Attorneys in Wisconsin will soon have access to a more streamlined electronic filing process with the upcoming introduction of the eFiling Delegation feature on the Wisconsin Circuit Court eFiling website. The feature will enable attorneys to delegate filing responsibilities to staff members, enhancing efficiency and security.
The eFiling Delegation feature builds on existing functionality by allowing designated staff to not only prepare filings but also submit them directly to the courts, a capability previously limited to attorneys. Staff with roles such as paralegal, legal secretary, or local government worker will be eligible to access the system using their own eCourts accounts. The delegation feature will be accessible in early January.
New Access Levels for Delegated e-Filers
Attorneys will have control over the level of access granted to their staff, selecting from two options:
- File Preparation: Delegated staff can prepare documents for filing, which are then placed in the attorney’s "Ready to File" queue. Submission to the court remains restricted to attorneys.
- Full Account Access: Delegated staff can perform all eFiling actions on behalf of the attorney, including submitting documents to the courts.
To ensure flexibility and security, attorneys can update or revoke access as needed.
Streamlined Workload Management and Enhanced Security
The new feature aims to address several challenges faced by legal professionals. By delegating tasks to staff, attorneys can manage workloads more efficiently, reducing administrative bottlenecks. Additionally, the system enhances security by allowing staff to use their own login credentials, eliminating the need for attorneys to share their accounts.
Getting Started with e-Filing Delegation
Setting up delegation is designed to be straightforward. Attorneys can log in to the eFiling system, navigate to the delegation menu, and enter the email address associated with the staff member’s eCourts account. They can then specify the desired level of access. Once set up, staff members can log in and act on behalf of the attorney for assigned cases.
Detailed guides and instructional videos will be available on the Wisconsin Court System website to assist users with the setup process. For more information and resources, visit www.wicourts.gov.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov