PRACTICES & PROCEDURES
JUDGE JANE E. MAGNUS-STINSON
INTRODUCTION
Counsel appearing before Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson are expected to read and comply
with these Practices & Procedures. Because each case is unique, however, counsel should feel
free to raise any concerns that counsel may have about the appropriateness of these Practices &
Procedures to the particular case at hand. Inquiries should be directed to the Courtroom Deputy
Clerk, Michelle Imel, at 317-229-3672. Judge Magnus-Stinson may also alter them sua sponte as
appropriate in a particular case.
PROFESSIONALISM
Attorneys entering an appearance in this Court necessarily agree to comply with the Indiana
Rules of Professional Conduct, as amended from time to time by the Indiana Supreme Court. L.R.
83-5(e). They also necessarily agree to comply with the Seventh Circuit Standards of
Professional Conduct, L.R. 83-5(e), which are available here:
http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/Rules/rules.htm#standards. Those standards, among other things,
delineate the Circuit’s and Judge Magnus-Stinson’s civility expectations for counsel. In the
unlikely event that counsel should engage in conduct inconsistent with these rules, Judge Magnus-
Stinson will not hesitate to take appropriate action.
MOTIONS PRACTICE
Page Limits for Motions
Local Rule 7-1(e) provides that supporting and response briefs (excluding tables of
contents, tables of authorities, appendices, and certificates of service) may not exceed 35 pages
and reply briefs may not exceed 20 pages. These page limits apply to motions for summary
judgment. For any other type of motion, however, supporting and response briefs (excluding
tables of contents, tables of authorities, appendices, and certificates of services) may not exceed
20 pages and reply briefs may not exceed 10 pages, absent leave of Court and notwithstanding
Local Rule 7-1(e). These page limits do not apply to cross-motions for summary judgment, which
are specifically addressed below.
Motions for Time, in General
Judge Magnus-Stinson expects that counsel will act with reasonable diligence with respect
to counsel’s cases before her. Counsel have considerable input in the development of the case
management plan, and therefore the Court reasonably expects compliance with the deadlines
within the Case Management Plan (“CMP”). However, if counsel believes that an extension of a
deadline is necessary, counsel should (1) contact opposing counsel to determine whether opposing
counsel will object and (2) file a motion for time including the position of opposing counsel.
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Like counsel, Judge Magnus-Stinson and the magistrate judges face competing demands
on their time. Thus, absent truly unforeseen and unforeseeable circumstances—which are rare—
counsel cannot reasonably expect the Court to forsake other pending matters to immediately
consider motions for time. Counsel are therefore advised to file motions for time as far in advance
as possible. At a minimum, absent truly emergency circumstances or unless a longer period is
ordered (for example, in the entry setting a settlement conference before the magistrate judge),
counsel should file motions for time at least three full business days in advance of the deadline
to be continued. The failure to do so, without adequate explanation for the delay, may result in a
summary denial of the motion for time.
Motions to Extend the Dispositive Motion Deadline
The Court’s Uniform Case Management Plan anticipates at least 180 days between the
dispositive motion deadline and trial. This time period is intended to provide (1) the parties with
time to fully brief the dispositive motion and (2) the Court with sufficient time to review the motion
and, within the context of other matters on the docket, to prepare an opinion sufficiently in advance
of trial so that the parties are aware of the issues to be resolved at trial. Counsel should not seek
any extension of time of the dispositive motion deadline if it would shorten the 180-day period.
And counsel are advised that if the 180 time period is compromised by any extension sought, the
scheduled trial date may be lost.
Motions for Preliminary Injunctive Relief
Motions for a temporary restraining order or for a preliminary injunction must address each
requirement in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65. Counsel should also address:
1. When the alleged irreparable harm will occur;
2. Whether discovery will be required, with a brief explanation of the
discovery sought;
3. Whether counsel seeks an evidentiary or argument hearing; and
4. A proposed timeline for any discovery, hearings, and rulings.
The parties can expect that the assigned magistrate judge will schedule a conference to take place
shortly after the motion is filed to address the timing in paragraph 4.
Statement of Claims or Defenses
The Court's Uniform Case Management Plan orders the parties to file a Statement of
Claims or Defenses, generally sometime after non-expert discovery has been completed but before
the filing of dispositive motions. The Statement of Claims must specifically identify the claims
raised, characterizing each theory of recovery, and identifying the claims raised against each
defendant. If Defendant intends to assert any affirmative defenses, it must file a Statement of
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Defenses. Failure to file a Statement of Claims or Defenses by the deadline set forth in the Case
Management Plan may result in the waiver of claims, theories of recovery, or affirmative defenses.
