Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Chambers Communication Rules
125 rules from official source documents
Rules for contacting chambers: permitted methods, hours, and purposes. This page is scoped to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
When emailing the court, all parties must be included in the To or CC fields unless directed otherwise, and opposing parties or counsel must not be placed in BCC.
When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. The email addresses of the other parties/opposing counsel must be included in either the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Please do NOT “BCC” the other parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
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- Email to chambers
Case-related emails to the Court must include all parties, with other parties’ email addresses visible in the To or CC field and no BCC copies.
When communicating with the Court via email about a particular case, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. ===== PAGE 2 ===== The email address of the other parties/ opposing counsel 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.
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- Email to chambers
Court email addresses may be used only for filed submissions and administrative scheduling inquiries.
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.
Do not copy the Court on party disagreements or other communications unless the Court specifically authorizes transmission; unauthorized communications are treated as ex parte and not considered.
Please do not copy the court on other forms of communication, such as disagreements amongst the parties/counsels. Unless the Court has specifically authorized transmission of the communication, it shall be treated as exparte and will not be considered.
The moving party must give Judge Klein advance notice of all contested motions when the judge is sitting as General Motions Judge and argument is scheduled.
the moving party is required to provide Judge Klein with notice of all CONTESTED Motions in advance of a scheduled argument when Judge Klein is sitting as the General Motions Judge.
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- Email to chambers
The motion must be emailed to Judge Klein's chambers as a PDF, with the proposed order emailed as a separate Word document.
To do this please email your motion as a PDF document and your proposed order as a separate WORD document to kleinchambers@alleghenycourts.us.
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- Email to chambers
A contested general asbestos motion signed up with Judge Klein must be emailed to the judge's staff before the motion date.
Contested General Asbestos Motions signed up with Judge Klein are to be emailed to the Judges staff at motionsklein@alleghenycourts.us prior to the motion date.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Emails to the court ordinarily must copy all parties and include the case number in the subject line, except when no other party email address is available online or on the docket.
All parties should be copied on emails to the Court. Do not email the court without the other party to your case attached, with the exception of the rare instance that there is no email address accessible online or on the docket. You MUST include the case number in your subject line.
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- Email to chambers
After filing, email the filing to wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us; filing alone does not deliver the document to chambers.
All filings should be emailed to wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us after filing. Feel free to copy a clerk as well. We don’t receive a document when you file it. You MUST send it to us.
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- Email to chambers
Self-represented litigants must email their name, docket number, cell phone number, and email address to chambers, and all parties appearing before Judge Wagner must submit their email addresses.
Please ensure that the Court has your phone number and email address by emailing your name, docket number and cell phone number to wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us. JUDGE WAGNER REQUIRES ALL PARTIES APPEARING BEFORE HER TO SUBMIT THEIR EMAIL ADDRESSES.
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- Email to chambers
Emergency motions must be emailed to the Court at the listed email addresses and should be submitted only for true emergencies.
Emergency Motions shall be emailed to the Court at the following email address: wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us AND ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us AND bkorinski@alleghenycourts.us. You should only do this for submissions regarding true emergencies.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412.350.0390
Counsel must notify chambers by telephone when submitting an emergency motion.
Concurrent with the submission of an Emergency Motion, counsel must notify chambers by telephone 412.350.0390 of the emergency submission.
Requests for judicial action must be presented as a motion or petition, and unsolicited mail, fax, telephone, or email requests will not be considered.
All matters requesting action by the Court shall be presented in the form of a motion or petition to the court. The Court will not entertain requests for action that are submitted by unsolicited mail, fax, telephone or email.
- Contact
Case-related emails must include all parties in the To or CC fields unless directed otherwise, and opposing parties or counsel must not be included through BCC.
When communicating with the Court via email about a particular case, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. The email addresses of the other parties/opposing counsel must be included either in the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Do NOT “BCC” the parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Filings must also be emailed to the judicial staff at amcvay@alleghenycourts.us.
All filings should be docketed with the DCR, and then served on the opposing party, AND emailed to the judicial staff at amcvay@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
If the case settles before conciliation, the parties must send the Court a joint or separate settlement-confirmation letter by approved delivery methods.
If the case settles before the conciliation date, the parties MUST forward a joint letter or separate letters confirming settlement to this Court either by in-person delivery, by email to acheetham@alleghenycourts.us and amcvay@alleghenycourts.us, or by facsimile to (412) 350-3783.
