**Chief Judge Colm F. Connolly** was appointed to the District of Delaware by President Donald Trump in 2018. He was nominated on December 20, 2017, confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2018, and assumed his judicial role on August 3, 2018. He has served as Chief Judge since 2021. Before his appointment, Judge Connolly served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Wilmington, Delaware from 1992 to 1999, and then as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware from 2001 to 2009. He also engaged in private practice in Wilmington before and after his tenure as U.S. Attorney. **Education** - Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1991 - London School of Economics, M.S., 1987 - University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1986 **Career** - Law clerk to Hon. Walter K. Stapleton, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (1991–1992) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Delaware, Wilmington, DE (1992–1999) - Private practice, Wilmington, DE (1999–2001) - U.S. Attorney, District of Delaware (2001–2009) - Private practice, Wilmington, DE (2009–2018)
**Courthouse:** J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-3555 **Chambers:** Room 4124, Unit 31 **Courtroom:** 4B **Phone:** (302) 573-6310 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Docket Clerk: (302) 573-6356 - Case Manager: (302) 573-6129 - Court Reporter: Bonnie Archer, (856) 905-5515 **Note:** Delaware is a major patent and corporate litigation court. The District of Delaware handles a disproportionately large share of the nation's patent cases and corporate disputes given Delaware's role as the leading state for corporate incorporation.
Courtesy copies are required for letters and attachments. Details: 2 copies, delivery within one hour, by hand delivery. Two courtesy copies of discovery dispute letters and attachments must be delivered to chambers within one hour of e-filing.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Details: 3 pages, response due in 48 days. Before filing a discovery dispute motion, parties must schedule a conference and file a pre-motion letter (max 3 pages) with attachments and a one-paragraph motion; opposition letters (max 3 pages) are due 48 hours before the conference; non-compliance results in denial without prejudice.
Judge Colm F. Connolly's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Opposition letters in discovery disputes are limited to 3 pages and must be filed 48 hours before the conference.
Judge Colm F. Connolly's rule states these limits: 5500 words; 8250 words; 5500 words; 2750 words. Word limits for claim construction briefs: opening brief 5,500 words, answering brief 8,250 words, reply brief 5,500 words, sur-reply brief 2,750 words.
Judge Colm F. Connolly's formatting rule includes times new roman font, 12 point type, double spacing and margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1.5 inches, right 1 inches. Hard copies must comply with formatting requirements in paragraphs 10 and 14.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Caption must include 'ANDA CASE' below the civil action number.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Plaintiff must serve a Preliminary Disclosure of Asserted Claims listing claims and statutory subsections, with a limit of ten claims per patent and 32 claims total per defendant, unless otherwise agreed.
Parties may contact Judge Colm F. Connolly's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email cfe_civil@ded.uscourts.gov. Joint Claim Construction Chart must be emailed to chambers simultaneously with filing.
Judge Colm F. Connolly's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to clerk. When filing under seal, deliver original and two copies to the Clerk; also file a redacted version.
Judge Colm F. Connolly's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Extending the joint claim construction brief deadline will presumptively result in loss of the claim construction hearing date.
Yes. Judge Colm F. Connolly requires bundling for covered papers. Motions in limine must be included in the proposed pretrial order, not filed separately; no separate briefing allowed.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Sealed documents must be filed electronically.
Caption must include 'ANDA CASE' below the civil action number.
Initial disclosures must be made within five days of the scheduling order.
Plaintiff must serve a Preliminary Disclosure of Asserted Claims listing claims and statutory subsections, with a limit of ten claims per patent and 32 claims total per defendant, unless otherwise agreed.
Noninfringement Contentions must be served within 30 days after service of Preliminary Disclosure of Asserted Claims.
Noninfringement Contentions must include a claim chart identifying claim limitations and produce supporting documents.
Invalidity Contentions must be served within 30 days after service of Preliminary Disclosure of Asserted Claims.
Invalidity Contentions must identify prior art references (max 12 per patent, 30 total), specify identification details, and explain anticipation/obviousness.
Pinpoint citations are required in all briefing, letters, and concise statements of facts; unsupported assertions will be ignored.
Proposed protective orders must include a specific paragraph regarding other proceedings.
Before filing a discovery dispute motion, parties must schedule a conference and file a pre-motion letter (max 3 pages) with attachments and a one-paragraph motion; opposition letters (max 3 pages) are due 48 hours before the conference; non-compliance results in denial without prejudice.
Opposition letters in discovery disputes are limited to 3 pages and must be filed 48 hours before the conference.
Two courtesy copies of discovery dispute letters and attachments must be delivered to chambers within one hour of e-filing.
The motion filed with the discovery dispute pre-motion letter must be no more than one paragraph.
When filing under seal, deliver original and two copies to the Clerk; also file a redacted version.
Proposed protective orders must be submitted to the Court within 10 days of this Order.
Pre-motion letter for discovery disputes must be filed 72 hours before the conference.
Opposition letter for discovery disputes must be filed 48 hours before the conference.
Sealed documents must be filed electronically.
Electronic version of sealed documents must be filed within seven days of the initial filing.
Two hard copies of letters, briefs, and supporting documents must be provided to the Court.
Exhibits and attachments must be separated by tabs and have page numbers.
Brief covers must be colored: opening blue, answering red, reply gray. Exception for motions in limine in pretrial orders.
Joint Claim Construction Chart text must be 14-point Times New Roman.
Joint Claim Construction Chart must be emailed to chambers simultaneously with filing.
A text-searchable PDF of each patent must be submitted with the Joint Claim Construction Chart.
Word limits for claim construction briefs: opening brief 5,500 words, answering brief 8,250 words, reply brief 5,500 words, sur-reply brief 2,750 words.
Claim construction briefs must use 14-point Times New Roman or similar typeface.
Each claim construction brief must include a certification of compliance with word limits.
Claim construction briefs are served on opposing counsel but not filed with the court individually.
Parties must file a Joint Claim Construction Brief by a specified deadline.