Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Chambers Communication Rules

Contact

Phone to chambers

Routine, non-substantive criminal scheduling matters may be handled by telephone, but substantive ex parte requests for guidance or clarification are prohibited.

COUNSEL AND THE PARTIES ARE HEREBY ADVISED THAT THIS COURT WILL NOT ACCEPT EX PARTE TELEPHONE CALLS TO CHAMBERS REGARDING SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES IN PENDING CRIMINAL MATTERS.  THE COURT SPEAKS THROUGH ITS DOCKET.  WHILE IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO CALL CHAMBERS REGARDING ROUTINE, NON-SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS (SUCH AS SCHEDULING OF PRETRIALS, ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNED CASES, ETC.), IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR COUNSEL TO CALL CHAMBERS EX PARTE FOR GUIDANCE OR CLARIFICATION REGARDING SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS.

Contact

Email

Substantive criminal issues must be addressed with all parties at a pretrial, through group communications, or by motion on the public docket.

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS IN PENDING CASES MUST BE DISCUSSED DURING PRE-TRIALS WITH ALL PARTIES PRESENT, OR VIA GROUP TEXT, GROUP EMAILS, AND/OR RAISED IN MOTIONS FILED ON THE PUBLIC DOCKET.

Contact

Phone

Routine civil scheduling and dial-in requests may be made by telephone, but ex parte guidance on deadlines, briefing, or pending-motion status is prohibited.

COUNSEL AND THE PARTIES ARE HEREBY ADVISED THAT THIS COURT WILL NOT ACCEPT EX PARTE TELEPHONE CALLS TO THE STAFF ATTORNEY REGARDING SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES IN PENDING CIVIL MATTERS. THE COURT SPEAKS THROUGH ITS DOCKET. WHILE IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO CALL THE STAFF ATTORNEY REGARDING ROUTINE, NON-SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS (SUCH AS REQUESTS FOR THE DIAL-IN INFORMATION FOR AN UPCOMING STATUS CONFERENCE, ETC.), IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR COUNSEL TO CALL EX PARTE FOR GUIDANCE OR CLARIFICATION REGARDING SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS, INCLUDING MATTERS RELATING TO EXISTING CASE MANAGEMENT DEADLINES, REQUESTS TO FILE BRIEFING, AND/OR INQUIRIES REGARDING THE STATUS OF PENDING MOTIONS.

Contact

Email

Counsel must email proposed jury instructions in Word format to doprian@cuyahogacounty.gov in addition to filing them with the court.

In addition to filing proposed jury instructions with the court, counsel shall email proposed jury instructions in Word format to doprian@cuyahogacounty.gov.

Contact

Email to chambers

Plaintiff's counsel must email the proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms in Word format to the staff attorney at least 14 days before trial.

Counsel for the plaintiff shall be responsible for ensuring that a copy of the proposed jury instructions, interrogatories and verdict forms are emailed in word format to the staff attorney at doakley@cuyahogacounty.us at least fourteen (14) days before the scheduled trial date.

Contact

Phone

Plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the telephone hearing for default judgment.

Plaintiff’s counsel is to initiate the telephonic hearing for default judgment.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-7326

Before filing a motion to compel or motion to quash, the parties must contact the staff attorney at 216-443-7326 to schedule a telephone conference.

The parties are to contact the staff attorney at 216-443-7326 in order to schedule a telephone conference prior to filing any discovery motion (motion to compel, motion to quash).

Contact

Phone

Case management conferences will be held by phone unless the parties request another arrangement.

Case management conferences will be held by phone unless the parties request otherwise.

Contact

Phone

Parties must contact the Court to schedule a telephone conference before filing any motion to compel.

Parties are to contact the Court to schedule a telephone conference prior to filing any motion to compel.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel must notify the court by telephone before the scheduled trial date if the case is settled or dismissed after trial briefs are filed.

If case is settled or dismissed after trial briefs are filed, counsel must notify this Court via telephone before the scheduled trial date or fines may be imposed pursuant to an Order to Show Cause and subsequent finding of contempt.

The Court will not accept requests by telephone for any purpose.

General: The Court will not entertain telephone request for any purpose.

Contact

Letter fax to chambers

Counsel must provide the Court with copies of their settlement letters on the stated dates, and delivery may be made by fax to 216-348-4036.

All counsel are ordered to provide the Court with copies of their respective letters on the dates as outlined above. Delivery may be made by fax at 216-348-4036.

Contact

Email to chambers

Pro se litigants may not communicate with chambers by email.

Litigants may not email chambers.

Parties must not contact opposing parties or the deputy clerk directly.

Parties shall not contact the opposing parties or the deputy clerk directly.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8736

All parties must contact the court at the listed telephone number at the scheduled default hearing date and time.

