Western District of Washington Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Withdrawal without replacement requires a court order, obtained either by stipulation or by motion with hearing.

An attorney who wishes to withdraw from representing a client without replacement must obtain an order of the court. Such an order may be sought by: (1) filing an ex parte stipulation and order signed by the attorney and the client authorizing the attorney to withdraw; or (2) filing a motion to withdraw and noting it for hearing pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 9013-1(d)(2)(F).

Discovery motions prohibited until status conference on discovery dispute.

the parties are prohibited from filing a discovery related motion until after the court has conducted a status conference to discuss the discovery dispute.

Discovery disputes require conference before filing motions.

As required by LCR 37(a), all discovery matters are to be resolved by agreement if possible. If agreement is not possible, prior to the filing of any discovery motions, the Court directs the parties to request a conference with the Court.

Joint statement (max 3 pages) required before discovery conference.

The moving party must submit a joint statement to the Court briefly identifying the issue(s) in dispute. The joint statement shall be no more than three pages and shall be filed via CM/ECF.

Before filing discovery motions, parties must request conference and submit joint statement max 3 pages via CM/ECF.

If agreement is not possible, prior to the filing of any discovery motions, the Court directs the parties to request a conference with the Court. See FRCP 16(b)(3). The moving party must submit a joint statement to the Court briefly identifying the issue(s) in dispute. The joint statement shall be no more than three pages and shall be filed via CM/ECF.

Pre-motion conference with the Court is required for all discovery motions if parties cannot reach agreement.

If agreement is not possible, prior to the filing of any discovery motions, the Court directs the parties to request a conference with the Court.

Required

Always

All motions must be filed before the pretrial motions deadline.

All motions, including motions to continue the trial date, shall be made prior to the pretrial motions deadline.

In multi-defendant cases, counsel must consult before filing any motion.

In multi-defendant cases, prior to filing any motion, counsel are directed to consult with all other counsel, including counsel for all codefendants, to determine whether the motion can either be stipulated or brought jointly.

Motions in limine must be filed by the pretrial motions deadline.

All motions in limine must be filed by the deadline set for pretrial motions.

Meet and confer required before filing dispositive motions.

G. Meet and Confer Required Before Filing Dispositive Motions

Motions in limine must be filed at least 14 days before trial.

I. Motions in Limine

Meet and confer required before filing dispositive motions with certification.

Counsel must make a meaningful effort to confer prior to filing a dispositive motion. Such motions must contain a certification of conferral that is clearly visible within either the first substantive paragraph or the final paragraph of the motion. Counsel should provide for at least three business days between attempts to confer and a motion's filing and must explain their specific efforts to comply if contact was not successfully made.

Meet and confer required before filing motions in limine.

Conferral required. Before filing motions in limine, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party, and must comply with all other requirements of LCR 7(d)(5). Parties are discouraged from filing motions in limine that do not identify specific evidence or exhibits to be excluded, which request relief at a high level of generality, or which merely ask the Court to apply the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Motions in limine must be filed 35 days before trial, noted for 21 days.

Noting dates. All motions in limine must be filed no later than 35 days before trial and noted for consideration 21 days from the date of filing. Any opposition papers shall be filed and received by the moving party no later than 15 days after the filing date of the motion. No reply papers shall be filed unless the Court orders otherwise.

Meet and confer required before filing discovery motions.

Before filing a motion to compel or a motion for a protective order, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party. Parties are encouraged to submit discovery disputes jointly through the procedure set forth in LCR 37(a)(2).

Before filing a dispositive motion, counsel must confer meaningfully, include a visible certification of conferral, allow at least three business days between conferral attempts and filing, and explain efforts if contact fails.

Counsel must make a meaningful effort to confer prior to filing a dispositive motion. Such motions must contain a certification of conferral that is clearly visible within either the first substantive paragraph or the final paragraph of the motion. Counsel should provide for at least three business days between attempts to confer and a motion's filing and must explain their specific efforts to comply if contact was not successfully made.

Before filing a motion to compel or protective order, parties must meet and confer in good faith; joint submission via LCR 37(a)(2) is encouraged.

Before filing a motion to compel or a motion for a protective order, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party. Parties are encouraged to submit discovery disputes jointly through the procedure set forth in LCR 37(a)(2).

Daubert motions must be filed by dispositive motion deadline and cannot be in limine motions.

