The attention of parties and counsel is called to the following emergency procedures established in accordance with Ninth Amended General Order 20-12, entered January 12, 2021, in the matter of coronavirus (COVID-19) public emergency.
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Courtesy copies of filings are not to be delivered or mailed to chambers. “The Court suspends Local Rule 5.2(f), which requires in many instances that paper courtesy copies of filings be delivered to the judge. No courtesy copies may be submitted for filings unless the parties receive case-specific requests for copies from the presiding judge.”
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Motions may not be noticed for an in-person presentment hearing. “The Court suspends Local Rule 5.3(b), which otherwise requires that all motions be noticed for presentment. No motions may be noticed for in-person presentment; the presiding judge will notify parties of the need, if any, for a hearing by electronic means or in-court proceeding. “
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Routine motion and status hearings are not being set. “All civil hearings, including bench trials, shall be conducted by means of remote telephone or video conference unless an in-person hearing is required by law.” Accordingly, this court is ordering written status reports and ruling on motions by mail instead of holding routine status and motion hearings. This includes initial status hearings and scheduling conferences under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). See below for the requirements for written status reports.
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Requesting a hearing. Any party may request a hearing, preferably by teleconference, by filing a written request and explaining why a hearing is necessary.
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To expedite the processing of motions:
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The first page of every motion must state clearly whether the motion is opposed.
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If a case has been referred to a magistrate judge, the first page of every motion must indicate the judge to which the motion is being presented.
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Non-compliant motions are subject to being stricken from the record.
(a) the progress of discovery;
(b) the status of briefing on any unresolved motions; and
(c) settlement efforts.
The reports shall also:
(d) provide an agreed proposed schedule (or alternative proposals) for the next period of 45 to 60 days; if appropriate, the report shall propose a deadline to file the next status report;
(e) provide an agreed proposed revised discovery and dispositive motion schedule (or alternative proposals) in cases where the current schedule needs revision;
(f) request any agreed action that the court can take without a hearing; and
(g) state whether the parties believe a telephonic hearing with the judge is necessary and time urgent, and, if so, identify the issue that warrants discussion.
Judge Gottschall is NOT accepting extern or clerkship applications at this time.
