Court Rules
magistrate Judge
Verified Current9 days ago

Judge Lynne A. Sitarski

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Settlement Conference Submission
5 pgs
Settlement Conference Documents
20 pgs

Communication

Letter Ecf

Chambers

Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

SchedulingTechnical Issues
Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

Advance Notice Required
No Hours, Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationConferencesSettlementLettersDiscoveryElectronicsTRO/InjunctionCourtroom Conduct

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolMandatory

All correspondence to court must be copied to all counsel of record

Judge Sitarski permits correspondence from counsel on all matters, with copies to all counsel of record. Except for settlement conference documents, everything sent to the Court must also be sent to all counsel of record, and be served in the same manner.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
Prohibited
  • Hours
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecCorrespondence with the Court
Communication ProtocolImportant

Chambers communication limited to logistical matters only

Judge Sitarski permits counsel to talk with her Deputy Clerk and law clerks regarding logistical matters, but never on the merits of the case. Counsel should never contact Chambers to inquire on the status of a pending motion.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
Prohibited
  • Hours
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecCommunications with Law Clerks
Communication ProtocolNote

Discovery disputes should be resolved without court intervention; chambers conferences available if good faith efforts fail

Judge Sitarski expects the parties to resolve discovery disputes without Court intervention. Should counsel be unable, in good faith, to resolve their dispute, Judge Sitarski permits contact with the Court so that telephone or chambers conferences may be set up to resolve outstanding issues.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 3
|SecDiscovery Matters
Communication ProtocolNote

Counsel may contact Deputy Clerk or law clerks with questions about courtroom practices.

Counsel should feel free to contact Judge Sitarski’s Deputy Clerk or law clerks if they have any questions about her courtroom practices or procedures.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    none
Prohibited
  • Hours
    unspecified
  • Status Inquiries
Page 8
|SecOTHER GENERAL MATTERS
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Settlement conference submissions limited to 5 pages.

Please complete the attached settlement conference form and email it to Chambers at Chambers_sitarski@paed.uscourts.gov on or before XXXXX , 20XX. As indicated on the attached form, counsel shall include a synopsis of the case with a discussion of the relevant facts, as well as a brief summary of the legal issues affecting the party’s settlement position. The Court anticipates that in most cases, the parties’ case summaries will not exceed five (5) pages.

Page 9
|SecSettlement Conference Order
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Document submissions for settlement conference limited to 20 pages without Court approval.

Counsel shall not submit more than 20 pages of documents without prior Court approval.

Page 10
|SecSettlement Conference Order