District Court Judge

Counties: Hennepin

State Court Bio: View Bio

Contact with chambers:

• Set forth your preferred method to contact chambers (telephone, e-mail, etc.). email and telephone
• To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Chambers' law clerks
• To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions?  Chambers' law clerks 

Motion practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Such practices are set forth in the Court's Scheduling Order
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing. It depends upon the type of motion.
• Do you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during depositions? Yes
• How much time do you allot for motion hearings? It depends on the type of motion
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference. Only for compelling circumstances
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions. Such practices are set forth in the Court's Scheduling Order
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. We accept ythe signed stipulations by the parties 
• Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order? We require a motion to amend the scheduling order which the Court may consider via submissions if all the reasons for such amendment is set forth in the motion. 
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. Parties are required to file a motion and follow applicable procedures for motion practice.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions.  When assigned, we require moving party to make good faith attempt to serve the other party. Once such motion is assigned to this Court, a moving party may contact chambers to schedule a hearing. 

Written submissions:

• Do you want to receive paper courtesy copies of the parties’ written submissions? If you do, set forth the number and preferred format of courtesy copies and identify any document type you do not want to receive. Yes. Two courtesy copies 
• Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.  We do not deviate from the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.

In-court proceedings:

• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. We have computers in the courtroom and will work with parties to meet their needs for trials and hearings if parties so request. 
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney’s use of technology in the courtroom and during trial. We liberally accomodate reasonable requests from parties. 
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submission of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument. This Court always welcomes additional legal authority and other relevant materials to the extent the parties request or if the Court so orders.
• Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues?  yes, if the Court grants prior permission

Pretrial procedures:

• Describe your preferred procedures for pretrial settlement conferences, including the timing of such conferences, persons who must attend, whether persons may attend by telephone or video conference, and how you participate in settlement discussions. We require pre-trials and we try to have them about a month before the start date of trial. We work with parties to schedule them. Attorneys who will try the case should attend and in some cases their clients as well. I participate in settlement discussions to the extent the parties request and in compelling circumstances if it appears that the parties could benefit from such participation.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine.  In complex cases, the Court requires such motions to be heard at the pre-trial, certainly prior to the start of trial. 

Trial:

• What is your schedule for a typical trial day? 9 to noon with a morning break and 1:30 to 4:30 with an afternoon break 
• Set forth your voir dire procedures. The Court asks general preliminary questions and the attorneys for each side conduct their voir dire. Generally unless otherwise requested, voir dire is not on the record.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to courtroom decorum, including movement in the courtroom, use of a podium, whether attorneys should sit or stand, and how to address witnesses. The only requirement of this Court is that attorneys treat everyone in the courtroom with respect and appropriately. The Court does not restrict attorneys' movement unless clearly intrusive, intimidating or inappropriate in the judgment of the Court. Attorneys may sit or stand based on what is most comfortable for them to do their work. The Court expects attorneys to treat each witness with respect and dignity. 
• Do you impose time limits with respect to opening statements and closing arguments?  The Court sets time limits based on the complexity of the case and usually notifies the parties of the reasonable length. Requests for for time limits are also considered if they are reasonable.
• Identify your practices with respect to the use of technology in the courtroom during trial. We consider all reasonable requests that can be accomodated 
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits. We prefer that parties pre-marked their exhibits and agree on a sequence of numbers between them. 
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. During jury trials, arguments concerning an objection made are handled at a side bar with white noise. 
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony. It is allowed as permitted by applicable rules.
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Yes. Attorneys must make their own arrangements with the court reporter.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial.  We do not have a procedure at this time. But we will consider such requests on a case by case basis. 

Other matters:

• Set forth any other preferences, practices, or procedures attorneys and parties may find helpful.  Parties should follow all applicable rules, scheduling order and standing order the Court issues.