Western District of Washington Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Ex parte chapter 13 dismissal orders must be emailed to the Seattle and Tacoma chapter 13 trustees.

Ex parte dismissal orders shall be sent to the Seattle chapter 13 trustee at courtmail@seattlech13.com and to the Tacoma chapter 13 trustee at specialcounsel@chapter13tacoma.org.

CRITICAL

Attorneys shall appear on camera. Given the prevalence of video hearings in various courts, attorneys should have a working video feed and understand how to utilize their personal technology to enable an appearance by video. If an attorney is not confident they have the technical experience or knowledge to utilize a camera, they shall inform the court immediately so the court can schedule an in-person appearance rather than a video appearance.

Attorneys shall appear on camera. Given the prevalence of video hearings in various courts, attorneys should have a working video feed and understand how to utilize their personal technology to enable an appearance by video. If an attorney is not confident they have the technical experience or knowledge to utilize a camera, they shall inform the court immediately so the court can schedule an in-person appearance rather than a video appearance.

CRITICAL

Attorneys shall appear from an office or room with proper lighting. Attorneys should not appear from a location where there are distractions occurring in the room, which includes distractions from co-workers, family, or pets. Attorneys are prohibited from appearing from vehicles.

Attorneys shall appear from an office or room with proper lighting. Attorneys should not appear from a location where there are distractions occurring in the room, which includes distractions from co-workers, family, or pets. Attorneys are prohibited from appearing from vehicles.

CRITICAL

Video participants must conduct themselves as if physically present.

Attorneys and litigants appearing by video shall appear and conduct themselves as if they were physically in the courtroom.

CRITICAL

Video conference login details limited to client and relevant staff only.

Attorneys shall only share the video conference login details with their client and staff who are assisting with the matter. The login details shall not be provided to nonparties or to staff who are not involved with the matter.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Objections to witnesses/exhibits must be resolved by meet-and-confer, then emailed to courtroom deputy by 8 PM.

If the opposing party objects to any witnesses or exhibits, the parties must meet and confer to resolve any objections and to reach stipulations. If objections remain after conferring, the party offering the disputed exhibit(s) must email Mr. Cogswell by 8:00 p.m. with a list of the disputed exhibit(s) to be offered the next day.

CRITICALCivil cases

No one is allowed to record the proceedings by any means. Recording Zoom proceedings without permission from the Court is illegal.

No one is allowed to record the proceedings by any means. Recording Zoom proceedings without permission from the Court is illegal.

CRITICALCivil cases

Jury selection will be conducted via Zoom unless parties object with good cause.

The Court will conduct jury selection over Zoom unless the parties object and good cause is shown why jury selection should not take place through remote video means.

CRITICALCivil cases

Equipment testing must be scheduled with courtroom deputy at pretrial conference.

At the pretrial conference, the parties must schedule with Mr. Cogswell a time to test any equipment that they wish to use at trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel must notify Courtroom Deputy via email as soon as possible when case settles; failure may result in sanctions under LCR 11(b).

If this case settles, counsel shall notify Courtroom Deputy Diyana Staples via email at Diyana_Staples@wawd.uscourts.gov as soon as possible. Pursuant to LCR 11(b), an attorney who fails to give the courtroom deputy prompt notice of settlement may be subject to sanctions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Please contact Courtroom Deputy Diyana Staples at Diyana_Staples@wawd.uscourts.gov before requesting a continuance of a trial date to a future date certain, to ensure the Court's availability.

Please contact Courtroom Deputy Diyana Staples at Diyana_Staples@wawd.uscourts.gov before requesting a continuance of a trial date to a future date certain, to ensure the Court's availability.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

If this case settles, counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy via email at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov as soon as possible. Pursuant to LCR 11(b), an attorney who fails to give the Courtroom Deputy prompt notice of settlement may be subject to sanctions.

If this case settles, counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy via email at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov as soon as possible. Pursuant to LCR 11(b), an attorney who fails to give the Courtroom Deputy prompt notice of settlement may be subject to sanctions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Please contact the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov before requesting a continuance of a trial date to a future date certain, to ensure the Court’s availability. After the parties obtain an approved new trial date from the Courtroom Deputy, the parties may file a stipulated motion for a continuance.

Please contact the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov before requesting a continuance of a trial date to a future date certain, to ensure the Court’s availability. After the parties obtain an approved new trial date from the Courtroom Deputy, the parties may file a stipulated motion for a continuance.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All requests pertaining to oral argument should be submitted via email to the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov.

All requests pertaining to oral argument should be submitted via email to the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICALCivil cases

Physical copies of in camera review documents must be delivered to chambers, clearly marked for in camera review.