Motions challenging expert testimony, though not dispositive motions, must be filed by the date dispositive motions are due in accordance with the Court’s trial scheduling order. Daubert issues may not be presented in motions in limine.

Meaningful conferral required before filing dispositive motions with 3 business day buffer.

Parties must make a meaningful effort to confer prior to filing a dispositive motion. Such motions must contain a certification of conferral. See Section II.D. Parties should provide for at least three (3) business days between the final attempt to confer and a motion’s filing and must explain their specific efforts to comply in the certification if contact was not successfully made.

Proposed briefing schedule required for cross-motions for summary judgment.

Parties must submit for approval a proposed briefing schedule if they plan on filing cross-motions for summary judgment. As noted in LCR 7(k), the Court may order Parties filing cross-motions for summary judgment to combine their memoranda and forgo reply briefs in exchange for an enlarged response brief.

Good faith conferral required before filing motions in limine; single omnibus motion allowed.

Before filing motions in limine, a Party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing Party and must comply with all other requirements of LCR 7(d)(4). Parties are discouraged from filing motions in limine that do not identify specific evidence or exhibits to be excluded, that request relief at a high level of generality, or that merely ask the Court to apply the Federal Rules of Evidence in the absence of an unusual issue. Each Party may file a single, omnibus motion in limine. Successive motions in limine shall require advance Court approval.

Non-compliant motions in limine may be summarily stricken without prior permission.

Motions in limine that do not comply with the applicable requirements, including the certification of conferral (LCR 7(d)(4)) or the word limit (LCR 7(e)(5)), without prior permission of the Court may be summarily stricken.

Motion to compel only as last resort; good faith conferral required with certification.

The Court expects Parties to file a motion to compel only as a last resort. The Court strongly encourages Parties to make every effort to resolve discovery disputes without the Court’s intervention. Before filing a motion to compel, the moving Party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing Party. See Section II.D. A motion to compel must strictly comply with LCR 37(a)(1) and shall include a certification that lists the date, manner, and

Required

Always

No opposed discovery motions until contacting Magistrate Judge for procedures.

Should the case be referred to a Magistrate Judge for discovery-related issues, no opposed discovery motions shall be filed until the Party has contacted the Magistrate Judge to be informed of that judge’s procedures for resolving discovery disputes.

Required

Always

Pretrial motions must be calendared 12 days after filing.

All pretrial motions, except stipulated or unopposed motions to continue the trial date, must be noted on the motion calendar for twelve (12) days after the motion is filed per CrR 12(b)(6).

Required

Always

Opposition to extension motions due within 2 business days.

Any opposition must be filed within two (2) business days of the motion.

Required

Always

Replies to extension motions are not permitted.

No replies are allowed.

Required

Always

Replies to motions in limine only if requested by Court.

No reply shall be filed unless requested by the Court.

Required

Always

Additional motions in limine require advance Court approval.

Successive motions in limine shall require advance Court approval.

Before filing motions in limine, parties must make a good-faith meet and confer with the opposing party and comply with LCR 7(d)(5).

Before filing motions in limine, a Party must make a good-faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing Party and must comply with all other requirements of LCR 7(d)(5).

Parties must meet and confer in good faith before filing a motion to compel.

Before filing a motion to compel, the moving Party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing Party.

Parties must contact the Magistrate Judge and learn their procedures before filing opposed discovery motions in referred cases.

Should the case be referred to a Magistrate Judge for discovery-related issues, no opposed discovery motions shall be filed until the Party has contacted the Magistrate Judge and has been informed of that judge’s procedures for resolving discovery disputes.

Discovery disputes require conference and 3-page joint statement before filing motions.

As required by LCR 37(a), all discovery matters are to be resolved by agreement if possible. If agreement is not possible, before filing any discovery motions, Judge Cartwright requires the parties to request a conference with the Court. See FRCP 16(b)(3)(B)(v). The moving party must submit a joint statement to the Court briefly identifying the issue(s) in dispute. The joint statement shall be no more than three pages and shall be filed via CM/ECF.

Stipulated motions with non-compliant schedules will be denied.

Stipulated motions proposing a schedule that does not comply with this requirement will be denied.

Discovery-related motions must be filed 6 months before trial.

All motions related to discovery must be filed by TR – 6 mos

Dispositive and expert testimony challenges must be filed 4 months before trial with hearing set within 4 weeks.

