District Court Judge

Counties: Hennepin

State Court Bio: View Bio

Motion Practice

• How long do you normally allow per party for argument of non-dispositive motions? Depends on the nature of the motion; often 15 minutes 
• How long do you normally allow per party for oral argument of dispositive motions? Depends on the nature of the motion; often 25-30 minutes 
• With respect to oral argument, do you prefer an attorney to not reiterate written material? Yes
• Do you regularly conduct hearings and motions by phone? No.
  If yes, please describe the procedure you would like attorneys to use to do so, including how testimony is to be transcribed and who puts the teleconference together:
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys in your courtroom to follow at motion hearings: The scheduling order covers particulars for courtesy copies and exhibits.  Please review it.
• Do you like to receive courtesy copies of motion papers? No 

Discovery Disputes

• Do you require counsel to "meet and confer" before bringing discovery disputes to a hearing? Yes. 
• Will you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during the course of a deposition? No

Pretrial Procedures

• When do you normally set the pretrial in relation to the trial? Usually two weeks before the first due date for trial-related exchanges and filings.
• Do you normally hear motions in limine at the pretrial? Yes
• When are jury instructions due? See the trial order, usually a few weeks in advance of the trial block
• When are proposed special verdict forms due? See the trial order, usually a few weeks in advance of the trial block
• When do you require that final witness lists be exchanged and filed? See the trial order, usually a few weeks in advance of the trial block
• When do you require that final exhibit lists be exchanged and filed? See the trial order, usually a few weeks in advance of the trial block
• Do you discuss settlement of the case with the parties at the time of the pretrial? Yes
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys to follow at the time of the pretrial: Review the trial order.

Continuances and Changes in the Scheduling Order

• For changes in the scheduling order, except date of trial: Generally, if the parties can demonstrate diligence in advancing the case and for good cause shown.
• For changes on the date of trial: These are disfavored.
• Under what circumstances would you consider granting a change in the trial date? 

Civil Jury Trials

• Do you perform preliminary voir dire? Yes
• Do you place a time limit on voir dire by counsel? No
• Is there subject matter you will not permit counsel to ask of the jury? Yes
  If yes, please explain: I will observe the usual rules of not trying the case through voir dire; questions must be relevant.
• Do you require counsel to sit or stand during questioning of witnesses? As they wish.
• Do you require counsel to be behind counsel table unless counsel has a specific reason to approach a witness? Yes
• Do you normally require counsel to meet each morning with the court before the jury comes into the courtroom? Yes
  If yes, how many minutes before court commences? Usually no more than 15 minutes
• I normally start jury trials at: 9:00 a.m.
• I normally give the jury a break of 15-20 minutes minutes in the morning.
• I normally take a lunch break at: 12:00 p.m. or close to it
• I normally give the jury a break of 20 minutes minutes in the afternoon.
• I normally finish court for the day at: 4:30 p.m.
• Do you permit jurors to:
  Take Notes: Yes
  Keep notes during deliberation? Yes
  Ask the witnesses questions? No
• If counsel asks to approach to argue a ruling, do you generally: Permit it.
• Do you place a time limit on final argument? No
  If yes, If yes, what is the time limit?
• When do you instruct the jury? Most of the instructions are before closing
• After argument and instructions, do you:
  Require counsel to be available by telephone? Yes
  Request that counsel remain at the courthouse during deliberations of the jury? No
  Take a verdict without counsel present and inform them after the verdict by telephone of the result? Yes

Sanctions of Counsel

• Have you ever sanctioned counsel with imposition of a fine? No
  Or jail? No
• Have you ever held counsel in contempt of court? No
• Have you ever reported an attorney for unethical behavior? No
• When, if ever, would you consider issuing sanctions, formal reprimands, holding an attorney in contempt, or reporting an attorney for unethical behavior?  On a case-by-case basis. At a minimum, counsel needs to follow court rules and court orders, act ethically, and with the appropriate decorum.