PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES BEFORE
JUDGE MATTHEW P. BROOKMAN
INDEX
I. General Courtroom Expectations………………………………………………... 2
II. Motions Practice………………………………………………………………..... 2
A. Filing Motions with Supporting Briefs and Exhibits………………………... 2
B. Rule 12 Motions……………………………………………………………... 2
C. Summary Judgment Motions………………………………………………... 2
D. Motions for Preliminary Injunctive Relief…………………………………... 4
E. Objections under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a)…………………………………........ 4
F. Oral Argument…….…………………………………………………………. 4
III. Trial……………...……………………………………………………………..... 4
A. Final Pretrial Conference………………………………………………...….. 4
B. The Venire and Voir Dire……………………………………………………. 5
C. Opening Statements and Closing Argument………………………………… 6
D. Examination of Witnesses…………………………………………………… 6
E. Difficult Issues—Advance Notice…………………………………………... 7
F. Stipulations………………………………………………………………..…. 7
G. Use of Depositions…………………………………………………………... 7
H. Exhibits………………………………………………………………………. 8
I. Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms………………………………………… 10
J. Jurors………………………………………………………………………… 10
K. Logistics and Housekeeping…………………………………………………. 10
L. Facilities……………………………………………………………………... 11
M. Transcripts…………………………………………………………………… 12
Appendix A: Procedure for Filing Exhibits and Citation Form……………………………... 14
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I. GENERAL COURTROOM EXPECTATIONS
A. Know the Federal Rules of Civil and/or Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of
Evidence, and the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Indiana.
B. All Counsel appearing before the Court must have a proper appearance on file in
accordance with Local Rule 83-7. Only Counsel of record will be allowed to sit at
counsel tables in the well of the courtroom.
C. Stand when speaking and use the lectern (except for brief objections during testimony).
D. Address the Court, not opposing counsel.
E. Conversation between counsel and/or parties when opposing counsel is questioning or
arguing must not be distracting to others.
F. Silence your cell phones and similar devices and do not use them when court is in
session.
II. MOTIONS PRACTICE
A. Filing Motions with Supporting Briefs and Exhibits
Motions and exhibits must be filed before supporting briefs so that the brief's citations
refer back to the motion's and exhibits' docket numbers. Exhibits may be attached to the motion,
as Appendix A shows, or filed separately. If filed separately, the motion must be filed before the
exhibits.
When electronically filing exhibits, number the exhibits and add a descriptive identifier.
E.g., "Ex. 1 – Smith Dep." or "Ex. 3 – Smith Employment Agreement" instead of just "Exhibit 1"
or "Exhibit 3."
See Appendix A to these Practices and Procedures for examples of proper descriptive
identifiers for electronically filed exhibits.
B. Rule 12 Motions
Plaintiffs may generally amend their complaints "once as a matter of course" within "21
days after service of a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f)." Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1). When a
complaint is amended, the Court's standard practice is to deny a Rule 12 motion without
prejudice as moot.
C. Summary Judgment Motions
1. Counsel planning to move for summary judgment must contact counsel for the
other parties to determine if any other party also plans to move for summary judgment.
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2. If opposing parties plan to move for summary judgment, the following modified
briefing process applies:
a. Motion and Brief in Support by Party A (limited to 35 pages);
b. Cross-Motion, Brief in Support, and Response in Opposition by Party B
(limited to 55 pages);
c. Reply in Support of Motion and Response in Opposition to Cross-
Motion by Party A (limited to 40 pages);
d. Reply in Support of Cross-Motion by Party B (limited to 20 pages).
3. In other situations, or if a party believes that a different process is appropriate,
counsel may file a motion with a proposed briefing process that states the position of all
other counsel.
4. Motions to exceed page limitations are disfavored. Similarly, "[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).
5. Briefs on Summary Judgment shall comply with Local Rule 56-1(e):
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 similarly specify
where the relevant information can be found in the
supporting evidence.
See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e). Parties therefore must specifically cite evidence for
each fact in the fact and argument sections. Unsupported facts may be disregarded. See
Bluestein v. Cent. Wisconsin Anesthesiology, S.C., 769 F.3d 944 n. 1 (7th Cir. 2014).
6. Deposition cites must include specific page and line numbers. The cited pages—
and at least the three pages immediately preceding and following—must be included as an
exhibit. The Court may decline to consider evidence that does not include the entire
excerpts.
7. For Citation Form, see Appendix A to these Practices and Procedures for
examples of proper citation format. In a supporting brief, cite the docket number, the
attachment number (if any), and the .pdf page number. For example:
Mr. Smith signed an employment agreement with ABC Corporation on May 1,
2012. (Docket No. 42-8 at 5).
That citation would refer to page five of attachment eight to the item filed as
docket number 42.
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D. Motions for Preliminary Injunctive Relief
Motions for a temporary restraining order or 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 hearing or argument hearing.
