Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Anita B. Brody's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Anita B. Brody?

Courtesy copies are required for pretrial submissions. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Two hard copies of pretrial submissions required, single-sided, three-hole punched, unstapled.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CIVIL JURY TRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER

Does Judge Anita B. Brody require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Anita B. Brody's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Replies automatically allowed for all motions; surreplies allowed for Rule 56 motions, discouraged for others.

View ruleSource: page 3, section General Motions Practice

What page or word limits apply to brief or memorandum of law before Judge Anita B. Brody?

Judge Anita B. Brody's rule states these limits: 35 pages. Briefs and memoranda of law are limited to 35 pages unless court authorizes otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 3, section General Motions Practice

What page or word limits apply to summary judgment motion before Judge Anita B. Brody?

Judge Anita B. Brody's rule states these limits: 21 days; 10 days. 21 days to respond to summary judgment motions, 10 days for reply/surreply.

View ruleSource: page 4, section General Motions Practice

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Anita B. Brody?

Judge Anita B. Brody's formatting rule includes margins top 0.5 inches, bottom 0.5 inches, left 0.5 inches, right 0.5 inches, binding three hole punched, single sided, and do not staple. Two hard copies of all pretrial submissions required, single-sided, three-hole punched, unstapled.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Rule 7

What must be included with proposed jury instructions filings before Judge Anita B. Brody?

The rule requires notice of electronic filing. Proposed jury instructions must be emailed to law clerk in Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Rule 8

What must be included with trial exhibits filings before Judge Anita B. Brody?

The rule requires exhibit list. Two marked copies of trial exhibits and three copies of exhibit list required for chambers.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Rule 9

How may parties contact Judge Anita B. Brody's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Anita B. Brody's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Email permitted for urgent administrative matters; other matters must be motions or ECF-designated letters.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Correspondence with the Court

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Anita B. Brody?

Judge Anita B. Brody's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include proposed rescheduled date. Extension requests must include a specific revised deadline date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Continuances and Extensions

Does Judge Anita B. Brody encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Anita B. Brody's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Multiple attorneys allowed for different witnesses/legal points, but only one attorney per witness or point.

Complete rules summary for Judge Anita B. Brody

Two hard copies of all pretrial submissions required, single-sided, three-hole punched, unstapled.

Proposed jury instructions must be emailed to law clerk in Microsoft Word format.

Two marked copies of trial exhibits and three copies of exhibit list required for chambers.

Proposed verdict sheets and special interrogatories required.

Exhibits must be marked and exchanged before trial.

Extension requests must include a specific revised deadline date.

All filings must use 14-point font.

Email permitted for urgent administrative matters; other matters must be motions or ECF-designated letters.

Counsel may email or speak with law clerks about urgent administrative/scheduling matters.

Agreed scheduling issues can be handled by ECF letter or email to chambers.

Initial extension requests are generally accommodated; subsequent requests are less likely to be granted.

Continuances are unlikely once trial is set.

Joint proposed discovery plan must be submitted via ECF 3 days before initial pretrial conference.

Trial counsel must attend; all participating counsel must enter ECF appearance and file pro hac vice motions with fees before conference.

Counsel must have settlement authority and client available by phone during conference.

Briefs and memoranda of law are limited to 35 pages unless court authorizes otherwise.

Summary judgment motions must include statement of undisputed/disputed facts with record citations.

21 days to respond to summary judgment motions, 10 days for reply/surreply.

Replies automatically allowed for all motions; surreplies allowed for Rule 56 motions, discouraged for others.

Oral argument held at judge's discretion or upon counsel's request.

20 minute limit for oral arguments unless parties arrange otherwise.

Disputed exhibits must be submitted before final pretrial conference.

Pretrial memoranda required with instructions in trial scheduling order.

Separate trial memoranda required in non-jury cases addressing legal issues with citations.

Motions in limine required for anticipated issues with memoranda, addressed at final pretrial conference.

Voir dire limited to 15 questions in civil cases, initial questioning only from submitted questions.

Proposed jury instructions must be filed on ECF and emailed to law clerk in Word format.

Objections to videotaped testimony and transcript must be submitted before final pretrial conference.

Multiple attorneys allowed for different witnesses/legal points, but only one attorney per witness or point.

Note-taking by jurors permitted on case-by-case basis considering counsel or juror requests.

More Judges in Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Ashely M. Chan
Bankruptcy
Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Magistrate Judge
Caroline Goldner Cinquanto
Magistrate Judge
Catherine Henry
Judge
Chad F. Kenney
Judge
Craig M. Straw
Magistrate Judge
Cynthia M. Rufe
Senior Judge
Derek J. Baker
Bankruptcy