Judge Joel H. Slomsky

Counsel must discuss voir dire questions and resolve any differences before the panel is brought to the courtroom. If they cannot agree, counsel must advise the deputy clerk that the judge must rule upon the disputed issues.

Judge Slomsky does not permit speaking objections. Objections shall be made by reciting the appropriate rule number or a one word basis.

Motions in limine must be filed by the deadline set in the Scheduling Order. Judge Slomsky will usually rule upon such motions before or at the final pretrial conference.

Only one attorney for a party may examine the same witness or argue the same legal point. More than one attorney for a party may examine different witnesses or argue different legal points.

Counsel should discuss privately any evidentiary issue that may have been unanticipated. Only after they have been unable to reach agreement, should counsel bring the matter to the deputy clerk's attention at the beginning of the day or during an appropriate break when the jury is not present.

Counsel must discuss in advance of trial all objections to the presentation of videotaped testimony to resolve all conflicts. If counsel cannot resolve their disagreements, they should present any outstanding disagreements at least ten days prior to the final pretrial conference by providing a transcript of the testimony with the challenged question and answer highlighted, and a list setting forth each objection by page and line numbers and the basis for the objection.

The videotape must be edited prior to trial to eliminate pauses and speed-ups so there are no interruptions.

Counsel must be available upon fifteen (15) minutes notice during jury deliberations. As a practical matter, this means that counsel must stay in or near the courthouse. Counsel must leave their office and cell phone numbers with the deputy clerk.

After a verdict has been recorded and the jury has been discharged, counsel may interview jurors. The jurors are told that they are permitted to talk to counsel and others, if they desire, but they need not do so. Counsel shall respect the jurors' desire not to speak to them. Counsel is not permitted to disclose facts to the jury that were previously excluded by evidentiary rulings or would undermine the jury's confidence in its verdict.

Judge Slomsky will insist on punctuality and courtesy from counsel to the Court and to each other, both in the presence of the Court and otherwise. The examination of witnesses should be conducted from the lectern or from counsel table. Counsel should rise to address the Court and should seek permission of the Court before approaching witnesses or the bench. In addition, counsel will direct all comments to the Court or to the witness under examination and not to other counsel or to the jury. Counsel are reminded that their own opinions regarding facts or issues in a case are irrelevant and should not be communicated to the jury (e.g., "I think . . ., we believe . . ."). To the extent possible, the parties should notify the Court of any issues that will need to be ruled upon at the start of the day's proceedings, or during a recess out of the jury's presence. Unless leave is otherwise given, counsel shall make opening statements and closing arguments from the lectern and shall speak into the microphone.

Facsimile transmittal of pleadings, motions, other filings or correspondence to chambers is not permitted.

Written communications with the Court concerning any case assigned to Judge Slomsky's calendar should be by the filing of a pleading, motion, application or other similar filing provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or Local Rules of Civil Procedure.

Reply briefs, addressing only issues raised in the brief in opposition and not repeating arguments in the initial brief, may be filed within seven days of service of the opponent’s brief in opposition and shall be limited to ten pages. No further briefs may be filed.

Statements of material facts in support of or in opposition to a motion for summary judgment shall be accompanied by a citation to the specific page or pages of the record on which each fact is supported. Each stated fact shall cite the source relied upon, including the page and line of any document or deposition to which reference is made.