District of Columbia Chambers Communication Rules

Contact

Phone to chambers

Telephone contact with chambers is prohibited except for emergencies; parties must communicate via formal filings, not letters.

Except as authorized by this order, parties may not contact chambers by telephone. Parties are to communicate with the Court by written motion, opposition, reply, or notice, and not by letter. Chambers will not provide information on scheduling or the status of any pending motion or provide legal advice of any kind. If an extraordinary circumstance or emergency requires it, counsel can contact chambers jointly via telephone conference.

Contact

Email to chambers

After an unsuccessful meet-and-confer, parties must jointly email chambers to request a teleconference with a description of issues and proposed dates.

If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute after their conference, they shall jointly send an email to the Court at Ali_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov requesting a telephone conference with the Court. The email must provide a clear and concise description of the issues in dispute and shall propose dates and times for a teleconference to resolve the issues.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Parties generally may not call chambers; emergencies require a joint telephone conference call; chambers provides no legal advice.

Except as authorized in this order, the parties may not contact chambers by telephone. If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies require it, however, counsel should contact chambers jointly via telephone conference call to avoid ex parte communications. Chambers will not provide legal advice of any kind.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Parties generally prohibited from contacting chambers by phone; emergencies require joint counsel call; no legal advice provided.

Except as authorized in this order, the parties may not contact chambers by telephone. If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies so require, however, counsel may contact chambers jointly via telephone conference. Chambers will not provide legal advice of any kind.

Contact

Email to chambers

Electronic courtesy copy must be emailed to chambers; email must not be used for any other purpose.

The electronic copy shall be e-mailed to chambers not later than [Time] on [Date]. Counsel are admonished NOT to use this e-mail address for ANY other purpose, unless directed to do so by the court.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Chambers contact limited to email/letter; phone calls prohibited except for emergencies via joint conference call

Except as authorized in this order, parties may not contact chambers by telephone. Ex parte communication with the Court, including through law clerks, is prohibited. If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies so require, however, counsel may contact chambers jointly via conference call.

Contact

Hand delivery to chambers

Hand-delivered courtesy copies must go to loading dock, not directly to chambers

If hand delivered, courtesy copies should be delivered to the loading dock for screening and should not be delivered directly to chambers.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Unresolved discovery disputes require joint contact with chambers for telephone conference

If the parties are unable to resolve a discovery dispute, counsel shall contact Chambers jointly in order to arrange for a telephone conference with the Court.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3495

Chambers contact permitted only for emergencies via joint conference call; scheduling inquiries go to Courtroom Deputy via email or phone.

If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies so require, however, counsel may contact chambers jointly via conference call. Chambers will not provide legal advice of any kind. Parties may also contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Katrina Harris, at Katrina_Harris@dcd.uscourts.gov or (202) 354-3495, with scheduling inquiries about the case.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3495

For telephonic proceedings, parties must contact Courtroom Deputy at least one business day in advance.

When the Court orders proceedings to proceed telephonically, each party must contact the Courtroom Deputy at (202) 354-3495 at least one business day in advance to make arrangements to appear.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel must contact chambers jointly to arrange telephone conference for unresolved discovery disputes.

If the parties are unable to resolve a discovery dispute, counsel shall contact Chambers jointly in order to arrange for a telephone conference with the Court.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Ex parte communications prohibited except for scheduling; parties must contact Chambers jointly via conference call.

The parties should endeavor to keep communications with Chambers to a minimum. Ex parte communications on matters other than scheduling are strictly prohibited; if the parties need to contact Chambers, it must be done jointly pursuant to a conference call arranged by the parties.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Ex parte communications, including ex parte telephone calls to chambers, are prohibited.

Ex parte communication with Judge Sullivan – either directly or through his law clerks – is inappropriate. Chambers does not accept ex parte telephone calls.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Parties may not use telephone calls to communicate with the Court about pending-matter status, scheduling, or order clarification.

Parties are to communicate with the Court in writing by motion, opposition, and reply; not by letter or telephone call. This includes, but is not limited to, inquiries regarding the status or scheduling of any pending matter, or inquiries regarding the clarification of Court Orders.