Courtesy Copies
When an individual filing (including exhibits) is in excess of 50 pages, a party shall provide
a paper courtesy copy after the document and/or exhibits have been electronically filed. The
courtesy copy must be printed from the docket so that each page has the identifying docket
information at the top:
These copies should be delivered to the Courtroom Deputy at Room 105, Birch Bayh U.S.
Courthouse. Do not deliver them to Judge Magnus-Stinson’s chambers.
All courtesy copies should be clearly identified (using numbered or lettered tabs, or cover
pages for exhibits, etc.). The front page of the submission should reflect the corresponding docket
entry number from the original electronic filing.
Deposition Excerpts
Whenever a party relies upon a deposition excerpt to support or oppose a motion, the party
should cite to the specific page and line numbers of the deposition. The party should provide the
relevant excerpts—and the three pages immediately preceding and following each excerpt—
as an exhibit. The Court may summarily deny motions that do not include the relevant excerpts
of the pertinent depositions.
Summary Judgment Motions
If a party plans to file a motion for summary judgment, counsel for that party shall contact
counsel for the other parties to the action to determine if any other party also plans to file a motion
for summary judgment. In the event that more than one party plans to file a motion for summary
judgment, Judge Magnus-Stinson prefers to avoid simultaneous briefs on “mirror image” motions.
Rather than the normal brief, response, and reply for each motion, she prefers four briefs as follows
on cross motions for summary judgment:
1. Motion and Brief in Support by Party A (limited to 35 pages);
2. Cross-Motion, Brief in Support and Response in Opposition by Party B (limited to
50 pages);
3. Reply in Support of Motion and Response in Opposition to Cross-Motion by Party
A (limited to 35 pages);
4. Reply in Support of Cross-Motion by Party B (limited to 20 pages).
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Permission to file a brief in excess of these page limitations will be granted only upon
motion supported by extraordinary and compelling reasons. Counsel are also reminded that
“[c]ollateral motions in the summary judgment process, such as motions to strike, are disfavored.
Any dispute regarding the admissibility or effect of evidence should be addressed in the briefs.”
L.R. 56-1(i).
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING SUMMARY JUDGMENT: If the motion at
issue is a Motion for Summary Judgment, make sure that the brief complies with Local Rule 56-
1(e), which provides: “A party must support each fact the party asserts in a brief with a citation to
a discovery response, a deposition, an affidavit, or other admissible evidence. The evidence must
be in the record or in an appendix to the brief. The citation must refer to a page or paragraph
number or otherwise similarly specify where the relevant information can be found in the
supporting evidence.” See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); Bluestein v. Cent. Wisconsin
Anesthesiology, S.C., 769 F.3d 944 n.1 (7th Cir. 2014) (not crediting version of facts not citing to
particular parts of the record). Complying with these rules requires the party to specifically cite to
evidence for each fact set forth in the fact and argument sections.
Failure to comply with Local Rule 56-1(e) or Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e) may result in
unsupported facts being disregarded or in an order requiring re-filing of a compliant brief.
Descriptive Identifiers on Electronically Filed Exhibits
See Appendix A to these Practices and Procedures for specific examples and screenshots
of proper descriptive identifiers on electronically filed exhibits.
It is critically important that exhibits be filed before supporting briefs so that citations in
supporting briefs are to the docket numbers of the previously-filed exhibits. This significantly
facilitates the Court’s review of the motion and briefs as well as the parties’ review of the filed
materials.
When electronically filing exhibits to any motion, appendix, or index, number the exhibits
and add a descriptive identifier for the exhibits, e.g., “Exhibit 1 – Affidavit of John Smith”
instead of just “Exhibit 1,” or “Exhibit 2 – Deposition Excerpt of Jane Doe pp. 21-25” instead of
just “Exhibit 2.”
Citation Form
See Appendix A to these Practices and Procedures for specific examples and screenshots
of proper citation format.
In a supporting brief, cite to the docket number, the attachment number (if any), and the
applicable .pdf page as it appears on the docket information located at the top of the filed
document. For example:
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Mr. Smith signed an employment agreement with ABC
Corporation on May 1, 2012. [Filing No. 42-8 at 5.]
That citation would refer to page five of attachment eight to the item filed as docket number 42.
Citations must appear in the body of the brief, not in footnotes.
Footnotes
The Court does not deem information contained in footnotes as argument. Accordingly,
counsel should include all argument in the body of the brief.
Supplemental Authority
Unless it is a relevant appellate opinion decided after the close of briefing but before ruling,
the Court will not consider "supplemental authority" filed after briefing on a motion is complete.
