Western District of Washington Filing Rules

JEEP system available for jury trials.

Case designated for mediation under Local Rule CR 39.1

Motions for default judgment must provide sufficient information for the court to enter judgment.

Local rules apply to all civil proceedings unless otherwise ordered.

Proposed order required with any motion requiring Court's signature.

Parties must review Judge Lin's procedures online before hearings/trials.

Attorneys must promptly notify court when case is settled or not ready for trial.

Contact courtroom deputy before filing trial continuance motions.

Video appearances are a privilege, not a right, allowing remote participation.

Chambers phone number provided for contact

Government exhibits numbered G-1+, Defendant exhibits D-1+, Joint exhibits J-1+.

All filings must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper

All pleadings must be in 12-point Times New Roman font.

Professional attire required for video appearances.

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked with consecutive numbering (Plaintiff: 1+, Defendant: A-1+)

Pretrial motions must be calendared 12 days after filing.

Reply papers for 21-day motions must be filed within 21 days.

Good faith meet and confer required before filing motions to compel.

Plaintiff must request individualized trial conference within 30 days of filing agreement

Meet and confer required before filing most motions; declaration of conference required.

Motions in limine limited to 12 pages without prior approval.

Same-day motions limited to 2,100 words or 6 pages.

Follow Local Civil Rule 7(e) length limits; overlength motions disfavored and must be filed separately.

Motions must be filed 28 days before trial.

Default motion length is 15 pages.

Extension motions must be filed 3 business days before deadline.

Transfer or remand orders become effective 14 days after filing unless otherwise ordered.

Motions to extend deadlines must be filed well in advance; deadlines remain in effect until ruling.

Motions to continue trial date only allowed for exceptional circumstances.

Defendants must be served within 90 days of filing complaint.

Government trial brief due 21 days before trial.

Cross motions should have agreed briefing schedule; court may combine memoranda and forgo replies for summary judgment.

All motions must be filed before pretrial motions deadline.

Discovery motions must be filed before discovery closes to allow resolution.

Motions and supporting legal arguments must be filed as a single document.

Witness sequestration rule applies throughout trial until closing arguments.

Redact SSNs and TINs in their entirety.

Sealed documents must be submitted in person or by mail, not electronically.

All settlement communications are confidential and not admissible for other purposes.

Motions to seal must comply with Local Rule CR 5(g) and include specific descriptions, facts justifying sealing, and a proposed order.

Trial exhibits must be delivered to chambers 5 days before trial.

Courtesy copies are not required unless specifically ordered by the Court.

Courtesy copy required for documents over 50 pages filed via CM/ECF.

Paper courtesy copies required for motions over 50 pages.

No courtesy copies required.

Court encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue, permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.

Attorneys must have at least 7 years of bar membership or judicial experience to serve as neutrals.

Oral argument granted when Court needs clarification or when opposing party likely to lose.

Oral argument procedures section begins

Oral arguments and status conferences generally granted; in-person preferred but remote considered.