This should be avoided except for routine matters, such as scheduling, advising of a settlement, etc., that do not address the merits of any motion or pending case. A copy should be sent to opposing counsel.

An email may be sent to [email protected].

 

 

This is permitted but not as to the merits of a case or any pending motion.

 

 

Initial scheduling conferences and case management conferences may be by conference call. Pre-trial conferences are in person in Greeneville.

 

Judge Corker prefers that any discovery disputes in civil cases be addressed by telephone conference with the assigned magistrate judge before a party files a motion. Parties may contact chambers of the assigned magistrate judge to request the scheduling of a phone conference.

 

 

No preference beyond what the Local Rules require.

 

 

Usually, non-dispositive motions are set for oral argument. The Court will notify counsel as to the date and time of the hearing. If the parties intend to present evidence at the hearing, they must notify the Court in advance so that arrangements can be made to have an official court reporter present.

 

 

Summary judgment motions must be accompanied by a separate, concise statement of the material facts as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue for trial. Each fact shall be set forth in a separate, numbered paragraph, and supported by no more than two citations to the record. 

The party opposing the motion shall file with his/her brief in opposition, opposing affidavits, etc., a separate pleading that responds to each fact set forth by the movant that either (1) agrees that the fact is undisputed, (2) agrees that the fact is undisputed for purposes of ruling on the motion for summary judgment only, or (3) demonstrates that the fact is disputed, in which event there must be a specific citation to the record. Further, the non-movant’s response may contain a concise statement of additional facts that the non-movant contends are material and disputed. Each disputed fact shall be set forth in a separate, numbered paragraph with specific citations to the record.

The parties are advised that fact statements shall not include argument. If either party fails to file the pleading required of him/her as set forth herein, the Court may strike that party’s motion or opposition, as applicable.
 

 

None, except that it be read and followed.

 

 

None, except that it be read and followed. The Court will endeavor to give favorable consideration to requests for reasonable extensions of deadlines supported by good cause. Absent such requests, deadlines are enforced. All written discovery requests should be served sufficiently in advance of the discovery deadline so that responses will be due prior to the deadline. Parties may agree to conduct discovery after the discovery deadline has expired; however, the Court generally will not involve itself in discovery disputes that arise following the expiration of such deadline.

 

 

At the initial scheduling conference, the input of the attorneys is given great weight in setting discovery deadlines and trial dates. The time allowed for discovery in a standard case depends primarily upon its complexity. The trial date will be set so as to allow adequate time for discovery in light of the nature of the case.

 

 

This depends on the complexity of the case with the deadlines established with input from the attorneys.

 

 

Lawyers should (1) meet and confer and use their best efforts to resolve discovery disputes promptly among themselves, but (2) bring such disputes promptly to the attention of the court so that they may be resolved quickly. Discovery disputes are generally handled by conference call with the assigned magistrate judge with all attorneys present on the call.

 

 

The parties may agree to any reasonable confidentiality terms between or among themselves; however, the parties' designation of materials as confidential does not automatically merit the filing of those materials "under seal." To file a document under seal, the parties must move for leave to do so pursuant to the applicable rules. The parties should be mindful of the high value placed on public access to judicial records, and should be guided by the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26c, Local Rule 26.2, and Proctor & Gamble Co. v. Bankers Trust Co., 78 F.3d 219 (6th Cir. 1996). Such motions will be closely scrutinized.

 

 

Reasonable requests to exceed the page limitation will be considered, but generally such requests are denied unless good cause exists. Failure to comply with page limitations may result in the Court disregarding the noncompliant portion of the brief or summarily denying the underlying motion.

 

 

The deadlines are set at the scheduling conference and are expected to be followed.

 

 

If made aware of any specific problems, the Court will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate out-of-town attorneys and parties with regard to scheduling dates and times.

 

 

These should not be delivered absent advance permission and notice to all counsel.

 

 

Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law are required in non-jury trials as set forth in the scheduling order. In jury trials, briefs are encouraged, but not required. Briefs may be requested by the Court on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

Voir dire by counsel is allowed.

 

 

Case specific. Determined on a case by case basis.

 

 

Counsel must stand when addressing the Court or making objections. At trial, counsel must address the witnesses from the podium.

 

 

Yes. More than one attorney may represent a party at trial. Only one attorney may address a witness.

 

 

Sidebar conferences are allowed but discouraged. If a lengthy conference is needed, the jury will be excused.

 

 

The courtroom deputy clerk must be given advanced notice so that she may have the equipment prepared as to avoid a disruption in the progression of the trial.

 

 

The pre-marking of exhibits are set forth in the scheduling order.

 

 

No formal motion to admit the exhibits is required. Exhibits should be admitted individually and not collectively. All objections to exhibits are dealt with at or before the final pretrial conference to the extent possible.

 

 

Usually not allowed, except under exceptional circumstances.

 

 

No special requirements.

 

 

None required.

 

 

The scheduling order requires that these motions be filed in advance of, and heard at, the final pretrial conference. They should be filed as soon as possible but no later than the date set forth in the scheduling order.

 

 

The procedure for proposed jury instructions is set forth in the scheduling order and Local Rule 51.1.

 

 

Permitted.

 

 

All exhibits are taken into the jury room unless the Court specifically directs otherwise.

 

 

Special verdict forms are utilized when necessitated by the nature of the particular case.

 

 

Yes.

 

 

Counsel who leave the vicinity of the courtroom during jury deliberation should notify the courtroom deputy of his or her whereabouts and be able to return to court within ten (10) minutes of being notified to do so.

 

 

Judge Corker adheres to Local Rule 48.1 with regard to interrogation of jurors after a trial has concluded. If the jury is polled, Judge Corker will conduct the polling.

 

 

This will be decided on a case by cases basis.

 

 

No set preference.

 

 

No preference.

 

 

No.

 

 

Local Rules control.