Western District of Washington Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

First page of any amendment must show debtor's name and case number; amendment must be verified.

The debtor's name and the case number shall appear on the first page of any amended petition, or amended or supplemental schedule, statement, or list. Any amendment or supplement shall be verified in the same manner as required for the original document.

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Exhibits for trials and evidentiary hearings shall only be submitted on paper unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Exhibits for trials and evidentiary hearings shall only be submitted on paper unless otherwise ordered by the court.

CRITICAL

Professional attire required for video appearances.

Attorneys and litigants shall dress as if they were physically appearing in the courtroom. This means attorneys shall appear in professional attire. Litigants shall be appropriately dressed.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

All PDFs submitted to the Court must be text-searchable.

All PDFs submitted to the Court must be text-searchable.

CRITICALCivil cases

Margins

left 1 in, right 1 in

15-minute recesses at 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., lunch recess 12:00-1:30 p.m., counsel available by 1:15 p.m.

15-minute recesses will be taken at 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. And a lunch recess will be taken from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., although counsel should be ready and available to address any trial matters that need to be discussed outside the presence of the jury, if any, by 1:15 p.m.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibits must be submitted in three-ring binders with numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits must be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtroom opens at 8:15 a.m., counsel ready by 8:30 a.m., trial starts at 9:00 a.m., ends at 4:15 p.m.

The courtroom is open to the parties starting at around 8:15 a.m. each day. Counsel should be ready and available to address pretrial matters, if any, by 8:30 a.m. Trial will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and end each day at 4:15 p.m.

CRITICALCivil cases

Voir dire will use successive Zoom panels of 12-15 jurors each.

Voir dire will unfold on Zoom in successive panels since not all prospective jurors will fit on a display screen at once. Panels will typically consist of 12-15 jurors per panel.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronic exhibits must be one file per exhibit, max 80 characters in filename.

electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages; Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters

CRITICAL

Footnotes must be single spaced and use a font of at least 12 points.

Footnotes must be single spaced and 12-point font or larger.

CRITICALCivil cases

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages; (2) Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters, e.g., Ex. 1 − Accident Scene Photo; Ex. 501– Email dated 4−03−23.

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages; (2) Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters, e.g., Ex. 1 − Accident Scene Photo; Ex. 501– Email dated 4−03−23.

CRITICALCivil cases

Trial exhibits must be in three-ring binders with numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtesy copies must include CM/ECF header and be double-sided.

The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by CM/ECF, as this header includes important information (i.e., case number, document number, page number, date filed, etc.). Courtesy copies shall be printed double-sided.

CRITICALCivil cases

Trial exhibits must be submitted in a three-ring binder with numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages; (2) Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters, e.g., Ex. 1 − Accident Scene Photo; Ex. 501– Email dated 4−03−23.

Electronic exhibits must be transmitted individually (i.e., one exhibit per file), but exhibits may have multiple pages; (2) Exhibit file names should match the descriptions listed on the joint exhibit list as closely as possible except that file names should not exceed 80 characters, e.g., Ex. 1 − Accident Scene Photo; Ex. 501– Email dated 4−03−23.

CRITICALCivil cases

Trial exhibits must be submitted in a three-ring binder with numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by CM/ECF, as this header includes important information (i.e., case number, document number, page number, date filed, etc.). Courtesy copies shall be printed double-sided. Courtesy copies should be three- hole punched, tabbed, and placed in a binder or otherwise bound.

The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by CM/ECF, as this header includes important information (i.e., case number, document number, page number, date filed, etc.). Courtesy copies shall be printed double-sided. Courtesy copies should be three- hole punched, tabbed, and placed in a binder or otherwise bound.

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff exhibits must be numbered consecutively from 1; Defendant exhibits from 500.

The Court hereby alters the LCR 16.1 procedure for numbering exhibits: Plaintiff(s)’ exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with 1; Defendant(s)’ exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with 500.

CRITICALCivil cases

Audio/video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.

• Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player.

CRITICALCivil cases

Electronic exhibits must follow specific numbering format.

• Exhibits must be numbered as follows:

CRITICALCivil cases

D. Briefs and Exhibits Should be Searchable

D. Briefs and Exhibits Should be Searchable

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronic exhibits must be on thumb drive or Box.com in PDF format.

• Exhibits must be on a thumb drive or uploaded to the Court’s Box.com folder in PDF format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff exhibits numbered 1+, defendant exhibits numbered 500+.

Plaintiff(s)' exhibits must be numbered consecutively beginning with 1; defendant(s)' exhibits must be numbered consecutively beginning with 500.

CRITICALCivil cases

C. Citations Should be in the Body of the Brief, Not in Footnotes

C. Citations Should be in the Body of the Brief, Not in Footnotes

CRITICALCivil cases

Each set of exhibits must be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits must be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Each electronic exhibit must be a single PDF document.

• Each exhibit must be a single PDF document.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be delivered to the Courtroom Deputy prior to the trial date. Exhibits are to be delivered in the following format: • Exhibits must be on a thumb drive or uploaded to the Court's Box.com folder in PDF format. • Each exhibit must be a single PDF document. • PDF documents should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF. • Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player.

Exhibits must be delivered to the Courtroom Deputy prior to the trial date. Exhibits are to be delivered in the following format: • Exhibits must be on a thumb drive or uploaded to the Court's Box.com folder in PDF format. • Each exhibit must be a single PDF document. • PDF documents should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF. • Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player.

CRITICAL

Audio/video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.

Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Citations must be in body of brief, not footnotes/endnotes (except explanatory footnotes).