All parties are to contact the court at 216-443-8736 at the scheduled date and time.

Contact

Phone

An out-of-town party excused from appearing in person must remain available by telephone during the settlement conference or final pretrial.

All out of town parties who have been excused from making an in person appearance shall be available by telephone during the scheduled settlement conference or final pretrial.

Contact

Email to chambers

The parties must email the Staff Attorney a Word document containing the joint proposed jury instructions.

Parties are to email a word document of the joint proposed jury instructions to the Staff Attorney at kdavenport@cuyahogacounty.us.

Contact

Email

Parties must submit agreed-upon jury instructions electronically to the staff attorney at cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

Parties are to submit the agreed upon instructions to the staff attorney in electronic form to: cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

Contact

Email to chambers

After a good-faith effort fails, parties should email the Court’s staff attorney a proposed Zoom-conference date and time and a brief description of the dispute, after which the Court may order briefing.

If after a good-faith attempt to resolve the issues a dispute remains, the parties should contact the Court’s staff attorney by email with a suggested date and time for a Zoom conference with the Court, and include a brief description of the issues to be discussed. Thereafter, the Court may order a briefing.

Contact

Phone

For a deposition dispute requiring immediate court assistance, the parties may call the staff attorney only jointly.

IF A DISPUTE ARISES DURING A DEPOSITION THAT REQUIRES THIS COURT’S IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, THE PARTIES MAY CALL THE STAFF ATTORNEY FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT MUST DO SO JOINTLY (AND NOT ON AN EX PARTE BASIS).

Contact

Email

Civil substantive matters may be raised with the staff attorney only through a joint call or joint email.

PARTIES MAY CALL JOINTLY TO THE STAFF ATTORNEY OR CONTACT THE STAFF ATTORNEY VIA JOINT EMAIL REGARDING THOSE MATTERS.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Parties must contact the staff attorney by phone before filing a motion to compel when discovery disputes remain unresolved.

If discovery disputes remain, the parties are to contact the staff attorney at (216) 443-8602 prior to filing any motions to compel.

Phone

(216) 443-8579

A request that the assigned judge personally conduct the final pretrial must be submitted to the staff attorney in advance.

If the parties believe it is necessary for the assigned judge to personally conduct the final pretrial, the parties are directed to contact the staff attorney at least 24 in advance to submit their request.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8579

A request to continue a case management conference or default hearing should be made by calling the court’s staff attorney.

If you are seeking to continue a case management conference or default hearing, please call the Court’s staff attorney.

Contact

Phone

Phone

216-443-8588

Plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the case management telephone conference with defense counsel and then Judge Russo’s Staff Attorney at the stated number.

Plaintiff's counsel is to initiate the telephone conference to Defendant's counsel and then to Judge Russo’s Staff Attorney at 216-443-8588.

Contact

Phone

Phone

216-443-8601

A party that resolves a discovery dispute while a Motion to Compel is pending must immediately notify the staff attorney at the stated number or file a motion to withdraw.

If your discovery dispute is resolved while an underlying Motion to Compel remains pending, please immediately notify the staff attorney at 216-443-8601 or file a motion to withdraw.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Pretrials will be held in person when time permits, but may also be held by telephone with the staff attorney.

Time permitting, pretrials will be conducted in person with Judge Kelley. Pretrials may also be held by telephone with the staff attorney.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

217-558-4400

A litigant unable to access e-filing may contact the clerk at 217-558-4400.

If you cannot access e-filing, please contact the clerk at 217-558-4400.

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

309-558-4101

Litigants seeking help resolving discovery disputes may contact the deputy clerk at 309-558-4101.

If you need assistance in resolving discovery disputes, please contact the deputy clerk at 309-558-4101.

The court clerk cannot provide legal advice.

The clerk of court cannot give legal advice.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8581

At a case management conference conducted by telephone, plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the call with defense counsel and then include the Staff Attorney.

Plaintiff’s counsel is to initiate the telephone call with defense counsel and then conference in Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney, Kristin Brown, at 216-443-8581.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8580

Unless otherwise ordered, plaintiff's counsel must initiate the CMC telephone conference with defendant's counsel and then with Linda Herman at (216) 443-8580.

Plaintiff's counsel is to initiate the telephone conference to defendant's counsel and then to Judge Vodrey’s judicial staff attorney, Linda Herman, at (216) 443-8580, unless otherwise ordered.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-5595

Parties may request a Zoom settlement conference by contacting staff attorney Cara Kozyk by phone or email.

The Court is available to conduct settlement conferences via Zoom at the request of the parties. To request a Zoom conference with the Court, contact staff attorney Cara Kozyk at 216-443-5595 or cakozyk@cuyahogacounty.us.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8728

Criminal-case questions should be directed to the bailiff during business hours.