All dispositive motions and motions challenging expert witness testimony must be filed by this date (see LCR 7(d)). Such motions must be noted for consideration no later than the fourth Friday thereafter (see LCR 7(d)).

Motions in limine must be filed 37 days before trial.

All motions in limine must be filed by TR – 37 days

Good faith conference required to resolve discovery disputes before filing motion.

All parties are required to make a good faith effort to confer in person or by phone to resolve a discovery dispute under Local Rule CR 37(a)(1)(A).

Before filing a discovery motion, the moving party must make reasonable efforts to have all parties participate in contacting the Court to request a telephonic motion.

The moving party must make reasonable efforts to have all parties to the discovery dispute participate in contacting the Court to request a telephonic motion. See Local Civil Rule 7(i).

Required

Always

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

Any reply papers shall be filed and received by the opposing party no later than 21 days after the filing date of the motion.

Motions to shorten time are not permitted.

Motions to shorten time have been abolished.

Opposition briefs must be filed and served within time prescribed in LCR 7(d).

Each party opposing the motion shall, within the time prescribed in LCR 7(d), file with the clerk, and serve on each party that has appeared in the action, a brief in opposition to the motion, together with any supporting material of the type described in subsection (1).

Reply briefs must be filed and served within time prescribed in LCR 7(d).

The moving party may, within the time prescribed in LCR 7(d), file with the clerk, and serve on each party that has appeared in the action, a reply brief in support of the motion, together with any supporting material of the type described in subsection (1).

Oral argument is not permitted unless specifically requested in caption with 'ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED'.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all motions will be decided by the court without oral argument. Counsel shall not appear on the date the motion is noted unless directed by the court. A party desiring oral argument shall so indicate by including the words “ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED” in the caption of its motion or responsive memorandum.

Required

Always

Motions must be noted for consideration on weekdays, excluding legal holidays.

All motions shall be noted for consideration on a weekday, excluding legal holidays. If a motion is filed on a weekend or legal holiday, it will be deemed filed the next business day for purposes of this rule and must be noted accordingly.

Same-day motions include stipulated, joint, unopposed motions, and specific motion types.

Same Day Motions. Stipulated, joint or unopposed motions (see for example LCR 10(g)), motions to file over-length motions or briefs (see LCR 7(f)), motions for reconsideration (see LCR 7(h)), joint submissions pursuant to the optional procedure established in LCR 37(a)(2), motions to appoint a mediator (LCR 39.1(c)(3)), motions for default (see LCR 55(a)), requests for the clerk to enter default judgment (see LCR 55(b)(1)), ex parte motions, motions for the court to enter default judgment where the opposing party has not appeared (see LCR 55(b)(2)), motions to recuse (see LCR3(f)), and motions for a temporary restraining order ("TRO") (see LCR 65) shall be noted for consideration for the day they are filed.

Motions for relief from deadline and protective orders require 14-day notice.

14-Day Motions. Motions for relief from a deadline, and motions for protective order, shall be noted for consideration no earlier than 14 days after filing.

Opposition papers for 14-day motions must be filed within 9 days.

Any opposition papers shall be filed and received by the moving party no later than 9 days after the filing date of the motion.

Reply papers for 14-day motions must be filed within 14 days.

Any reply papers shall be filed and received by the opposing party no later than 14 days after the filing date of the motion.

Required

Always

All other motions require 21-day notice.

21-Day Motions. With the exception of the motions specifically listed in LCR 7(d)(1), 7(d)(2), and 7(d)(4), all other motions shall be noted for consideration no earlier than 21 days from the date of filing.

Required

Always

Opposition papers for 21-day motions must be filed within 15 days.

Any opposition papers shall be filed and received by the moving party no later than 15 days after the filing date of the motion.

Major dispositive motions require 28-day notice.

28-Day Motions. Motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions seeking a preliminary injunction, motions to exclude expert testimony for failure to satisfy Fed. R. Evid. 702/Daubert, motions for class certification, and motions directed toward changing the forum (through remand, transfer, or to compel arbitration) shall be noted for consideration no earlier than 28 days after filing.

Opposition papers for 28-day motions must be filed within 21 days.

Any opposition papers shall be filed and received by the moving party no later than 21 days after the filing date of the motion.

Reply papers for 28-day motions must be filed within 28 days.

Any reply papers shall be filed and received by the opposing party no later than 28 days after the filing date of the motion.

