Judge Joseph C. Spero
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Filings (All filings)
Required
Adjournments
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Civil motions heard Wednesdays at 9:30 AM; no advance hearing date reservation needed
Civil Law and Motion is heard on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Counsel should notice civil motions for hearing in accordance with the Civil Local Rules and need not reserve a hearing date in advance for civil motions. However, noticed dates may be reset as the Court's calendar requires.
Criminal motions heard Wednesdays at 10:30 AM
Criminal Law and Motion is heard on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Case Management Conferences held Wednesdays at 2:00 PM; recording only if pro se party or specific request
Case Management Conferences and Pretrial Conference are heard on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Case Management Conferences are not recorded unless at least one party in the case is appearing pro se or counsel makes a specific request at the commencement of the Case Management Conference that it be recorded.
Telephonic appearance requests suspended; all appearances by Zoom Webinar (ID: 161 926 0804, Password: 050855)
Requests to appear telephonically at a case management conference or hearing must be filed and served one week before the conference in accordance with Civil L.R. 16-10(a). This is suspended until further order of the Court. All appearances will be by Zoom Webinar unless the Court orders otherwise. Zoom Webinar ID: 161 926 0804. Password: 050855.
Scheduling questions should be emailed to JCSCRD@cand.uscourts.gov.
Parties should address all questions regarding scheduling to Judge Spero's courtroom deputy by emailing JCSCRD@cand.uscourts.gov.
Proposed stipulations and orders must be sent by email to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov.
In addition, any proposed stipulation or proposed order in a case subject to electronic filing shall be sent by email to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders and courtesy copies unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Direct to: Chambers
- DescriptionThis address is to be used only for proposed orders and courtesy copies unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Settlement Conference Statements must be lodged via email to JCSsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov, not electronically filed.
Settlement Conference Statements must be LODGED with Chambers (NOT electronically filed). To lodge Settlement Conference Statements, parties should submitting them in .pdf format via email to JCSsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov. Pending further order of the Court, hard copies should not be lodged with Chambers.
Direct to: Chambers
- DescriptionMust be lodged with Chambers, not electronically filed. Submit in PDF format via email only; hard copies should not be lodged with Chambers.
Discovery disputes require meet and confer by video conference followed by a joint letter not exceeding 5 pages within 5 business days.
In lieu of filing formal discovery motions, the parties involved in the discovery dispute (through lead trial counsel for any party that is represented by counsel) shall meet and confer by video conference regarding the subject matter of the dispute(s) in an effort to resolve these matters. After attempting other means to confer on the issue (i.e. letter, phone call, e-mail) any party may demand such a meeting on five business days' notice. Within five business days of the meet-and-confer session, the parties shall provide a detailed Joint Letter to the Court, not to exceed five pages without leave of Court. This Joint Letter shall include a description of every issue in dispute and, with respect to each such issue, a detailed summary of each party's final substantive position and their final proposed compromise on each issue.
Pre-Motion Conference
A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.