Western District of Washington Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Notice required 2 business days before hearing for multiple attorney participation.

Source text: Parties shall submit notice under this provision by issue and speaker two (2) business days prior to the hearing to the Courtroom Deputy, Kadya Peter, by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

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

Source text: The Court will generally grant requests for oral argument and will also generally grant requests for status or scheduling conferences. While the Court prefers to hold arguments in person, particularly on dispositive motions, the Court will consider requests for remote hearings.

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

Source text: The Court also encourages opportunities for junior attorneys and Rule 9 licensed legal interns to appear and to argue in Court, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Court encourages junior attorneys and Rule 9 legal interns to argue, permits multiple attorneys per party to create participation opportunities.

Source text: The Court also encourages opportunities for junior attorneys and Rule 9 licensed legal interns to appear and to argue in Court, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Court encourages junior lawyer participation in courtroom proceedings.

Source text: The Court encourages litigants to provide opportunities for less experienced lawyers and Rule 9 licensed legal interns (accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney) to participate in all courtroom proceedings, particularly where they contributed significantly to the preparation.

Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine witnesses for junior lawyer participation.

Source text: While typically only one lawyer may argue on behalf of a Party or question a witness, the Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine a witness on behalf of a client to achieve this end.

Experienced attorneys may supplement junior lawyers' arguments if needed.

Source text: An experienced attorney may supplement a new lawyer's arguments or witness examination questions with their own if necessary.

Encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue in court.

Source text: Judge Cartwright encourages opportunities for Rule 9 licensed legal interns and junior attorneys to appear and argue in Court. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

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

Source text: The Court encourages opportunities for Rule 9 licensed legal interns, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney, and for junior attorneys to appear and to argue in Court. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Junior lawyers with less than 7 years experience are encouraged to conduct hearings, especially when they contributed to the motion papers.

Source text: The Court encourages parties and counsel to be mindful of opportunities for new lawyers (practicing less than seven years) to conduct hearings before the Court, especially where these lawyers drafted or significantly contributed to motions and responses.

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

Source text: (2) Eligibility. To qualify for inclusion and continued maintenance on the register of neutrals under this rule, an attorney shall certify that he or she: (A) has been a member of the bar of a federal district court for at least seven years or has had at least seven years of judicial experience;

Supervising lawyers must be admitted to practice and have at least 3 years of experience.

Source text: The supervising lawyer shall be admitted to practice before this court. The supervising lawyer shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law for at least three years at the time the application is filed.

Oral argument procedures section begins

Source text: Oral argument ................................................................................................... 34

Each side limited to 20 minutes for oral argument plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.

Source text: The parties shall be limited to twenty (20) minutes per side plus five (5) minutes for rebuttal unless otherwise ordered.

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

Source text: Oral argument is generally granted (1) when the Court requires it to better understand the issues and arguments; or (2) when requested by the party which the Court, after reviewing the pleadings, believes will not prevail on the motion.