Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 20 pages. Details: 1 copy, delivery immediately upon filing, by hand delivery. Hard copy of exhibits must be sent to chambers if exhibits exceed 20 pages.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Chambers Copy of Motions Papers

Does Judge Katayoun M. Copeland require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for sur replys. Sur-reply briefs require prior court permission via letter brief.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Reply and Sur-Reply Briefs

What page or word limits apply to settlement conference summary before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes attachments. Settlement conference summary limited to 5 pages excluding attachments.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Settlement Conference Memoranda

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes table of contents and appendices. Memoranda are limited to 25 pages, must be double spaced, and use 12-point font.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Memoranda

What must be included with settlement conference summary filings before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

The rule requires caption. Settlement conference summary must be submitted one week before the conference.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Settlement Conference Memoranda

What must be included with brief filings before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

The rule requires table of contents and table of authorities. Memoranda exceeding 15 pages must include a table of contents and table of authorities.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Memoranda

How may parties contact Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone 267-299-7791. Counsel may communicate with the Judge’s courtroom deputy and law clerks via phone for scheduling and administrative matters only; discussions on the merits of the case are prohibited.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. PRELIMINARY GENERAL MATTERS B. Communications with Courtroom Deputy and Law Clerks

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

Judge Katayoun M. Copeland's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Extensions of time are only granted upon a showing of good cause, and require a letter brief outlining the request and good cause.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. CIVIL CASES B. Continuances and Extensions

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Counsel must file a joint Rule 16(f) report one week before the Rule 16 teleconference if not previously filed.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 1. Preliminary Telephone Conference

What rule applies to serving all parties before Judge Katayoun M. Copeland?

Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Details: recipient: all parties. Counsel may send correspondence to the Court only if copies are simultaneously sent to all other counsel in the matter.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. PRELIMINARY GENERAL MATTERS A. Correspondence with the Court
Complete rules summary for Judge Katayoun M. Copeland

Settlement conference summary must be submitted one week before the conference.

Settlement conference summary limited to 5 pages excluding attachments.

Hard copy of exhibits must be sent to chambers if exhibits exceed 20 pages.

Counsel may send correspondence to the Court only if copies are simultaneously sent to all other counsel in the matter.

Counsel may communicate with the Judge’s courtroom deputy and law clerks via phone for scheduling and administrative matters only; discussions on the merits of the case are prohibited.

The Court prefers telephone conferences for scheduling, extensions of time, and routine discovery disputes; counsel seeking relief must initiate such conferences by contacting the courtroom deputy.

Oral arguments and evidentiary hearings are scheduled through the courtroom deputy, and the Court will make reasonable efforts to accommodate counsel’s schedules.

Extensions of time are only granted upon a showing of good cause, and require a letter brief outlining the request and good cause.

Memoranda are limited to 25 pages, must be double spaced, and use 12-point font.

Memoranda exceeding 15 pages must include a table of contents and table of authorities.

Reply briefs are limited to 15 pages.

Sur-reply briefs require prior court permission via letter brief.

Courtesy copies of all motion papers must be emailed to chambers; hard copy required for exhibits over 20 pages.

Hard copy of attachments must be sent to chambers if attachments exceed 20 pages.

Counsel must exchange settlement conference summaries and not file them with the Clerk's Office.

Continuance requests for settlement conferences must be made within 14 days of receiving the scheduling notice and are only granted for compelling reasons.

Counsel must file a joint Rule 16(f) report one week before the Rule 16 teleconference if not previously filed.

Counsel must provide the court with two exhibit binders containing a schedule of exhibits and copies of each exhibit.

Counsel must provide the court reporter with the joint exhibit list and witness lists on the morning of trial.

Counsel must submit joint proposed jury instructions noting areas of agreement and objections.

Proposed jury instructions must include legal authority citations and be submitted by the scheduling order deadline.

Counsel must submit a joint verdict form or proposed special interrogatories by the scheduling order deadline.

In non-jury cases, counsel must submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law at the final pretrial conference or by the scheduling order date.

During jury deliberations, counsel need not remain in courthouse but must be available by phone and provide their number to the courtroom deputy.

The court will permit jury polling upon request.

All relevant documents must be emailed to specified court personnel in advance of court proceedings.

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