Western District of Washington Chambers Communication Rules

WARNING

Written notice of address, phone, or email changes must be filed within 10 days.

If your address, phone number or email address (if registered for electronic filing) changes, you must file a written notice within 10 (ten) days of the change, as established by LCR 10(f). All subsequent pleadings, motions, or other filings must reflect the new contact information.

WARNING

Contact

Email to clerk

Email only for new cases; after assignment, use in-person, mail, or ECF.

You are only permitted to email documents when filing a new case. Once a judge has been assigned, documents must be submitted in person, through the mail or via the court’s electronic filing system, if registered (see page 18).

WARNING

Contact

Email

Petitioner's counsel must promptly email the Petitioner's A-file number to the U.S. Attorney's Office at USAWAW.ImmigrationHabeasAnumbers@usdoj.gov.

Petitioner(s)’ counsel shall provide Petitioner(s)’ A-file number promptly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office via email to USAWAW.ImmigrationHabeasAnumbers@usdoj.gov.

WARNINGCivil cases

A pro se party must keep the court and opposing parties updated on current contact addresses, and failure to provide an updated address within 60 days after returned mail or email may result in dismissal without prejudice.

A party proceeding pro se shall keep the court and opposing parties advised as to his or her current mailing address and, if electronically filing or receiving notices electronically, his or her current email address. If mail directed to a pro se plaintiff by the clerk is returned by the Postal Service, or if email is returned by the internet service provider, and if such plaintiff fails to notify the court and opposing parties within 60 days thereafter of his or her current mailing or email address, the court may dismiss the action without prejudice for failure to prosecute.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Parties should avoid contacting chambers except for scheduling or settlement; all parties must be on the line for scheduling/settlement communications unless others consent.

Except as provided for in this Order, parties and counsel should avoid contacting chambers. Ex parte communications with Judge Fricke or judicial law clerks involving any matter other than scheduling or notice of settlement are strongly discouraged. In relation to scheduling and/or settlement, unless the other parties have consented to have one party contact the Court alone, all parties must be on the line when communicating with the Court.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Counsel must inform probation officer and Clerk's Office at least 7 days before sentencing whether an evidentiary hearing is requested, and if so, provide witness details and estimated length.

At least seven days prior to the sentencing hearing, counsel shall inform the probation officer and Clerk's Office whether or not an evidentiary hearing will be requested at the sentencing and, if so, whether witnesses will be called, who they will be, and an estimated length of the hearing.

WARNING

Counsel must wear face coverings at all times except when speaking.

Counsel must wear a face covering at all times, except while speaking.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Except as provided for in this Order, parties and counsel should avoid contacting chambers. Ex parte communications with Judge Fricke or judicial law clerks involving any matter other than scheduling or notice of settlement are strongly discouraged. In relation to scheduling and/or settlement, unless the other parties have consented to have one party contact the Court alone, all parties must be on the line when communicating with the Court.

Except as provided for in this Order, parties and counsel should avoid contacting chambers. Ex parte communications with Judge Fricke or judicial law clerks involving any matter other than scheduling or notice of settlement are strongly discouraged. In relation to scheduling and/or settlement, unless the other parties have consented to have one party contact the Court alone, all parties must be on the line when communicating with the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

In the days immediately preceding the settlement conference, if either party believes that negotiation attempts would not be fruitful at the time set for the conference for any reason, that party should contact the Court as soon as possible to discuss the concern.

In the days immediately preceding the settlement conference, if either party believes that negotiation attempts would not be fruitful at the time set for the conference for any reason, that party should contact the Court as soon as possible to discuss the concern.

WARNING

Counsel should maintain social distancing, that is, counsel should maintain six feet of distance between counsel and anyone else in the Courthouse at all times.

Counsel should maintain social distancing, that is, counsel should maintain six feet of distance between counsel and anyone else in the Courthouse at all times.

WARNINGCivil cases

Waiver requests for witness exclusion must be discussed with opposing counsel and presented to court before trial.

If counsel desire a waiver of the rule with respect to a specific witness (for example, an expert), counsel shall first discuss the matter with opposing counsel and then present the request to the Court during the preliminary morning session prior to the start of trial on the particular day at issue.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Hard copies of settlement memoranda are prohibited; electronic submission only.

Do not mail hard copies of the settlement memorandum to chambers.

WARNING

Counsel cannot move courthouse seats/chairs as they are positioned for social distancing.

Counsel are not to move any of the seats/chairs in the Courthouse. These were strategically placed in order preserve social distancing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Except as provided for in this Order, parties and counsel are discouraged from contacting chambers. Ex parte communications with Judge Rothstein or her law clerks involving any matter are strongly discouraged. Unless the other parties have consented to have one party contact the Court alone, all parties must be on the line or copied on the email when communicating with the Court.