Appropriate supplemental authority as described above is limited to a citation to a case, and does
not contemplate any argument. If a party wishes to file supplemental authority other than as
described above, it must seek leave to do so but the Court will grant such leave only in exceptional
circumstances.
CONSENTING TO A MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Here in the Southern District of Indiana, we are fortunate to have a cadre of highly qualified
magistrate judges. Counsel in civil cases are, therefore, encouraged to seriously discuss with their
clients the benefits of consenting to have the assigned magistrate judge preside over the matter
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73. For example, because magistrate judges have
fewer criminal matters—which must be given priority on the docket—magistrate judges can
generally resolve civil matters, including conducting trials, faster (and thus generally less
expensively for the parties) than a district judge. For these reasons, the parties are also encouraged
to consent to the referral of particular matters to the magistrate judges, such as motions to dismiss
or for summary judgment, change of venue, remand, or more definite statement. Of course,
parties remain free to withhold consent without adverse substantive consequences.
TRIAL
The Final Pretrial Conference
1. The Court will hold a final pretrial conference before the trial. Counsel must be
prepared to argue any pending motions, objections, and jury instructions at that conference.
2. The Court will issue an order setting deadlines for certain filings in advance of the
final pretrial conference. Strict compliance with those deadlines is required, and the deadlines
may differ from those set forth in the CMP.
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3. The parties are expected to work together to prepare the filings required by the final
pretrial order.
4. Motions in limine should be filed as one document numerically listing each issue
to be addressed. Leave of Court must be sought to raise more than 10 issues. The party
responding to the motion must respond to each numerically listed issue with either “no objection”
or “objection” and then state the reasons for the objection with citation to case law.
5. The agenda for the final pretrial conference typically includes the following items:
a. Discuss voir dire process, length of opening statements, and length of closing
arguments.
b. Review witness lists to determine who will testify and the subjects of their
testimony.
c. Discuss stipulations.
d. Review exhibit lists and discuss admissibility and objections. Bring copies of
proposed exhibits to conference.
e. Discuss testimony that will be offered by way of deposition and objections.
f. Discuss motions in limine and objections.
g. Discuss preliminary instructions and objections.
h. Discuss status of final jury instructions, objections, and verdict forms.
i. Discuss status of possible settlement.
General Trial Matters
1. Counsel are expected to be fully familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Indiana. A copy of the Local Rules can be obtained either from the Clerk’s
Office or on the Internet at http://www.insd.uscourts.gov/local-rules.
2. Colloquy or argument directly between attorneys is not permitted. All remarks
should be addressed to the Court.
3. Colloquy between co-counsel or between counsel and parties when opposing
counsel is questioning or arguing is inappropriate if it is distracting to others.
4. Do not exhibit familiarity with witnesses, jurors, opposing counsel, or the Court
staff. The use of first names is discouraged. During argument to the jury, no juror should be
addressed individually or by name.
5. No person in the courtroom should ever exhibit, by facial expression, body
movement, or other conduct, any opinion (e.g., surprise, happiness, disbelief, or displeasure)
concerning any testimony, attorney argument, or any particular ruling by the Court. Counsel
should admonish their clients and witnesses to avoid such behavior. Visitors who cannot abide
by this requirement will be asked to leave the courtroom.
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6. Do not ask the Court Reporter to mark testimony. All requests for re-reading of
questions or answers should be addressed to the Court.
7. After trial has begun, documents should be tendered to the Courtroom Deputy for
filing, rather than to the Clerk’s Office, if they are not being filed electronically.
Court Hours and Promptness
1. The usual trial schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues after a convenient
midmorning break (of approximately ten minutes) until at or near noon. Lunch is usually one
hour, but can be less. After the lunch break, the afternoon session normally continues until 5:00
p.m. with a mid-afternoon recess of approximately twenty minutes. Times to recess and adjourn
may vary slightly, to permit the conclusion of a witness’ testimony, to allow counsel to finish with
direct or cross-examination, or if the Court must attend to other business. The Court does not like
to hold doctors and other non-party professional witnesses over for testimony on the following
day. The Court will make every effort to conclude a professional witness’ testimony on the day
that the witness is scheduled. Counsel should alert the Court to any circumstance when any
witness, by necessity, will be held over until the next day.