Required

Always

Deadlines falling on weekends or holidays are extended to the next business day.

If the deadline for a party's response or reply to a motion falls on a date that is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday as defined by Fed. R. Civ. P. 6, the party's response or reply is due on the following day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Required

Always

Mail service requires 3-day earlier deadline for opposition papers.

If any opposition papers required to be served under LCR 7(d) are served via mail, the deadline for filing and serving such opposition papers shall be 3 days earlier than the deadlines provided in LCR 7(d)(2), 7(d)(3), or 7(d)(4). If doing so places the deadline on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the opposition brief shall be filed and served on the next earliest date that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Prisoner cases follow 7-day, 21-day, or 28-day briefing schedules, not 14-day.

Except for petitions for habeas corpus and motions filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, all motions filed in a case in which a party is under civil or criminal confinement shall be subject to the briefing schedule under Rule 7(d)(1), 7(d)(3), or 7(d)(4), not 7(d)(2).

Required

Always

Scheduling conference or joint status report required within 14 days of filing or appearance.

As soon as practicable after a case is filed, but no later than either the filing of the proof of service on any defendant or the appearance of any defendant, the court shall order a scheduling conference, or order the submission of a joint status report, or both, unless the judge finds good cause for delay.

Counsel with principal responsibility and all pro se parties must attend scheduling conference.

Counsel with principal responsibility for a case and all pro se parties shall attend the scheduling conference.

Conference of attorneys required 10 days before filing proposed pretrial order.

Not later than ten days prior to the filing of the proposed pretrial order, there shall be a conference of attorneys for the purpose of accomplishing the requirements of this rule.

Protective order motions require certification of good faith meet and confer conference.

(1) Any motion for a protective order must include a certification, in the motion or in a declaration or affidavit, that the movant has engaged in a good faith meet and confer conference with other affected parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action. The certification must list the date, manner, and participants to the conference. If the movant fails to include such a certification, the court may deny the motion without addressing the merits of the dispute. A good faith effort to confer requires a face-to-face meeting or a telephone conference.

Required

Always

Mandatory meet and confer conference before initial status conference or joint status report.

(1) Prior to the initial status conference with the court, if any, or prior to submitting their joint status report, counsel and any pro se parties shall meet and discuss, and address in their joint status report if the court orders one, the topics set forth in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) and the following issues: (A) possibilities for promptly settling or otherwise resolving the case; (B) whether the parties plan to engage in some form of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), such as mediation or the individualized trial program set forth in LCR 39.2, when they plan to engage in ADR, or why the parties do not plan to engage in ADR; (C) the existence of any related cases pending before this court or in another jurisdiction as set forth in LCR 3(g) and (h) and a proposal for how to handle the related cases; (D) a statement of how discovery will be managed to promote the expeditious and inexpensive resolution of the case, including but not limited to: (i) forgoing or limiting depositions or exchanging documents informally; (ii) agreeing to share discovery from third parties and the cost of obtaining that discovery; (iii) scheduling discovery or case management conferences with the judge assigned to the case as necessary; (iv) presenting discovery disputes to the court by informal means; (v) requesting the assistance of a magistrate judge for settlement conferences; (vi) requesting to use an abbreviated pretrial order;

Motion to compel discovery must include certification of good faith meet-and-confer attempt with date, manner, and participants.

(1) Meet and Confer Requirement. Any motion for an order compelling disclosure or discovery must include a certification, in the motion or in a declaration or affidavit, that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action. The certification must list the date, manner, and participants to the conference. If the movant fails to include such a certification, the court may deny the motion without addressing the merits of the dispute. A good faith effort to confer with a party or person not making a disclosure or discovery requires a face-to-face meeting or a telephone conference.

Motion for new trial required before appeal; only specific grounds allowed after denial.

Before filing an appeal, a party shall make a motion for a new trial pursuant to subsection (n) of these procedures. If the motion for a new trial is denied, the party may appeal the judgment and seek a new trial only on grounds specified in subsection (n)(3). All other grounds for appeal shall be waived and are not permitted, unless the parties agree otherwise.

Parties must meet and confer before filing motion to consolidate; if agreement reached, must file stipulation addressing consolidation and scheduling issues.

