Judge Will Ward

Applies to

Original petition

A copy of this order must accompany each divorce or original parent-child petition; a filing without it will be returned, but the Clerk will add the order and accept a self-represented litigant’s filing.

Applies to

Vacation designation

An attorney may designate up to four weeks of vacation during which the attorney will not be assigned to trial or required to participate in pretrial proceedings; a written designation must be filed with the Clerk and copied to all Court Administrators, and the rule applies to affected Lead Counsel unless the Court expands it.

Applies to

Order

Without an entry hearing, an order must bear all attorneys’ signatures as to form or proof that it was presented to the attorneys requesting an opportunity to object within 10 days.

A written vacation designation must be filed with the Clerk and copied to all Court Administrators at least 90 days before the vacation, subject to the stated Lead Counsel limitation unless the Court expands coverage.

Unless the court orders otherwise, decisions or settlements must be written and provided to the court for signature within 30 days after the order is rendered or settlement is announced.

Attorneys of record who request notice must be given 10 days to file written objections after the order is presented to them.

Before presenting a TRO or other request for relief, an attorney must notify represented opposing counsel and provide copies of the pleadings and proposed orders.

Notice of a dismissal docket setting must be transmitted to every attorney of record and every unrepresented party.

The party or attorney setting the case must give notice to opposing counsel according to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Attorneys must observe the ethical canons concerning media discussions and improper ex parte communications with the judge.

Recording or broadcasting court proceedings requires express court permission, which must be requested in writing from the Court Administrator.

An attorney must present a request for extraordinary relief to the assigned judge; if that judge is unavailable, the court administrator arranges consideration by another judge.