Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. Courtesy copies of motions required via email; hard copy if exhibits over 20 pages.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for sur reply. Sur-reply briefs require prior permission by letter brief.
Judge Craig M. Straw's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes table of contents and appendices. Memoranda limited to 25 pages (excluding TOC/appendices), double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman; TOC/TOA required for memos over 15 pages.
Judge Craig M. Straw's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Reply briefs are limited to 15 pages.
The rule requires letter brief. Extension requests must be made via letter brief.
The rule requires table of contents and table of authorities. Memoranda over 15 pages require table of contents and table of authorities.
Parties may contact Judge Craig M. Straw's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. In-person attendance required at settlement conferences; virtual allowed if court determines appropriate.
Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Craig M. Straw. Continuance requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the settlement conference notice.
Yes. Judge Craig M. Straw requires bundling for covered papers. One set of pre-marked trial exhibits required; provide two copies to Judge.
Extension requests must be made via letter brief.
Supplementation of proposed findings permitted at close of trial or after trial.
No specific practice on submitting jury instructions to jury.
Memoranda limited to 25 pages (excluding TOC/appendices), double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman; TOC/TOA required for memos over 15 pages.
Memoranda over 15 pages require table of contents and table of authorities.
Correspondence permitted if all counsel receive copies; letter motions sometimes allowed instead of formal motions.
Counsel may communicate with courtroom deputy/law clerks on scheduling/administrative matters only, not case merits.
Telephone conferences preferred for scheduling, extensions, and routine discovery disputes; counsel must initiate by contacting courtroom deputy.
All factual assertions in memoranda must be supported by pinpoint citations to the record.
Reply briefs are limited to 15 pages.
Sur-reply briefs require prior permission by letter brief.
Courtesy copies of motions required via email; hard copy if exhibits over 20 pages.
Discovery period typically 90-120 days, subject to extension.
Discovery disputes should be resolved without court intervention; conferences available if needed.
Settlement conference requires 5-page summary (1 week before) and updated demand/offer (4 days before).
Good faith settlement discussions required before summary; updated positions in joint letter before conference.
In-person attendance required at settlement conferences; virtual allowed if court determines appropriate.
Continuance requests for settlement conferences require compelling reasons.
Continuance requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the settlement conference notice.
Settlement conferences are mandatory and not discretionary.
Judge Straw may continue settlement discussions after the conference if needed.
Judge Straw does not conduct settlement conferences in non-jury matters.
In limine motions accepted before final pretrial conference per scheduling order.
One set of pre-marked trial exhibits required; provide two copies to Judge.
Provide only essential portions of bulky exhibits with context.
Reach agreement in advance on exhibit admission.
Submit joint proposed jury instructions with areas of agreement and objections.
Use Third Circuit Model Jury Instructions when possible.
Submit jointly prepared verdict form or special interrogatories by scheduling order deadline.
Judge encourages agreement on less than unanimous verdict.