Substantive information and discussion should appear in the body of the brief; footnotes are to be reserved for explanatory and supplemental information. Citations should be in Bluebook format and must be included in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes or endnotes (with the exception of citations that follow explanatory footnotes).

CRITICALCriminal cases

As a general matter, Counsel will not be restricted to speaking at the podium for opening or closing arguments unless the Court, Court Reporter, a witness, other Counsel, or a juror indicates that they are unable to hear. However, Counsel shall stay at least five (5) feet back from the railing in front of the jury box and, to aid the Court Reporter, may be required to use a handheld microphone provided by the Court if leaving the podium.

As a general matter, Counsel will not be restricted to speaking at the podium for opening or closing arguments unless the Court, Court Reporter, a witness, other Counsel, or a juror indicates that they are unable to hear. However, Counsel shall stay at least five (5) feet back from the railing in front of the jury box and, to aid the Court Reporter, may be required to use a handheld microphone provided by the Court if leaving the podium.

CRITICAL

Electronic exhibits must be numbered and named with exhibit number and description.

Exhibits must be numbered and named. The naming convention for each exhibit file name must include the exhibit number and a brief description. For example, Government's exhibit 1 would be named: G-1contract.pdf. Defendant's exhibit 1 would be named: D-1email.pdf.

CRITICAL

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

The Government's exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with G-1; Defendant(s)'exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with D-1. Joint exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with J-1.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Joint instructions and verdict form must be submitted in Word format via email.

The Joint Instructions Statement and verdict form must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via e-mail to linorders@wawd.uscourts.gov and to Kadya Peter, Courtroom Deputy, at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Each exhibit shall be printed double-sided unless there is a specific need to not do so.

Each exhibit shall be printed double-sided unless there is a specific need to not do so.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be submitted in three-ring binders with numbered tabs.

Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Electronic exhibits must be on CD/USB in PDF format, one PDF per exhibit.

The electronic set of trial exhibits must be delivered to Kadya Peter, Courtroom Deputy, in the following format: • Exhibits must be on a CD or USB flash drive (preferred) in PDF format. • Each exhibit must be a single PDF document.

CRITICAL

Citations must be in Bluebook format in the body, not footnotes.

Citations should be in Bluebook format and must be included in the body of the briefing, not footnotes or endnotes.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Counsel must stand when addressing court/witness/jury if jury is present.

If a jury is present in the courtroom, Counsel are required to stand when addressing the Court, a witness, or the jury, unless a disability- or health-related accommodation has been requested and granted (see supra Section III.A), or the necessity of such accommodation is readily apparent.

CRITICAL

Judge Lin expects punctuality and respectful treatment of all persons in courtroom.

Judge Lin expects everyone in her courtroom to treat each and every person with dignity and respect. Therefore, at a minimum, she expects the following: 1. Be punctual.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronic exhibits must be on USB/CD in PDF format with specific naming conventions.

The electronic set of the trial exhibits must be delivered to Kadya Peter, Courtroom Deputy, in the following format: Each set of exhibits must be on a USB flash drive (preferred) or CD in PDF format. Each exhibit must be a single PDF document. If possible, PDF documents should be provided in a text-searchable format. Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player. Exhibits must be numbered and named. The naming convention for each exhibit file name must include the exhibit number and a brief description. For example, Plaintiff's Exhibit 1 would be named: P-1contract.pdf. Defendant's Exhibit 1 would be named: D-1email.pdf.

CRITICAL

Citations should be in Bluebook format and must appear in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes or endnotes (except for citations that follow explanatory footnotes).

Citations should be in Bluebook format and must be included in the body of the briefing, not in footnotes or endnotes (with the exception of citations that follow explanatory footnotes).

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibit numbering system: P-1, D-1, J-1; double-sided printing; three-ring binder with tabs.

Plaintiff(s)' exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with P-1; Defendant(s)' exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with D-1. Joint exhibits shall be numbered consecutively beginning with J-1. Duplicate documents shall not be listed twice. Each exhibit shall be printed double-sided unless there is a specific need to not do so. Once a Party has identified an exhibit in the pretrial order, it may be used by any Party. Each set of exhibits shall be submitted in a three-ring binder with appropriately numbered tabs.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each jury instruction must begin on a new page.

Each instruction shall begin on a new page.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Joint Instructions Statement, jury instruction chart, and verdict form must be submitted in Word format via email to specific addresses.

The Joint Instructions Statement, jury instruction chart, and verdict form must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via e-mail to linorders@wawd.uscourts.gov and to Kadya Peter, Courtroom Deputy, at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint claim chart

The Joint Claim Chart must follow the format in the Sample Joint Claim Chart.

The Joint Claim Chart must be in the format provided in the Sample Joint Claim Chart found in the next Section.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Voir dire documents must be submitted in Word format via email to specific addresses.

In addition to being filed on the docket, all of these documents must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via e-mail to linorders@wawd.uscourts.gov and to Kadya Peter, Courtroom Deputy, at Kadya_Peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtesy copies must include ECF-generated header.

The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be numbered: Plaintiff 001-499, Defendant 500+.

Exhibits must be numbered as follows: Plaintiff: 001 - 499 Defendant: 500 – forward

CRITICAL

Exhibits should be numbered as follows on the Word list: Plaintiff: 001 – 499 Defendant: 500 – forward

Exhibits should be numbered as follows on the Word list: Plaintiff: 001 – 499 Defendant: 500 – forward

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtesy copies should be printed double-sided. Courtesy copies should be three-hole punched and tabbed but not submitted in a three-ring binder, to avoid waste.

Courtesy copies should be printed double-sided. Courtesy copies should be three-hole punched and tabbed but not submitted in a three-ring binder, to avoid waste.