2. The Court makes every effort to commence proceedings at the time set.
Promptness is expected from counsel and witnesses. Counsel should be in the courtroom at least
15 minutes prior to the start of each day’s proceedings and 30 minutes prior to the start on the first
day of trial as the Court may want to meet with counsel. Never be late. The Court may resume
a jury trial after a break without the parties if they fail to return within the prescribed time. The
Courtroom Deputy should be informed of any anticipated scheduling problems, and the Court will
attempt to work with counsel to resolve them.
3. If a witness was on the stand at a recess or adjournment, that witness should be on
the stand ready to proceed when Court is resumed.
4. If the conclusion of a witness’ testimony is followed by a recess or adjournment,
the next witness should be ready to take the stand when the trial resumes.
5. If a witness’ testimony is expected to be brief, have the next witness immediately
available, ordinarily in the witness room.
6. Do not run out of witnesses. If there is a substantial delay between witnesses, the
Court may deem that you have rested.
7. The Court attempts to cooperate with the schedules of non-party witnesses and will
consider permitting them to testify out of sequence. Anticipate any such possibility and discuss
it with opposing counsel and advise the Courtroom Deputy. If there is an objection, advise the
Courtroom Deputy in advance.
8. If both parties expect to call a witness, the Court will usually require all questioning
of the witness when called in the plaintiff’s case. If a party believes non-leading questions should
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be asked of the witness, leave can be requested under Federal Rule of Evidence 611.
Opening Statements and Closing Argument
1. Counsel should stand at the lectern during the opening statement and closing
argument.
2. The Court will honor counsel’s reasonable requests concerning the amount of time
for opening statements and closing arguments. These limits will ordinarily be set at the final
pretrial conference.
3. During the argument of opposing counsel, remain seated at the counsel table and
be respectful. Never divert the attention of the Court or the jury. Counsel should so instruct their
clients and witnesses.
4. During opening statements, do not use an exhibit as to which admissibility has not
been stipulated unless you have raised the matter in advance with the Court and opposing counsel.
5. Confine opening statements to what you expect the evidence to show. It is not
proper to use the opening statement to argue the case, to instruct as to the law, or to express
counsel’s personal opinion.
6. If plaintiff is going to suggest a damages number to the jury, that number must be
stated in the opening segment of plaintiff’s closing argument so that defendant has an opportunity
to respond.
7. Although plaintiff is permitted to open and close final arguments, the large majority
of the time must be spent in the opening portion.
8. Jurors’ comments after trials have indicated that they resent long closing
arguments. Be brief.
9. Closing argument should never include statements of counsel’s personal beliefs or
insults to opposing counsel.
10. A party is encouraged to refer to the final jury instructions during closing argument.
The Venire and Voir Dire
1. A list of the venire and copies of questionnaires which the venire have completed
will be available to counsel the Friday before the trial starts. As soon as the jury has been chosen,
the questionnaires must be returned to the Courtroom Deputy. Jurors will be assigned numbers,
and should be referred to by number at all times.
2. In civil cases up to 26 prospective jurors will be seated in the jury box and in chairs
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in front of the jury box based on their order of draw number. The prospective juror with the
lowest order of draw number will be seated in the first row of the chairs, closest to the bench; the
prospective juror with the eleventh lowest order of draw number will be seated in the first row of
the jury box in the seat closest to the bench. The prospective juror with the nineteenth lowest order
of draw number will be seated in the back row of the jury box in the seat closest to the bench. In
the event any of the first 26 prospective jurors expected to appear do not appear, those seats in the
jury box may be filled by prospective jurors with the next highest order of draw numbers. Voir
dire ordinarily will be conducted of all prospective jurors at the same time.
3. A seating chart will be available the morning of trial.
4. The Court will initiate and conduct the first part of the voir dire. Pursuant to the
Court’s scheduling orders, counsel may submit before trial any questions they would like the Court
to ask.
5. After the Court concludes its voir dire, counsel will have a brief opportunity
(usually fifteen to thirty minutes per side) to question the panel. Counsel conducting voir dire
should do so standing at the lectern.
6. Examples of inappropriate voir dire:
a. Argument.
b. Asking jurors if they will be able to enter a certain verdict.
7. In civil cases, each side will be entitled to a minimum of three peremptory
challenges for the entire venire. On a case by case basis, depending on the number of prospective
jurors summoned and the number of prospective jurors excused for cause, additional peremptory
challenges may be granted. When all challenges have been completed and there remain more
prospective jurors than required, the appropriate number of prospective jurors will be chosen from
those with the lowest order of draw numbers.
8. In criminal cases, the government will be entitled to six peremptory challenges; the
defense will be entitled to ten peremptory challenges; plus any additional challenges for alternate
jurors pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 24.
