District Court Judge

Counties: Washington

State Court Bio: View Bio

Contact with chambers:

• Set forth your preferred method to contact chambers (telephone, email, etc.). Email law clerk
• To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Contact Court Administration
• To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions? Contact law clerk

Motion practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Contact court administration for available dates
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing. Default hearings which do not require a hearing pursuant to statute or court rules
• Do you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during depositions? No
• How much time do you allot for motion hearings? Varies based on the type of motion and complexity
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference. All hearings are to be conducted remotely via Zoom video conferencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, unless an in-person hearing is approved by the court. Contact court administration for Zoom login information.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions. Rules of Civil Procedure and General Rules of Practice will govern.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. Stipulations will be reviewed and if a hearing is necessary the parties will be notified.
• Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order? Indicate whether all parties are in agreement. I will review and consider such requests on a case by case basis.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. Rules of Civil Procedure and General Rules of Practice will govern.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions. Rules of Civil Procedure and General Rules of Practice will govern.

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. Unless specifically requested by the court, courtesy copies are not required.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. The General Rules of Practice should be followed. Any deviations will be considered on a case by case basis.

In-court proceedings:

• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. No preference
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney's use of technology in the courtroom and during trial. Ensure technology is tested and working properly prior to the hearing.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument. The court will address any requirements at the time it approves additional submissions, if allowed.
• Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues? Yes 

Pre-Trial 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. See Scheduling Order
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine. See Scheduling Order
• What is your schedule for a typical trial day? 9am - 12pm; 1:30pm - 4:30pm. 15 minute breaks during morning and afternoon.
• Set forth your voir dire procedures. This will be consistent with the Rules. I will ask initial questions and the attorneys will inquire next.
• 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 may sit, stand, or make use of a podium as they feel comfortable. Attorneys should ask the court first before approaching. Adult witnesses, just as attorneys and parties, should be addressed as Mr./Ms. followed by their last name; children may be addressed by their first 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. Attorneys should ensure technology is tested and working properly prior to the hearing.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits. Pre-mark exhibits
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. State the objection and the legal basis. No speaking objections allowed.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony. It is permitted as allowed by the Rules.
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Yes. Contact my court reporter in advance of trial for procedures.

Other matters:

• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial. Contacting jurors is allowed, but jurors will be informed it is optional to respond to such requests.