Judge Jamel K. Semper
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 2 copies
Binding: Spiral
Document Format Requirements2 rules
The materials should also be sent to the Court on a disc in Microsoft Word format.
DOCX
Submissions should be tabbed and spiral bound (not Velo-bound).
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
Each side shall submit to the Court and opposing counsel a trial brief or memorandum in accordance with Local Civil Rule 7.2 with citation to authorities and arguments in support of its position on all disputed issues of law.
DocumentTrial Brief
Parties must prepare a joint trial exhibit list with three columns and three copies of a bench book with pre-marked exhibits.
The parties shall prepare a joint trial exhibit list containing a description of all exhibits. The list shall be divided into three columns: the first column will identify the exhibit; the second column will state the opponent's objection and contain a short statement citing the relevant rule and/or concept that supports the objection; the third column will contain the proponent's rationale for admissibility. The exhibits themselves are to be pre-marked and must include exhibit stickers. Additionally, the parties must prepare three copies of the bench book containing the exhibits that they expect to use.
DocumentJoint Trial Exhibit List
Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be submitted within one week of trial close with evidence references.
Following a non-jury trial, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be submitted to the Court within one week of the close of trial (or as otherwise ordered by the Court). Submitting litigants must include specific reference to testimonial or documentary evidence in support of the proposals.
DocumentProposed Findings Conclusions
Amendments to the pretrial order require good cause; the Court may schedule conferences as needed.
AMENDMENTS TO THIS PRETRIAL ORDER WILL GENERALLY NOT BE PERMITTED ABSENT GOOD CAUSE SHOWN. THE COURT MAY FROM TIME TO TIME SCHEDULE CONFERENCES AS MAY BE REQUIRED EITHER ON ITS OWN MOTION OR AT THE REQUEST OF COUNSEL.
DocumentPretrial Order
Deposition designations and objections due 2 weeks before trial.
If a party anticipates introducing deposition testimony at trial, then such deposition designations, and any evidentiary objections thereto, must be submitted to the Court no later than two weeks before trial.
DocumentDeposition Designations
Exhibit index required 3 weeks before trial with witness identification.
At least three weeks before the start of trial, counsel for all parties must submit an exhibit index. The list must identify the witness through which each exhibit will be introduced. Counsel must also denote exhibits that will be marked for identification but not moved into evidence.
DocumentExhibit Index
Defendant must list contested facts in the pretrial order; failure results in waiver.
Defendant intends to prove the following contested facts with regard to liability: ... Proof shall be limited at trial to the contested facts set forth below. Failure to set forth any contested facts shall be deemed a waiver thereof.
DocumentPretrial Order
Only those motions listed herein will be entertained prior to trial.
DocumentPretrial Order
Plaintiff must list contested facts separately for each defendant in the pretrial order; failure results in waiver.
Plaintiff must state contested facts separately for each Defendant. Proof shall be limited at trial to the contested facts set forth below. Failure to set forth any contested facts shall be deemed a waiver thereof.
DocumentPretrial Order
Aside from those called for impeachment purposes, only the witnesses whose names and addresses are listed below will be permitted to testify at trial.
DocumentPretrial Order
Expert witnesses must be listed in the pretrial order with qualifications summary and report provided at pretrial conference; objections to qualifications must be stated in the pretrial order.
No expert or specialized lay opinion witness offering scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will be permitted to testify at trial unless listed below. A summary of the expert's qualifications and a copy of his/her report must be provided for the Court's review at the pretrial conference. Said summary shall be read into the record at the time he/she takes the stand, and no opposing counsel shall be permitted to question his/her qualifications unless the basis of the objection is set forth herein.
DocumentPretrial Order
Requests for bifurcation or phasing must be included with an explanation.
If any party intends to request phasing, bifurcation, or other procedure concerning the trial length or ordering of evidence, that party shall include any such request herein and explain the basis for the request.
DocumentBifurcation Request
Each party shall identify the names, law firms, addresses, telephone numbers (including cell phone), and email addresses for the attorneys who will try the case on behalf of that party.
DocumentTrial Counsel Identification
Each party must estimate trial hours for voir dire, openings, evidence, and closings.
Each party shall specify the number of hours that it contends is appropriate for each party for each of the following: (a) voir dire; (b) opening statements; (c) presentation of evidence for liability; (d) presentation of evidence for damages; (e) closing arguments.
DocumentTrial Length Estimate
If any hypothetical questions are to be put to an expert witness on direct examination, they shall be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel.
DocumentHypothetical Questions
Settlement after jury summons may result in jury cost assessment.
If an action is settled after the jury has been summoned or during trial, the parties are reminded that the Court is likely to assess the costs of empaneling the jury on the parties and/or their attorneys.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Pre-trial motions, including Daubert and in limine motions, must be fully briefed and filed at least 45 days before trial unless the Court orders otherwise.
ALL PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS INCLUDING DAUBERT AND IN LIMINE MOTIONS SHALL BE FULLY BRIEFED AND FILED NO LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO TRIAL or AS OTHERWISE ORDERED BY THE COURT.
Civil cases
Page 3 | 4. PENDING/CONTEMPLATED MOTIONS/TRIAL BRIEFS
These materials are due no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial (or as otherwise ordered by the Court).
These materials are due no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial (or as otherwise ordered by the Court).
Civil cases
Page 6 | 21. JURY TRIALS
The materials must be submitted no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial or as otherwise ordered by the Court
The materials must be submitted no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial or as otherwise ordered by the Court
Civil cases
Page 7 | 22. NON-JURY TRIALS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Litigants should send to Chambers two (2) courtesy copies of the following materials. Submissions should be tabbed and spiral bound (not Velo-bound). The materials should also be sent to the Court on a disc in Microsoft Word format. These materials are due no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial (or as otherwise ordered by the Court).
Litigants should send to Chambers two (2) courtesy copies of the following materials. Submissions should be tabbed and spiral bound (not Velo-bound). The materials should also be sent to the Court on a disc in Microsoft Word format. These materials are due no later than forty-five (45) days prior to trial (or as otherwise ordered by the Court).
Civil cases
Page 6 | 21. JURY TRIALS
All trial exhibits should be submitted to the Court via USB drive. The parties should also submit two hard copies of exhibits to the Court.
All trial exhibits should be submitted to the Court via USB drive. The parties should also submit two hard copies of exhibits to the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Exhibits
Filing Bundling Requirements
Joint submissions required 3 weeks before trial via USB and docket.
At least three weeks before trial, counsel for all parties must confer and submit joint versions of the items listed below both on the docket and via USB containing Word versions of the joint submissions:
Civil cases
Page 1 | Joint Submissions
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be filed 4 weeks before trial; responsive papers 3 weeks before.
Any motions in limine must be submitted to the Court at least four weeks before the start of trial. Any responsive papers shall be submitted at least three weeks before the start of trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions in Limine