9. All peremptory challenges will be exercised simultaneously and in writing. A
party cannot collaborate with another party while exercising challenges without leave of Court.
10. In civil cases, the Court ordinarily seats a jury of eight members. However, in
certain cases, based upon the expected length of the trial, additional jurors may be seated. There
are no alternate jurors in civil cases; all jurors selected will participate in deliberations.
Facilities
1. A TV, DVD player, an easel, a dry erase board and markers are available. Counsel
who plan to use them should make arrangements with the Courtroom Deputy before trial begins.
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Counsel should expect to bring with them any other equipment, such as overhead projectors,
screens, and other easels that they expect to use to display exhibits.
2. If counsel wish to use one of the Video Evidence Presentation Systems (“VEPS”)
owned by the Southern District of Indiana, three weeks of notice (unless the case management
plan dictates a different period) to the Courtroom Deputy prior to the start of the trial is required
to be sure that one of the systems will be available. If a VEPS is not available due to prior
commitments, counsel will need to provide any such equipment.
3. There is one witness room down the hall from the courtroom (Room 201), which
will be open and available during trial. Witnesses should generally be asked to report to the
witness room.
4. The facilities of the chambers, including the telephones and the copier, are not
available to counsel during trial. Counsel should enter chambers and the jury room only with
permission of the Court staff.
5. Cellular phones may be used outside the courtroom but must be turned off (not just
on silent or vibrate) in the courtroom.
6. Unless otherwise directed, tables in the well area are not assigned by party in civil
cases. The first party to arrive on the first morning of the trial has first choice. Parties are, of course,
permitted to agree between themselves.
7. On days of trial, the courtroom will be opened by 8:00 a.m., but can be opened
earlier by special request made to the Courtroom Deputy.
8. The courtroom may not be locked during the noon recess (unless by agreement of
all parties), and Court staff will not be present to watch any materials left in the courtroom.
9. The courtroom will be locked overnight
10. Food and drinks are not allowed in the courtroom, except for bottled water.
11. A pitcher of water and cups will be made available for each table and the witness
chair.
Examination of Witnesses
1. Witnesses should be treated with appropriate fairness and consideration. They
should not be shouted at, ridiculed, or otherwise abused.
2. Counsel should conduct examination of witnesses from the lectern.
3. Avoid responding to answers with editorial comments of approval or disapproval.
Such responses are likely to draw a quick rebuke without a private warning.
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4. When the purpose of approaching the witness is to work with an exhibit, prior
permission of the Court need not be sought. During a jury trial, the witness and the exhibit (if
enlarged) should be facing the jury so that you can be seen and heard. Counsel should resume the
examination of the witness from the lectern when finished with the exhibit.
5. When the trial begins, please provide the Court and the Court Reporter with a list
of witnesses you expect to call. Please attempt to have the correct spellings for the Court
Reporter.
6. Have all witnesses spell their names on the record.
Objections to Questions
1. Stand when making objections. This calls the Court’s attention to you and allows
you to be heard more readily.
2. When making an objection, state only that you are objecting and specify the ground
or grounds for that objection.
3. Do not use objections for the purpose of making a speech, recapitulating testimony,
or attempting to guide the witness.
4. Unless the ruling is obvious, the Court will ordinarily ask for a brief response from
opposing counsel. Further argument upon the objection will not be heard until permission is given
or argument is requested by the Court.
5. Where more than one attorney appears for a given party, the attorney who handles
the direct examination of a witness shall also interpose objections when the witness is being
examined by other counsel. The attorney who will cross-examine a witness shall interpose any
objections during direct testimony.
Difficult Questions—Advance Notice
If counsel have reason to anticipate that any question of law or evidence is not routine, will
provoke an extensive argument, or will require a proffer outside the presence of the jury, counsel
should confer and attempt to resolve the matter. If agreement is not possible, counsel should give
advance notice to the Court to allow for appropriate scheduling arrangements to be made.
Stipulations
1. Stipulations concerning exhibit admissibility and authenticity, as well as
stipulations of fact, are not only encouraged but expected.
2. The preferred exhibit stipulation for jury trials is that exhibits are admissible and
may be used at any place in the trial.
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3. The preferred exhibit stipulation for bench trials is that exhibits are admissible and
may be used at any place in the trial; only exhibits mentioned during the trial will be considered
as having been admitted into evidence, unless the parties specifically stipulate otherwise.
Use of Depositions at Trial
1. Pretrial orders in civil cases will ordinarily require advance designation of
depositions or deposition excerpts to be offered at trial. This matter will ordinarily be addressed
in the pretrial conference.
