Individual Practices — S Dave Vatti

You are here Home Judges' Information S. Dave Vatti United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut Staff Information Bernadette Ellis Judicial Assistant 203-579-5593 Jeff Nichols Career Law Clerk 203-579-5593 Abby Bociek Courtroom Deputy 203-579-5951 BRIEN McMAHON FEDERAL BUILDING United States Courthouse 915 Lafayette Boulevard Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604 Driving Directions Location:  Courtroom 435 Chambers Telephone   203-579-5593 Clerk's Office Telephone   203-579-5861 Clerk's Office Fax   203-579-5867 Consent and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge What is a Magistrate Judge? United States Magistrate Judges - Their Function and Purpose in Our Federal Courts Fed. Cts. L. Rev. Article regarding Magistrate Judges Judge Tabs Pretrial Preferences Pretrial Preferences:  Oral Argument on Motions Oral argument on motions is scheduled at the Judge’s discretion. If either party feels strongly that oral argument is necessary, he or she should file a motion seeking argument. Referral to Other Magistrate Judges/Special Masters In cases assigned to Judge Vatti for resolution on the merits, he may request that a para-judicial officer or another Magistrate Judge conduct a settlement conference. 26(f) Reports Judge Vatti expects counsel to prepare and timely file a carefully considered 26(f) Report. While the Court will defer to the parties’ estimates of the deadlines required when possible, the parties must set reasonable and realistic deadlines. Discovery Disputes Where both parties are represented by counsel, discovery disputes should be raised for adjudication as follows: (1) Counsel must meet and confer in person or by telephone pursuant to Local Rule 37(a). (2) If areas of dispute remain despite good faith negotiation, counsel must jointly call Judge Vatti's chambers and request a discovery conference. (3) Judge Vatti will schedule a telephonic conference to assess the contours of the dispute and set an expedited briefing schedule. (4) Upon receiving briefs, Judge Vatti may schedule a discovery conference/argument to facilitate agreements or make rulings as necessary. The goal of this process is to resolve disputes efficiently and avoid case delays. Rulings from the Bench Judge Vatti occasionally rules from the bench, particularly in discovery disputes or where a prompt resolution is necessary. Letter Briefs The District of Connecticut generally does not accept letter briefs. Judge Vatti prefers that all requests for relief be filed through motions docketed on CM/ECF, unless he specifically directs the parties to submit letter briefs. Chambers’ Copies Judge Vatti does not require courtesy copies of any materials filed electronically. However, if a filing includes particularly lengthy exhibits, or exhibits in color, chambers’ copies would be appreciated and should be submitted to the Judge’s judicial assistant or law clerk. Motions for Extension of Time Local Rule 7(b) must be strictly followed in all motions for extensions of time. Failure to comply with the Rule may result in summary denial of a motion.  Motions for extension of time should be filed at least 3 days in advance of the deadline sought to be extended as required by Local Rul.  Motions filed on or immediately before the deadline may be denied unless a compelling reason exist as to why the extension could not have been sought earlier. Sur-Reply Briefs Sur-reply briefs may not be filed without prior permission of the Court.  If a party believes that a sur-reply is necessary, that party should file a motion seeking permission to sur-reply and explain the specific reasons why a sur-reply is required.   Motions for Reconsideration Motions for reconsideration should be filed timely and very sparingly, and only in situations where there is a persuasive reason or a precedent the court overlooked, and which might convince the court to change its mind, exists. Such motions must cite the law applicable to reconsideration and concisely present the basis for the motion. Motions Relating to Detention, Bond, or Conditions of Release If a criminal case is assigned a "CR" number, and the presiding judge is a District Judge, Judge Vatti may not get notice of all docket filings. Accordingly, if any party files a motion related to detention, bond, or conditions of release, that may be handled by Judge Vatti, counsel shall provide a copy of the submission by electronic mail to Courtroom Deputy Abby Bociek. If the motion seeks relief on an emergency or time-sensitive basis, counsel should also call chambers at 203-579-5593 to alert the Court of the filing. Settlement Conferences Prior to scheduling a settlement conference, Judge Vatti will conduct a telephonic status conference with counsel to set a date for the settlement conference and to discuss any information to be exchanged and critical discovery that must be completed prior to the conference so that settlement discussions will be productive. A detailed order will then issue, requiring the parties to exchange offers and demands in advance of the conference. Any party with a claim for damages must also provide a comprehensive damages analysis to opposing counsel and to the Court. The parties are required to submit ex parte memoranda seven (7) days prior to the settlement conference and the Court’s order will set forth the required content for such memoranda. All parties are required to appear personally at the settlement conference, including persons with settlement authority for government, corporate and other legal entities. Judge Vatti believes settlement conferences can be effective and efficient for all parties, and he dedicates significant time and effort to prepare for such conferences.  Accordingly, the parties are expected to comply fully with the Court’s orders and prepare thoroughly with their clients for these conferences.  Prior to the conference, counsel are expected to discuss with their clients the “best case” and “worst case” scenarios; the expected costs of continued litigation; the estimated time to resolution of the case if it is not settled; and any risks associated with continued litigation. If a case is not resolved during the settlement conference, Judge Vatti will often follow up with counsel by telephone. Counsel are also encouraged to contact the Court to restart settlement discussions if circumstances change. Janet Bond Arterton, USDJ Biography Victor A. Bolden, USDJ Biography Vanessa L. Bryant, USDJ Biography Robert N. Chatigny, USDJ Biography Kari A. Dooley, USDJ Biography Thomas O. Farrish, USMJ Biography Holly B. Fitzsimmons, USMJ Biography Maria E. Garcia, USMJ Biography William I. Garfinkel, USMJ Charles S. Haight, Jr., USDJ Biography Janet C. Hall, USDJ Biography Joan G. Margolis, USMJ Donna F. Martinez, USMJ Biography Sarah A. L. Merriam, USCJ Jeffrey Alker Meyer, USDJ Sarala V. Nagala, USDJ Biography Vernon D. Oliver, USDJ Biography Robert A. Richardson, USMJ Biography Sarah F. Russell, USDJ Biography Michael P. Shea, USDJ Biography Robert M. Spector, USMJ Biography Alvin W. Thompson, USDJ Biography Stefan R. Underhill, USDJ Biography S. 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