- Contact
Counsel must email copies of all pretrial motions and briefs to the two identified court email addresses, regardless of whether they were previously filed with the DCR.
As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned to this Court for trial, counsel must email copies of all pretrial motions and briefs to acheetham@alleghenycourts.us and amcvay@alleghenycourts.us, regardless of whether those motions and/or briefs were previously filed with the DCR or not.
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The parties must email both Word and PDF versions of all proposed final jury instructions to the Court and its law clerks.
The parties shall email Word and PDF versions of all proposed final instructions to the Court and the Court’s law clerks at kmccann@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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.
- Contact
All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.
When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included unless directed otherwise.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Emails to the Court must copy every attorney and self-represented litigant.
Always copy every attorney and self represented litigant on Chambers emails to the Court.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Motions must be sent to both the motions and chambers email addresses; all other communications go to chambers unless directed otherwise.
Send motions to the Motions AND Chambers email addresses. Send all other communications to the Chambers email address unless otherwise directed.
Chambers must be notified immediately when a case settles or a scheduled proceeding becomes unnecessary.
Notify Chambers immediately when a case settles or a scheduled proceeding is no longer necessary.
- Contact
Interpreter and ADA accommodation requests must be emailed as early as possible before the proceeding to the two listed addresses, and requests for ASL or less commonly spoken languages may need to be made eight weeks in advance.
Requests must be emailed as early as possible before the proceeding to the following: 1. courtaccess@alleghenycourts.us; and 2. Henry-taylorchambers@alleghenycourts.us. B. Requests for Interpreters, particularly for American Sign Language (ASL) or a less commonly spoken language, may need to be made as early as eight (8) weeks in advance of a proceeding to ensure interpreter availability.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Audio and video recordings must be submitted by email to chambers and on a labeled, sealed, three-hole-punched USB flash drive placed in the Exhibit Binder.
All video and audio recordings must be submitted: i. Via email to henry-taylorchambers@alleghenycourts.us; and ii. On a USB flash drive, sealed in a large envelope, three-hole punched, and placed in the Exhibit Binder. The envelope must be marked with the exhibit number(s)/letter(s).
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Settlement agreements and final consent orders must be emailed to Judge Henry-Taylor's chambers at the stated email address.
D. Settlement Agreements or Final Consent Orders shall be emailed to henry- taylorchambers@alleghenycourts.us.
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- Email to chambers
Settlement agreements and orders to settle and discontinue must be emailed to Judge Henry-Taylor's chambers.
D. Settlement Agreements and Orders to Settle and Discontinue shall be emailed to henry-taylorchambers@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Emails about a particular case must include all parties in the To or Cc fields, unless directed otherwise, and may not use Bcc for other parties or opposing counsel.
When communicating with the court via email about a particular case, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. The email addresses of the other parties/opposing counsel must be included either in the “To” or the “Cc” boxes so that they are visible to the court. Please do not “Bcc” the other parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
Argument must not be submitted by email, and unprofessional or disparaging communications are prohibited.
The court will not entertain argument via email, nor will it tolerate unprofessional or disparaging communications whether directed towards court staff or the opposition.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Request an alternative argument date by email for a time-restricted contested emergency motion, using “EMERGENCY” in the subject and stating the reason and required timeframe in the body.
If you have a contested emergency motion that cannot be scheduled on a calendar control motions date due to the time restrictions involved, please email civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us to request an alternative date for argument. Please indicate in the subject line ‘EMERGENCY’ and include in the body of the email the reason for the emergency and the timeframe in which the motion needs to be heard.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
After filing an uncontested motion, email it to civil calendar control for signature, copy all parties, and identify any party without an email address.
After your motion has been filed it should be emailed to civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us for signing. All parties should be copied on this email, if a party does not have an email address please state that in your email.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
An uncontested-motion email must identify “UNCONTESTED,” the docket number and case name in the subject, and all parties, their contact information, and the motion's uncontested status in the body.
Please put in the subject line of the email UNCONTESTED with the docket number and case name; in the body of the email please list all parties in the case and their email addresses, or other contact information if email is not available, and state that the motion is uncontested, consented to, or unopposed.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
For an emergency uncontested motion, place “EMERGENCY” in the email subject and state in the body the required signature date and reason.
