Senior District Court Judge

Counties: Ramsey

State Court Bio: View Bio

Motion Practice

• How long do you normally allow per party for argument of non-dispositive motions? 15 minutes
• How long do you normally allow per party for oral argument of dispositive motions? 20-45 minutes
• With respect to oral argument, do you prefer an attorney to not reiterate written material? Yes
• Do you regularly conduct hearings and motions by phone? No
  If yes, please describe the procedure you would like attorneys to use to do so, including how testimony is to be transcribed and who puts the teleconference together: [No Answer Entered]
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys in your courtroom to follow at motion hearings: None.
• Do you like to receive courtesy copies of motion papers? Yes

Discovery Disputes

• Do you require counsel to "meet and confer" before bringing discovery disputes to a hearing? Yes
• Will you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during the course of a deposition? Yes

Pretrial Procedures

• When do you normally set the pretrial in relation to the trial? 14 days prior to trial
• Do you normally hear motions in limine at the pretrial? No
• When are jury instructions due? At the time of the pretrial
• When are proposed special verdict forms due? At the time of the pretrial
• When do you require that final witness lists be exchanged and filed? 1-2 weeks before pre-trial
• When do you require that final exhibit lists be exchanged and filed? 1-2 weeks before pre-trial
• Do you discuss settlement of the case with the parties at the time of the pretrial? Yes
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys to follow at the time of the pretrial: Have persons present who have full settlement authority. Attorneys must be trial ready in order to facilitate discussion of case and settlement.

Continuances and Changes in the Scheduling Order

• For changes in the scheduling order, except date of trial: Such changes are not allowed without special written request or a motion to the court.
• For changes on the date of trial: Such changes are not allowed without special written request or a motion to the court.
• Under what circumstances would you consider granting a change in the trial date? Early on, scheduling conflicts including personal time off. Will not grant continuance if trial is imminent unless reason is critical and unforeseeable.

Civil Jury Trials

• Do you perform preliminary voir dire? Yes
• Do you place a time limit on voir dire by counsel? No
• Is there subject matter you will not permit counsel to ask of the jury? Yes
  If yes, please explain: Case education, and other matters that do not pertain to assessment of bias and prejudice.
• Do you require counsel to sit or stand during questioning of witnesses? Don't care, they can do either
• Do you require counsel to be behind counsel table unless counsel has a specific reason to approach a witness? Yes
• Do you normally require counsel to meet each morning with the court before the jury comes into the courtroom? Yes
  If yes, how many minutes before court commences? Only if they need to discuss a matter that would otherwise cut into jury time.
• I normally start jury trials at: 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
• I normally give the jury a break of Two breaks, each 10-15 minutes in the morning.
• I normally take a lunch break at: 12:00 noon
• I normally give the jury a break of Two breaks, each 10-15 minutes in the afternoon.
• I normally finish court for the day at: 4:30 p.m.
• Do you permit jurors to:
  Take Notes: Yes
  Keep notes during deliberation? Yes
  Ask the witnesses questions? No
• If counsel asks to approach to argue a ruling, do you generally: Engage in the discussion at the bench with the jury present.
• Do you place a time limit on final argument? No
  If yes, If yes, what is the time limit? I will call an attorney to the bench if argument runs too long without being helpful
• When do you instruct the jury? Before argument
• After argument and instructions, do you:
  Require counsel to be available by telephone? Yes
  Request that counsel remain at the courthouse during deliberations of the jury? No
  Take a verdict without counsel present and inform them after the verdict by telephone of the result? Yes

Sanctions of Counsel

• Have you ever sanctioned counsel with imposition of a fine? Yes
  Or jail? No
• Have you ever held counsel in contempt of court? Yes
• Have you ever reported an attorney for unethical behavior? Yes
• When, if ever, would you consider issuing sanctions, formal reprimands, holding an attorney in contempt, or reporting an attorney for unethical behavior? Disrespect to court, counsel or court processes.