorneys will be required to log in to ECF through a PACER account to file documents.   All attorney information concerning actions to be taken are posted on the “Attorney Guidance for Access to NextGen” page. Attorneys need to obtain (or upgrade) their individual PACER accounts  To obtain a new PACER account or upgrade an existing PACER account Continue reading →

Attorney Notice: New San Antonio Courthouse Technology

November 24, 2021 by Matthew Carpenter
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San Antonio will be moving to a new courthouse for 2022 at 262 West Nueva Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. In that move, courtroom technology will be upgraded and standardized. It is critical that all attorneys be properly prepared for this change to ensure smooth proceedings. Be sure to review the detailed offerings in courtrooms for this new location. It is important to note that all courtrooms are the same. Each has the features mentioned, to include evidence presentation and viewing. This applies to both Continue reading →

San Antonio Division Attorney Pro Bono Requirements

March 24, 2021 by Matthew Carpenter
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In accordance with Part IV of the Standing Order Establishing A+, A, and B Panels for Civil Appointments in the San Antonio Division and Supplementing Amended Plan for Reimbursement of Counsel (W.D. Tex. Apr. 1, 2021), all attorneys in private practice admitted in the San Antonio Division will be placed on one of three panels for pro bono appointment in civil cases. As indicated by the Order, placement depends on each attorney’s experience, expertise, and interest in handling pro bono matters. This page allows you Continue reading →

In Memoriam – Judge Philip R. Martinez

March 1, 2021 by Matthew Carpenter
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In Memoriam Judge Philip R. Martinez July 13, 1957 – February 26, 2021 The Western District of Texas is mourning the loss of our esteemed colleague District Judge Phil R. Martinez who passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021.  Judge Martinez was a native El Pasoan and received his education at the University of Texas at El Paso and Harvard Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate.  He served as a judge on the El Paso County Court at Law #1 from 1991- 1994, Continue reading →

NOTICE OF VACANCY UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE – SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

January 26, 2021 by Matthew Carpenter
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit seeks applications from all highly qualified candidates for a 14-year appointment as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Texas at San Antonio.  The position will require regular overnight travel to other divisions within the Western District of Texas. The selection process will be confidential and competitive.  The current annual salary is $201,112.  Only those persons with a law degree whose character, experience, ability, and impartiality qualify them to serve in the Judicial Continue reading →

Modified Filing Procedures for Highly Sensitive Documents

January 7, 2021 by Matthew Carpenter
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The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has provided notice of an apparent compromise of the confidentiality of the CM/ECF system and called upon courts to implement new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents (HSDs).  We have no confirmation of direct impact to the Western District of Texas specifically at this time.  The Court has implemented procedures for submitting HSD’s the court: Order Regarding Procedures for the Filing, Service and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents – Filed on 1/13/21.

Change in Attorney Access to Presentence Reports

December 22, 2020 by Matthew Carpenter
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Affecting San Antonio, Midland, Pecos, and Alpine This announcement is for all attorneys practicing criminal law in The Western District of Texas, specifically the San Antonio, Midland, and Pecos Divisions. Beginning January 18, 2021, the U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Texas will modify the method used to disclose Pre-Sentence Reports, Addendums, and Violation Reports. You will no longer receive a notification (NEF) from CM/ECF but will instead receive an email directly from the U.S. Probation Services Office for the Western District of Continue reading →