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
• To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Scheduling clerk Kerri O'Connell-Adami
• To whom may attorneys direct substantive questions? Law Clerk Paul Stenhaug

Motion Practice:

• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Parties or their attorneys properly submit motion papers and then work with Scheduling clerk Kerri O'Connell-Ademi for dates.
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing. N/A
• 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
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference. Discouraged, but allowed if necessary (i.e. a Pandemic event)
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions. Initial telephone conference
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. Will consider upon filing
• Do you have particular requirements or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order? Stipulation of dates generally will be considered
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. Will be scheduled for hearing ASAP
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions. Will be considered ASAP

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. E-filing is sufficient. Paper copies at discretion of counsel.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for requests to deviate from the requirements of the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. Discouraged but considered upon request.

In-court proceedings:

• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. Court e-file system and remote video as necessary
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney's use of technology in the courtroom and during trial. Generally allowed before courtroom bar if unobtrusive and non-distracting
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral argument. Submissions post-oral argument generally allowed
• 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. Parties and/or counsel should attend. Court will encourage settlement but not participate in any substantive discussions.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine. Will generally be handled immediately prior to trial unless it requires under advisement consideration.
• What is your schedule for a typical trial day? 8:15 am conference with counsel
• Set forth your voir dire procedures. Questionnaire should be used in sensitive or complex cases.
• 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. Sitting by attorneys is generally allowed. Use of a podium is allowed. Permission to approach witness is generally given once per witness seating.
• Do you impose time limits with respect to opening statements and closing arguments? Not usually.
• Identify your practices with respect to the use of technology in the courtroom during trial. Generally allowed if it is compatible with the courtroom.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits. Should generally be done prior to trial through scheduling clerk Kerri O'Connell-Adami.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling objections. Briefly state objection and basis.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony. Will rule on objections in Limine.
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Discuss with Judge and court reporter prior to trial.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial. Opportunity to visit with jurors is generally available immediately following the reading of the verdict.