District Court Judge

Counties: St. Louis County

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 Reporter

• To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions? Law Clerk

Motion practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings.   Motion hearings are generally set in a Scheduling Order. If there is not a Scheduling Order, contact court administration to obtain a date for the hearing and file written motion papers.
•  Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing.  Most stipulated requests.
•  Do you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during depositions?  Yes
•  How much time do you allot for motion hearings? 30 minutes unless more time is requested. If more time is requested, I will allot as much time as reasonably necessary.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference.  The attorney/party wishing to appear by telephone must obtain permission prior to the hearing date.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions.  First attempt to work out the issue together, then schedule a joint call with the court, then file a written motion.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. Submit the stipulation and proposed order in writing to the court for approval.
•  Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order?  Joint requests that are reasonable are usually granted by stipulation, unless it affects the trial date.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. If within ELT, the motion will be heard during the Case Management Conference.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions.   Contact Court Administration.

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.

•  Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. A written request and the reasoning behind the requested deviation from the rule is required.

In-court proceedings:

• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format.   Electronic files.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney's use of technology in the courtroom and during trial.  Contact my law clerk if questions arise as to what technology is available.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument. Ask for permission to submit additional authority.
•  Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues?    Yes

Pretrial 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.  I will schedule only if both parties request a pretrial settlement conference. Should be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the trial.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine. Normally heard at the pretrial.
•  What is your schedule for a typical trial day?   I meet with the attorneys at 8:30 am to address any motions and non-jury issues. The trial starts at 9:00 am and I try to end each day around 4:30 pm. We will take a 15 minute morning break, an hour lunch break, and a 15 minute afternoon break.
•  Set forth your voir dire procedures.  Court will conduct preliminary voir dire, then counsel
•  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.  Ask permission to leave counsel table, use surnames, okay to sit during questioning. Podium used for voir dire, opening, and closing.
•  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.   Use of technology is encouraged. Technology should be arranged ahead of trial to avoid delays during trial.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits.  Pre-mark exhibits in the morning with the Court Reporter. Attorneys need to meet and confer to stipulate to all exhibits they are able to ahead of the trial. Otherwise, standard rules regarding the admission and use of exhibits will be expected.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. Short, one-word objections, no argument in front of jury. Ask to approach bench if necessary. Make a record at the break.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony.   Identify the deposition testimony before trial, and determine if there are objections to be ruled upon before the testimony is presented at trial. Reach agreement, if possible, on whether the witness is unavailable.
•  May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow?     This request should be made to the court reporter one month ahead of the trial.
•  Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial.     Address at the end of the trial.