(b) Meet and Confer Requirement Prior to filing a motion to consolidate, the parties must meet and confer and attempt to reach agreement regarding whether the cases should be consolidated and whether consolidation should extend through trial. If they agree, the parties must file a stipulation to consolidate in all of the cases to be consolidated. The stipulation should also address, to the extent possible, any scheduling issues implicated by consolidation such as which case schedule should govern in the consolidated action.

Default judgment motion requires prior default entry.

No motion for judgment by default should be filed against any party unless the court has previously granted a motion for default against that party pursuant to LCR 55(a) or unless default otherwise has been entered.

Objections to magistrate judge orders must be noted for consideration on filing day; responses only if court requests.

Any objection filed pursuant to this subsection must be noted for consideration for the day it is filed. No response shall be filed unless requested by the court. The request will set a date when the response is due, and may limit briefing to particular issues or points raised by the objections, may authorize a reply, and may prescribe word or, if written by hand or typewriter, page limitations.

Objections to magistrate judge recommended dispositions must be filed within 14 days and noted on motions calendar.

A party must file and serve any objections to a magistrate judge’s recommended disposition within 14 days after being served unless the court enlarges the time period in a specific case. The party filing the objections must note them on the motions calendar pursuant to LCR 7 for a date no earlier than 14 days after the objections are filed. Any response to the objections must be filed by the day before the noting date. No reply will be considered.

Court must set status conference after record filing to determine schedule

(3) As soon as practicable after the filing of the record, the court shall set a status conference to determine a schedule for further proceedings.

Required

Always

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

Immediately upon the filing of the agreement, plaintiff shall contact the courtroom deputy for the assigned judge and request an initial individualized trial conference. The conference shall occur no later than thirty (30) days after the filing of the agreement unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Pretrial motions (except dispositive) must follow LCR 37 individualized procedure.

Except for dispositive motions, all pretrial motions must use the individualized procedure set forth in LCR 37.

Discovery planning conference required before seeking discovery under FRCP 26(f)(d).

As a general rule, a party may not seek discovery from any source before the parties have held a planning conference as required by FRCP 26(f), FRCP 26(d).

Motion procedure: file motion with proposed order, note motion for 12 days, opposition due 7 days after filing, reply due 5 days after opposition. Argument must be in motion itself.

The moving party shall file and serve on each party that has appeared in the action the motion and a proposed order. The argument in support of the motion shall not be made in a separate document but shall be submitted as part of the motion itself. The moving party shall also note the motion for twelve days after the day on which it is filed. Each party opposing the motion shall file with the clerk and serve on each party that has appeared in the action a brief in opposition to the motion, together with any supporting material as provided in section (a) hereof. The deadline for filing the opposition is seven days after the motion is filed. The moving party may, but is not required to, file and serve on each party that has appeared in the action a reply brief in support of the motion, together with any supporting material. The deadline for filing the reply is five days after the opposition.

Sur-replies require leave of court.

Leave of the Court must be obtained to file a sur−reply.

Parties must meet and confer before filing a Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss, and the motion must include a certification of conferral.

A motion pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) is discouraged if the defect can be cured by filing an amended pleading. Therefore, the parties must meet and confer prior to filing a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) to determine whether it can be avoided, and such motions must contain a certification of conferral as set forth above in Section II(C).

Parties must meaningfully confer under Rule 37(a)(1) and arrange a court conference before filing any opposed discovery motion.

No opposed discovery motions are to be filed with the Court until the parties meaningfully comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(1). If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on a discovery issue after conferring, they shall arrange a telephone or video conference with the Court regarding the issue. Both of these steps must be completed before any opposed discovery motions are filed. Noncompliant motions may be summarily denied or stricken.

Required

Always

Follow Local Rule 7(d) scheduling guidelines; improper motions may be re-noted or struck.

Judge Robart follows Local Rules W.D. Wash. LCR 7 in scheduling matters for consideration by the court. Counsel and pro se parties should follow the scheduling guidelines specified in Local Rule 7(d). The court may re-note or strike motions that have been improperly noted for consideration, or take other appropriate action.

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

Before filing a motion to compel, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party.

Good faith meet and confer required before filing motions in limine.

Before filing motions in limine, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party, and must comply with all other requirements of Local Rule 7(d)(4).

