UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
STANDING ORDER REGARDING COURTROOM OPPORTUNITIES
FOR RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS
March 15, 2017
SOROKIN, J.
Courtroom opportunities for relatively inexperienced attorneys, particularly those who
practice at larger law firms, have declined precipitously. In 2005, Judge Saylor issued a standing
order governing practice in his session which remains in effect and specifically encourages
participation of relatively inexperienced attorneys in all court proceedings. Judges Casper,
Hillman, and Talwani each have followed suit, issuing standing orders modeled on Judge
Saylor’s Order. Recognizing the importance of the development of future generations of
practitioners through courtroom opportunities, I now join my colleagues.
I strongly encourage the participation of relatively inexperienced attorneys in all court
proceedings including initial scheduling conferences, status conferences, hearings on discovery
as well as dispositive motions, and examination of witnesses at evidentiary hearings and trials.
In addition, I strongly encourage the participation in court of the attorney who wrote the
substantial majority of the papers giving rise to the proceeding before the Court. The following
cautions regarding professionalism, authority, and supervision shall apply.
First, all attorneys appearing in this court, including those who are relatively
inexperienced, will be held to the highest professional standards. In particular, all attorneys
appearing in court, regardless of experience, are expected to be appropriately prepared. For
example, any attorney who is arguing a motion is expected to be thoroughly familiar with the
factual record and applicable law pertinent to that motion.
Second, all attorneys appearing in court should have a degree of authority commensurate
with the proceeding that they are assigned to handle. For example, an attorney appearing at a
scheduling conference ordinarily should have the authority to propose and agree to a discovery
schedule and any other matters reasonably likely to arise at the conference.
Third, relatively inexperienced attorneys who seek to participate in evidentiary hearings
of substantial complexity, such as examining a witness at trial, should be accompanied and
supervised by a more experienced attorney, unless leave of Court is granted otherwise.
Counsel are encouraged to seek additional guidance from the Court in particular cases
concerning the scope or application of this policy.
SO ORDERED.
/s/ Leo T. Sorokin
United States District Judge
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