Contact

Fax to chambers

Documents may not be faxed to chambers unless the Court expressly requests them.

Documents may not be sent via facsimile or email to chambers unless expressly requested by the Court.

Contact

Email to chambers

Ex parte communications with court and law clerks are prohibited.

Ex parte communications with the Court and its law clerks are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Counsel shall not contact the Court or chambers except as follows:

Contact

Other

Counsel must refrain from extrajudicial statements likely to have materially prejudicial effect on the case.

Counsel must refrain from releasing or authorizing the release of information or opinions that a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of public communication if such disseminations are “substantially likely to have a materially prejudicial effect” on this case.

Contact

Other

In widely publicized cases, parties and witnesses must refrain from prejudicial extrajudicial statements.

Should this case be widely publicized or sensationalized, parties, witnesses, and counsel must refrain from making extrajudicial statements that are “substantially likely to have a materially prejudicial effect” on this case.

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Counsel must immediately notify Court when unrepresented witness has Fifth Amendment conflict.

As soon as counsel become aware that a potential, unrepresented witness has a Fifth Amendment conflict, counsel shall immediately advise the Court of the situation, so that legal counsel can be appointed to the witness.

Contact

Verbal

Counsel must get Court permission before approaching witness.

When questioning a witness, counsel shall obtain permission from the Court before approaching the witness if, for example, counsel desire to show the witness a document, or for any other reason.

Contact

Verbal

Counsel must address Court, not opposing counsel, unless Court grants permission.

All statements by counsel must be directed to the Court and not to opposing counsel, unless permission is obtained from the Court to address opposing counsel directly.

Contact

Verbal

Counsel must get Court leave before jury procedures that risk prejudice or require pre-approval.

Counsel are reminded to secure leave from the Court before posing questions or engaging in procedures, in the presence of the jury, that carry a risk of undue prejudice, or that by law or customary procedures require judicial pre-approval.

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Parties must notify court by 7:00 AM daily of issues to be raised that day

Each party must notify the Court and the other parties in writing by no later than 7:00 a.m. each day of any issues that the party will ask the Court to resolve before or during that day of trial.

Contact

Email to chambers

Notice must be sent by fax, email, or hand delivery to chambers

The parties must send such notice to the Court and other counsel by facsimile, e-mail, or by hand delivery. Chambers' facsimile number is (202) 354-3292.

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Opposing party must respond by 8:00 AM via fax, email, or hand delivery

The opposing party must submit its response, if any, by 8:00 a.m. to the Court and to all parties. Such response must also be submitted by facsimile, e-mail, or hand delivery.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Defendants are not permitted at bench conferences

The presence of a defendant at the bench during a bench conference will not be permitted.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Technical equipment tutorial required 5 days before trial

Counsel who intend to use the technical equipment in the courtroom shall schedule a tutorial regarding the use of such equipment with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk no later than five (5) days before trial begins, unless they are already familiar with the equipment.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Ex parte communications with the Court and law clerks are prohibited unless specifically allowed.

Ex parte communications with the Court and its law clerks are inappropriate and will not be tolerated, unless otherwise specified herein.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3290

Contact chambers only when Court initiates, for procedural inquiries, emergencies, or urgent unresolved motions.

counsel may contact chambers, at (202) 354-3290, if: (1) the Court first initiates contact with counsel and a response is requested; (2) counsel have an inquiry that is strictly procedural in nature; (3) counsel need to inform the Court of an actual emergency; or (4) counsel are inquiring about an unresolved motion that requires immediate attention.

Contact

Letter fax to chambers

New trial issues must be communicated to Court and parties by 7:00 a.m. via fax, email, or hand delivery; responses due by 8:00 a.m. same day.

(h) New Issues Needing Court Rulings: Each party must notify the Court and the other parties in writing by no later than 7:00 a.m. each day of any issues that the party will ask the Court to resolve before or during that day of trial. (The parties are highly encouraged to submit these objections and responses on the evening preceding the next trial day whenever possible.) The parties must send such notice to the Court and other counsel by facsimile, e-mail, or by hand delivery. Chambers' facsimile number is (202) 354-3292. The opposing party must submit its response, if any, by 8:00 a.m. to the Court and to all parties. Such response must also be submitted by facsimile, e-mail, or hand delivery.