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

For all cases, except applications for temporary restraining orders, counsel contemplating the filing of any motion shall first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly, preferably in person, the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution. The Court construes this requirement strictly. Half-hearted attempts at compliance with this rule will not satisfy counsel’s obligation. The parties must discuss the substantive grounds for the motion and attempt to reach an accord that would eliminate the need for the motion. The Court strongly emphasizes that discussions of the substance of contemplated motions are to take place, if at all possible, in person. All motions must include a declaration by counsel briefly describing the parties’ discussion and attempt to eliminate the need for the motion and the date of such discussion. Filings not in compliance with this rule may be stricken.

Pro se parties are exempt from the meet-and-confer requirement, but if both sides have attorney representation, the requirement applies and pro se parties are encouraged to attend.

To reduce the burden of litigation on pro se litigants, pro se parties are not required to meet and confer. However, if at least one party on each side is represented by an attorney, the meet and confer requirement still applies and pro se parties are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

Before filing motions in limine, parties must confer in good faith; motions should identify specific evidence and avoid general requests.

Before filing motions in limine, a party must make a good faith effort to meet and confer with the opposing party. Parties are discouraged from filing motions in limine that (1) do not identify specific evidence or exhibits to be excluded, (2) request relief at a high level of generality, or (3) merely ask the Court to apply the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Motions to dismiss under Rule 12(b) discouraged if defect can be cured by amendment.

A motion to dismiss pursuant to FRCP 12(b) is discouraged if the defect can be cured by filing an amended pleading. Parties must endeavor not to oppose timely motions to amend.

Motions to dismiss under FRCP 12(b) are discouraged if the defect can be cured by an amended pleading; parties should not oppose timely motions to amend.

A motion to dismiss pursuant to FRCP 12(b) is discouraged if the defect can be cured by filing an amended pleading. Parties must endeavor not to oppose timely motions to amend.

Motions in limine are discouraged if they do not identify specific evidence to exclude, are overly general, or seek routine FRE application; Daubert issues are prohibited.

Parties are discouraged from filing motions in limine that request exclusion without identifying specific evidence or exhibits to be excluded, request relief at a high level of generality, or merely ask the Court to apply the Federal Rules of Evidence in the absence of an unusual issue. Daubert issues may not be presented in motions in limine.

Parties must be prepared to discuss ADR procedures at scheduling conference.

Counsel and all pro se parties shall be prepared to discuss at the scheduling conference those matters listed in Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(c)(2) and 26(f) and LCR 26(f) and to state whether there is a significant possibility that early and inexpensive resolution of the case would be fostered by any alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") procedure, as described in LCR 39.1 and 39.2.

Pending state court motions not considered unless refiled in federal court.

If a motion is pending and undecided in the state court at the time of removal, it will not be considered unless and until the moving party files and notes the motion on this court’s calendar in accordance with LCR 7(d).

Removal timing applies even without specified damages if amount exceeds jurisdiction.

If the complaint filed in state court does not set forth the dollar amount prayed for, a removal petition shall nevertheless be governed by the time limitation of 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b) if a reasonable person, reading the complaint of the plaintiff, would conclude that the plaintiff was seeking damages in an amount greater than the minimum jurisdictional amount of this court.

Motion to recuse is reviewed by challenged judge who may voluntarily recuse; if not, motion is referred to chief judge or senior active judge.

Whenever a motion to recuse directed at a judge of this court is filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 144 or 28 U.S.C. § 455, the challenged judge will review the motion papers and decide whether to recuse voluntarily. If the challenged judge decides not to voluntarily recuse, he or she will direct the clerk to refer the motion to the chief judge, or the chief judge’s designee. If the motion is directed at the chief judge, or if the chief judge or the chief judge’s designee is unavailable, the clerk shall refer it to the active judge with the highest seniority.

Before filing a motion for further discovery, the parties must confer to try to resolve the request without court involvement.

If discovery or inspection beyond that provided for above is sought by either counsel, the attorney for the government and the defendant’s attorney shall confer with a view toward satisfying these requests in a cooperative atmosphere without recourse to the court. Only in the event that either party’s request for any discovery or inspection cannot be satisfied without recourse to the court may either party move for additional discovery or inspection.

Parties must meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.

The parties must meet and confer prior to the filing of a motion in limine pursuant to CrR 12(b)(7).

Pro se parties are exempt from discovery dispute conference requirement and may file discovery motions directly.

Matters where a party is proceeding pro se are exempted from this procedure. In those cases, parties may file discovery motions directly and note them according to Local Rules W.D. Wash. LCR 7(d).

Specific briefing schedule for cross-motions for summary judgment.

