Judge Thomas J. Whelan
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (>20 pages)
Required
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Meet And Confer Prior To Contacting Court
- 2Joint Motion If Agreement Reached
- 3Declaration Detailing Reasons
- 4Proposed Order
- 5Reason For Request
- 6Original Date
- 7Number Of Previous Requests
- 8Adversary Position
- 9Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Original Date
- 2Number Of Previous Continuance Requests
- 3Whether Previous Requests Were Granted Or Denied
Communication
Chambers
Letter Ecf
Chambers
Chambers
Letter Fax
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Courtesy copies required for filings over 20 pages.
Courtesy copies of filings exceeding twenty (20) pages shall be delivered directly to chambers.
Courtesy Copies Required
Logistics
Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to specific email address with case number and name in subject line.
The proposed order should be submitted in Word format by email, with the case number and case name in the subject line of the email, to efile_whelan@casd.uscourts.gov.
Direct to: Chambers
- HoursNot specified in text
Proposed orders must include '[PROPOSED]' in brackets and remove all extraneous information from headers, footers, and margins.
The word 'proposed' in brackets (e.g., '[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE APPLICATION TO. . .') must appear on the document. This Chambers Rule, mandating the addition of '[PROPOSED],' supersedes Section 2(h) of the ECF Manual. Additionally, all extraneous information shall be removed from the headers, footers, and margins (e.g., contact information and any attorney or firm information, including firm logos).
Word
Ex parte communications with the Court are prohibited.
Consistent with Local Rule 83.9, counsel and parties shall refrain from writing letters or placing telephone calls to the Court, sending the Court copies of letters addressed to others, or otherwise causing or encouraging ex parte communications with the Court.
Letter via ECF
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must personally initiate authorized communications with Court/chambers staff, not through representatives.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, counsel shall personally initiate any authorized communications with the Court or chambers staff, rather than rely on a representative (e.g., a secretary or paralegal).
- Advance Notice Requiredpersonal_initiation
Informal letter briefs (max 2 single-spaced pages) required for pretrial conference, due Wednesday before at 3:00 PM.
In addition to the Proposed Pretrial Order, the parties shall separately submit informal letter briefs, not exceeding two (2) single-spaced pages, to Judge Whelan's chambers (and not filed in the Clerk's Office). The letter briefs must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before the pretrial conference.