Contact

Email to chambers

New trial issues may be communicated by email to chambers.

(h) New Issues Needing Court Rulings: Each party must notify the Court and the other parties in writing by no later than 7:00 a.m. each day of any issues that the party will ask the Court to resolve before or during that day of trial. (The parties are highly encouraged to submit these objections and responses on the evening preceding the next trial day whenever possible.) The parties must send such notice to the Court and other counsel by facsimile, e-mail, or by hand delivery.

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Trial issue responses must be sent to chambers by hand delivery.

(h) New Issues Needing Court Rulings: ... The opposing party must submit its response, if any, by 8:00 a.m. to the Court and to all parties. Such response must also be submitted by facsimile, e-mail, or hand delivery.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Counsel must be available on 20 minutes notice during jury deliberations and provide telephone numbers if not remaining near courtroom.

Throughout jury deliberations, counsel must be available on twenty (20) minutes notice in order for the Court to respond expeditiously to any jury notes or a verdict. Counsel who choose not to remain in the immediate vicinity of the courtroom must provide the Courtroom Deputy Clerk with their telephone numbers.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

202-870-2867

Scheduling inquiries must be directed to the Courtroom Deputy Supervisor by phone, not to chambers directly.

If counsel nevertheless needs to make a scheduling-related inquiry, they shall call the Courtroom Deputy Supervisor (202-870-2867), who will forward the inquiry to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk covering Judge Ali’s chambers.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Telephone contact with Chambers generally prohibited except for emergencies.

Except as authorized in this Order, the parties may not contact Chambers by telephone. If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies so require, however, counsel may contact Chambers jointly via telephone conference. Chambers will not provide legal advice of any kind.

Contact

Email to clerk

Counsel must notify the Courtroom Deputy at least 5 days in advance if interpretive services are needed.

Counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy, Chashawn White (Chashawn_White@dcd.uscourts.gov), at least five days in advance of any status conference, motions hearing, plea or trial if the defendant or any witness will require interpretative services provided by the Court.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Chambers may only be contacted by telephone for emergencies, jointly by counsel.

Except as authorized in this order, the parties may not contact chambers by telephone. If extraordinary circumstances or emergencies require it, however, counsel should contact chambers jointly via telephone conference call to avoid ex parte communications. Chambers will not provide legal advice of any kind.

Contact

Email to clerk

Notify clerk 5 days in advance for interpretive services.

Counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Chashawn White (Chashawn_White@dcd.uscourts.gov), at least five days in advance of any status conference, motions hearing, plea or trial if the defendant or any witness will require interpretative services provided by the Court.

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Parties and attorneys must not direct correspondence or papers directly to a judge unless requested.

Except when requested by a judge, correspondence shall not be directed by the parties or their attorneys to a judge, nor shall papers be left with or mailed to a judge for filing.

Contact

Email to clerk

Filers must immediately notify Clerk's Office by email or telephone of technical problems, followed by written confirmation.

A filer encountering technical problems with a CM/ECF filing shall immediately notify the Clerk's Office of the problem either by email or by telephone, followed promptly by written confirmation.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel must telephone the courtroom deputy in advance if unexpectedly late or absent, stating the reason and nature of conflict.

If counsel cannot avoid being unexpectedly late for, or absent from any scheduled appearance before any judge, they shall in advance of the scheduled appearance notify by telephone the judge's courtroom deputy of that fact, the reason therefore and the nature and duration of the conflicting engagements.

Contact

Phone to clerk

For emergency TRO applications outside business hours, notify the Clerk during business hours if possible.

If an application for a temporary restraining order is to be made to a judge outside regular business hours, the party seeking relief shall, if possible, notify the Clerk of such a forthcoming application during business hours so that proper arrangements can be made to handle the matter.

Contact

Email to clerk

Filers with technical e-filing problems must immediately notify Clerk's Office by email or telephone, followed by written confirmation.