The party shall also deliver a physical copy of the documents to chambers, clearly marked for in camera review to avoid inadvertent filing on the docket.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All parties must be copied on all emails sent to the Courtroom Deputy.

All parties must be copied on emails when communicating with the Courtroom Deputy.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Electronic copies of in camera review documents must be sent to the Courtroom Deputy via email.

If the Court orders a party to submit documents for in camera review, the party shall send an electronic copy of the documents to the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact courtroom deputy before filing motion to continue trial date.

Prior to filing a motion to continue a trial date, counsel is directed to contact the Court’s courtroom deputy, Natalie Wood, by email at natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov to verify that the parties’ proposed new trial date is acceptable to the Court.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Moving party must email a Microsoft Word version of proposed order to kingorders@wawd.uscourts.gov; no substantive relief requests to that address.

Pursuant to this District's Electronic Filing Procedures, the moving party must email a Microsoft Word version of a proposed order to kingorders@wawd.uscourts.gov. Parties may not send requests for substantive relief to this email address.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

All cellular telephones and wireless devices must be turned off or turned to airplane mode during all proceedings. Simply silencing these devices is insufficient, as they may interfere with the courtroom audio system. Individuals whose devices interrupt proceedings may be sanctioned.

All cellular telephones and wireless devices must be turned off or turned to airplane mode during all proceedings. Simply silencing these devices is insufficient, as they may interfere with the courtroom audio system. Individuals whose devices interrupt proceedings may be sanctioned.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact Courtroom Deputy before filing motion to continue trial date.

Prior to filing a motion to continue a trial date, Counsel are directed to contact the Court’s Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov to verify that the Court will be available on the proposed new trial date.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact courtroom deputy before filing motion to continue trial.

Prior to filing a motion to continue a trial date, Counsel is directed to contact the Court’s Courtroom Deputy, Kadya Peter, by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov to verify that the Court will be available on the proposed new trial date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

After-hours issues require meet-and-confer before emailing Courtroom Deputy.

Should an issue arise during trial after court hours, Counsel are instructed to meet and confer to see if the issue can be resolved without Court intervention. If such meet-and-confer efforts are unsuccessful, Counsel must notify Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter of the issue by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Should an issue arise during trial after court hours, Counsel are instructed to meet and confer to see if the issue can be resolved without Court intervention. If such meet-and-confer efforts are unsuccessful, Counsel must notify Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter of the issue by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Should an issue arise during trial after court hours, Counsel are instructed to meet and confer to see if the issue can be resolved without Court intervention. If such meet-and-confer efforts are unsuccessful, Counsel must notify Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter of the issue by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Videoconference registration required; video appearance mandatory unless motion granted.

All videoconference participants must register prior to the hearing or trial date using the link that will be provided in advance of the hearing or trial date. Where a videoconference has been set, Counsel is required to appear via video unless they file, and the Court grants, a motion to appear telephonically.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email

The Court expects the Parties to provide notice to opposing counsel of their next-day’s witnesses by 8 p.m. the day before a witness is to be called.

The Court expects the Parties to provide notice to opposing counsel of their next-day’s witnesses by 8 p.m. the day before a witness is to be called.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Contact

Phone

Counsel must remain within 20 minutes of courthouse during jury deliberations.

Throughout jury deliberations, Counsel must remain within twenty (20) minutes of the courthouse so that the Court can expeditiously respond to any jury notes or a verdict. Counsel who choose not to remain in the immediate vicinity of the courtroom must provide the Courtroom Deputy with a telephone number where they can be contacted.

CRITICAL

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

Parties shall review Judge Lin’s procedures at https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/judges/lin- procedures prior to any hearing or trial for potential updates or modifications to this Order as well as additional information relating to her general practices.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phones/devices must be off/airplane mode during proceedings; violations may be sanctioned.

Except with prior Court approval, all cellular telephones and wireless devices must be turned off or turned to airplane mode during all proceedings. Simply silencing these devices is insufficient, as they may interfere with the courtroom audio system. Individuals whose devices interrupt proceedings may be sanctioned.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

For any other types of inquiries, all Parties must be on the line or copied on the email when communicating with the Courtroom Deputy.

For any other types of inquiries, all Parties must be on the line or copied on the email when communicating with the Courtroom Deputy.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

The Court may email Counsel with questions that they should be prepared to address before 5 p.m. the day before the hearing.

The Court may email Counsel with questions that they should be prepared to address before 5 p.m. the day before the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

After-hours issues require meet-and-confer before emailing courtroom deputy.

