A final pretrial conference is held prior to all trials. Each party shall be represented by the attorneys who will try the case (unless before the conference the court grants permission otherwise). These attorneys shall have authority and be fully prepared to discuss all aspects of the case, including settlement and resolution of all disputes in the pretrial materials. Trial procedures and final scheduling will also be discussed at that time.

Counsel participating in any manner of the case, including settlement and pretrial conferences, are required to have filed an appearance (and shall not rely on the appearance of one or members of the attorney’s law firm) before the date of said conference. All attorneys who participate in the trial of the case shall ensure that an appearance has been filed and shall comply with the trial bar requirements of Local Rule 83.11.

At the time of the final pretrial conference, parties who anticipate requesting a daily or hourly transcript of the trial should relay this information to Judge Lefkow’s courtroom deputy, Amanda Scherer, who can advise the parties of the court reporter scheduled for the trial. If advance arrangements are not made, the reporter may not be able to accommodate such a request once the trial has begun.