If you have a time sensitive or emergency uncontested motion please indicate EMERGENCY in the subject line of the email and in the body of the email indicate the date the order must be signed by and the reason why.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Every motion-related email must identify the motion as contested, uncontested, or emergency and include the docket number and case name in the subject line.
The subject line of all emails regarding motions should be titled as contested, uncontested, or EMERGENCY with the docket number and case name.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
A motion-related email must state the current or requested trial or arbitration date, the motion name, and the motion’s presentation date.
The body of the email should include the current trial date or arbitration date (if requesting an initial trial date or arbitration date please state that in your email), the name of the motion and the date of presentation of your motion.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Email all motions and orders to the court and provide each proposed order as a separate Microsoft Word document.
All motions and orders must be emailed, and the proposed order must be provided as a separate Microsoft Word Document.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
All proposed final instructions must be emailed to Chambers in Microsoft Word format at the specified address.
The parties shall email Microsoft Word versions of all proposed final instructions to Chambers at ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us .
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- Email to chambers
All parties must be copied on court email communications unless the court directs otherwise.
When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
If the court order sets no argument date, any party may, after the deposition-completion deadline, file a praecipe and email a copy to Civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us to schedule final argument before the General Motions Judge.
If the court order does not set an argument date, at any time after the date by which the depositions were to be completed, any party may order the cause for argument before the General Motions Judge by filing a praecipe to set a date and time for the final argument and transmitting a copy of the praecipe to the following email address: Civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
- Phone
- 412-350-4462
The petitioner must notify a Housing Court Clerk by telephone if the petition scheduled for argument becomes moot.
(c) The Petitioner shall notify a Housing Court Clerk (412-350-4462) if the petition scheduled for argument becomes moot.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The filing party must email the preliminary objections to the Eminent Domain Judge's chambers or a designated judge's chambers for scheduling.
The party filing the preliminary objections shall email the Preliminary Objections to the chambers of the Eminent Domain Judge, or any such Judge the Administrative Judge may designate, for scheduling.
- Contact
Requests to schedule Housing Court preliminary objections for oral argument must be submitted by email to the Housing Court Help Desk.
The party filing the Preliminary Objections must request that the Preliminary Objections be scheduled for oral argument by submitting the preliminary objections and a proposed order in Microsoft Word format to the Housing Court Help Desk email at HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
Requests to schedule argument on a motion for judgment on the pleadings must be sent by email to civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us.
A request to schedule the date and time for argument shall be transmitted by email to the following email address: civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us, accompanied by a PDF copy of the motion 117 ===== PAGE 118 ===== and brief and a proposed order.
- Contact
- Email to intake unit
The oral-argument scheduling request must be emailed to the Housing Court Help Desk with the specified attachments.
A request to schedule the date and time for argument shall be transmitted by email to the Housing Court Help Desk at HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us accompanied by a PDF copy of the motion, brief if filed, and a proposed order in Microsoft Word format.
When the responding party denies a Section 3301(d) allegation, either party may obtain a conciliation date from the docket clerk, file a Praecipe for Conciliation Date, and serve copies on all parties of record.
Where the responding party has denied one or more of the allegations set forth in the moving party’s affidavit under Section 3301(d) of the Code, either party may obtain a date for conciliation of the divorce claim from the docket clerk, Room 611, City- County Building, and then filing a “Praecipe for Conciliation Date” listing such date with the Department of Court Records (City-County Building, 1st Floor) and serving copies of same on all parties of record.
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The party filing a writ of certiorari must schedule the argument date by emailing the Housing Court Help Desk for landlord-tenant appeals or civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us for all other civil appeals.
(4) The party filing the praecipe is responsible for scheduling an argument date by emailing the Housing Court Help Desk on Landlord Tenant appeals, or civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us on all other civil appeals from the Magisterial District Judge
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Email may not be sent directly to Judge Hertzberg unless the judge or staff authorizes it.
Do not send email directly to Judge Hertzberg unless authorized to do so by Judge Hertzberg or staff.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Responses and replies for contested motions may be emailed in PDF format.
Responses and any replies can also be emailed in PDF format.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412.760.7848
For urgent matters not adequately described by email, the law clerk may be contacted by cell phone at 412-760-7848 or by text message, but the cell phone should not be abused.
If you need to speak to the Law Clerk about an urgent matter that does not lend itself to be adequately described in an email, you may call the Law Clerk on his cell phone at 412.760.7848 or send a text message. Don’t abuse the cell phone!
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
Housing Court motion arguments are conducted by telephone on a shared line, and participants must remain silent until their case is called and wait until the pending motion concludes to raise issues.
Motions arguments are conducted by phone. All litigants for all cases use the same phone line. When you get on the line, everyone can hear you. Please stay silent until your case is called. If there is an issue, and your Motion is not currently being heard, please wait until the pending motion is concluded to raise the issue.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Consent motions and proposed orders must be emailed to the Court at the listed address.
Send the Motion and proposed order to the Court at ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
After filing an uncontested motion, it must be emailed to the court’s discovery address for signing.
After your motion has been filed it should be emailed to ReganDiscovery@alleghenycourts.us for signing.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Electronic communications should not be sent directly to Judge Regan unless specifically directed; correspondence and filings should be directed to Law Clerk Stefanie Frelick at the stated email address.
Do not send electronic communication directly to Judge Regan unless specifically directed to do so. Any correspondence or filings should be directed to Judge Regan’s Law Clerk, Stefanie Frelick, J.D. at sfrelick@alleghenycourts.us.
Chambers must schedule all asbestos motions.
All Asbestos Motions shall be scheduled by Chambers.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Electronic communications must be sent to the two listed judicial staff email addresses.
Please send electronic communications to acheetham@alleghenycourts.us and amcvay@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Do not email Judge McVay directly unless the judge or staff authorizes it.
Do not send emails directly to Judge McVay unless authorized to do so by Judge McVay or his staff.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
All parties must be included visibly in Court email communications, and opposing parties or counsel may not be copied using BCC.
When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included in the email unless directed otherwise. The email addresses of other parties/opposing counsel must be included in either the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Please do not “BCC” the other parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Conservatorship proceedings should be sent to the designated conservatorship email, after which judicial chambers will respond.
All conservatorship proceedings should be filed with the DCR and sent to the conservatorship email at conservatorshipcalendar@alleghenycourts.us. Once the email has been received, judicial chambers will respond.
Counsel should consult Judge McVay’s staff in advance about how to proceed with election cases assigned to the judge.
Please check in advance with Judge McVay’s staff on how to specifically proceed with election cases assigned to Judge McVay, although the above-referenced SOP should be reviewed and generally followed.
A party must contact Chambers for instructions when a submission is voluminous.
If a submission is voluminous, please contact Chambers for instructions.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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.
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.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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.
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.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send staff a settlement-confirmation letter by email.
In the event that the case settles before the conciliation date, please forward a letter confirming that fact to my chambers via mail or email my staff at Charlene.Baker@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Communications sent to individual staff email addresses outside the designated inboxes may not receive a response.
Communications sent to individual staff emails outside the designated inboxes may not be answered.
Messages to the Housing Court Help Desk should include the sender’s full name, phone number, and case number if applicable.
Please include your full name, phone number, and case number (if applicable) in your messages with the Help Desk.
Parties must give chambers three business days' advance notice before using courtroom technology.
Parties must notify chambers three (3) business days in advance if they intend to use: Screens; Projectors; Audio/video playback; and/or Demonstratives.
Participants must notify chambers immediately when technology issues occur.
Participants must notify chambers immediately of any technology issues.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Notify the court by replying to the original email chain, copying all parties, when a contested motion becomes uncontested before argument.
If a motion was initially filed as contested but is later determined to be uncontested prior to the scheduled argument date, please notify the court by replying to the original email chain making sure all parties are copied on this email.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Notify the court by replying to the original email chain when a motion's presentation date changes or the motion becomes resolved or withdrawn.
If your presentation date changes or if the motion becomes resolved or withdrawn, please notify the court by replying to the original email chain so that your motion can be moved appropriately.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
An attorney may request an exigent-circumstance Microsoft TEAMS hearing by emailing civil calendar control and explaining the exigency; a remote hearing is not guaranteed.
If you have an exigent circumstance a remote hearing request can be submitted. Please email civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us to request a hearing by Advanced Communication Technology (Microsoft TEAMS) and indicate what the exigent circumstance is.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Copy all parties with email addresses on motion-related court emails and state in the email when any party lacks an email address.
All parties who have email addresses should be copied on the email to the court; if email addresses are not available please state that in the email.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Send calendar-control motion matters or questions by email, or call 412-350-5904 if email is unavailable.
All matters or questions regarding calendar control motions should be emailed to civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us if you are unable to email please call 412-350-5904.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A request to change the Pretrial Conciliation time must be submitted in writing to Judge Connelly's chambers and is considered only if the court can accommodate it and all parties agree.
Any request for a change in time of the Conciliation must be made in writing to ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us and will only be considered if the Court is able to accommodate the change, and all parties agree to the change.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
The Housing Court Help Desk may receive the petition and proposed order by email at HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us for oral-argument scheduling.
(b) The Petitioner must request that the petition be scheduled for oral argument by submitting the petition and a proposed order in Microsoft Word format to the Housing Court Help Desk email at HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
When the record is sealed or publication is waived, the petitioner may email the Special Name Change Judge’s chambers to obtain a hearing date.
if the record has been sealed or publication waived, the Petitioner may email the Special Name Change Judge’s chambers to obtain a hearing date.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412.350.5400
Chambers may be contacted by phone at 412.350.5400 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone 412.350.5400 Hours of Operation Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-6333
Parties may call chambers at the listed number to speak with staff or leave a voicemail.
You may call chambers at 412-350-6333 to speak with a staff person, or, if none is available, to leave a voicemail message.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Electronic communications should be sent to the listed chambers email address.
Please send electronic communications to shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
If chambers has not responded within 10 business days, the sender should call chambers to confirm receipt of the request.
We do our best to respond to inquiries promptly. If you do not hear back from chambers within 10 business days, please call to insure we received the request.
- Contact
- Phone
Requests to schedule arguments, hearings, conferences, trials, or other court intervention should be made by telephone at 412-350-633 or email to shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us.
Requests to schedule arguments, hearings, conferences, trials or other court intervention should be made by telephoning 412-350-633 or emailing shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Chambers may be contacted by email using the listed judicial staff contact information.
You may contact Chambers through the following contact information for judicial staff:
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Monica Dawkins, the judicial assistant, may be contacted by email at mdawkins@alleghenycourts.us.
Monica Dawkins – Judicial Assistant – mdawkins@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Alexander Simonetta, the tipstaff, may be contacted by email at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us.
Alexander Simonetta – Tipstaff – asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Paul DaChille, the law clerk, may be contacted by email at pd22law@gmail.com.
Paul DaChille – Law Clerk – pd22law@gmail.com
- Contact
- Email to chambers
- Phone
- 412.350.0390
Use wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us as the first point of contact for scheduling and administrative matters, email ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us for court-procedure questions, or call chambers at 412.350.0390.
The first point of contact is wagnerchambers@alleghenycourts.us. For questions about court procedure, you may speak to the Judge’s Law Clerk. The best way to do this is to e-mail ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us. In most cases, you will receive a response to your question on the same business day. You may also call chambers at 412.350.0390.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Email ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us to ask the judge’s law clerk about court procedure, with a response generally expected on the same business day.
For questions about court procedure, you may speak to the Judge’s Law Clerk. The best way to do this is to e-mail ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us. In most cases, you will receive a response to your question on the same business day.
All pro se litigants must visit and become familiar with the court's website before directing inquiries to chambers.
All Pro Se litigants must visit and become familiar with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas website: www.alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-6563
Chambers may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6563.
You may also contact Chambers at 412-350-6563.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- (412) 350-6563
Scheduling concerns or questions should be directed to Chambers by phone at (412) 350-6563.
If counsel/a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in a case, they should contact chambers at (412) 350-6563.
- Contact
The Court will circulate the asbestos summary-judgment argument schedule by email.
Asbestos MSJ argument schedule shall be circulated via email from the Court.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-3779
Parties may call chambers at 412-350-3779 to speak with staff or leave a voicemail.
You may call chambers at 412-350-3779 to speak with a staff person or leave a voicemail if no one is available.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Questions about general motion procedures may be directed by email to the General Motions Supervisor or chambers staff.
Judge McVay frequently presids as the General Motions Judge throughout the Fifth Judicial District’s calendar year. Please consult Eric Efinger, General Motions Supervisor, at civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us, as well as our staff’s emails with any specific questions.
