Judge William F.B. Vodrey
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Jury Instructions, Interrogatories, Verdict Forms
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements1 rule
All pleadings must have centered page numbers at the bottom of each page, although the first-page number may be omitted.
All pleadings filed in cases before Judge Vodrey shall include page numbers, centered and at the bottom of the page. The page number on the first page may be omitted.
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
The parties must submit one consolidated agreed set of jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms that identifies all items still in dispute after good-faith discussions.
The parties are to provide the Court with one consolidated set of instructions, interrogatories and verdict forms to which the parties agree and that identifies all such documents on which the parties, after diligent, courteous and good-faith discussions, still disagree.
Document Type
Jury Instructions Interrogatories Verdict Forms
At least 14 days before trial, the parties must file trial briefs, witness and exhibit lists, applicable joint jury materials, stipulations, and an agreed statement of the case for the jury.
The Court additionally orders that at least 14 days prior to trial, the parties are to file the following: (1) trial briefs, (2) witness lists, (3) exhibit lists, (4) joint jury instructions, jury interrogatories, and/or jury verdict forms if applicable, (5) stipulations, and (6) a concise, mutually-agreed-upon statement of the case to be read to the trial jury at the outset of trial.
Document Type
Trial Preparation Filings
A Civ.R. 55 default-judgment motion must be accompanied by the underlying instruments, service and damages affidavits, any federally required military-service affidavit, a proposed judgment entry, and evidence of damages.
When provided by Civ.R. 55, a plaintiff may file a motion for default judgment and provide to the Court the following documents: (1) the contract(s), assignment(s), account statement(s), or written instrument(s) upon which plaintiff seeks judgment; (2) an affidavit of service of the complaint; (3) an affidavit of current damages, noting any credits recorded for defendant(s) for any previous payments; (4) a military service affidavit as required by Federal law; and (5) a proposed judgment entry. Evidence of damages, such as bills or account statements, must be included in the file before default judgment may be granted.
Document Type
Default Judgment Motion
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
An emergency motion and its filing must be telephoned to the court and opposing party or counsel as soon as possible, and avoidable delay may reduce the likelihood of success.
The filing of an emergency motion shall be brought to the attention of the Court and of the opposing party or counsel as soon as possible by telephone. Avoidable delays in filing the motion, or in the proponent’s drawing attention to its filing, may make it less likely that the motion will be granted.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
The parties must file a discovery plan no later than 14 days after their conference.
The parties shall file a discovery plan within 14 days of their conference.
Page 1 | Case Management Conferences
The required trial-preparation filings must be submitted at least 14 days before trial.
The Court additionally orders that at least 14 days prior to trial, the parties are to file the following: (1) trial briefs, (2) witness lists, (3) exhibit lists, (4) joint jury instructions, jury interrogatories, and/or jury verdict forms if applicable, (5) stipulations, and (6) a concise, mutually-agreed-upon statement of the case to be read to the trial jury at the outset of trial.
Page 1 | Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Plaintiffs in foreclosure, quiet-title, and partition cases must perfect service under Civ.R. 4(E) and commence the cases under Civ.R. 3.
Plaintiffs are to perfect service of process in compliance with Civ.R. 4(E) and properly commence cases pursuant to Civ.R. 3.
Page 1 | Foreclosures, Quiet Titles and Partitions
Requests for document production and interrogatories must be served before the case-management conference.
Requests for production of documents and interrogatories must be served prior to the Case Management Conference.
Page 1 | Case Management Conferences
Courtesy Copy Requirements
One courtesy copy of the jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed in Word format to Linda Herman at LGHERMAN@cuyahogacounty.gov.
A courtesy copy of the parties’ instructions, interrogatories and verdict forms in a Word format shall be emailed to Judge Vodrey’s judicial staff attorney, Linda Herman, at LGHERMAN@cuyahogacounty.gov.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions, Interrogatories and Verdict Forms
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
For summary judgment, opposition is due within 28 days and reply within 7 days after opposition; oral argument is available upon request, with disposition posted on the docket absent another arrangement.
Pursuant to Civ.R. 6, a brief in opposition is due 28 days after the filing of a motion for summary judgment. A reply brief is due 7 days after the filing of a brief in opposition. An oral hearing on the motion will be set upon request. The Court will try to rule on the motion prior to the final pretrial, if possible. The ruling will be made on the docket unless other arrangements have been made by the parties with the Court.
Page 1 | Motions for Summary Judgment
A motion in limine must be filed at least 28 days before trial, opposition is due 14 days later, and no reply is permitted.
Pursuant to Civ.R. 6, the Court orders that any motion in limine be filed at least 28 days before trial. Any brief in opposition is due 14 days thereafter. No reply shall be permitted.
Page 1 | Motions in Limine
Before filing a discovery motion, the parties must promptly contact Linda Herman at (216) 443-8580 to arrange a Zoom, telephone, or in-person attorney conference with the court.
Before any party files a discovery motion, the parties shall contact Judge Vodrey’s judicial staff attorney, Linda Herman, at (216) 443-8580 to set an attorney conference either via Zoom, telephone or in-person with the Court as soon as possible.
Page 1 | Discovery
A motion in limine must be filed at least 28 days before trial, opposition is due 14 days later, and no reply is permitted.
In accordance with Civ.R. 6, the Court orders that any motion in limine be filed at least 28 days before trial. Any brief in opposition is due 14 days thereafter. No reply shall be permitted.
Page 1 | Trials
For motions other than those separately addressed, any opposition is due within 14 days and a reply is due within 7 days after the opposition is filed.
Pursuant to Civ.R. 6, a response and brief in opposition, if any, is due 14 days after the filing of a motion. A reply brief is due 7 days after the filing of a brief in opposition.
Page 1 | Other Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The parties may extend discovery deadlines without court consent if all agree, the trial date is not affected, and the court is informed in writing.
Extensions of discovery deadlines without Court consent are permitted as long as (1) all parties agree and (2) the extension does not interfere with the trial date, if it has already been set. The parties shall inform the Court of any such extensions in writing.
Page 1 | Extension of deadlines
Chambers Communication Rules
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.
Page 1 | Case Management Conferences
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.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference
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.
Page 1 | Civil Docket Case Management