General:For all court conferences; appear on time and present a completed pre-trial statement. Generally promotes mediation in all circumstances.

Pre-Trials:  Law clerk conducts case management conference. Judge and law clerk conduct pre-trial and status conferences. At case management conference lead counsel required. At pre-trial lead counsel required and individual with authority to be present. Does not allow phone conferences except in extenuating circumstances. Discuss only deadlines at case management conferences.

Motion Practice: Law clerk handles filing deadlines, pending motions, discovery disputes. Must file a motion to address scheduling conflicts. Provide copies of filings to court only when matters need immediate attention. Allows oral arguments only as required by the Civil Rules. Allows reply briefs on a case-by-case basis. Does not usually allow sur reply briefs, depending on complexity of issues. Motions in limine may be written or oral and must be submitted not more than 2 week before trial.

Discovery: Requires a scheduling order. Discovery deadlines allow as much time as needed, within reason.

Settlement Conference: Holds conference 2 weeks prior to trial and when requested by counsel who feels that court intervention will facilitate settlement. Requires lead counsel, parties and individual with authority to be present. Court sometimes participates in settlement. Does not allow conferences by phone--only under extenuating circumstances.

Calendaring and Continuances: To extend discovery requires motion by party or joint motion. First continuance of trial requires motion by party with client approval. Does not allow parties to extend discovery without court approval/consent.

Trials: Exhibits and lists must be presented on the day of the trial. Trial briefs are due 7 days prior. Jury instructions are due day of trial. For video tape matters see Superintendence Rule 12. Requires filing of index of objections morning of trial. Will rule on objections to video tape morning of trial or as it comes up in trial. Allows exhibits in opening statement within reason and considering objections. Will not allow anyone but client and counsel to sit a trial table. During voir dire, no instructions of law, no promises extracted by jury, question should aim a determining who is fair and impartial. No time limit on voir dire. does not allow jurors to take notes or ask questions. Pass original around to show exhibits. Permits jurors to decide to talk to attorney after case. Requires counsel to stand to address court and witness; can stand wherever they want.

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