Except as provided for in this Order, parties and counsel are discouraged from contacting chambers. Ex parte communications with Judge Rothstein or her law clerks involving any matter are strongly discouraged. Unless the other parties have consented to have one party contact the Court alone, all parties must be on the line or copied on the email when communicating with the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties must email a Word version of proposed orders for all motions and stipulations to Rothsteinorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.

The parties are required to email a Word version of a proposed order with all motions and stipulations to Rothsteinorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Contact courtroom deputy Natalie Wood via email for instructions on filing audio or video exhibits.

If an audio or video exhibit must be filed, the party shall contact the courtroom deputy, Natalie Wood, via email at natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov for instructions on how to file it.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel must send a joint email to Rothstein_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov with a one-paragraph dispute description and three available date/time ranges for a discovery conference.

To arrange such hearing, all counsel (not support staff) for the disputing parties shall send a joint email to Rothstein_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov with a short (maximum one paragraph) joint description of the dispute, as well as three dates and time ranges when the parties are available for a telephone or video conference.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

All parties to a discovery dispute must participate in contacting the Court; counsel may contact the deputy clerk by email to arrange a telephone conference.

All parties to the discovery dispute MUST participate in contacting the Court. See Local Civil Rule 7(i). Counsel may contact the Court’s deputy clerk, Victoria Ericksen, by email at victoria_ericksen@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8517 to make arrangements for a telephone conference with the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email

For trial issues arising after court hours, counsel must meet and confer first and, if unsuccessful, email the 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 the courtroom deputy of the issue by email at victoria_ericksen@wawd.uscourts.gov.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

The parties should email the Joint Instructions and Joint Statement of Disputed Instructions to the specified address if they have not already done so.

In addition to the requirements set forth in LR 51, if they have not already done so, the parties should submit the Joint Instructions and Joint Statement of Disputed Instructions in Word format to jonesorders@wawd.uscourts.gov

INFO

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

Video appearances are appearances in the courtroom. They are a privilege, not a right, that allows the parties to participate in a proceeding without traveling to the courthouse.

INFO

If oral argument will be held, the Courtroom Deputy will contact the parties to schedule a mutually workable date and time.

If oral argument is to be held, Judge Whitehead’s Courtroom Deputy will contact the parties to schedule a date and time that work for all concerned.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel must promptly notify Mr. Cogswell at grant_cogswell@wawd.uscourts.gov when case settles.

If your case settles, counsel must notify Mr. Cogswell as soon as possible at grant_cogswell@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders may be sent to whiteheadorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Proposed Orders: whiteheadorders@wawd.uscourts.gov

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

General inquiries to chambers should be emailed to whiteheadchambers@wawd.uscourts.gov.

General Inquiries: whiteheadchambers@wawd.uscourts.gov

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8440

The CM/ECF Help Desk can be reached by phone at (206) 370-8440 for e-filing technical support.

CM/ECF Help Desk …………………………………………………………..(206) 370-8440

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

General inquiries may be sent to whiteheadchambers@wawd.uscourts.gov.

General Inquiries: whiteheadchambers@wawd.uscourts.gov

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(206) 370-8700

Chambers may be contacted at (206) 370-8700.

Chambers……………………………………………………………………….(206) 370-8700

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact Mr. Cogswell for accommodations or accessibility questions for court appearances.

If you need an accommodation for a court appearance or have accessibility-related questions, please contact Mr. Cogswell.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(206) 370-8518

The Courtroom Deputy can be reached by phone at (206) 370-8518.

Courtroom Deputy, Grant Cogswell………………………………………..(206) 370-8518

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties and counsel may share honorifics or pronouns by email to or in person with the Courtroom Deputy, or when appearing in court.

The Court invites parties and counsel to share their honorifics or pronouns—such as Ms., Mx., or Mr.—so that the Court may address them respectfully. People appearing before the Court may do so by email to, or speaking with, Judge Whitehead’s Courtroom Deputy, or when appearing for court.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties may email Judge Whitehead's Court Deputy or Chambers with questions, and must copy all counsel of record on any such email.

Most questions to Chambers can be answered by consulting the Federal or Local Rules, the Court’s website, the case scheduling order, or Judge Whitehead’s Chambers Procedures. If questions persist, parties may contact Judge Whitehead’s Court Deputy, Grant Cogswell, at grant_cogswell@wawd.uscourts.gov, or Chambers directly at whiteheadchambers@wawd.uscourts.gov. Parties must copy all counsel of record on any email to Chambers.

