Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Filings (>50 pages)
Upon Request
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Affects Other Dates
- 3Proposed Rescheduled Date
Communication
In Person
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Courtesy copies welcomed but not required for pleadings over 50 pages or upon request.
Courtesy copies are welcomed but not required for pleadings that in the aggregate (i.e., the brief plus any declarations or exhibits) are longer than 50 pages or upon Court request. If a party believes that courtesy copies may be helpful, such as for complex graphs or images best viewed in color, the party may submit a courtesy copy to chambers for the Court's ease of reference. The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by
Upon Request Only
Do not send copies unless specifically asked by Chambers.
Courtesy copies must include ECF-generated header.
The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by
Courtesy copies must be double-sided, three-hole punched, and tabbed.
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.
Encouraged alternate briefing schedule for cross-motions (4 briefs instead of 6).
Judge Cartwright encourages parties filing cross-motions to agree to an alternate briefing schedule allowing for four briefs (one cross-motion, second cross-motion/opposition, opposition/reply, and reply) rather than a full six briefs (motion, opposition, and reply for each cross-motion). If the parties can reach an agreement on such a schedule and any necessary adjustments to the page/word limits, they shall submit a stipulated motion and proposed order for the Court's approval.
Filing Strategy
Bundling Policy
Encouraged alternate briefing schedule for cross-motions (4 briefs instead of 6)
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.
Pre-Motion Conference
A pre-motion conference is mandatory before filing. You must submit a letter first.
Letter Requirements
For in camera review, send electronic copy to Mary Trent; if over 50 pages, also deliver physical copy to Tacoma Clerk's Office.
If the Court orders a party to submit documents for in camera review, the party shall send an electronic copy of the documents to Courtroom Deputy Mary Trent at Mary_Trent@wawd.uscourts.gov. If the document is longer than 50 pages, the party shall also deliver a physical copy of the documents to the Tacoma Clerk's Office, clearly marked for in camera review to avoid inadvertent filing on the docket.
Protocol
Sealing Procedure
Tuesday trial days may be shortened for in-custody criminal hearings.
Judge Cartwright holds trial Monday through Friday of each week. The Tuesday trial day may be shortened if necessary to allow for in-custody hearings in criminal cases. Judge Cartwright will advise counsel in advance if the Tuesday trial day will be shortened.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredwhen Tuesday trial day will be shortened
Courtroom opens at 8:15 a.m. for counsel.
The courtroom will be open and available to counsel at approximately 8:15 a.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours8:15 AM - 4:30 PM
Final pretrial matters at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.
Final Pretrial matters are taken up at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Jury voir dire starts at 9:00 a.m. with 20 minutes per side.
The jury panel is sworn for voir dire in the courtroom at 9:00; after Court-directed voir dire, the Court usually gives each side 20 minutes to conduct voir dire, and a jury is usually sworn prior to the noon recess.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours9:00 AM - noon
Opening statements and first witnesses on first trial afternoon.
Counsel should be prepared to deliver opening statements and call their first witnesses on the afternoon of the first trial day.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursafternoon of first trial day
15-minute break at 10:30 a.m.
15 minute mid-morning break is taken at approximately 10:30 a.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Lunch recess 12:00-1:30 p.m., jury matters at 1:15 p.m.
Noon/Lunch recess is taken at from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., if matters need to be discussed outside the presence of the jury, this will occur at 1:15 p.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (lunch), 1:15 PM (jury matters)
15-minute break at 3:00 p.m.
15 minute mid-afternoon break is taken at approximately 3:00 p.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Court recesses at 4:30 p.m.
Court recesses for the day at 4:30 p.m.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours4:30 PM
Courtroom must be cleared promptly if no jury matters remain.
If there are no matters to take up at the end of the day outside the presence of the jury, the courtroom needs to be cleared and closed as soon as possible so court staff can attend to other matters.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursafter 4:30 PM if no jury matters
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.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursall trial days
All parties must exit courthouse by 5:00 p.m. unless court in session.
Court Security Officers require that all parties exit the courthouse by 5:00 p.m., unless court remains in session.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours5:00 PM
Discuss leaving trial materials overnight with courtroom deputy.
The parties should discuss leaving trial materials overnight in the courtroom with the courtroom deputy.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Hoursdiscuss with courtroom deputy