Judge Mary C. McGinley
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 2 copies
- Email • Upon Filing
- Upon Filing
Exhibits
Motion In Limine
- 2 copies
Motion, Petition, Brief, Other Filing
- Upon request
Communication
Chambers7 contacts
- zoningmcginley@alleghenycourts.us
- emilyzirpoli@alleghenycourts.us
- rfehlner@alleghenycourts.us
- jobrien@alleghenycourts.us
- 412-350-1484
- 412-350-1486
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- 412-350-1485
Clerk3 contacts
- civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us
- hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
- 412-350-4462
Other Contacts1 contacts
- civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us
Page & Word Limits1 rule
In Center cases assigned to Judge McGinley, primary briefs are limited to 35 pages and responsive or secondary briefs to 20 pages unless the court grants leave.
Primary briefs may not exceed thirty-five (35) pages and responsive/secondary briefs may not exceed twenty (20) pages absent leave of court.
Primary Brief
35 pages
Responsive Or Secondary Brief
20 pages
Document Format Requirements6 rules
A proposed order must be attached separately in Microsoft Word format.
Proposed orders must be attached separately in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.
DOCX
Plaintiffs must use Arabic numerals to identify exhibits, while defendants must use letters.
Plaintiff shall identify exhibits with Arabic numerals, and Defendant shall use letters.
Any court-requested post-hearing submissions must be emailed in Word format to the designated chambers address, with a copy to opposing counsel.
These shall be submitted in Word format to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.
DOCX
Proposed orders attached to Center filings must be in editable Microsoft Word format.
Proposed orders must be attached in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.
DOCX
Documents sent to the Court must be in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Share files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as Court submissions.
Share files, dropbox transfers and outside links may not be submitted to the Court.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
At trial, each party’s counsel must provide a complete potential-witness list to the court reporter and Court, identifying deposition or videotape witnesses and their approximate testimony length.
At the commencement of trial, counsel for each party shall provide a complete list of potential witnesses to the court reporter and the Court. The list should also include the name of any witness whose testimony will be presented by deposition or videotape and the approximate length of that testimony.
Document Type
Witness List
Every document must include the attorney’s or self-represented party’s phone number and email address.
All documents must include attorney or party (if self-represented) contact information including a phone number and an email address.
Document Type
Documents
A post-trial motion must include a copy of the request for the trial-testimony transcript.
The post-trial motion must contain a copy of the request for transcript of the trial testimony
Document Type
Post Trial Motion
Plaintiff exhibits must be identified with Arabic numerals and defendant exhibits with letters.
Plaintiff shall identify exhibits with Arabic numerals, and Defendant shall use letters.
Document Type
Exhibits
The moving party must promptly ensure that the court reporter is paid on time for preparing the trial transcript.
The moving party must promptly see that the Court Reporter is timely paid for preparing the transcript.
Document Type
Post Trial Motion
A copy of the exhibits must be provided to the witness, opposing counsel, and the court.
At a minimum, the witness, opposing counsel and the Court must be provided with a copy.
Document Type
Exhibits
Counsel must confer as early as feasible and provide the court with joint submissions on proposed charge points and a proposed verdict slip.
Counsel shall confer on points for charge and a proposed verdict slip at the earliest feasible point so that a joint submission for each is provided to the Court.
Requirement
Document requirement
Each party may submit a written supplement addressing charge or verdict-slip issues that the parties cannot resolve.
A written supplement may be provided by each party to address points and matters upon which the parties are unable to agree.
Document Type
Written Supplement
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
For cases assigned to Judge McGinley in the Center, dispositive motions, petitions, and objections must first be filed with Court Records and then emailed to chambers, with a copy to the opposing party, for scheduling.
All motions/petitions/objections requiring disposition shall first be filed with the Department of Records and then emailed to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel/self-represented parties for scheduling.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of every filed post-trial motion must be served on the trial judge either in chambers or by email at the listed address.
A copy of any filed post-trial motion must also be served upon the trial judge in chambers or electronically at mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 3 | POST-TRIAL MOTIONS
Copies of court-requested post-hearing submissions must be sent by email to opposing counsel.
These shall be submitted in Word format to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.
Page 3 | NONJURY TRIALS
Copies of Center matters requiring disposition must be emailed to opposing counsel or the self-represented party.
All motions/petitions/objections requiring disposition shall first be filed with the Department of Records and then emailed to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel/self-represented parties for scheduling.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Every filing must include a courtesy copy emailed to chambers because the Court does not automatically receive Department of Court Records copies.
With respect to filings, note that the Court does not automatically receive copies of documents filed with the Department of Court Records and a courtesy copy must be provided to chambers at mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Each motion in limine and its written response must be delivered as two paper copies to Chambers.
The parties shall deliver two (2) paper copies of any motions in limine and written responses thereto to Judge McGinley’s Chambers.
Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS
A courtesy paper copy of a motion seeking assignment to the Commerce and Complex Litigation Center must be delivered to chambers after filing with Court Records.