A filer encountering technical problems with a CM/ECF filing shall immediately notify the Clerk’s Office of the problem either by email or by telephone, followed promptly by written confirmation.

Contact

Email to chambers

Email address provided only for Joint Pretrial Statement submissions.

Counsel are admonished NOT to use this e-mail address for ANY other purpose, unless directed to do so by the court.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3495

Telephonic proceedings require advance contact with Courtroom Deputy

When the Court orders proceedings to proceed telephonically, each party must contact the Courtroom Deputy at (202) 354-3495 at least one business day in advance to make arrangements to appear.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Emergency telephone contact with chambers is allowed only when all counsel and pro se parties are on the call.

In an extraordinary circumstance or actual emergency, counsel may contact chambers via telephone only if all counsel/pro se parties are on the call.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3364

If all parties cannot join an emergency call, parties must call the Courtroom Deputy Clerk at the listed number (or his substitute).

If all parties are not on the call in such a circumstance, the parties shall contact Mr. Mark Coates, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, at (202) 354-3364, or if he is unavailable, the staff person in the Clerk’s Office designated as his substitute.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3364

When that circumstance arises, parties must call the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (or designated substitute) for instructions.

In that circumstance, the parties shall contact Mr. Mark Coates, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, at (202) 354-3364, or if he is unavailable, the staff person in the Clerk’s Office designated as his substitute, for instructions.

Contact

Phone to intake unit

Phone

(202) 354-3190

CM/ECF questions must be directed to the CM/ECF Help Line rather than Chambers.

Chambers does not assist with questions regarding CM/ECF; inquiries shall be directed to the CM/ECF Help Line at (202) 354-3190.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3190

CM/ECF questions must go to the CM/ECF Help Line, not Chambers.

Chambers does not assist with questions regarding CM/ECF; inquiries shall be directed to the CM/ECF Help Line at (202) 354-3190.

Contact

Phone to chambers

All counsel must be included in communications with chambers.

Any contact by counsel should include counsel for all parties. Failure to comply with this provision will be viewed with extreme disfavor by the Court.

Contact

Email to chambers

Minimize communications with chambers; ex parte communications prohibited except as specified.

Counsel should endeavor to keep communications with chambers to a minimum. Ex parte communications with the Court and its law clerks are inappropriate and will not be tolerated, unless otherwise specified herein. Counsel shall not contact the Court or chambers,

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3290

Contact chambers only for Court-initiated responses, procedural inquiries, emergencies, or urgent motions.

(c) counsel may contact chambers, at (202) 354-3290, if: (1) the Court first initiates contact with counsel and a response is requested; (2) counsel have an inquiry that is strictly procedural in nature3; (3) counsel need to inform the Court of an actual emergency; or (4) counsel are inquiring about an unresolved motion that requires immediate attention.4

Contact

Phone to chambers

Status inquiries about motions are only for reminders, not discussion of merits.

Such contact should only serve as a reminder to chambers that a motion requires immediate attention. Chambers will not comment on the merits of the pending motion.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Technical equipment tutorial must be scheduled with Courtroom Deputy Clerk at least 5 days before trial.

(n) Technical Equipment: Counsel who intend to use the technical equipment in the courtroom shall schedule a tutorial regarding the use of such equipment with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk no later than five (5) days before trial begins, unless they are already familiar with the equipment. ... Questions concerning the use of all technical equipment should be directed to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk.

Contact

Email

Phone

(202) 354-3166

Questions about restricted document procedures should be directed to the Clerk's Office via email or phone.

Any questions about the filing of and access to restricted documents should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at ecf_login@dcd.uscourts.gov or (202) 354-3166.

Contact

Oral argument

Court may reference Red Sox history during oral argument; Game 6 of 1986 World Series is prohibited.

The Court understands that, for reasons passing understanding, not all counsel are fans of the Boston Red Sox. Counsel should be aware, however, that the Court may reference key moments in Red Sox history during oral argument. References may include: (a) Dave Roberts’s steal; (b) Carlton Fisk’s walk-off homerun; (c) Ted Williams’s final at-bat; 3 and, inter alia, (d) David Ortiz’s “this is our [bleep] city” speech. Any reference to Game 6 of the 1986 World Series is strictly prohibited.

