District Court Judge

Counties: Olmsted

State Court Bio: View Bio

Contact with chambers: 

Set forth your preferred method to contact chambers (telephone, email, etc.). email

To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Court Clerk: Dawn Grande

To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions? Law Clerk

Motion practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Parties contact Olmsted County Scheduling office
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing.I would consider motion by written stipulation on most anything if the parties agree.
• 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?Depends on type of motion
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference.In the past I have allowed telephone appearance by request. I have just starting using zoom for some hearings.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions.Parties contact Olmsted County Scheduling office
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders.Parties may file stipulations for my review and signature.
• Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order?A letter with proposed new scheduling order

  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, I do not need written copies.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.Request should be put in writing and statement showing they have discussed with other party and their position.

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.No preference
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument.Parties may submit additional writings after hearing.
• Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues? Yes.

  Pretrial procedures:

• What is your schedule for a typical trial day?Start at 9, mid morning break, break for lunch, start back up around 1:30, mid afternoon break, end around 4:30.
• Set forth your voir dire procedures.I question jurors about bias they may have then allow parties to question.
• 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. I prefer attorneys to stand when speaking. I appreciate permission for attorneys to approach a witness or move w/in the courtroom.
• Do you impose time limits with respect to opening statements and closing arguments? No.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits.I expect attorneys to have their exhibits marked ahead of time.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. The attorney to state objection and then the legal basis for the objection. If their needs to be discussion that would occur at the bench.
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Not w/ a request and arraignments with my court reporter.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial. They may do so.