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I'm going to get sworn into federal court soon - should I bring my parents/do people do that? I just checked with chambers and guests are allowed, but she noted that the swearing in occurs very quickly. Thanks!

No.

Please don't

I'm curious about this as well. I would assume that alcohol is not allowed, but would it be acceptable to bring a cake and have for family to celebrate with in the hallway?

I think you should bring your family. Why not? Just be sure to take a selfie with the Judge + your family afterwards.

Thanks to all you kind souls. Selfie with the family + judge, followed by cake it is.

For my state swearing in, I had some family there. Fed is just a quick formality. We got it over with, paid the fee and left.

I can't tell if you're being serious about the cake and the selfie. Don't do either.

Federal Court Admin day is usually well after your state bar admin day. Its not as formal of a process. At mine, no one had family present (just yourself and your sponsor). I don't think inviting family is wrong, but don't celebrate there. Go grab a quick bite to eat afterward. Just my two cents.

Why don't I even remember being sworn in? Am I having memory loss? All I remember is getting some card in the mail and having an assistant who is also a notary notarize it for me, and then I think they just mailed it in. I am fairly certain I never went to a ceremony or anything like that.

Nearly everyone had family at my state swearing in ceremony. I had my SO come so we could get lunch afterwards since it was a good excuse to take time away from the office.

reasonable_man wrote:I can't tell if you're being serious about the cake and the selfie. Don't do either.

Federal Court Admin day is usually well after your state bar admin day. Its not as formal of a process. At mine, no one had family present (just yourself and your sponsor). I don't think inviting family is wrong, but don't celebrate there. Go grab a quick bite to eat afterward. Just my two cents.

Thanks! How long did the actual swearing in take?

No one had family at mine either, but it's really up to you. If that's what you want, there's no reason not to do so. But I would second that you should celebrate elsewhere.

I think the judge was in the room for about 15 to 20 minutes at mine because there were a good number of people. The judge called everyone up one at a time. My sponsor stated where she went to law school, where she worked, and the practice area. I did the same. We sat down. After everyone went, the judge did a little speech and the swearing in. The whole process took under an hour including time waiting for the ceremony beforehand, the ceremony, and paperwork.

MissLucky wrote:

reasonable_man wrote:I can't tell if you're being serious about the cake and the selfie. Don't do either.

Federal Court Admin day is usually well after your state bar admin day. Its not as formal of a process. At mine, no one had family present (just yourself and your sponsor). I don't think inviting family is wrong, but don't celebrate there. Go grab a quick bite to eat afterward. Just my two cents.

Thanks! How long did the actual swearing in take?

At most a half hour. Judge made a nice little speech and we were on our way. Granted this was a bunch of years ago now - but I can't imagine it has changed all that much.