If you have a question about a criminal case, please contact the Court’s bailiff at the number listed above during business hours.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8579

Questions about non-foreclosure civil cases should be directed to the staff attorney during business hours.

If you have a question about any other case on the civil docket, please contact the Court’s staff attorney at the number listed above during business hours.

Contact

Phone

A party may request a status conference about the case-management schedule or other issues by calling or emailing the Staff Attorney.

Any party may request a telephone status conference with the Court to discuss the current case management schedule or other issues. To request a conference, the party should call or email the Staff Attorney.

Contact

Phone

The initial case management conference ordinarily occurs by telephone with the Staff Attorney unless the parties request that Judge Russo conduct it.

The CMC will be conducted by phone with the Court’s Staff Attorney, unless the parties request it be held by Judge Russo.

Initial case management conferences in Commercial Docket cases are conducted in person with Judge Russo.

However, the initial Case Management Conference for Commercial Docket cases will be conducted in-person with Judge Russo.

If settlement is no longer possible, the parties should contact the Staff Attorney to cancel the settlement conference rather than appear in court.

If the parties believe settlement is not possible prior to the Settlement Conference, please contact Judge Russo’s Staff Attorney to cancel the Settlement Conference instead of coming to Court.

A party may request a settlement conference by motion or by contacting the staff attorney.

The parties may request a settlement conference by motion or by contacting the staff attorney.

Contact

Phone

Phone

216-443-8674

Administrative filers may contact Judge Shaughnessy’s Staff Attorney at 216-443-8674 with questions.

For Administrative filings, please review the following information and contact Judge Shaughnessy’s Staff Attorney at 216-443-8674 with any questions.

Contact

Phone

Phone

216-443-8674

Defendant should contact the Court’s Staff Attorney by phone at 216-443-8674 to schedule the debtor examination.

Defendant should contact this Court’s Staff Attorney at 216-443-8674 in order to set this matter for a debtor examination.

A party may contact the court through the staff attorney or bailiff to obtain an available hearing time and date.

parties may advance a hearing by contacting the court through the staff attorney or bailiff for an available time and date

Contact

Letter fax

The courtesy copy may be delivered to the Court by fax at 216-348-4036.

Delivery may be made by fax. The Court’s fax number is 216-348-4036.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8688

Counsel may contact the court by phone at any time for assistance in resolving disputes.

COUNSEL ARE FURTHER INVITED TO CONTACT THIS COURT FOR ASSISTANCE AT ANY TIME, AND THE COURT WILL MAKE ITSELF AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE. THE COURT’S PHONE NUMBER IS 216-443-8688.

Contact

Letter fax to chambers

Counsel are requested to provide their fax numbers on pleadings filed with Judge Nancy Margaret Russo so the Court can timely communicate orders and decisions; the Court’s fax number is 216-348-4036.

10) FAX NUMBERS: This Court regularly faxes orders and decisions, in order to timely inform counsel of matters pertaining to the case. Therefore, counsel are requested to provide this Court with their fax numbers, by placing same on pleadings filed with Judge Nancy Margaret Russo. The Court’s fax number is 216-348-4036.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8589

Any party may request a telephone conference by calling Judge Corrigan's staff attorney at 216-443-8589 to discuss litigation issues or the current case-management schedule.

Due to the potential effects of COVID-19 regarding a party’s civil litigation, any party may request a Telephone Conference with the Court to discuss any issues and/or the current Case Management Schedule.  To request the Telephone Conference, the party should call Judge Peter Corrigan's staff attorney at 216-443-8589.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8581

A party may request a telephone conference with the court by calling Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney at the listed number.

To request a telephone conference, the party should call Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney, Kristin Brown, at 216-443-8581.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

216-443-8581

Parties may request a settlement conference by contacting the Staff Attorney at the listed telephone number.

Parties may request a settlement conference by contacting Staff Attorney Kristin Brown at 216-443-8581.

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties may email Staff Attorney Kimberly Davenport about civil matters, copying all opposing counsel and pro se parties.

Any party may address questions about a civil matter to Judge Gallagher’s Staff Attorney Kimberly Davenport by email at kdavenport@cuyahogacounty.us, with all opposing counsel and/or pro se parties copied on the email.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8580

A party or counsel may request a Zoom or telephone conference by calling Linda Herman at (216) 443-8580.

To request a conference, a party or his/her counsel should call Judge Vodrey’s judicial staff attorney, Linda Herman, at (216) 443-8580.

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(216) 443-8580

If settlement is no longer possible, parties should call Linda Herman at (216) 443-8580 to cancel the settlement conference rather than appear unnecessarily.

If the parties believe settlement is not possible prior to the SC, please contact Judge Vodrey’s judicial staff attorney, Linda Herman, at (216) 443-8580 to cancel the SC instead of needlessly coming to Court.