Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Courtesy copies only required for voluminous exhibits or sealed cases, after email confirmation.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. CIVIL CASES

Does Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's rules set a pre-motion procedure for motions in limine. Motions in limine must be filed 10 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 10, section I. Trial Procedure

What page or word limits apply to reply brief before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Excludes caption, index, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, and certificates. Reply briefs limited to 10 pages and must be filed within 7 days of opposition brief.

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes caption, index, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, and certificates. Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; motion to exceed requires showing good cause.

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's formatting rule includes file format docx. All documents must be submitted in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. CIVIL CASES

What must be included with joint status report filings before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

The rule requires judge name and case number. Joint Rule 26(f) status report must be emailed to chambers 3 business days before Rule 16 conference

View ruleSource: page 3, section Rule 16 Conference

What must be included with pretrial conference filings before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

The rule requires client authority and lead trial counsel attendance. Lead trial counsel must attend Rule 16 conference with authority to discuss all subjects

View ruleSource: page 3, section Rule 16 Conference

How may parties contact Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Continuance requests must be submitted in writing via email only

View ruleSource: page 4, section Continuances and Extensions

How does Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl. Confidentiality/sealing orders require good cause.

View ruleSource: page 7, section 3. Confidentiality Agreements

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl?

Requests should be made at least 21 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl. The request must include reason for request, original date, and proposed new dates. Rule 26(f) meeting must occur within 21 days before Rule 16 conference

View ruleSource: page 3, section Rule 16 Conference

Does Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl require motion papers to be bundled?

No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. No Rule 16 conference or scheduling order in arbitration track cases (except de novo appeals).

View ruleSource: page 7, section F. Arbitration

Does Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one per side may address the jury.

View ruleSource: page 10, section I. Trial Procedure
Complete rules summary for Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl

All documents must be submitted in Word format.

Courtesy copies only required for voluminous exhibits or sealed cases, after email confirmation.

Joint Rule 26(f) status report must be emailed to chambers 3 business days before Rule 16 conference

Rule 26(f) meeting must occur within 21 days before Rule 16 conference

Initial disclosures must be completed 7 days before Rule 16 conference

Parties must discuss e-discovery parameters at Rule 26(f) and be prepared to address at Rule 16 conference

Lead trial counsel must attend Rule 16 conference with authority to discuss all subjects

Final pretrial conference scheduled within 10 days of trial date

Pretrial memoranda must be filed 7 days before pretrial conference

Continuance requests must be submitted in writing via email only

Court grants continuances/extensions by stipulation if discovery cutoff or trial date unaffected

Reply briefs limited to 10 pages and must be filed within 7 days of opposition brief.

Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; motion to exceed requires showing good cause.

Discovery motions limited to 5 pages, no exhibits or memorandum of law.

Final pretrial memoranda limited to 5 pages, no exhibits or legal briefs.

Confidentiality/sealing orders require good cause.

Telephone conferences allowed to resolve deposition disputes.

No Rule 16 conference or scheduling order in arbitration track cases (except de novo appeals).

All discovery must be completed before arbitration hearing.

No discovery or dispositive motions after arbitration hearing.

TRO and preliminary injunction requests will be promptly listed.

Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law required for TRO and injunction hearings.

Proposed jury instructions without citations will not be considered.

Motions in limine must be filed 10 days before trial.

Each side gets 30 minutes for voir dire in civil cases.

Opening statements limited to 30 minutes, summations to 45 minutes.

Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one per side may address the jury.

Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms due 10 days before trial.

Proposed jury instructions must be emailed to chambers.

Each proposed jury instruction must be on separate sheet, double spaced, with citations.

More Judges in Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Anita B. Brody
Senior Judge
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