INFO

Phone

(206) 370-8440; (866) 323-9293 (toll free)

Direct technical questions about CM/ECF filings to the Help Desk by the listed phone numbers or email.

Technical questions about CM/ECF filings should go to the Help Desk at (206) 370-8440 (choose option 2), (866) 323-9293 (toll free) (choose option 2), or cmecf@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders should be emailed to whiteheadorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Proposed Orders: whiteheadorders@wawd.uscourts.gov

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

(206) 370-8700

Chambers can be reached by phone at (206) 370-8700.

Chambers……………………………………………………………………….(206) 370-8700

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Moving party should contact Courtroom Deputy via email to schedule discovery pre-motion conference.

Thereafter, the moving party should contact the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov to schedule a conference.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties should direct inquiries to the Courtroom Deputy via email at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Parties should direct inquiries to the Courtroom Deputy at KKEcrd@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All requests pertaining to oral argument should be submitted via email to Courtroom Deputy Diyana Staples at Diyana_Staples@wawd.uscourts.gov.

All requests pertaining to oral argument should be submitted via email to Courtroom Deputy Diyana Staples at Diyana_Staples@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email

For time-sensitive discovery disputes, counsel may jointly email the courtroom deputy to request a telephone or virtual conference.

When presented with disputes regarding discovery issues that are particularly time- sensitive, counsel may jointly contact the Courtroom Deputy, Natalie Wood, by email at natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov to request, and if granted, make arrangements for a telephone or virtual conference with the Court.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed jury instructions must be emailed in Word format to specified chambers email addresses.

Proposed jury instructions must be submitted both on the docket and in Word format via e-mail. The Court recommends the latest version of the https://www.ce9.uscourts.gov/jury-instructions/ as the preferred proposed instructions. Instructions must comply with LCR 51 and include the parties' proposals for both preliminary and final instructions. Instructions should be sent to kingorders@wawd.uscourts.gov and natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov. The proposed instructions should also include a proposed verdict form.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Questions should be directed to natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Questions should be directed to natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Parties should contact the courtroom deputy if the claim construction hearing needs more or less time than one full trial day.

The claim construction hearing will be set for one full trial day (5 hours). If more or less time is required, the parties are instructed to inform Natalie Wood, Courtroom Deputy, at Natalie_Wood@wawd.uscourts.gov.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact Courtroom Deputy for urgent discovery disputes.

When presented with disputes regarding discovery issues that are particularly time- sensitive, counsel may jointly contact the Courtroom Deputy, Natalie Wood, by email at natalie_wood@wawd.uscourts.gov to request, and if granted, make arrangements for a telephone or virtual conference with the Court.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Questions or suggestions about the Standing Order may be emailed to Natalie Wood; if the party has a case, all parties must be copied.

Parties may submit questions on, or suggestions for improvement to, this Standing Order to Natalie_Wood@wawd.uscourts.gov. If the party has a case before the Court, all parties must be copied on the message.

INFO

Parties must coordinate with the courtroom deputy at the pretrial conference to schedule equipment testing.

Training on the evidence presentation devices in the courtroom strongly encouraged. See https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/attorneys/trial-support for more information. At the pretrial conference, the parties must coordinate with the Courtroom Deputy to schedule a time to test any equipment that the parties wish to use at trial.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties may submit questions on, or suggestions for improvement to, this Standing Order to Natalie_Wood@wawd.uscourts.gov. If the party has a case before the Court, all parties must be copied on the message.

Parties may submit questions on, or suggestions for improvement to, this Standing Order to Natalie_Wood@wawd.uscourts.gov. If the party has a case before the Court, all parties must be copied on the message.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8525

Accommodation requests should be made as far in advance as possible via email or phone to Courtroom Deputy.

Participants are encouraged to request accommodations as far in advance as possible by contacting Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Phone

(206) 370-8525

Initial inquiries should be directed to Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter.

Parties should direct initial inquiries they have to the Courtroom Deputy, Kadya Peter, by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Counsel must stand when addressing court unless accommodated; stay 5 feet from jury box railing.

Counsel are required to stand when addressing the Court, a witness, or the jury unless a disability-related or health-related accommodation is readily apparent or is requested and granted (see Section III.B). As a general matter, Counsel will not be restricted to speaking at the podium unless the judge, court reporter, witness, other Counsel, or a juror indicates that they are unable to hear. However, Counsel shall stay at least five feet back from the railing in front of the jury box and, to aid the Court Reporter, shall use the handheld microphone provided by the Court when leaving the podium.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Phone

(206) 370-8525

Parties should direct initial inquiries to Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter by email or phone.

Parties should direct initial inquiries they might have to Courtroom Deputy Kadya Peter by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov or by telephone at (206) 370-8525.