District Court Judge

Counties: Hennepin
State Court Bio: View Bio

Contact with chambers:

• Set forth your preferred method to contact chambers (telephone, email, etc.). Staff Email
• To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Law Clerk
• To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions? Staff Email

  Motion practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Schedule next hearing on the record; failing that, email exchange
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing. Continuances
• Do you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during depositions? I am on a criminal block, so this does not come up, but when on civil, I would
• How much time do you allot for motion hearings? Depends on the motion. Typically, 30 minutes, but if has an evidentiary component, up to 1/2 day
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference. Hold many hearings over Zoom
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions. Not applicable (on a criminal block)
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. Submit motion with email copy; rule on the papers (unless must be on the record for some reason)
• Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order? Not applicable (on a criminal block)
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. Not applicable (on a criminal block)
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions. Not applicable (on a criminal block)

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. No
• Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.None

  In-court proceedings:

• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. Computer, audio, video screens. Prefer use of electronic presentations
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney's use of technology in the courtroom and during trial.Prefer use of technology to assist in making arguments and presenting evidence
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument. Set briefing schedule to allow both sides to submit, non-simultaneous
• Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues? yes, and encouraged to allow newer attorneys to argue

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. Not applicable (on a criminal block)
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine. Strongly prefer motions well in advance; argument in final pretrial conference and ruling either at the conference or just before jury selection
• What is your schedule for a typical trial day? 8:30-12:30 with 20 minute morning break; 1:30-4:30
• Set forth your voir dire procedures.Preliminary instructions to all; judge questions jurors, then allows attorneys limited questions. All jurors questioned together; have yes/no sheets to raise for yes/no questions and then follow up with more details individually after yes/no questions done
• 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. Attorneys allowed to use the podium, but cannot deviate from it; attorneys can sit for arguments; witnesses must be addressed by title and last name
• Do you impose time limits with respect to opening statements and closing arguments? No
• Identify your practices with respect to the use of technology in the courtroom during trial. Free to use technology
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits. Premark
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. State simply basis and if want to argue, approach bench
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony. Not applicable (on a criminal block)
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Call court reporter to arrange in advance
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial. Has not come up, yet