H. Briefing Schedule for Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment

Pro se parties exempt from meet and confer requirement.

To reduce the burden of litigation on pro se litigants, pro se parties are not required to meet and confer. However, if at least one party on each side is represented by an attorney, the meet and confer requirement still applies and pro se parties are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

Required

Always

Pretrial motions deadline is typically set six weeks before trial.

The Court typically sets the pretrial motions deadline six weeks before trial.

Oral argument is decided after briefing is completed on a motion.

After briefing has been completed on a motion, the Court will decide whether to grant a request for oral argument.

Motions are normally decided within 30 days of the noting date.

All motions will be decided as soon as practicable, and normally within thirty days following the noting date.

Final pretrial conference may be scheduled at court's discretion.

The court may, in its discretion, schedule a final pretrial conference.

Expedited joint motion procedure available for discovery motions by agreement.

(2) Expedited Joint Motion Procedure. A motion for an order compelling disclosure or discovery may be filed and noted in the manner prescribed in LCR 7(d)(3). Alternatively, the parties may, by agreement, utilize the expedited procedure set forth in this subsection. If the parties utilize this procedure, the motion may be noted for consideration for the day the motion is filed.

Expedited joint motion procedure available for motions to seal, relief from deadline, and motions in limine by agreement.

(I) If all parties agree to do so, they may use the expedited joint motion procedure for other types of motions, including but not limited to motions to seal, motions for relief from a deadline, and motions in limine. The timing and procedure shall be the same as set forth above except that (1) instead of setting forth the disputed discovery request and the opposing party’s objection/response thereto, the moving party should set forth the relief requested and the legal authority that supports the requested relief, and (2) the moving party must submit a proposed order that sets forth the relief requested.

Motion filing procedures section begins

Motions ............................................................................................................. 32

Same-day motions do not permit responses or replies unless ordered.

The following motions may be noted for the same day they are filed. A response or reply is not permitted unless ordered by the court.

14-day motions require 9-day response and reply by noting date.

The following types of motions cannot be noted earlier than 14 calendar days after they are filed. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge, the response is due no later than 9 days after the filing of the motion; the reply is due by the noting date.

21-day motions require 15-day response and reply by noting date.

Non-dispositive motions, except those specifically listed in other parts of LCR 7(d), cannot be noted any earlier than 21 calendar days after they are filed. The response is due by 15 days after the filing date and the reply is due by the noting date, unless otherwise ordered by the judge.

28-day motions require 21-day response and reply by noting date.

The following types of motions cannot be noted any earlier than 28 calendar days after they are filed. The response is due by 21 days after the date of filing and the reply is due by the noting date, unless otherwise ordered by the judge.

Motions in limine must be noted between 21 days after filing and 6 days before pretrial conference.

Motions in limine cannot be noted any earlier than 21 calendar days after filing but no later than 6 days before the pretrial conference, unless otherwise ordered by the judge.

Motions in limine responses due Monday before noting date; replies not permitted unless ordered.

After a party files a motion in limine, the response is due by the Monday before the noting date. A reply is not permitted unless ordered by the judge.

Motions to shorten time are abolished; for immediate action, use telephonic motion procedure; if assigned judge unavailable, any other judge may hear the matter.

Motions to shorten time are abolished. If immediate action is necessary, parties shall use the procedures for telephonic motions outlined above. If the judge assigned to the case is unavailable, any other judge may hear and dispose of the matter requiring immediate attention, but such action shall not constitute reassignment of the case or proceeding.

No Rule 16(b) conference; Court reviews joint status report and issues scheduling order.

Unless specific circumstances require it, the Court will not hold a Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) Initial Status Conference. Instead, the Court will review the parties' combined Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan as required by FRCP 26(f) and Local Civil Rule 26(f) and issue a Scheduling Order as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Court may resolve motions on the briefs without oral argument; if argument is held, each side gets 20 minutes plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.

Regardless of whether the parties request oral argument, the Court retains discretion to resolve a motion on the briefs. If the Court finds that oral argument is necessary, the Court will contact the parties for scheduling and other necessary arrangements. The parties shall be limited to twenty (20) minutes per side plus five (5) minutes for rebuttal unless otherwise ordered.

Oral argument granted after briefing; Court contacts parties to schedule.

After briefing has been completed, the Court will decide whether to grant a request for oral argument. Should oral argument be allowed, the Court will contact the parties to schedule a date and time.