# Setting Up New Case Alerts

### Summary

Learn how to create a "Watch List" to monitor specific party names (like your clients or competitors) and receive notifications whenever they are named in a new lawsuit.

### Why This is Important

Setting up new case alerts provides a critical early warning system, allowing you to identify litigation upon filing rather than waiting for official service of process. This lead time is essential for proactively preparing a defense, managing reputational risk, or securing new business by reaching out to clients the moment they are sued. Ultimately, automated alerts ensure you are never blindsided by legal activity involving the parties that matter most to your work.

### Step-by-Step Guide

**Step 1: Access the Tool**

1. Navigate to the **Dashboard**.
2. In the left sidebar, click **New Case Alerts**.
3. Click the **Add Client Alerts** button.

<figure><img src="/files/C2O62hQCciVO0LuoZdqe" alt=""><figcaption><p>Use New Case Alerts to monitor for future litigation.</p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2: Define the Target** You have two options for adding names:

* **Option A: Pull Client List (Automated)**
  * Enter your Firm Name or Attorney Name.
  * Click **Pull client list**.
  * The system will analyze your past litigation history and suggest a list of clients you likely want to monitor.
* **Option B: Manual Entry (Specific)**
  * Click **Skip Step** to bypass the automated list.
  * Manually type the exact names of the companies or individuals you want to track (e.g., `Acme Corp`, `John Doe`).

**Step 3: Confirm and Configure**

1. Review the list of names to ensure accuracy.
2. Click **Add Client Alerts**.
3. Select the **Frequency** (e.g., Daily, Weekly).
4. Click **Add**.

### Refining Your Alerts

Once an alert is created, you can refine it to avoid noise (e.g., if your client has a common name).

* **Jurisdiction Filter:** Limit the alert to specific courts (e.g., "Only Federal Courts" or "Only Texas").
* **Case Type Filter:** Limit to specific types of lawsuits (e.g., "Only Patent cases").

**How to refine your alert:**

* Re-run your search by clicking the alert from your case dashboard.
* Add filters or additional keywords.
* Click **Track Search**.
* This creates a new search on your case dashboard with the updated information.
* **Delete** the old alert.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro Tip:** You can also set up alerts for **Keywords** or **Judges** by running a search and clicking **Track Search**. For example, you can set an alert for the keyword "Cryptocurrency" to stay updated on all new filings related to that topic in a specific district.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Related Articles

* [How to Track a Docket](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/tracking-and-alerts/how-to-track-a-docket.md)
* [Using the Query Builder](/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/search-and-discovery/using-the-query-builder.md)

### Need more help?

If you are receiving too many false positives (e.g., tracking a common name like "Smith"), contact Support at <support@docketalarm.com> for help setting up **Exclusion Filters**.

**What's Your Next Step?**

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