2. Where a deposition is to be read for impeachment purposes, the relevant excerpts
must be identified orally for the record by line and page reference. Before using portions of
depositions for impeachment, counsel should ordinarily allow the witness to read them after the
identification has been made for the record. A deposition used for impeachment need not be filed
or marked as an exhibit.
3. Confer with opposing counsel to edit depositions to be used at trial, and remove
unnecessary material. This also applies to video depositions.
4. If a deposition is to be read at trial, those portions to be read shall be marked on the
original transcript and the original transcript shall be marked as an exhibit and offered as an exhibit
at trial. However, the exhibit shall not be included with the exhibits provided to the jury for its
deliberations.
5. If a video deposition is to be shown at trial, both the video and the original transcript
of the deposition (with the portions to be shown marked) shall be marked and offered as exhibits,
but shall not be included with the exhibits provided to the jury for its deliberations.
6. If a deposition is to be read at trial other than for impeachment, the party seeking
to use the deposition shall place a person in the witness box. Counsel seeking to use the deposition
shall read the selected questions, and the witness in the box shall read the answers of the deposed
witness to those questions.
7. If a deposition is to be used at trial other than for impeachment and objections were
made at the deposition, counsel should confer before the final pretrial conference, and any disputed
issues will be addressed at the final pretrial conference.
8. The parties should stipulate, if possible, that the reading of depositions not be taken
by the reporter.
9. Summaries of deposition transcripts are acceptable only by stipulation.
10. Medical experts who routinely examine and treat patients in their practices and who
have been deposed in a particular case will be presumed by the Court to be “unavailable” for in-
Court testimony pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 32(a)(4) so that their deposition testimony may be
offered into evidence at trial in that case by any party. This presumption also applies to treating
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health care providers even if their deposition testimony is being offered on firsthand observations
rather than as expert opinion. The purpose of this presumption is to avoid the inconvenience and
delay to jurors, health care providers, and their patients caused by the scheduling of in-court trial
testimony. If a party objects to the application of this presumption and the admissibility of
deposition testimony instead of in-court testimony from such a witness, a written objection to the
presumption, containing a showing of good cause why the admission of deposition testimony only
from that witness would be prejudicial, must be filed at least 30 days before the trial date. A party
opposing such an objection can still attempt to demonstrate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 32 that the
deposition testimony ought to be admitted.
Exhibits
1. Exhibits should be marked for identification before trial and a descriptive list
provided to the Court and the Court Reporter the Friday before trial.
2. All exhibits should be identified by number only (“Exhibit 1” as opposed to
“Plaintiff’s Exhibit 1” for example). Counsel shall confer and agree from the commencement of
discovery on a numbering system that will avoid confusion and duplication. It is recommended
that the parties utilize a numbering system in which the first deposition exhibit is marked No. 1
and so on up to No. 8, for example, for the last one. The first exhibit in the second deposition
should be marked No. 9 and so on. Thus, for example, the employment contract would be the
same exhibit with the same number for all depositions. Then, the same exhibit numbers would
be used for trial purposes. Numbers for trial exhibits need not be consecutive.
3. Unless the introduction of exhibits is governed by stipulations, or paragraphs 2 or
3 above, counsel should move the admission of stipulated exhibits at the beginning of trial. If
neither of these procedures are used, exhibits should be offered in evidence when they become
admissible, rather than at the end of a witness’ testimony or counsel’s case.
4. The Court expects counsel to prepare sufficient copies of documentary exhibits for
each juror, the Court, the witness stand, and opposing counsel. In civil trials that will usually
mean 12 total, and in criminal trials that will usually mean 16 total. If more than a few documents
are involved, the Court strongly urges that exhibit notebooks with tabs be prepared for each juror,
the Court, the witness stand, and opposing counsel. This practice might not be necessary when
some exhibits are too bulky or if there are other reasons not to use individual copies. This subject
will be discussed at the final pretrial conference, and counsel must comply with whatever
instructions are given at the final pretrial conference.
5. Demonstrative exhibits should be shown to the opposing counsel before trial. If
there is an objection to a demonstrative exhibit, the parties must raise it to the Court at the first
opportunity. A demonstrative exhibit to which there is an objection should not be shown to the
jury at any point without leave of Court.
6. During the trial, exhibits admitted into evidence are kept on the table in front of the
jury box or at the witness stand if exhibits are contained in a notebook or notebooks. Each counsel
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is responsible for exhibits taken from the table or the witness stand. At each recess or
adjournment, return all exhibits to the table or witness stand. Exhibits which have been offered
but not admitted are also part of the record of the case and are kept by the Courtroom Deputy.
