Court Rules
About Senior United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage

**Senior Judge Timothy J. Savage** was appointed to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by President George W. Bush in 2002. He assumed senior status on March 1, 2021. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Judge Savage received his undergraduate degree from Assumption College and his law degree from Temple University School of Law. He spent his entire pre-judicial career as a private practice attorney in Pennsylvania, while also serving as a hearing examiner for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from 1976 to 2002. **Education** - Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1971 - Assumption College, B.A., 1968 **Career** - Private practice attorney, Pennsylvania (1971–2002) - Hearing examiner, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (1976–2002) - U.S. District Judge, E.D. Pa. (2002–present); Senior Judge (2021–present)

**Courthouse:** James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 **Chambers:** Room 9614 **Email:** Chambers_of_Judge_Timothy_J_Savage@paed.uscourts.gov **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Alexander Eggert, (267) 299-7480, Alexander_Eggert@paed.uscourts.gov

Common questions about Judge Timothy J. Savage's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Timothy J. Savage?

Courtesy copies are required for exhibits. Details: 1 copy, delivery at final pretrial conference. Parties must provide the Court with one copy of each objected-to exhibit.

View ruleSource: page 4, section V. FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

Does Judge Timothy J. Savage require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Timothy J. Savage's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Motions in limine must be filed by Scheduling Order deadline.

What page or word limits apply to trial memorandum before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

Judge Timothy J. Savage's rule states these limits: 7 pages. Government must file trial memorandum 1 week before trial with specific content.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms

What page or word limits apply to reply brief before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

Judge Timothy J. Savage's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Reply briefs are limited to ten pages.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. MOTIONS PRACTICE

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

Judge Timothy J. Savage's formatting rule includes margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, separate sheet per instruction, numbered, and party name identification. Each jury instruction/interrogatory must be on separate sheet with party name.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms

What must be included with proposed findings conclusions filings before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

The rule requires proposed order. Government must file proposed findings and conclusions before suppression/Starks/Daubert hearings.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pretrial Hearings

What must be included with jury instructions filings before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

The rule requires legal authority. Each proposed jury instruction must include legal authority.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms

How may parties contact Judge Timothy J. Savage's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Timothy J. Savage's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Voir dire questions must be resolved with deputy clerk the day before jury selection.

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

Requests should be made at least 2 weeks in advance when this rule applies before Judge Timothy J. Savage. Suppression, Starks, and Daubert hearings held at least 2 weeks before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Pretrial Hearings

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Timothy J. Savage?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Reply briefs must be filed within seven days of service of the opposition brief.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. MOTIONS PRACTICE

Does Judge Timothy J. Savage encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Timothy J. Savage's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Only one attorney per party may examine same witness or argue same point.

Complete rules summary for Judge Timothy J. Savage

Oral argument granted on motions at judge's discretion.

Pretrial conferences held only in complex cases or with multiple attorneys.

Suppression, Starks, and Daubert hearings held at least 2 weeks before trial.

Government must file proposed findings and conclusions before suppression/Starks/Daubert hearings.

Parties may request to supplement proposed findings after hearing.

Proposed jury instructions and interrogatories due 7 days before trial.

Each jury instruction/interrogatory must be on separate sheet with party name.

Each proposed jury instruction must include legal authority.

Must indicate if model jury instruction is unchanged or modified.

Modified model instructions must underline additions and bracket deletions.

Government must file trial memorandum 1 week before trial with specific content.

Defendant may file trial memorandum but not required.

Trial pool cases require 48-hour notice to commence trial.

Voir dire questions must be resolved with deputy clerk the day before jury selection.

Objections must cite rule number or be one word only.

Sidebar conferences are discouraged except for unanticipated issues.

Motions in limine must be filed by Scheduling Order deadline.

Time limits for opening statements and summations may be imposed based on case issues and trial length.

Rebuttal cannot rehash closing argument.

Only one attorney per party may examine same witness or argue same point.

Evidentiary issues must be resolved privately before involving deputy clerk.

Videotaped testimony objections must be resolved 10 days before final pretrial conference.

Videotaped testimony must be edited and tested before trial.

Exhibits must be provided at final pretrial conference and trial in three-ring binders.

Exhibits admitted at close of case-in-chief, not during testimony.

Exhibits published after witness examination or before break, with permission for during testimony.

Counsel must meet to discuss and submit agreed-upon jury instructions and verdict forms.

Proposed jury instructions should only cover substantive issues, not basic instructions.

Counsel must cooperate in preparing joint jury instructions or face sanctions.

Submitting a proposed instruction does not waive objection to it.

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