Judge Matthew V. Rudzki
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Motion In Limine
- 2 copies
Exhibits
Court-wideMotion
Court-wideCommunication
Chambers6 contacts
- rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us
- jobara@alleghenycourts.us
- mgirlardo@alleghenycourts.us
- ddougherty@alleghenycourts.us
- 412-350-6883
- 412-350-6885
Clerk3 contacts
- civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us
- hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
- 412-350-4462
Other Contacts1 contacts
- civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
A proposed order must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.
Proposed orders must be attached separately in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.
DOCX
If requested, proposed findings or a proposed order must be submitted in Word format to chambers by email with a copy to opposing counsel.
The Court may request submission of proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and/or a proposed Order. These shall be submitted in Word format to rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.
DOCX
Plaintiffs must identify trial exhibits with Arabic numerals, while defendants must use letters.
Plaintiff shall identify exhibits with Arabic numerals, and Defendant shall use letters.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Shared files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as submission methods to the Court.
Share files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links may not be submitted to the Court.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A Housing Court motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records after the Help Desk provides its hearing date and time; obtaining Help Desk scheduling does not itself constitute filing.
Once the Housing Court Help Desk gives you a date and time for your motion, file the Motion with the Department of Court Records. Getting a time from the Help Desk is not the same as filing with the Department of Court Records.
Page 4 | HOUSING COURT
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Requested proposed findings and proposed orders must be emailed to chambers with a copy to opposing counsel.
These shall be submitted in Word format to rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.
Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS
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.
Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS
Every filed post-trial motion must also be served on the trial judge in chambers or by email.
A copy of any filed post-trial motion must also be served upon the trial judge in chambers or electronically at rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 3 | POST-TRIAL MOTIONS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of every filing must be emailed to Chambers because the Court does not automatically receive filed-document 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 rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
The parties must email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.
The parties shall email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses thereto to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.
Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS
Filing Bundling Requirements
Using binders for trial exhibits is preferred.
Exhibit binders are preferred.
Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS
Chambers Communication Rules
Court email addresses may be used to transmit filed court documents and address administrative scheduling matters.
Please note that communications through the Court’s email addresses shall be limited to transmission of petitions/motions/other filed chambers and inquiry regarding administrative (scheduling) matters.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Self-represented litigants must read the court website before directing inquiries to Chambers.
All self-represented litigants must visit and become familiar with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas website: www.alleghenycourts.us. Please read it before you direct inquiries to Chambers.
Page 4 | HOUSING COURT
Parties may contact Chambers by phone or email for scheduling concerns or clarification.
Following review of these Standard Operating Procedures and applicable rules, if any party appearing before the Court has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in a case, they should contact Chambers at 412-350-6883 or rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6883 for Melissa Girlardo.
Melissa Girlardo Judicial Administrative Assistant 412-350-6883
Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6885 for Dana Dougherty.
Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885
Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Melissa Girlardo's listed address.
Melissa Girlardo Judicial Administrative Assistant 412-350-6883 mgirlardo@alleghenycourts.us
Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Dana Dougherty's listed address.
Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885 ddougherty@alleghenycourts.us
Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Jacqulyn Obara's listed address.
Jacqulyn Obara, Esq. Law Clerk jobara@alleghenycourts.us
Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION