The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Mandatory meet and confer required before bringing any matter to court
The rule requires certificate of conference. Attorneys and pro se litigants must review this checklist at the Rule 26(f) conference.
The rule requires certificate of conference. Parties must discuss protective order necessity before discovery exchange.
Parties may contact Judge Michelle M. Pettit's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Chambers communication limited to administrative matters by attorneys of record; emails must be copied to all counsel
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Michelle M. Pettit. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to chambers. Joint motions for non-model protective orders must include explanation and redlined changes.
Requests should be made at least 7 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Michelle M. Pettit. Continuance requests must be filed as joint motions at least 7 calendar days before the affected date.
Yes. Judge Michelle M. Pettit's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Encourages junior lawyers (under 10 years) to argue motions and participate in conferences
Attorneys and pro se litigants must review this checklist at the Rule 26(f) conference.
Parties must discuss protective order necessity before discovery exchange.
Parties must confirm preservation of relevant evidence and litigation holds.
Parties must avoid overly narrow definitions of relevant ESI.
Parties must discuss litigation hold scope, date ranges, and custodians.
Parties must discuss ESI categories that may be exempt from review/preservation.
Parties must discuss whether to continue automatic destruction programs.
Parties must discuss any disputes regarding preservation scope or manner.
Parties must discuss locations of systems storing discoverable information.
Parties must discuss sources of relevant information and disclose software/applications.
Parties must discuss search methodologies including TAR and GenAI for ESI.
Civil matters inquiries go to law clerks via phone (619-557-3404) or email (efile_Pettit@casd.uscourts.gov)
Email communications to chambers use efile_Pettit@casd.uscourts.gov
Chambers communication limited to administrative matters by attorneys of record; emails must be copied to all counsel
Mandatory meet and confer required before bringing any matter to court
Strict compliance required with meet and confer requirement
Motion notice must include meet and confer statement with date and format
Encourages junior lawyers (under 10 years) to argue motions and participate in conferences
Encourages specific requests for junior lawyer oral argument opportunities
Continuance requests must be filed as joint motions at least 7 calendar days before the affected date.
Motions filed on deadline date are denied unless emergency circumstances are apparent.
Scheduling order amendments must be filed at least 7 calendar days before affected dates.
Untimely scheduling motions must show excusable neglect.
Continuance requests must include 6 specific elements: original date, previous requests, good cause, opposition, impact on other dates, and counsel declaration.
Meet and confer required before filing scheduling order amendment motions.
Joint motions preferred for scheduling amendments.
Scheduling amendment motions must include 5 specific elements: good cause, timeliness, table of remaining dates, previous requests, and counsel declaration.
Meet and confer required before filing discovery disputes.
Lead counsel or decision-makers must meet and confer on discovery disputes.
In-person meet and confer for same county counsel; videoconference for different counties.