District Court Judge

Counties: Washington

State Court Bio: View Bio

Motion Practice

• How long do you normally allow per party for argument of non-dispositive motions? Varies depending on the type of case. More time for more complex cases.
• How long do you normally allow per party for oral argument of dispositive motions? Varies depending on the type of case. More time for more complex cases.
• 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: Standard rules are fine. I don't have special rules. I typically move to the issues that I think are most important to a case.
• Do you like to receive courtesy copies of motion papers? No

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? No

Pretrial Procedures

• When do you normally set the pretrial in relation to the trial? This varies somewhat based on attorney's schedules. Typically, about two weeks.
• Do you normally hear motions in limine at the pretrial? Yes
• When are jury instructions due? Generally, 7 to 10 days before trial.
• When are proposed special verdict forms due? Generally, 7 to 10 days before trial.
• When do you require that final witness lists be exchanged and filed? Generally, 7 to 10 days before trial.
• When do you require that final exhibit lists be exchanged and filed? Generally, 7 to 10 days before 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: I am looking for what issues are left for trial. This gives me an idea as to how much time will be needed for the case. I typically have anywhere from 3 to 10 cases set on any given trial date (a trial week). If I can figure out how much time is needed, I can sometimes try more than one case in a week.

Continuances and Changes in the Scheduling Order

• For changes in the scheduling order, except date of trial: I normally allow such changes if counsel agree.
• For changes on the date of trial: I normally allow such changes if counsel agree.
• Under what circumstances would you consider granting a change in the trial date? [No Answer Entered]

Civil Jury Trials

• Do you perform preliminary voir dire? Yes
• Do you place a time limit on voir dire by counsel? Yes
• Is there subject matter you will not permit counsel to ask of the jury? Yes
  If yes, please explain: I have sometimes re-directed counsel to a different line of questions when they go into areas that are not permitted by case law (personal promises from jurors, etc.).
• 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? I direct attorneys to be available 30 minutes before the jury arrives. We meet only if there are issues that need to be discussed.
• I normally start jury trials at: 8:30 a.m.
• I normally give the jury a break of 15 minutes in the morning.
• I normally take a lunch break at: 12:00 noon
• I normally give the jury a break of 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? [No Answer Entered]
• 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? No
• 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? Typically, it would need to be fairly severe behavior. I have only imposed fines in a handful of cases. I have only one time reported attorney behavior. The vast majority of attorneys I see are prepared, respectful, ethical, and a pleasure to work with.