Your Certification Pathway
Four sequential courses building from foundational knowledge to professional certification.
1

Foundation of Federal Docketing
9 Chapters · 98 Lessons · 9 Graded Assignments
Federal court structure, jurisdiction, rule hierarchy, the role of the docket clerk, and foundational procedural concepts every court operations professional must know.
Court Structure Rule Hierarchy Captions & Docket Numbers Jurisdiction
2

Lifecycle of Civil Litigation
10 Chapters · 102 Lessons · 10 Graded Assignments
The complete civil case lifecycle from complaint through disposition. Service of process, responsive pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and post-trial procedures.
Filing & Service Discovery Motion Practice Trial & Disposition
3

Deadline Calculation in Federal Practice
8 Chapters · 66 Lessons · 8 Graded Assignments
FRCP deadline calculation, complex rule interpretation, multi-party case management, and advanced topics including MDL proceedings, sealed filings, and appeals.
FRCP Deadlines MDL & Sealed Filings Appeals
★
Docket Clerk Certification Exam
Capstone Assessment
Complete all three courses, then demonstrate mastery through the capstone exam. Successful completion earns the Docket Clerk Certification credential, verifying professional competency in federal docketing practices.
How It Works

Entirely Self-Paced
No scheduled class times. No attendance requirements. Work through the material on your own schedule. Depending on experience, completion takes anywhere from 30 days to nine months. The coursework identifies gaps and strengthens the areas that matter most.
Open-Book, Rule-First Assessment
Every assignment is open-book and judgment-driven. You are expected to reference the Federal Rules, Local Rules, and Standing Orders, exactly the way you would on the job. We grade for comprehension, reasoning, and professional judgment, not memorization.
Individualized Grading & Feedback
Every submitted assignment is reviewed and graded individually. You receive a detailed report with your score, strengths, areas for growth, and specific guidance on how to improve. This is not auto-graded multiple choice. Your work is read, evaluated, and responded to.
Built by Someone Who Did the Job
This program was designed by Kristen Gutierrez, a 20-year legal operations veteran who has held every role from court runner to managing clerk. The curriculum reflects the real decisions, real pressures, and real procedural risks that docketing professionals face every day.
Included: Federal Desktop Companion Guide
A desk reference built to sit next to your monitor, not in a drawer.
Every Beta enrollment includes a free Digital eVersion of the Federal Desktop Companion Guide at no additional cost. This is a procedural reference designed for daily use, covering rules, deadlines, court structures, and workflows in a format built for working professionals.
Digital eVersion -- Included with every Beta seat
Physical Binder -- Included with Strategic Education Partner status (3+ seats)
Individual Purchase -- Available separately for non-Beta enrollments

Bundle includes

Here are all the products that are included in your bundle.

Earn Your Credential

Managing Clerks Office™
Docket Clerk
Certification

This certifies that
[Your Name]
has demonstrated professional competency in federal court structure, procedural sequencing, rule hierarchy, deadline analysis, and risk-aware docketing practices.
Kristen Gutierrez
Founder, MCO Inc.
Date Issued
Certification Date
The Docket Clerk Certification verifies readiness for docketing and legal operations roles
across private law firms, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Start Your Certification
Federal Beta enrollment opens June 15, 2026. Complete the intake form and we will follow up personally to get you started.
Beta pricing: $2,995/seat (locks before September 15, 2026) · Standard: $3,800/seat