General:Be on time, and if you are late call.

Pre-Trials: Judge conducts all conferences. Requires individual with authority to be present at conferences. Allows phone conferences. Discusses deadlines, merits, and settlement at case management conference. Will use mediation if counsel feels appropriate.

Motion Practice: Judge handles filing deadlines, pending motions, discovery disputes. Bailiff handles pending motions and scheduling conflicts. Staff attorney handles filing deadlines and pending motions. Counsel does not have to provide chamber with copies of filings. Rarely allows oral arguments on motions. Always allows filing of reply briefs. Never allows filing of sur reply briefs Motions in limine should be in writing and may be submitted any time after conclusion of discovery.

Discovery: Requires a scheduling order. Judge allows as much time as needed depending on complexity of case.

Settlement Conference: Holds conference when parties indicate a settlement conference would be fruitful. Usually schedules post-discovery and final pre-trial. Requires individual with settlement authority to be present at settlement. Frequently participates in settlement negotiations.

Calendaring and Continuances:  Motion by party is needed for discovery extensions and first continuance of trial. Phone approval may also be allowed if parties mutually agree to discovery extension. Allows parties to extend discover without court consent if no previously set court dates are affected.

Trials: Should provide court with exhibit lists morning of trial. Should file pre-trial statements, trial brief and jury instructions 7 days before trial. Should file index of objections before trial begins. Court will rule on objections before trial begins. Allows exhibits in opening statement. Allows others to sit at trial table besides client and counsel. Judge conducts general questions and then lets attorney inquire. No time limit on voir dire. Allows jurors to take notes in long, complex cases, considering allowing notes by 4/12 panelists each day, thus 8/12 will listen to testimony and 4/12 will take notes and jurors duties will rotate. Not allow jurors to ask question during trial. Prefers use of blow-ups and overhead projectors for showing of exhibits. Would prefer jury instructions on disk using Word. Permits jurors talk to attorney after close of case. Requires counsel to stand while addressing court and witness; can stand wherever they want.

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