4. A proposed timeline for any discovery, hearings, and rulings.
E. Objections under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a)
Objections to a Magistrate Judge's non-dispositive pretrial ruling under Federal Rule if
Civil Procedure 72(a) should follow the briefing schedule in Local Rule 7-1(c)(3).
F. Oral Argument
Oral argument on civil motions will be granted only in exceptional cases.
III. TRIAL
A. Final Pretrial Conference
1. Counsel shall meet and confer before the final pretrial conference to attempt to
agree on items in the final pretrial order and below.
2. Counsel must be prepared to address any pending motions, objections, and issues
related to voir dire and jury instructions at the final pretrial conference.
3. About four weeks before the final pretrial conference, the Court will issue an
order setting deadlines for certain filings. Those deadlines are intended to be consistent with
CMP deadlines, but if they differ, the order controls.
4. The parties are expected to work together to prepare the filings required by the
final pretrial order.
5. Motions in limine should be filed as one document numerically listing each issue
to be addressed. The opposing party must respond to each issue with either "no objection,"
or "objection" with supporting argument.
6. 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.
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c. Discuss stipulations.
d. Review exhibit lists and discuss admissibility objections. Bring copies of
proposed exhibits to conference.
e. Discuss testimony that will be offered through a deposition.
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. In criminal cases, potential forfeiture.
j. In civil cases, discuss status of possible settlement.
B. The Venire and Voir Dire
1. Copies of questionnaires that the venire has completed will be available to
counsel the business day (usually a Friday) before the trial starts. As soon as the jury has
been chosen, the questionnaires must be returned to the Courtroom Deputy.
2. A seating chart will be available the morning of trial.
3. Jurors are assigned numbers and must always be referred to by Juror Number
rather than name.
4. The Court will question the entire panel. The Court's proposed questions will be
provided to counsel before the final pretrial conference. The Court will ask follow-up
questions as appropriate and may allow counsel to ask follow-up questions to individual
responses.
5. After the Court concludes its voir dire, Counsel may have a brief opportunity to
question the panel. Counsel conducting voir dire should do so standing at the lectern.
Examples of inappropriate voir dire include argument and asking jurors if they will be able
to enter a verdict of so many dollars.
6. In civil cases, each side will have at least three peremptory challenges for the
entire venire; the exact number will be addressed at the final pretrial conference. After all
challenges, the appropriate number of jurors will be chosen in order of lowest draw
numbers.
7. In civil cases, the Court ordinarily seats eight jurors, but typically no less than
seven. There are no alternate jurors in civil cases—all seated jurors will deliberate.
8. In criminal cases, ordinarily the government will have six peremptory challenges
and the defense will have ten peremptory challenges; plus any additional challenges for
alternate jurors. Fed. R. Crim. P. 24.
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C. Opening Statements and Closing Argument
1. Counsel should stand at the lectern during the opening statement and closing
argument.
2. The amount of time for opening statements will ordinarily be set at the final
pretrial conference, and the amount for closing arguments will be set at trial.
3. When opposing counsel is speaking, never divert the attention of the Court or the
jury. Instruct clients and witnesses to do the same.
4. During opening statements, do not use an exhibit without the Court's approval
unless admissibility is stipulated.
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 in closing argument,
it must be stated in the opening segment of the argument so that Defendant can respond.
7. Closing arguments must be based on the evidence and reasonable inferences from
the evidence. Do not attack opposing counsel, offer personal beliefs or opinions, or make
arguments likely to inflame passion or prejudice. Know what is proper in closing argument
and what is not. See United States v. Klebig, 600 F.3d 700, 718–19 (7th Cir. 2009).
D. Examination of Witnesses
1. Witnesses are to be asked questions, not argued with or given editorial
commentary about their answers.
2. Do not display an exhibit to the jury until it has been admitted into evidence.
3. Counsel shall examine witnesses from the lectern.
4. Stand when making objections.
5. When making an objection, state only that you are objecting and specify the
ground or grounds for that objection.
6. Objections must be brief and shall not recapitulate testimony or attempt to guide
the witness.
7. The Court will ordinarily ask for a brief response from opposing counsel. Counsel
shall not argue further without permission.
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8. Only the attorney who handles the direct examination of a witness may offer
objections when other counsel is examining the witness. Only the attorney who will
cross-examine a witness may raise objections during the direct examination.
E. Difficult Issues—Advance Notice
If counsel anticipates 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.
F. Stipulations
1. Stipulations concerning exhibit admissibility and authenticity, as well as
stipulations of fact, are expected.
2. The preferred exhibit stipulation for jury trials is that exhibits are admissible and
may be used at any place in the trial.
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.
G. Use of Depositions
1. When referring a witness to her prior testimony, be clear whether you are doing
so to refresh recollection or to impeach.