Contact

In person

Counsel may share preferred pronouns with Courtroom Deputy upon arrival.

Upon arrival to the courtroom, counsel may share their preferred pronouns with the Courtroom Deputy.

Contact

Email to chambers

Submit Joint Pretrial Statement by email to Reyes_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov.

The parties shall also submit an electronic copy of the Joint Pretrial Statement in Microsoft Word format, including attachments and exhibits thereto, by email to Reyes_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Initial status conference scheduled within 3 weeks of arraignment.

As early as the initial status conference, which will be scheduled within three weeks following the arraignment, counsel should be prepared to discuss the following issues relevant to the progress of the case:

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties must jointly submit via email to chambers a description of discovery disputes before scheduling a telephone conference.

If counsel are unable to resolve the dispute, they must first JOINTLY submit, via email to chambers, a clear, concise description of the issues in dispute, each party's position on the disputed issues, and the parties' joint availability for an on-the-record telephone conference.

Contact

Email to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3495

Contact Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries

Parties may also contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Katrina Harris, at Katrina_Harris@dcd.uscourts.gov or (202) 354-3495, with scheduling inquiries about the case.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel may contact chambers at any time to pursue settlement options

If counsel are interested in pursuing these options, they may contact Chambers at any time.

Contact

Email to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3495

Scheduling inquiries must be directed to Courtroom Deputy Clerk via email or phone.

Parties may also contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Katrina Harris, at Katrina_Harris@dcd.uscourts.gov or (202) 354-3495, with scheduling inquiries about the case.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3364

If the Court requests documents, parties must contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk for instructions.

In that circumstance, the parties shall contact Mr. Mark Coates, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, at (202) 354-3364, or if he is unavailable, the staff person in the Clerk’s Office designated as his substitute, for instructions.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3049

Contact Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries.

(a) counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Andriea Hill, at (202) 354-3049, with appropriate scheduling inquiries about the case;

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3044

Contact Court Reporter for transcript inquiries.

(b) counsel may contact the Office of the Court Reporter at (202) 354-3044 with inquiries regarding transcripts for in-court, or otherwise transcribed, proceedings; and

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3290

Chambers may be contacted for procedural inquiries, emergencies, or motions pending over 9 months.

(c) counsel may contact chambers, at (202) 354-3290, if: (1) the Court first initiates contact with counsel and a response is requested; (2) counsel have an inquiry that is strictly procedural in nature; (3) counsel need to inform the Court of an actual emergency; or (4) counsel are inquiring about an unresolved motion that has been pending for more than nine (9) months.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(202) 354-3049

Contact Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling or interpreter requests (10 days advance notice required).

(a) counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Andriea Hill, at (202) 354- 3049: (1) with appropriate scheduling inquiries about the case, or (2) to notify her that the defendant and/or any witnesses will require interpretive services provided by the Court—this must be done at least ten (10) days in advance of the relevant court proceeding;

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3044

Contact Court Reporter's Office for transcript inquiries.

(b) counsel may contact the Office of the Court Reporter at (202) 354-3044 with inquiries regarding transcripts of in-court, or otherwise transcribed, proceedings;

Contact

Letter ecf to chambers

Jencks Act statements should be disclosed in advance of direct examination

Government and defense counsel are encouraged to disclose Jencks Act statements to opposing counsel sufficiently in advance of a witness's direct examination so as to give opposing counsel the opportunity to review it and avoid the necessity of a recess after the completion of the witness's direct testimony.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3044

Contact the Office of the Court Reporter for transcript inquiries.

counsel may contact the Office of the Court Reporter at (202) 354-3044 with inquiries regarding transcripts of in-court, or otherwise transcribed, proceedings

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(202) 354-3049

Contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries or to request interpretive services at least 10 days before proceedings.

counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Andriea Hill, at (202) 354-3049: (1) with appropriate scheduling inquiries about the case, or (2) to notify her that the defendant and/or any witnesses will require interpretive services provided by the Court—this must be done at least ten (10) days in advance of the relevant court proceeding