A courtesy paper copy of any such motion shall be delivered to Chambers at the above-listed address
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
A courtesy copy must be emailed to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us, copying opposing counsel or self-represented parties.
A courtesy copy shall also be emailed to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel/self-represented parties.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
Each exhibit must be provided in at least three copies: one to the witness, one to opposing counsel, and one to the Court.
At a minimum, the witness, opposing counsel and the Court must be provided with a copy.
Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS
Courtesy paper copies of Center filings should not be provided unless the standing procedures specify them or chambers requests them.
Please do not provide courtesy paper copies of motions/petitions/briefs or other filings unless specified in these Standard Operating Procedures or requested by Chambers.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
The Court requests two paper copies of filed briefs, excluding the record, for Chambers.
The Court requests that the parties provide two paper copies of filed briefs (not the record) to Chambers.
Page 5 | LAND USE MATTERS
Filing Bundling Requirements
Exhibit binders are preferred, but alternatives for voluminous exhibits will be reviewed at the pretrial conference.
Exhibit binders are preferred, but where exhibits are voluminous, other options will be reviewed at pretrial conference.
Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The parties must meet and confer about resolving each motion in limine before presenting it to the Court.
The parties shall also meet and confer regarding resolution of any Motions in Limine prior to presentation to the Court.
Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS
An initial remote conference will be scheduled for each Judge McGinley land-use appeal, followed by issuance of a case-management and briefing schedule.
For cases assigned to Judge McGinley, an initial remote conference on each land use appeal will be scheduled. Following conference, a case management/briefing schedule will issue.
Page 4 | LAND USE MATTERS
Land-use appeal briefs are due simultaneously unless unique circumstances require a deviation.
Briefs will be due simultaneously absent unique circumstances requiring deviation from this practice.
Page 4 | LAND USE MATTERS
A party may request a case-management or status conference by motion, and the parties must confer about a proposed schedule before any such conference.
However, any party may file a motion requesting a case management or status conference. The parties shall confer about a proposed case management schedule prior to any conference.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
Judge McGinley generally decides land-use appeal issues on the filed record and briefs, does not accept additional evidence, and does not schedule oral argument as a matter of course.
Issues will be decided on the filed record and briefs. No additional evidence is accepted as a general rule. Judge McGinley will not schedule oral argument as a matter of course.
Page 4 | LAND USE MATTERS
Chambers Communication Rules
Case-related emails to the Court must include all counsel or self-represented parties visibly in the To or CC fields and must not use BCC.
When communicating with the Court via email about a particular case, ALL counsel/self- represented parties must be included on the email. The email addresses of other counsel/self- represented parties must be included either in the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Do NOT “BCC” any clients/parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
A communication transmitted through a Court email address without specific authorization will be treated as ex parte and not considered.
Unless the Court has specifically authorized transmission of the communication, it shall be treated as ex parte and will not be considered.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
A party must contact Chambers for instructions when a submission is voluminous.
If a submission is voluminous, please contact Chambers for instructions.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Court email addresses may be used only for filed submissions and administrative or scheduling inquiries, not disagreements among parties or counsel.
Please note that communications through the Court’s email addresses shall be limited to transmission of petitions/motions/other filed submissions and inquiry regarding administrative (scheduling) matters. Please do not copy the Court on other forms of communication, such as disagreements amongst the parties/counsel.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Counsel or a party may contact Emily Zirpoli at 412-350-1484 for scheduling concerns or clarification.
Following review of these Standard Operating Procedures and applicable rules, if counsel/a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in a case, they should contact Emily Zirpoli at 412-350-1484.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Counsel and unrepresented parties may contact Judge McGinley’s chambers with questions about the Center-case transition or case status.
Counsel/unrepresented parties may contact Judge McGinley’s Chambers with questions about the transition/case status.
Page 4 | COMMERCE AND COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS
Motions, submissions, and inquiries relating to land use matters may be emailed to the identified Chambers address.
Motions/submissions/inquiries relating to land use matters may be emailed to zoningmcginley@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 5 | LAND USE MATTERS
Jack O’Brien may be contacted by phone at 412-350-1485 or by email at JOBrien@alleghenycourts.us.
You may contact Chambers through the following information for judicial staff: • Jack O’Brien – Tip Staff/Junior Law Clerk – 412-350-1485; JOBrien@alleghenycourts.us
Page 5 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Emily Zirpoli may be contacted by phone at 412-350-1484 or by email at emilyzirpoli@alleghenycourts.us.
You may contact Chambers through the following information for judicial staff: • Emily Zirpoli – Judicial Assistant/Junior Law Clerk - 412-350-1484; emilyzirpoli@alleghenycourts.us
Page 5 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Rosemary Fehlner may be contacted by phone at 412-350-1486 or by email at RFehlner@alleghenycourts.us.
You may contact Chambers through the following information for judicial staff: • Rosemary Fehlner – Senior Law Clerk – 412-350-1486; RFehlner@alleghenycourts.us
Page 5 | CONTACT INFORMATION