7. Each counsel shall keep a list of admitted exhibits. Counsel and the Courtroom
Deputy shall confer at the close of the evidence to ensure that only admitted exhibits are sent to
the jury. Controlled substances, currency, firearms, or other dangerous materials are generally
not sent with the jury; counsel are asked to substitute photographs.
8. If an exhibit must be marked for identification in open Court, counsel should state
for the record what they are doing and briefly describe the nature of the exhibit. Counsel should
not expect the Court to provide exhibit labels.
9. Ordinarily, exhibits admitted into evidence may be displayed to the jury at the time
of admission or in conjunction with other exhibits at the conclusion of the witness’ examination
by the “offering” counsel, but permission of the Court should be sought before doing so.
10. When counsel or witnesses refer to an exhibit, mention should also be made of the
exhibit number so that the record will be clear.
11. Where maps, diagrams, pictures or similar materials are being used as exhibits, and
locations or features on such documents are being pointed out by witnesses or counsel, such
locations should be indicated by appropriate markings on the documents if they are not readily
apparent from the exhibits themselves. Unnecessary markings should be avoided. Marking on
exhibits should be made only after considering the views of opposing counsel and only after
receiving the Court’s permission. Counsel should then describe the markings for the record.
Exhibits with overlays or with moveable parts have been very useful.
12. Where counsel expect to offer answers to interrogatories or requests for admissions
extracted from several separate documents, prepare copies of the individual materials rather than
thumbing through extensive files while the Court and the jury wait for counsel to locate the
particular items. The copies should only be the particular interrogatory or request to admit
together with the caption and signature page. These materials should ordinarily be the subject of
stipulations and should be addressed at the final pretrial conference.
13. For all documents not in notebooks, but which may be admitted into evidence, have
an appropriate number of copies available on three hole punched paper, so that if admitted, the
exhibits may be distributed to the jury, the Court, opposing counsel and the Courtroom Deputy for
inclusion in the notebook or notebooks kept at the witness stand.
14. Each page of each exhibit should have an identifying number.
15. If deposition exhibits will be referred to at trial, either during impeachment or from
reading a transcript or showing a video, and the numbering thereof is not consistent with the
numbering system used at trial, a stipulation containing a cross-reference to trial exhibit numbers
and any deposition exhibits to which reference may be made at trial should be utilized.
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16. If over-sized exhibits or models are to be used, counsel need to make arrangements
with the Courtroom Deputy at least two weeks before start of trial.
17. Be sure there is a proper line of sight for the jury, Court, witness, and counsel when
using easels, over-sized exhibits and models.
18. Demonstrative exhibits are not sent to the jury room for deliberations, unless the
parties agree otherwise.
Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms
1. Electronically file and serve proposed jury instructions and verdict forms pursuant to
the pretrial orders.
2. A Microsoft Word version of filed jury instructions and verdict forms must be
emailed to
[email protected].
3. Each tendered instruction must include citations to authority on which counsel relies.
4. The Court will convene an instructions conference at an appropriate time, generally
near the conclusion of all the evidence. The conference will be held either at the end of a day,
early in the morning, or at the conclusion of all testimony, depending on the circumstances of the
particular case. The Court will provide drafts of the jury instructions and verdict forms to counsel
and the conference will be held on the record to discuss objections.
5. The parties can agree to have the Court read the final jury instructions to the jury before
closing arguments. If they do not agree, closing arguments will be held before the Court reads
the final jury instructions.
Experts
Counsel may establish qualifications; the Court will not declare a witness to be “an expert.”
Jurors
1. Jurors are permitted to take notes in notebooks and in the exhibit books, and their
notebooks and exhibit books accompany them during their deliberations.
2. Jurors expect counsel to look at the witness to whom a question is directed and not
to look at the jurors.
3. Jurors do not appreciate counsel staring at them during trial.
Transcripts
1. Parties desiring daily transcript of testimony must make their own arrangements, at
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least two weeks in advance of the start of the trial, directly with the Court Reporter.
2. Parties desiring a transcript of Court proceedings must make their own
arrangements with the Court Reporter, preferably before the start of the particular proceeding.
3. Before trial, counsel shall provide the Court Reporter with a list of words, terms,
technical terminology, proper names, acronyms, and case citations that would not be found in a
typical spell check.
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September 2023
APPENDIX A
PROCEDURE FOR FILING EXHIBITS AND
PROPER CITATION FORM WHEN FILING A MOTION OR BRIEF
FOR JUDGE JANE E. MAGNUS-STINSON
STEP ONE – FILING EXHIBITS
• It is critically important that exhibits be filed before supporting briefs so that citations
in supporting briefs are to the docket numbers of the previously-filed exhibits. This
significantly facilitates the Court’s review of the motion and briefs as well as the
parties’ review of the filed materials.
