Fall 2026 Swearing-In Ceremonies

Fall 2026 Swearing-In Ceremonies Learn more at https://www.meckbar.org/?pg=MCBCalendar&evAction=showDetail&eid=353027 Description: 26th Judicial District Bar Swearing-In Ceremonies Thursday, October 8, 2026 9 a.m., 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. U.S. Federal Courthouse (401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202) The 26th Judicial District Bar Fall Swearing-In Ceremony offers admittees the opportunity to be sworn in with the majority of their peers in front of a judge from both State and Federal Court. Remarks are made by the presiding federal and presiding state judges, 26th JD Bar President and Mecklenburg Bar Association (MBA) President. The MBA Young Lawyers Division Chair calls the new admittees to the front in groups and each new admittee’s sponsor presents the admittee to the Bar and Bench. DATE: Thursday, October 8 GUESTS: Due to space constraints, you may have a maximum of two (2) guests. Your sponsor isn’t included in this number. TIME: You will select one of three sessions. Session 1: 9:00 a.m. Registration/Check-In: 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.; Courtroom will open at 8:45 a.m. Swearing-In Ceremony & Signing of Oaths – 9:00 a.m. Session 2: 11:00 a.m. Registration/Check-In: 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.; Courtroom will open at 10:45 a.m. Swearing-In Ceremony & Signing of Oaths – 11:00 a.m. Session 3: 2:00 p.m. Registration/Check-In: 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.; Courtroom will open at 1:45 p.m. Swearing-In Ceremony & Signing of Oaths – 2:00 p.m. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. LOCATION: U.S. Federal Courthouse (401 W. Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202). Attendees are responsible for their own parking costs. Parking is available in a number of public lots nearby. Use of parking apps like ParkMobile and SpotHero are encouraged. SPONSORING ATTORNEY: As part of the registration process, you will be asked to indicate whether you have a sponsor or need one assigned. If you are currently employed, particularly at a law firm, we kindly ask that you make every effort to secure your own sponsor. (Sponsors must be attorneys licensed to practice in North Carolina.) If you are not currently employed and unable to identify a sponsor, the Mecklenburg Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division will assign one to you. ***NC Attorneys – If you are interested in being an attorney sponsor for the Swearing-In Ceremony, fill out this form.*** If you cannot attend the scheduled ceremony, follow these instructions for being sworn in virtually through the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. Important Instructions The Court requires new attorneys and their sponsors to be dressed in appropriate court attire. Men should wear a suit and tie, and women should wear a suit, preferably neutral colors (blue, black, gray). Failure to comply with this dress code will prohibit us from allowing the new attorney and/or his sponsor to participate in the ceremony. Bring your law license or North Carolina State Bar Card with you. The Board of Law Examiners and the NC State Bar have stated that an applicant cannot be sworn in prior to receiving his or her license. You will also need to bring your driver’s license or some other government issued ID. You must have a practicing North Carolina attorney present you during the ceremony. If you do not have one, please indicate so on your registration form and arrive early so that we may provide you with one. You may bring up to 2 guests with you. Due to space and cost constraints, we are unable to make exceptions. At the Court’s request, no children under the age of 7 are allowed entrance. If you would like to be sworn into Federal Court during the Swearing-In Ceremony, visit the North Carolina Western District website and complete the Application for Admission to Practice. If you are attending the 26th JD Bar Swearing-In Ceremony, print and bring this completed form, along with the $300 fee. Please make check or money order payable to Clerk, U.S. District Court. For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions. NC State Bar Professionalism for New Attorneys Program (PNA) All active members admitted to the North Carolina State Bar effective after January 1, 2011, must complete the North Carolina State Bar Professionalism for New Admittees program in the year the member is first required to meet CLE requirements. Credit for the program will be applied to your annual mandatory continuing legal education requirements. If you were licensed in another state for five or more years at the time you were admitted to the NC Bar, you are exempt from the requirement; however, you must notify the State Bar of the exemption in the first annual report form sent to you. PNA will be held virtually on October 13 and 14, 2026. Schedule: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Location: Charles R. Jonas Federal Building (401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202) Attendees are responsible for their own parking costs. Parking is available in a number of public lots nearby. Use of parking apps like ParkMobile and SpotHero is encouraged.