Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 361 rules apply across Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 135
  • Applies to
    Pleading motion brief memorandum or written argument
    Must include
    certificate of service

    Written proof of service must appear on or accompany each covered filing, and a judge will not consider a filing without a certificate of service unless the filing is a trial brief that counsel agreed not to exchange.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    Court proceedings for a CQE must be initiated with the designated Cover Sheet, Form A.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The Cover Sheet must state the petitioner's assigned ODRC Electronic Petition Identification Number and include a copy of the completed ODRC Electronic Application.

Fees

All 69
  • Applies to
    Miscellaneous proceedings initiated by columbus bar association

    No advance local filing-fee deposit is required for Columbus Bar Association miscellaneous proceedings, but the court will assess costs at the end of each case as it deems just.

  • Applies to
    Cqe petition

    Every petitioner must deposit at filing a uniform, non-refundable fee in the amount set by the Clerk and approved by the Administrative Judge.

  • Applies to
    Cqe petition

    The filing-fee deposit must be paid before the court is required to take any action on the CQE Petition.

Filing Timing

All 65

  • A motion for leave to exceed the memorandum or brief page limits must be filed no later than seven days before the brief is due and must explain the unusual and extraordinary circumstances requiring the excess.

  • An attorney may not withdraw later than 20 days before a trial or dispositive hearing, except in extraordinary circumstances.

  • Any party filing objections to a magistrate's order or decision must timely file the objections and supporting memorandum in accordance with Civil Rule 53.

Service

All 43
  • Applies to
    Pleading motion brief memorandum or written argument

    Every pleading, motion, brief, memorandum, or written argument filed with the Court or a judge must be served on all opposing counsel and all unrepresented parties.

  • Applies to
    Cqe notification
    Service
    Mail

    The Probation Department may send CQE notifications to other courts or prosecutors by ordinary U.S. mail or electronically.

  • Applies to
    Notice of final decision
    Service
    Court service

    The Clerk must notify each petitioner of the final decision and provide a copy of the Judgment Entry.

More categories

View all Franklin County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge Bill Sperlazza

Term expires January 2029. Staff attorney: Kimberlyn Seccuro, 614.525.5890.

**Courtroom:** 5F **Address:** 345 S High Street 5th Floor, Courtroom 5F Columbus, OH 43215 **Phone:** 614.525.3811 **Fax:** 614.525.2464 **Secretary:** Vickie Amrine, 614.525.3811 **Bailiff:** Meghan O'Grady, 614.525.5898 **Staff Attorney:** Kimberlyn Seccuro, 614.525.5890 **Court Reporter:** Melissa Fox, 614.525.4645 **Magistrate:** Jennifer R. Cordle, 614.525.5995

Common questions about Judge Bill Sperlazza's rules

What must be included with final pretrial conference submissions filings before Judge Bill Sperlazza?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Counsel must provide proposed jury instructions, proposed jury interrogatories, and final exhibit and witness lists at the final pretrial conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Meet and Confer Instructions

What must be included with trial exhibits filings before Judge Bill Sperlazza?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Counsel must exchange complete, pre-marked sets of all trial exhibits and eliminate duplicates or re-mark them as joint exhibits.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Meet and Confer Instructions

How may parties contact Judge Bill Sperlazza's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Bill Sperlazza's chambers. The rule lists phone 614.525.5890. Counsel should consult opposing counsel before telephoning Staff Attorney Kimberlyn Seccuro unless there is a dire emergency.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Courtroom Staff
Complete rules summary for Judge Bill Sperlazza

Courtroom secretary Vickie Amrine handles general inquiries by phone at 614.525.3811.

Bailiff Meghan O'Grady handles case scheduling and reporting-status questions by phone at 614.525.5898.

Parties may contact Staff Attorney Kimberlyn Seccuro by phone at 614.525.5890 about court procedures or pending motions.

Counsel should consult opposing counsel before telephoning Staff Attorney Kimberlyn Seccuro unless there is a dire emergency.

Requests for status conferences or oral argument on significant motions may be directed to the Staff Attorney.

Requests to refer cases to mediation may be directed to the Staff Attorney.

Court Reporter Melissa Fox handles transcript orders by phone at 614.525.4645.

Requests to transfer a matter for a jury trial or another proceeding may be directed to Magistrate Jennifer R. Cordle at 614.525.5995.

Courtroom 5F may be contacted by phone at 614.525.3811.

Courtroom 5F lists fax number 614.525.2464.

Counsel must provide proposed jury instructions, proposed jury interrogatories, and final exhibit and witness lists at the final pretrial conference.

Counsel must exchange complete, pre-marked sets of all trial exhibits and eliminate duplicates or re-mark them as joint exhibits.

Counsel must jointly prepare proposed jury instructions and interrogatories for the court at the pretrial conference.

Any requested jury interrogatories should be answerable with simple yes-or-no responses.

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