District of Columbia Chambers Communication Rules

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

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

Unresolved discovery disputes require joint contact with chambers for telephone conference

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

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

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

Source text: 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.

Ex parte communication with Judge Sullivan is prohibited.

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

All communications with Court must be in writing via motion/opposition/reply.

Source text: 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.

Ex parte communications with court and law clerks are prohibited.

Source text: 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:

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

Counsel must get Court permission before approaching witness.

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

Defendants are not permitted at bench conferences

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

Technical equipment tutorial required 5 days before trial

Source text: 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.

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

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

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

Source text: 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.

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.

Source text: (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.

New trial issues may be communicated by email to chambers.

Source text: (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.

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

Source text: (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.

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

Source text: 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.

Telephone contact with Chambers generally prohibited except for emergencies.

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

Notify clerk 5 days in advance for interpretive services.

Source text: 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.

Email address provided only for Joint Pretrial Statement submissions.

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

Telephonic proceedings require advance contact with Courtroom Deputy

Source text: 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.

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

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

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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.

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

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

Emergency phone calls to chambers require all parties on call; otherwise contact Clerk’s Office.

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

All counsel must be included in communications with chambers.

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: 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 chambers only for Court-initiated responses, procedural inquiries, emergencies, or urgent motions.

Source text: (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

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

Source text: 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.

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

Source text: (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.

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

Source text: 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.

Counsel may share preferred pronouns with Courtroom Deputy upon arrival.

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

Initial status conference scheduled within 3 weeks of arraignment.

Source text: 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:

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

Source text: 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 Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries

Source text: 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.

Counsel may contact chambers at any time to pursue settlement options

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

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

Source text: 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.

CM/ECF questions must be directed to the CM/ECF Help Line, not chambers.

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

Contact Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries.

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

Contact Court Reporter for transcript inquiries.

Source text: (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

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

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

Source text: (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 Court Reporter's Office for transcript inquiries.

Source text: (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;

Jencks Act statements should be disclosed in advance of direct examination

Source text: 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 the Office of the Court Reporter for transcript inquiries.

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

Source text: 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