2. When a deposition is read for impeachment, the relevant excerpts must be
identified orally for the record by line and page reference. Counsel should ordinarily allow
the witness to read the excerpts 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, including
video depositions, and remove unnecessary material.
4. The portions of a deposition to be read at trial 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.
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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 and read the selected questions,
with the person in the box reading 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 case will be presumed "unavailable" for in-court testimony
under 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 applies even if their deposition
testimony is being offered as firsthand observations rather than as expert opinion. This
presumption is to avoid inconvenience and delay to jurors, health care providers, and
patients caused by the scheduling of in-court testimony. If a party objects to this
presumption and the admissibility of deposition testimony instead of in-court testimony, a
written objection 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.
H. Exhibits
1. 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 beginning of
discovery on a numbering system that avoids confusion and duplication. The recommended
numbering system marks the first deposition exhibit No. 1 and so on up to No. 8, for
example, for the last one. The first new 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.
2. Counsel should move for the admission of stipulated exhibits at the beginning of
trial. Other exhibits should be offered in evidence when they become admissible, rather
than at the end of a witness's testimony or counsel's case.
3. Counsel shall prepare three binders with the documentary exhibits for the Court.
Oversized exhibits may be excluded. Details for providing exhibits will be discussed the
final pretrial conference.
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4. Demonstrative exhibits should be shown to opposing counsel before trial. The
parties must object to a demonstrative exhibit at the first opportunity. Only unopposed
demonstrative exhibits may be shown to the jury without leave of Court.
5. During 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 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.
6. Each counsel shall keep a list of admitted exhibits. Counsel and the Courtroom
Deputy shall confer at the close of evidence to ensure that only admitted exhibits are being
sent to the jury. Counsel shall substitute photographs for controlled substances, currency,
firearms, and other dangerous materials.
7. 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.
8. When counsel or witnesses refer to an exhibit, mention should also be made of the
exhibit number so that the record will be clear.
9. When maps, diagrams, pictures, or similar materials are used as exhibits, and
locations or features on such documents are being pointed out by witnesses or counsel,
those locations should be appropriately marked on the documents if they are not clear from
the exhibits themselves. Unnecessary markings should be avoided. Counsel may use
exhibits with overlays or moveable parts. Markings on exhibits should be made only after
conferring with opposing counsel and receiving the Court's permission. Counsel should
describe the markings for the record.
10. When counsel expect to offer answers to interrogatories or requests for
admissions extracted from separate documents, prepare copies of the individual materials
so that the Court and jury do not wait for counsel to locate the items. The copies should
only be the particular interrogatory or request to admit with the caption and signature page.
These materials should ordinarily be the subject of stipulations.
11. If a document is not in the exhibit binders but may be admitted into evidence,
have an appropriate number of copies on three-hole punched paper, so that if admitted, the
exhibits may be distributed to the Court, opposing counsel, and the Courtroom Deputy for
inclusion in binders.
12. Each page of each exhibit should have an identifying number.
13. If deposition exhibits will be referred to at trial, either during impeachment or
from reading a transcript or showing a video, and their numbering system is not consistent
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with the numbering system used at trial, the parties should create a stipulation containing a
cross-reference to trial exhibit numbers and any deposition exhibits.
14. If oversized exhibits are to be used, counsel must make arrangements with the
Courtroom Deputy at least two weeks before trial.
15. Be sure there is a proper line of sight for the jury, Court, witness, and counsel
when using easels, over-sized exhibits, and models.
16. Demonstrative exhibits are not sent to the jury room for deliberations unless the
parties agree otherwise.
I. Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms
1. Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be filed and served.
2. Proposed instructions must cite their source and supporting authority.
3. The Court will hold an instructions conference during trial, generally near the
conclusion of the evidence and at a time that will not inconvenience the jury. The Court
will provide draft instructions and verdict forms to counsel before the conference.
4. Ordinarily, the Court will read the final jury instructions to the jury after closing
arguments.
J. Jurors
1. Do not exhibit familiarity with witnesses, jurors, or opposing counsel. No juror
should be addressed individually or by name.
2. No person in the courtroom should ever exhibit, by facial expression, bodily
movement, or other conduct, any opinion—e.g., surprise, happiness, disbelief, or
displeasure—about any testimony, argument, or ruling. 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.
3. Jurors are permitted to take notes in notebooks, which will accompany them
during their deliberations.
K. Logistics and Housekeeping
1. Do not ask the Court Reporter to mark testimony. All requests for re-reading of
questions or answers should be addressed to the Court.
2. After trial has begun, documents should be filed electronically or given to the
Courtroom Deputy—not the Clerk's office—for filing.