- Contact
Attorneys may email Judge Amy McVay with motions to discontinue and end or requests for conciliations.
Attorneys may continue to contact Amy McVay via email at amcvay@alleghenycourts.us with any Motions to Discontinue and End or requests for conciliations.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-1484
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.
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.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-1484
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
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-1486
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
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-1485
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
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-6883
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.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Jacqulyn Obara's listed address.
Jacqulyn Obara, Esq. Law Clerk jobara@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-6883
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6883 for Melissa Girlardo.
Melissa Girlardo Judicial Administrative Assistant 412-350-6883
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-6885
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6885 for Dana Dougherty.
Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Dana Dougherty's listed address.
Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885 ddougherty@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Scheduling concerns or clarification requests should be emailed to Charlene Baker.
If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Charlene Baker at charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us or 412-350-5545.
Attorneys appearing from outside Allegheny County must contact Chambers promptly when procedural questions arise.
• Contact Chambers promptly if procedural questions arise.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Two email addresses are provided for chambers-related communications.
1. henry-taylormotions@alleghenycourts.us; AND 2. Henry-taylorchambers@alleghenycourts.us.
- Contact
Questions about cases, Housing Court forms, or Housing Court motions may be sent by email to the Housing Court Help Desk or submitted by phone at 412-350-4462.
If you have questions about your case, Housing Court forms, or Housing Court Motions, you may email the Housing Court Help Desk at HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us or call 412-350-4462.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
- Phone
- 412-350-5904
Email is the preferred method of communicating with the court, and chambers may be called at 412-350-5904 if email is unavailable.
The preferred and most efficient method of communication to the court is to email as instructed below. If you are unable to email you may call chambers at 412-350-5904.
- Contact
Questions concerning trial matters should be emailed to ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us after reviewing the trial procedures section.
For Trial related matters please review the section titled Trial Procedures below before emailing your question to: • ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us
Judge Connelly’s staff may not provide legal advice; persons needing legal advice must contact an attorney.
Judge Connelly’s staff cannot provide legal advice. If you require legal advice, please contact an attorney.
- Contact
General or administrative inquiries should be emailed to Erin Liddell at eliddell@alleghenycourts.us.
For general inquiries or administrative questions contact: • Erin Liddell, Judicial Administrative Assistant: eliddell@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
Questions concerning petitions for settlement approval should be emailed to Alicia Loy at aloy@alleghenycourts.us after reviewing the applicable section.
For Petitions for Settlement Approval please review the section titled Petitions for Settlement Approval below before emailing your question to: • Alicia Loy, Esquire - Judicial Law Clerk: aloy@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
Communications concerning housing cases assigned to Judge Connelly should be directed to Mallory Friday at mfriday@alleghenycourts.us.
For Housing cases assigned to Judge Connelly contact: • Mallory Friday, Esquire - Judicial Law Clerk: mfriday@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
Questions about calendar control motions should be emailed to civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us after reviewing the calendar control motions section.
For Calendar Control Questions please review the section titled Calendar Control Motions below before emailing your question to: • civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us
- Contact
- Email to clerk
- Phone
- 412-350-4057
Questions about Petitions for Settlement Approval may be emailed to Judge Connelly's law clerk at aloy@alleghenycourts.us.
Questions regarding Petitions for Settlement Approval should be directed to Judge Connelly’s Law Clerk, Alicia Loy, Esq., by emailing aloy@alleghenycourts.us or calling 412-350-4057.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Litigants may schedule advance courtroom-technology testing with Chambers by emailing ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us.
Litigants may arrange time with Chambers to test the Courtroom technology in advance of the trial by emailing ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us .
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Court communications should be emailed to law clerk Lee M. Vapniarek.
In order to contact the Court, please email the following law clerk: Lee M. Vapniarek, Esq. LVapniarek@alleghenycourts.us
The law clerk will direct parties to the appropriate course of action for their issue or concern.
Mr. Vapniarek will direct you appropriately depending on your issue/concerns.
Parties should contact law clerk Lee M. Vapniarek for scheduling concerns or clarification.
If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Mr. Vapniarek.
- Contact
Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.
In order to contact the Court, please email the following:
Parties should contact Charlene Baker for scheduling concerns or clarification.
If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Charlene Baker.
How may parties contact Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
The rule addresses email communications with the court. Emails to the Court must copy every attorney and self-represented litigant.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.