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

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Ex parte communications with the Judge and staff are prohibited, subject to stated exceptions; email is preferred and must include all attorneys and unrepresented parties.

Ex parte communications with the Judge and her Staff are prohibited unless all parties consent or the matter involves being late to court, directions, or videoconferencing technical assistance. The preferred method of communication with court staff is email and you must include all attorneys and unrepresented parties on each email.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Do not contact court staff by social media, text, or phone about pending matters.

Communications with court staff on social media, text, or phone about matters pending before the Court are not permitted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email

The case caption should appear in the subject line of the email.

The case caption should be included in the email’s subject line.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

After a motion is fully briefed, notify the Court by contacting the staff attorney by email.

Once a motion is fully briefed, please contact the staff attorney at the email provided above to notify the Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Counsel seeking the status of a pending motion or alerting the Court to an urgent request should contact the bailiff in criminal cases.

However, to request the status of a pending motion or to alert the Court of an urgent request, counsel should contact either the bailiff (criminal cases) or the staff attorney (civil cases).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Phone

To schedule a hearing on a civil motion to withdraw as counsel, counsel must follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the staff attorney.

For motions to withdraw as counsel in civil cases, follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the Court’s staff attorney to schedule a hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Special criminal instructions and requested civil instructions should be emailed to the Staff Attorney before trial.

Any special criminal instructions or requested civil instructions should be emailed to the Staff Attorney in advance of trial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

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, 2026WARNING

To set a hearing in a civil case, contact the law clerk.

To set a hearing on a civil case, contact the law clerk.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

To set a hearing in a criminal case, contact the bailiff.

To set a hearing on a criminal case, contact the bailiff.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Phone

An attorney who will be late is expected to call the court.

If an attorney is going to be late, I expect a phone call.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

After filing a civil motion, contact the law clerk and schedule a hearing date with opposing counsel.

Contact the law clerk after the civil motion is filed and schedule a date for hearing with opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

On arrival in the courtroom for a civil matter, attorneys should report to the law clerk.

When attorneys arrive in the courtroom, they should report to the law clerk for civil matters.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

For a criminal matter, attorneys should contact the room prosecutor before reporting to the bailiff.

For criminal matters, contact the room prosecutor before reporting to the bailiff.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Phone

513-946-5770

An attorney who will be late should contact the court bailiff as soon as possible.

If an attorney is going to be late, please contact the court bailiff as soon as possible.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Phone

Case management conferences are held by telephone; counsel must contact opposing counsel and initiate a conference call before calling the Court.

** ALL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD VIA TELEPHONE. PLEASE CONTACT OPPOSING COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE CMC AND INITIATE A CONFERENCE CALL -- THEN CALL THE COURT at 513-946-5850**

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

The parties must inform the Court when a motion is ready for a ruling.

The parties shall inform the Court when a motion is ripe for ruling.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact the Bailiff to set a hearing in a criminal case.

To set a hearing on a criminal case, contact the Bailiff.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Contact

Phone to chambers

CMCs are held by telephone unless otherwise requested, and plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the call to defense counsel and then the Staff Attorney.

All CMCs are held by telephone, unless otherwise requested. Plaintiff's counsel is to initiate the telephone conference to Defendant's counsel and then to Judge Winkler’s Staff Attorney.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

The Staff Attorney should be informed as soon as practical when a civil case settles.

Civil cases that have settled should inform the Court’s staff attorney as soon as practical.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

If the final entry cannot be completed on its scheduled date, the parties should explain the delay to the Staff Attorney by email or phone, and the Court may set a new date.

If the final entry is not able to be completed on that date, the parties should contact the Staff Attorney by email or phone to explain the delay, and the Court may set a new date accordingly.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Social media contact with Court staff is prohibited.

Social media contact with Court staff is not permitted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026WARNING

Before contacting Judge Cross’s Staff Attorney to schedule oral argument on a civil motion, contact opposing counsel.

Contact opposing counsel prior to contacting Judge Cross’s Staff Attorney to set any civil motion for oral argument.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Contact

Email

A copy of the joint plan should be emailed to the staff attorney.

A copy of the joint plan should be emailed to the staff attorney.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Remote-appearance requests may be accommodated to the extent possible, and the staff attorney should be contacted sufficiently in advance to arrange them.

The Court will reasonably accommodate requests to appear by telephone or zoom to the extent possible.  Contact the Court’s staff attorney sufficiently in advance to make needed arrangements if remote appearance is requested.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel may email the Staff Attorney, copying all counsel, to alert the Court that a pending motion needs a prompt ruling.

