Judge Chad F. Kenney
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (Exhibits, Witness List)
Required
Filings (Appellate Brief)
Required
Filings (All filings)
Upon Request • Binding: Three Ring Binder
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Proposed Rescheduled Date
- 3Adversary Position
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Number Of Previous Requests
- 3Adversary Position
- 4Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Discovery Completed
- 3Remaining Discovery
- 4Reasons For Delay
Communication
Chambers
Letter Ecf
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Chambers
In Person
Chambers
Virtual
Chambers
Clerk
Detailed Drafting Rules
Contact Judge Kenney's Deputy Clerk for civil and criminal case communications.
Communications and correspondence regarding civil and criminal cases should be directed to Judge Kenney’s Deputy Clerk, Shelli L. MacElderry, at telephone number (267) 299-7541 or email address Chambers_of_Judge_Chad_F_Kenney@paed.uscourts.gov.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Notify other counsel before contacting chambers and copy chambers on emails.
Any contact should only come after notifying other counsel of the intent to reach out to Chambers. Emails with any Chambers personnel should copy the Chambers email address.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requirednotify_other_counsel
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers only for specific non-substantive matters.
Parties should not email Chambers on substantive matters. Parties may contact Chambers via email in the following situations:
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers when specifically requested by the court.
(1) When counsel are specifically requested by the Court to communicate some information by letter or email or in response to same by the Court;
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers for uncontested Rule 16 continuance requests not affecting later deadlines.
(2) When there is an uncontested request for a continuance of the Rule 16 Scheduling Order deadlines not affecting the summary judgment date and dates thereafter including trial;
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers for personal matters affecting counsel's participation.
(3) When the participation of counsel in the case is expected to be affected by a personal matter concerning counsel, a party, a witness, or counsel’s immediate family, such as medical problems, vacation plans, or other similarly personal problems or questions;
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers for stipulated proposals requiring court approval.
(4) When the parties seek Court approval of stipulated proposals (which should include a signature and date line so that Judge Kenney can indicate his approval prior to filing on the docket);
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Email chambers for remaining administrative or scheduling questions.
(5) When the parties have remaining administrative or scheduling questions after
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Communications must be filed as pleadings/motions, not letters/emails without authorization
All other communications with the Court concerning any case assigned to Judge Kenney's calendar should be made by the filing of a pleading, motion or other filing provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure or the Local Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure. Do not write letters or emails to the Court that are properly the subject of these filings unless given authorization. The Court does not do litigation by letter.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredauthorization
- Status Inquiries
Telephone communications allowed for last-minute developments
When a written communication concerning a case cannot timely address a last-minute development, counsel may initiate necessary telephone communications with Chambers.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursunspecified
- Status Inquiries
No advocacy during administrative contact with chambers staff
Counsel should not seek to engage in advocacy during any administrative contact with Chambers staff. It is presumed that all counsel are aware of any communication made with Chambers and have been copied on any emails or other correspondence.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredall_counsel_copied
- Status Inquiries
Public documents via ECF, sealed documents via email to clerk
Counsel are required to file all attorney documents directly by using the court's Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system or with the Office of the Clerk of Court. If counsel file public documents, then counsel shall submit and upload the documents directly to the case docket by using ECF. If counsel file sealed documents, then counsel must submit the sealed documents, and a motion to impound, to the Office of the Clerk of Court via email at ECF_Documents@paed.uscourts.gov.
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Requiredsealed_documents_only
- Status Inquiries
Chambers staff will not copy, scan, print, file, or serve documents
SHALL NOT rely upon or expect any member of chambers staff to copy, scan, print, file, or serve any attorney documents or submissions, before or after any court proceeding.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredchambers_staff_will_not_provide_services
- Status Inquiries
Attorneys must maintain current contact information in ECF
Lastly, the attorneys of record are reminded to maintain current contact information in their respective ECF user accounts. All attorney contact information displayed on the docket must be updated as needed.
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Requiredcurrent_contact_information_required
- Status Inquiries
Telephone conferences require motion filing, letter motions not accepted
The Court will on occasion hold telephone conferences to resolve scheduling matters or discovery disputes. A motion explaining the dispute and requesting a phone conference should first be filed on the record unless it is a dispute arising during a deposition. Letter Motions will not be accepted.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredmotion_required_for_telephone_conference
- Status Inquiries
Hearings in courtroom unless exigent circumstances allow electronic
Arguments and hearings are scheduled on a case-by-case basis as warranted. They are conducted in the courtroom unless there are exigent circumstances that allow for them to be conducted electronically.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredexigent_circumstances_required_for_electronic_hearings
- Status Inquiries
Pro hac vice applications require fee at filing, local counsel remains responsible
To be admitted pro hac vice, local counsel of record should submit the 'Attorney Admission Application (Pro Hac Vice)' available at http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents2/forms/forms-miscellaneous. The admission of out-of-the-jurisdiction counsel pro hac vice does not relieve local counsel of responsibility for the matter before the Court. If the admission fee is not submitted at the time the application for pro hac vice is filed on the docket, the application will be denied pending submission of payment.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Requiredfee_required_with_pro_hac_vice_application
- Status Inquiries
Briefs in support of motions are limited to 25 pages, with exceptions requiring good cause.