Should an issue arise during trial after court hours, Counsel are instructed to meet and confer to see if the issue may be resolved without court intervention. If such meet and confer efforts are unsuccessful, Counsel must notify Kadya Peter, the Courtroom Deputy, of the issue by email at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to clerk

Should a Party not oppose a motion that has been filed against it, once the response indicating non-opposition has been filed, the moving Party shall notify Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter, either by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525, that the opposing Party has filed a response noting the non-opposition. If a Party does not file any response to a motion, the moving Party shall notify the Courtroom Deputy, which may expedite consideration of the motion.

Should a Party not oppose a motion that has been filed against it, once the response indicating non-opposition has been filed, the moving Party shall notify Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter, either by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525, that the opposing Party has filed a response noting the non-opposition. If a Party does not file any response to a motion, the moving Party shall notify the Courtroom Deputy, which may expedite consideration of the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel must remain within 20 minutes of courthouse during jury deliberations and provide contact information.

Throughout jury deliberations Counsel must remain within twenty (20) minutes of the courthouse to allow the Court to expeditiously respond to any jury notes or a verdict. Counsel must provide the Courtroom Deputy with a telephone number where they can be contacted if leaving the immediate vicinity of the courtroom during jury deliberations.

CRITICAL

Counsel must have sufficient witnesses; no early recess for missing witnesses.

Counsel must have sufficient witnesses available to fill up the court day. Judge Cartwright will not recess early or delay the trial if a witness is not available.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(206) 370-8930

If immediate judicial involvement is necessary, the parties may request Judge Tsuchida to hear the motion telephonically. Under Local Rule CR 7(i), all counsel to the discovery dispute must participate in making the call to chambers. Counsel may telephone chambers at (206) 370-8930.

If immediate judicial involvement is necessary, the parties may request Judge Tsuchida to hear the motion telephonically. Under Local Rule CR 7(i), all counsel to the discovery dispute must participate in making the call to chambers. Counsel may telephone chambers at (206) 370-8930.

CRITICALCivil cases

Failure to return consent form by deadline constitutes consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction.

If the Notice of Assignment to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent Form is not returned by the date designated in the form, each party is deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the assigned Magistrate Judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).

CRITICAL

Stand at lectern when examining witnesses, may approach for exhibits

Stand at the lectern while examining any witness—except that counsel may approach the Courtroom Deputy's desk or the witness for purposes of handling or tendering exhibits.

CRITICAL

Request permission before approaching the bench

Request permission before approaching the bench.

CRITICAL

Refer to all persons by surnames, not first names

Refer to all persons, including witnesses, other counsel, and parties by their surnames and not by their first or given names.

CRITICAL

Do not face or address jurors when questioning witnesses

Do not face or otherwise appear to address yourself to jurors when questioning a witness.

CRITICAL

Do not express personal knowledge or opinion in jury arguments

In opening statements and in argument to the jury, counsel shall not express personal knowledge or opinion in any matter in issue.

CRITICAL

Stand when jury enters or exits courtroom in jury trials

In jury trials, stand when the jury enters or exits the courtroom.

CRITICAL

Sidebar conferences presumptively not tolerated except in extraordinary circumstances

Sidebar conferences will presumptively not be tolerated, except in extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances. These conferences have a distracting effect on the jury and the parties should strive to postpone raising issues outside the jury's presence until the next recess, except when an immediate conference appears necessary.

CRITICAL

Address all remarks to the Court, not opposing counsel

Address all remarks to the Court, not to opposing counsel.

CRITICAL

Only one attorney per party may examine/cross-examine each witness

Only one attorney for each party shall examine, or cross-examine, each witness. The attorney stating objections, if any, during direct-examination, shall be the attorney recognized for cross-examination.

CRITICAL

Stand when court is opened, recessed, or adjourned

Stand as Court is opened, recessed, or adjourned.

CRITICAL

Those exhibits to which there is an objection shall be presented to the Court for ruling before the opening of the session. If possible, the Court will rule on the objection then, thereby eliminating the necessity for a sidebar conference when the exhibit is offered.

Those exhibits to which there is an objection shall be presented to the Court for ruling before the opening of the session. If possible, the Court will rule on the objection then, thereby eliminating the necessity for a sidebar conference when the exhibit is offered.

CRITICAL

Offers of, or requests for, a stipulation should be made privately, not within the hearing of the jury.

Offers of, or requests for, a stipulation should be made privately, not within the hearing of the jury.

CRITICAL

Be respectful of opposing counsel, litigants, and witnesses

Be respectful of opposing counsel and the litigants and/or witnesses.