• IF FILING A MOTION WITH SUPPORTING BRIEF: Before filing the
supporting brief, electronically file the motion and attach any exhibits that will be
cited in the supporting brief as exhibits to the motion.
Example:
03/01/2012 38 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Plaintiff ROBERT SMITH.
(Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Johnson Aff., # 2 Exhibit 2 Johnson Dep.
Excerpts)(Jones, John) (Entered: 03/01/2012)
• IF FILING A RESPONSE, REPLY, OR SURREPLY: File an appendix or index
of exhibits first and attach any exhibits that will be cited in the supporting brief as
exhibits to the appendix or index.
Example:
03/30/2012 42 Appendix of Exhibits in Support of RESPONSE in Opposition re 38
MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Defendant ABC
CORPORATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A: Smith Dep. Transcript,
# 2 Exhibit B: Smith Dep. Exhibits 1-27, # 3 Exhibit C: Smith Dep.
Exhibits 27-30, # 4 Exhibit D: Smith Dep. Exhibits 31-36, # 5 Exhibit
E: Smith Dep. Exhibits 37-48, # 6 Exhibit F: Baker Dec. with Exhibits
1-6, # 7 Exhibit G: Jackson Dec. with Exhibits 1-3, # 8 Exhibit H:
Smith Employment Agreement (White, Susan) (Entered: 03/30/2012)
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• When electronically filing exhibits to any motion, appendix, or index, number the
exhibits and add a descriptive identifier for the exhibits, e.g., “Exhibit 1 – Affidavit
of John Smith” instead of just “Exhibit 1,” or “Exhibit 2 – Deposition Excerpt of Jane
Doe pp. 21-25” instead of just “Exhibit 2.”
Example:
Attachment Description
1 Exhibit A: Smith Dep.
52 pages 4.1 mb
Transcript Excerpts
2 Exhibit B: Smith Dep.
32 pages 3.8 mb
Exhibits 1-5
3 Exhibit C: Jones Dep.
51 pages 4.5 mb
Transcript Excerpts
4 Exhibit D: Jones Dep.
38 pages 2.4 mb
Exhibits 1-3
5 Exhibit E: Smith
Employment 15 pages 1.3 mb
Agreement
6 Exhibit F: Jones
Employment 15 pages 1.1 mb
Agreement
7 Exhibit G: Jackson
20 pages 1.7 mb
Dec. with Exhibits 1-3
• If a party relies upon a deposition excerpt to support or oppose a motion, the party
should provide the relevant excerpts – and the three pages immediately preceding
and following each excerpt – as an exhibit.
STEP TWO – CITING EXHIBITS
• In the supporting brief, cite to the docket number, the attachment number (if any),
and the applicable .pdf page as it appears on the PACER docket information
located at the top of the filed document. For example:
Mr. Smith signed an employment agreement with ABC
Corporation on May 1, 2012. [Filing No. 42-8 at 5.]
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That citation would refer to page five of attachment eight to the item filed as docket
number 42 (the Appendix of Exhibits in support of ABC Corporation’s Response
Brief, in the example above).
• Citations must appear in the body of the brief, not in footnotes.
• When citing to deposition transcripts, cite to the specific page and line numbers of
the deposition in addition to the docket number and page number citation format set
forth above. For example, to cite the underlined text below:
The proper cite would be [Filing No. 38-2 at 3 (Johnson Dep. at p. 10, lines 4-13).]
THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE COURT'S FILING AND CITATION
PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN AN ORDER TO RE-FILE THE EXHIBITS AND
BRIEFS USING THE CORRECT PROCEDURES, MOTIONS OR BRIEFS BEING
STRICKEN, OR ARGUMENTS BEING WAIVED.
STEP THREE – COURTESY COPY
• When an individual filing (including exhibits) exceeds 50 pages, provide a paper
courtesy copy after the document and/or exhibits have been electronically filed. The
courtesy copy must be printed from the filed version so that each page has the
docket information at the top of the page. For example:
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• Courtesy copies should be delivered to the Courtroom Deputy at Room 105, Birch
Bayh U.S. Courthouse. Do not deliver them to Judge Magnus-Stinson’s chambers.
• All courtesy copies should be clearly identified (using numbered or lettered tabs, or
cover pages for exhibits, etc.). The front page of the submission should reflect the
corresponding docket entry number from the original electronic filing.
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