Counsel may email the Staff Attorney (and copy all counsel) to alert the Court when a motion is pending that needs a prompt ruling.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Phone

513-946-5790

Criminal-case scheduling is handled through Bailiff Tim Noel.

In criminal cases, scheduling is done through the bailiff, Tim Noel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Contact

Phone

Attorneys with specific concerns should call before their trial date.

Attorneys should call in advance of their trial date if they have specific concerns.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

If a case is in progress, attorneys should wait until an appropriate time to report.

If a case is in progress, please wait to report until an appropriate time.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Phone

513-946-5770

Contact the Bailiff for more information.

Contact the Bailiff for more information.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

If a decision has not been issued within 60 days, parties are advised to contact Court staff.

Parties are advised to contact Court staff if a decision is not forthcoming within 60 days.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Direct criminal questions to the Bailiff and civil or non-case-related inquiries to the Staff Attorney.

Questions about criminal matters should be directed to Bailiff Rob Bryan; civil matters and non-case-related inquiries should be sent to Staff Attorney Courtney Howard.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026INFO

Ex parte communication about tardiness or technical issues is permitted.

Ex parte communication regarding tardiness or technical issues is permitted.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

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.CRITICAL?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Ex parte communication is prohibited unless all parties consent or as otherwise permitted by law. Email is the preferred method of communication and must copy all counsel and unrepresented parties.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Phone

513-946-5830 ?

If the parties anticipate that a plea and/or sentencing will occur at a setting not reflected on the Court’s docket or calendar (including, but not limited to, final pretrial conferences or trial dates), counsel must notify the Bailiff no later than one business day in advance. Whenever practicable, a proposed plea entry shall be submitted at that time.

Summary: For an anticipated plea or sentencing not listed on the docket or calendar, counsel must notify the Bailiff at least one business day in advance and submit a proposed plea entry then whenever practicable.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Contact

Email to clerk ?

Counsel must email the Bailiff (rbryan@hamiltoncountycourtsoh.gov) and copy all parties no later than 7 days before trial to confirm the status of their case and whether it will proceed as scheduled.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

Phone

513-946-5759

** ALL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES (CMC), STATUS CONFERENCES, AND CASE REPORTS, WILL BE HELD VIA TELEPHONE CONFERENCE. PLEASE CONTACT OPPOSING COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE CMC AND INITIATE A CONFERENCE CALL -- THEN CALL THE COURT AT 513-946-5759 **

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Oral argument in a civil case is set only upon request or at the direction of the Court. Contact opposing counsel prior to contacting the Court’s staff attorney to request oral argument on a civil motion.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone ?

If an attorney is going to be late for a scheduled proceeding, the attorney is expected to telephone the Bailiff (criminal matters) or Staff Attorney (civil matters) in advance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

If a party is going to be late or the court appearance needs to be rescheduled, attorneys should contact the Staff Attorney in advance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

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.WARNING?

The Parties shall notify the Court when the motion is ripe for decision.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Once a motion has been ripe for more than 60 days, please email Court staff that a motion remains pending and copy all parties.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

** CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES CAN BE HELD VIA TELEPHONE UPOD REQUEST. IF GRANTED, PLEASE CONTACT OPPOSING COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE CMC AND INITIATE A CONFERENCE CALL -- THEN CALL THE COURT **

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil motions are generally scheduled in the afternoon, but are subject to cancellation or postponement if a trial is in progress.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact the bailiff to set the date and time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

For civil matters, contact opposing counsel initially and provide the law clerk with proposed date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

For criminal matters, contact the room prosecutor initially and then the bailiff.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

The Assignment Commissioner sets the initial case management conference when the case is filed.  Those appearances are by phone unless you were contacted by the Staff Attorney to appear in person.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

To set a hearing on a civil case, contact the Staff Attorney.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Phone

513-946-5831 ?

All civil appearances will be conducted via phone conference unless the parties request to appear in person. To switch from a phone conference to in-person, please email the Staff Attorney in advance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Oral argument in a civil case is set only upon request.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

For motions to withdraw as counsel in civil cases, follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the Staff Attorney to schedule a hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

The moving party is permitted to email Court staff when an unopposed motion is ripe for decision.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

You are welcome to email the staff attorney before the trial date to inquire of the status of your case on the docket.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Contact

Email to clerk ?

Please email the Court’s Bailiff (and copy all counsel) prior to the jury trial date to determine the status of your case on the docket.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Contact

Phone ?

Attorneys can call the court for assistance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Occasionally, days are set aside for hearing civil motions.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

On those days, motions may be scheduled in the morning also.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Criminal motions are scheduled in the mornings.