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3. On trial days, the jury will typically be brought in at 9:00 a.m. On the first day of
trial, counsel are expected to be in the courtroom by 8:00 a.m. The time will vary on
subsequent days based on whether matters must be addressed outside the presence of the
jury, but counsel should arrive at least by 8:30 a.m. A typical trial day will include a
midmorning break, lunch around noon, and a midafternoon break with the jury leaving
around 5:00 p.m. Counsel should alert the Court whenever any witness must be held over
until the next day.
4. Promptness is expected from counsel and witnesses. Inform the Courtroom
Deputy of any anticipated scheduling problems.
5. 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.
6. If the conclusion of a witness's testimony is followed by a recess or adjournment,
the next witness should be ready to take the stand when trial resumes.
7. If a witness's testimony is expected to be brief, have the next witness immediately
available, ordinarily in the witness room.
8. Do not run out of witnesses.
9. The Court attempts to cooperate with the schedules of non-party witnesses and
will consider permitting them to testify out of sequence. Discuss that possibility with
opposing counsel and advise the Courtroom Deputy, including whether there is an
objection.
10. 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 be asked of the witness, leave can be requested under Federal
Rule of Evidence 611.
L. Facilities
1. A TV, DVD player, an easel, a dry erase board, and markers are available if
Counsel make arrangements with the Courtroom Deputy before trial begins. Counsel
should expect to bring any other equipment, such as overhead projectors, screens, and other
easels that they expect to use.
2. If counsel wish to use one of the Video Evidence Presentation Systems ("VEPS")
owned by the Southern District of Indiana, they must coordinate with the Courtroom
Deputy at least three weeks before trial. If a VEPS is not available, counsel will need to
provide any equipment.
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3. Counsel should discuss with the Courtroom Deputy whether a witness room will
be available. If available, witnesses should generally be asked to report to a witness room.
4. Chambers supplies, including the copier, are not available to counsel. Counsel
should not enter chambers or the jury room unless asked by Court staff.
5. Cell phones must be on silent or vibrate-only in the courtroom. When Court is in
session, cell phones may be used only for text messages and only to coordinate witnesses
and other trial logistics.
6. On trial days, the courtroom will be opened by 8:00 a.m., but can be opened
earlier if coordinated in advance with the Courtroom Deputy.
7. 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.
8. The courtroom will be locked overnight.
9. Food and drinks are not allowed in the courtroom, except water.
M. Transcripts
1. Daily transcripts of testimony must be arranged, at least two weeks before trial,
directly with the Court Reporter.
2. Transcripts of Court proceedings must be arranged with the Court Reporter,
preferably before the start of the 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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APPENDIX A: FILING EXHIBITS AND PROPER CITATIONS
Step 1: Filing Exhibits
• Motions and exhibits must be filed before supporting briefs so that the brief's citations
refer back to the motion's and exhibits' docket numbers. Exhibits may be attached to the motion,
as shown below, or filed separately. If filed separately, the motion must be filed before the
exhibits.
• If filing an opening brief: First, electronically file the motion, attaching any exhibits
that will be cited in the supporting brief:
03/01/2021 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: 03/01/2021
• If filing a response, reply, or surreply with exhibits: First, file an appendix or index of
exhibits, attaching any exhibits that will be cited in the supporting brief:
03/30/2021 42 Appendix of Exhibits in Support of RESPONSE in Opposition re
38 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Defendant ABC,
INC. (Attachments: # 1 Ex. A: Smith Dep. Transcript, # 2 Ex. B:
Smith Dep. Exhibits 1-5, # 3 Ex. C: Smith Employment
Agreement, # 4 Ex. D: Jackson Decl. with Exhibits 1–3 (Smith,
Susan) (Entered: 03/30/2021)
• When electronically filing exhibits, number the exhibits and add a descriptive identifier.
E.g., "Ex. 1–Smith Dep." or "Ex. 3–Smith Employment Agreement" instead of just "Exhibit 1"
or "Exhibit 3."
Attachment Description
1 Exhibit A: Smith Dep. Transcript 52 pages 4.1 mb
2 Exhibit B: Smith Dep. Exhibits 1-5 32 pages 3.8 mb
3 Exhibit C: Smith Employment Agreement 15 pages 1.3 mb
4 Exhibit D: Jackson Decl. with Exhibits 1-3 20 pages 1.7 mb
• If a party relies on a deposition excerpt, the cited pages—and at least the three pages
immediately preceding and following—must be included as an exhibit.
Step 2: Citing Exhibits
• Briefs must cite the docket number, the attachment number (if any), and the .pdf page
number as it appears in the header at the top of the previously filed exhibit. For example:
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Mr. Smith signed an employment agreement with ABC Corporation
on May 1, 2012. (Docket No. 42-8 at 5).
That citation would refer to page five of attachment eight to the item filed as docket
number 42.
• When citing deposition transcripts, cite 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:
The proper cite is: Docket No. 42-2 at 10 (Martin Dep. at 9:9–11).
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