Any brief or memorandum filed in support of the motion must be limited to twenty-five pages. If a party requires more than twenty-five pages to explain its position to the Court, a motion to exceed the page limit should be filed, setting forth good cause for granting an exception to this rule.
Email inquiries allowed after 90 days for certain motions, 60 days for all others.
For decisions on class certification, summary judgment, motions to compel arbitration, and decisions regarding qualified immunity, counsel may send an email inquiry if the Court has not ruled on the motion within ninety days after full briefing (and argument if applicable). In all other instances, counsel may reach out and inquire after sixty days.
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursafter 90 days for class certification, summary judgment, motions to compel arbitration, qualified immunity decisions; after 60 days for all other motions
Protective order stipulations must be emailed to Chambers for approval.
Any stipulation for a protective order should be sent to Chambers via email for Court approval.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Settlement conferences typically conducted by Magistrate Judge.
Settlement may be discussed at the initial Rule 16 status conference and at any subsequent conference. In most instances, the assigned Magistrate Judge will conduct settlement conferences, and Judge Kenney will preside over all other litigation matters, including discovery issues.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must remain near courthouse during jury deliberations unless excused.
Unless excused by the Court, counsel must remain near the courthouse during jury deliberations.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Status Inquiries
Judge allows juror interviews but instructs jurors are not required to participate.
Judge Kenney will allow counsel to interview jurors but will instruct the jury that they are not required to talk to the attorneys.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Status Inquiries
Attorney documents must be filed via ECF for public documents or email to Clerk for sealed documents.
As discussed in General Matters, Counsel are required to file all attorney documents directly by using the court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system or with the Office of the Clerk of Court. If counsel file public documents, then counsel shall submit and upload the documents directly to the case docket by using ECF. If counsel file sealed documents, then counsel must submit the sealed documents, and a motion to impound, to the Office of the Clerk of Court via email at
Direct to: Clerk
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Status Inquiries
Attorneys must file their own documents directly to ECF or Clerk, not rely on chambers staff.
counsel SHALL NOT rely upon or expect chambers staff to file any attorney documents. The attorneys must file their own memoranda, motions, and other materials directly to ECF or with the Clerk of Court.
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Judge Kenney uses courtroom 11B for all proceedings unless otherwise ordered.
Judge Kenney will use courtroom 11B for all judicial proceedings, unless otherwise ordered.
Contact Method
Direct to: Chambers
All attorneys and case participants must appear in person for all court proceedings.
Consequently, all attorneys and case participants are required to appear in person for all hearings, conferences, trials, and other official court proceedings.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Remote appearance may be permitted with extenuating circumstances and good cause.
On rare occasion, Judge Kenney may permit the attorneys and other case participants to appear virtually or telephonically, provided there are extenuating circumstances and good cause is shown.
Virtual
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredgood_cause_required
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Transcript orders must be placed with the Clerk of Court's transcription department.
If any attorney, party, or other case participant would like to order a transcript, then the ordering party must contact the transcription department with the Clerk of Court.
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must contact deputy clerk to arrange technology equipment delivery.
In this instance, counsel must contact the deputy clerk in chambers and make the proper arrangements.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredat_least_24_hours
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Security clearance required for technology equipment delivery personnel.
The deputy clerk will need to provide security clearance for those individuals or firms delivering any technology systems to the courtroom.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredat_least_24_hours
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Court prefers single technology system coordinated by counsel.
The Court also prefers that counsel coordinate the operational use of one technology system.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredat_least_24_hours
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must discuss matters with opposing counsel before bringing to judge's attention.
Judge Kenney expects counsel to bring matters to his attention only after such matters have been discussed with opposing counsel.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredopposing_counsel_conference_required
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must be prepared to state opposing counsel's position when communicating with court.
When communicating with the Court, counsel shall be prepared to state the position of opposing counsel.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredopposing_counsel_position_required
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Criminal counsel must confer with assigned officers before communicating with court.
Regarding criminal matters, counsel must also confer with any assigned officer, pretrial services officer or probation officer, prior to communicating with the Court.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredofficer_conference_required
- Hoursbusiness_hours
- Status Inquiries
Court requires punctuality for all scheduled matters.
The Court insists on punctuality for all scheduled matters.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredpunctuality_required
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Mutual courtesy expected between counsel and court inside and outside courtroom.
Judge Kenney also expects mutual courtesy between counsel and the Court, both inside and outside of the courtroom.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredcourtesy_required
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must rise to address court and seek permission before approaching witnesses or bench.
During evidentiary and trial proceedings, counsel should rise to address the Court, as well as seek permission before approaching any adverse witness or the bench.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredpermission_required
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must direct comments only to court or witness, not to other counsel or jury.
Counsel will direct all comments to the Court or to the witness under examination, and not to other counsel or to the jury.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredcomments_directed_to_court_or_witness
- Hoursall
- Status Inquiries
Chambers copies must be single-sided, color if applicable, tabbed exhibits, and over 30 pages must use three-ring binder (no staples).
In the event the Court orders copies to be sent to Chambers or counsel is sending hard courtesy copies to Chambers, counsel must provide two copies which are single-sided, printed in color (if applicable), and if including exhibits - they must be appropriately tabbed/indexed. If the hard copies are over 30 pages, the copies cannot be stapled - the copies should be placed in a three-ring binder.
Upon Request Only
Do not send copies unless specifically asked by Chambers.