Judge Christopher R. McDowell
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- 2 copies
Motion, Opposition, Reply
Pretrial Statement
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Additionally, each dispositive motion shall be submitted to the Staff Attorney as a Word document via email.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All parties must file their pretrial statements at least two days before the pretrial conference.
Pursuant to Local 15(B)(2), all parties must file their pretrial statements at least two days before the conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | F. Pretrial Conference
Proposed jury instructions and interrogatories must be emailed to the Staff Attorney at least two days before trial starts.
Proposed jury instructions and interrogatories shall be emailed to the Staff Attorney at least two days before the trial starts.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | G. Trial
All criminal motions must be filed promptly.
All motions shall be filed promptly.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal Cases — C. Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the motion, opposition, and reply must be provided to the Staff Attorney as a hard copy or by email.
A courtesy copy of the motion, opposition, and reply shall be provided either as a hard copy or via email to the Staff Attorney.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | D. Motions
Each party must provide the Court with two copies of relevant exhibits.
Each party must provide two Court copies of relevant exhibits.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | G. Trial
A courtesy copy of the pretrial statement must be provided to the Staff Attorney.
A courtesy copy of the pretrial statement shall be provided to the Staff Attorney.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | F. Pretrial Conference
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing a motion to compel discovery, the parties must meet and confer, make a good-faith resolution effort, and contact the Court; the motion should be a last resort.
Motions to compel discovery shall not be filed until the parties have met and conferred, and made a good faith effort to resolve any discovery disputes. A motion to compel shall be a last resort and filed only after first contacting the Court to discuss the matter.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | C. Discovery
The Court will not hear disputes that arise after the discovery deadline.
Disputes arising after the discovery deadline shall not be heard.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | C. Discovery
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party requesting a continuance before trial begins must submit the request in writing and notify the Staff Attorney.
If either party requests a continuance before the trial begins, the request must be made in writing and the Staff Attorney must be notified.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | G. Trial
Trial continuances are not liberally granted, though the Court may grant them as appropriate, especially with both parties’ agreement and good cause; failure to diligently conduct discovery is not good cause.
Accordingly, continuances for trial dates are not liberally granted. However, the Court will grant continuances as appropriate, especially when both parties agree and good cause is shown (the failure to diligently conduct discovery is not “good cause”).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | E. Calendaring and Continuances
For an extension to file a dismissal or notice of dismissal, the parties should call or email the Staff Attorney before the current entry date.
If the parties need an extension to file a dismissal or notice of dismissal, they should call or email the Staff Attorney before the current entry date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | B. Settlement
Chambers Communication Rules
If a motion has not been decided within 30 days, the parties must contact the Staff Attorney.
If a motion has not been ruled on within 30 days, the parties shall contact the Staff Attorney.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | D. Motions
If a motion requires a hearing, the filing party must contact the Staff Attorney by phone or email to schedule it.
If a motion requires a hearing, the party filing the motion shall contact the Staff Attorney by phone or email to schedule a hearing date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | D. Motions
The parties must notify the Court when a motion is ripe for decision.
The Parties shall notify the Court when the motion is ripe for decision.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | D. Motions
A party filing a motion must notify the Staff Attorney by telephone or email.
When either party files a Motion, that party shall inform the Staff Attorney by telephone or email that a motion has been filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | D. Motions