Court Rules
Common questions about Judge John F. Kness's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge John F. Kness?

Courtesy copies are required for pretrial orders. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Proposed Pretrial Orders must be emailed in Word format and two courtesy copies with labeled tabs delivered to chambers.

Does Judge John F. Kness require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for motions in limine. Meet-and-confer required before filing motions in limine.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Motions in Limine

What must be included with pretrial order filings before Judge John F. Kness?

The rule requires drafting sequence. Plaintiff must provide draft Proposed Pretrial Order to defendant 21 days before due date.

What must be included with joint deposition designation chart filings before Judge John F. Kness?

The rule requires objections, page line numbers, counter designations, concise basis for objections, and page order. Joint chart required for deposition designations with specific content.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Deposition Designations

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge John F. Kness?

Requests should be made at least 7 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge John F. Kness. Expedited transcript requests must be made 7 days before trial.

Does Judge John F. Kness require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge John F. Kness requires bundling for covered papers. Exhibit submission requirements: USB drives and binders for proposed and final exhibits.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Exhibits and Exhibit Charts
Complete rules summary for Judge John F. Kness

Plaintiff must provide draft Proposed Pretrial Order to defendant 21 days before due date.

Each side limited to 12 proposed disputed questions (good cause exception).

Expedited transcript requests must be made 7 days before trial.

Proposed Pretrial Order must be electronically signed by all counsel.

Proposed Pretrial Orders must be emailed in Word format and two courtesy copies with labeled tabs delivered to chambers.

Proposed Pretrial Orders must be filed on ECF docket under 'Other Documents'.

Defendant must respond to plaintiff's draft with objections and additions 14 days before due date.

Parties must meet and confer 7 days before Proposed Pretrial Order due date.

Proposed Pretrial Order must include cover document with case caption and title.

Proposed Pretrial Order must be signed by all counsel and include space for judge's signature.

Witnesses not on disclosure lists are barred from testifying unless good cause shown.

Objections not in final pretrial order are waived unless good cause shown.

Exhibit submission requirements: USB drives and binders for proposed and final exhibits.

Deposition designations must be submitted on USB drives with color-coding.

Joint chart required for deposition designations with specific content.

Opposing party must serve objections and counter-designations 14 business days before pretrial order due date.

Motions memorializing non-objections must state there is no objection.

Motions in limine must include meet-and-confer statement.

Meet-and-confer required before filing motions in limine.

Encouraged to consolidate multiple motions in limine filings.

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