Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: delivery upon filing, by email. Courtesy copies must be emailed (even in multiple emails) to the chambers courtesy copy address; Dropbox, FTP, and paper submissions are prohibited.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for rule 12. Details: 5 pages. Before filing a Rule 12 motion, parties must contact opposing counsel for a substantive discussion and an opportunity to cure pleading deficiencies.
Judge Joshua D. Wolson's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 8750 words; 10 pages; 3500 words; 7 pages; 2450 words. Opening briefs are limited to 25 pages or 8,750 words (with certification); replies to 10 pages or 3,500 words; sur-replies to 7 pages or 2,450 words.
Judge Joshua D. Wolson's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Joint pleadings are subject to the same page limits as individual parties.
Judge Joshua D. Wolson's formatting rule includes 12 point type, double spacing, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, any proportionally spaced font may be used, and all footnotes must appear in the same font and font size as the body of the submission. All written submissions must be double-spaced, in at least 12-point font, with at least one-inch margins; any proportionally spaced font may be used, and footnotes must match the body font and size.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Signing the Rule 16 statement certifies review of and compliance with Judge Wolson's Policies and Procedures, including email-chambers keyword rules; non-compliant pleadings and submissions will be stricken.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. No additional submissions (brief, letter, notice, or otherwise) are permitted, except to notify the Court of subsequent binding authority.
Parties may contact Judge Joshua D. Wolson's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Judge Wolson's Policies and Procedures specify required keywords to use when emailing Chambers, which counsel and pro se parties must acknowledge.
Requests should be made at least 7 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Joshua D. Wolson. The request must include adversary position. Requests to exceed a page limit must be received at least seven days before the filing is due, emailed to Chambers with 'page limits' in the subject line, and reflect conferral with opposing counsel and state opposing counsel's position.
Yes. Judge Joshua D. Wolson requires bundling for covered papers. Multiple co-parties must file joint motions unless clear conflicts exist.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Exhibits must be submitted as separate ECF documents; a combined 'Exhibits' filing will be struck.
A fee is required for covered filings. Pro hac vice motions will be denied if no filing fee is submitted.
The case management statement must state whether the plaintiff expects to request attorneys' fees.
Parties must make a good faith effort to agree on proposed case management deadlines and must identify any disagreements and their respective positions.
The case management statement must state whether third-party discovery is anticipated and, if so, identify the likely third parties, their locations, and the discovery sought.
Lead counsel must attend the Rule 26(f) conference; otherwise, the Court will designate the attending lawyer as lead counsel.
Each party must designate one lawyer as lead counsel in the Rule 26(f) report.
The Rule 26(f) report must provide a thoughtful, specific discovery scope; default statements are not acceptable.
The Rule 26(f) report must state the parties' actual expected numbers of interrogatories and depositions rather than defaulting to FRCP limits.
The case management statement must summarize the status of discovery to date and explain why if no discovery has occurred.
The case management statement must indicate whether each party has provided written notice to its client of the obligation to preserve all relevant material, including electronic records.
Parties should use the Court's usual patent-case deadlines as the baseline when proposing case management deadlines, departing only if necessary.
The parties are expected to begin discovery before the Rule 16 conference.
Parties may consent to email service of pleadings and discovery under FRCP 5(b)(2)(E); non-consenting parties must explain their reasons.
Signing the Rule 16 statement certifies review of and compliance with Judge Wolson's Policies and Procedures, including email-chambers keyword rules; non-compliant pleadings and submissions will be stricken.
Judge Wolson's Policies and Procedures specify required keywords to use when emailing Chambers, which counsel and pro se parties must acknowledge.
Letters may be emailed to chambers only for routine matters where no opposition is anticipated or required.
Responsive letters may be submitted only at Judge Wolson's request.
Emails to Judge Wolson must include the case name and docket number in the subject line.
Multiple co-parties must file joint motions unless clear conflicts exist.
Communications about administrative or procedural matters should be directed to a Courtroom Deputy or Chambers.
Emails to Judge Wolson must use required subject line verbiage: extension requests 'request for extension'; continuance requests 'request for continuance'; proposed orders 'proposed order'; stipulations 'stipulation'; Rule 26(f) reports '26(f) report'; page-limit requests 'page limits'; deposition scheduling 'deposition scheduling'; settlement updates 'settlement status'.
Exhibits must be submitted as separate ECF documents; a combined 'Exhibits' filing will be struck.
Exhibit documents filed via ECF must have descriptive names (e.g., 'Contract,' 'Declaration of John Smith') rather than generic labels like 'Exhibit A.'
Deposition testimony and transcripts must be submitted as full-sized pages, not miniscripts.
Deposition transcript submissions should include only a cover page and relevant pages; entire transcripts should not be submitted unless fully relevant.
Parties should not attach pleadings from the case or other federal cases; instead they should cite the pleading by court, case number, and docket number.
Courtesy copies must be emailed (even in multiple emails) to the chambers courtesy copy address; Dropbox, FTP, and paper submissions are prohibited.
Courtesy copies must use the e-filed version with the CM/ECF header and be submitted as separate files with consistent names or include a coversheet identifying the corresponding CM/ECF entry.
Meet-and-confer obligations require a verbal conversation (in person, videoconference, or phone); written correspondence does not satisfy them.
Pro hac vice motions will be denied if no filing fee is submitted.
Pro hac vice counsel should use the form available on the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's website.