General:Expects counsel to be prepared to discuss the facts of the case. Encourages use of ADR. Court complies with mandatory guidelines by Court.

Pre-Trials: Judge handles case management, pre-trial and status conferences personally. Staff attorney may fill in if Judge is in trial. All conferences prior to final pre-trial are conducted by telephone with conference call initiated by plaintiff. Persons with full settlement authority are required to be present at final pre-trial. Discusses deadlines, merits of the case and settlement during case management conferences and all pretrials.

Motion Practice: Judge handles discovery disputes and pending motions. Staff Attorney handles scheduling conflicts, filing deadlines and questions on all civil cases only. Counsel should provide chamber with copies of trial briefs, proposed jury instructions and dismissal entries. Allows oral arguments only as required by Civil Rules. Motions in Limine to be submitted in writing not less than 5 days before trial.

Discovery: Does not require a scheduling order. Will allow as much time as needed. Counsel may contact the Court, jointly, at any time if deemed necessary.

Settlement Conference: Will discuss settlement any time the parties appear before Judge. Requires lead counsel, parties, and individual with settlement authority present at final pre-trial. Court always participates in settlement. Does not allow phone participation during final pre-trail, but for extreme circumstances.

Calendaring and Continuances: Motion by party is needed for continuance of trial and extension of discovery. Need court approval for extension of discovery.

Trials: Exhibit list to court reporter morning of trial and exhibits marked prior to morning of trial. Trial briefs and jury instructions need to be filed. When using videotape advise court at conference and file list of objections to videotape as soon as practical before trial. Once objections ruled on, counsel will be notified to pick up rulings by Court. Does not allow anyone but attorney and parties to sit at trial table. Basic voir dire is done by court, the rest is done by attorneys. No time limit placed on voir dire. Only allow jurors to take notes in long or complex cases. Will not allow jurors to ask questions. May show exhibits by blow-up or overhead projector. Allow and encourage attorneys to talk with jury after case is complete. Requires counsel to stand while addressing court and witnesses in court. Requires counsel to ask permission of court prior to approaching witness or Court. All witnesses shall be addressed by formal name unless witness is your own client.

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