Judge Julia E. Kobick
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Judges
Kobick, Julia E.
Federal Judicial Service
Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts.
Nominated by Joseph R. Biden on January 23, 2023, to a seat vacated by William G.
Young.
Confirmed by the Senate on November 7, 2023, and received commission on November 13,
2023.
Education
Harvard University, A.B., 2005
Pace University, M.S., 2007
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2010
Courthouse
Boston Courthouse
John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way, Suite 2300
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Courtroom
3, 3
rd
floor
John J. Moakley Federal
Courthouse - Boston, MA
Courtroom Technology
Contact the courtroom clerk regarding the use of technology in the courtroom. View
our
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page for
more information on the technology that is available.
Internet access is available upon request and with the consent of the presiding
Judge.
Click here
for more information.
Internships
Law students interested in a summer internship with Judge Kobick should submit a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript, law school transcript, and a writing sample to chambers at
[email protected]
. If grades for a term become available after applying, applicants should update their application with a new transcript. Internships are in person, not remote. Applications for a summer 2026 internship may be submitted between December 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026.
Staff
Standing
Orders
Judicial Forum
Survey
Staff
Chambers Procedures/Standing Orders/Sample Orders
Notice of Scheduling Conference
USDC Judicial Forum Survey
Civil - Case Management
Q1: Do you have any specific
scheduling order or any particular topics that
counsel must address in the joint statement in addition
to/or in lieu of the topics required to be
addressed
under Local Rule 16.1(D) for the initial scheduling
conference?
A1: Yes.
Q2: If you have a specific
scheduling order, please attach your order.
A2:
Notice of Scheduling Conference
Q3: Do you have any additional
requirement(s) as to the attorneys'
obligation
that they confer with their client(s) about case budget and
ADR pursuant to Local Rule 16.1(D)(3)?
A3: No.
Q4: What, if any, inquiries do
you make about settlement prospects and/or
interest in mediation at the initial scheduling conference?
A4: I usually ask whether and when the parties might be interested in mediation.
Q5: What, if any inquiries do
you make about the liklihood of trial at the
initial scheduling conference?
A5: I rarely ask about the likelihood of trial.
Q6: What schedule do you set at
the initial scheduling conference?
A6: I set deadlines through a dispositive motion deadline. I do not set a trial date or schedule a final pretrial conference at the initial scheduling conference.
Q7: After the initial
scheduling conference, do you hold status
conferences?
A7: Yes.
Q8: If so, when do you hold
status conferences?
A8: Typically after the close of fact discovery, but sometimes sooner.
Q9: If so, what issues do you
address at status conferences?
A9: The status of discovery, any outstanding discovery disputes, the parties' interest in mediation, the likelihood of dispositive motion practice.
Civil - Discovery
Q10: Other than the
requirements under Local Rule 16.1(D) for addressing
certain discovery topics in the parties' joint statement,
what, if any, discovery issues do you like
counsel
to be prepared to address at the initial scheduling
conference?
A10: It depends on the case. Sometimes I will ask about the volume of document discovery and the number of depositions anticipated by the parties.
Q11: What, if any, issues
related to electronically stored information
should counsel be prepared to address at the initial
scheduling conference?
A11: I rarely ask about this.
Q12: If the parties intend to
file a proposed protective order, do you
require any particular format and/or a specific time for
doing so?
A12: No.
Q13: Under what circumstances
would you consider a bifurcation of discovery?
A13: I have no set practice on this.
Q14: Given the new requirement
under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) regarding the
proportionality of the scope of discovery, what, if any
inquiry do you make about this issue at the
initial
scheduling conference?
A14: I rarely ask about this.
Q15: Other than the requirement
that the parties confer in good faith to
narrow the issues before filing any discovery motion under
Local Rule 37.1(A), what, if any, additional
requirements do you make of counsel before considering
discovery motions?
A15: None.
Q16: Typically, do you resolve
discovery motions or do you refer them to
the
magistrate judge?
A16: I usually resolve discovery motions but sometimes refer them to a Magistrate Judge.
Q17: Do you typically hold a
hearing on discovery?
A17: Only if the discovery dispute is complex or I have questions for the parties.
Q18: Please describe your
general practice regarding the resolution of
discovery motions.
A18: I have no set practice, but do try to resolve discovery motions promptly to keep the case moving.
Q19: Under what circumstances
will you consider emergency motions regarding
discovery matters?
A19: Rarely, and only in true emergencies.
Q20: Do you have any particular
practices or requirements about expert
disclosures?
A20: No.
Q21: What, if any, expert
discovery deadlines do you set at the initial
scheduling conference? When do you typically set a schedule
for the filing of Daubert motions?
A21: I set the expert discovery deadlines listed on the Proposed Scheduling Order. See Question 2.
Q22: If the case involves a pro
se litigant, do you typically have any
different practices in regard to scheduling conferences,
status conferences or discovery matters?
A22: I typically explain the discovery process and the parties' obligations, and I often hold more frequent status conferences.
Civil - Dispositive Motions
Q23: Other than the presumptive
pages limits for memoranda under Rule
7.1(b), do you have any other requirements or preferences
about the filing of dispositive motions?
A23: Parties should meaningfully confer before filing dispositive motions. For summary judgment motions, the non-moving party should note their response to the moving party's concise statement of material facts under each fact asserted by the moving party, so that the fact and response is contained in one document.
Q24: In connection with
dispositive motions, do you require the filing of
any courtesy copies of exhibits, depositions and/or other
materials in addition to the electronic
versions
that are filed on ECF?
A24: By default, no, but I will sometimes issue a docket order requesting courtesy copies.
Q25: Do you typically allow
reply briefs and/or surreply briefs?
A25: I typically allow reply briefs, and will allow surreply briefs if warranted.
Q26: If you allow reply and/or
surreply briefs, do you impose a page limit?
A26: Often yes, but it depends on the case.
Q27: Do you typically hold a
hearing on motions to dismiss?
A27: Yes.
Q28: Do you typically hold a
hearing on summary judgment motions?
A28: Yes.
Q29: If you typically hold
hearings on dispositive motions, what, if any,
time limits do you impose on counsel for their arguments?
A29: I don't set time limits.
Q30: Under what, if any,
circumstances, would you allow the filing of
post-argument briefs?
A30: If a topic comes up at the hearing that is not fully addressed in the parties' briefs, I will often grant leave for the parties to file short supplemental briefs after the hearing. But I rarely grant requests to file post-argument briefs where leave was not orally granted at the hearing.
Civil - Patent Cases
Q31: Do you have any standing
order and/or any particular practice
regarding
the management of patent cases? If so, please describe them.
A31: No.
Q32: If applicable, please
upload your standing order regarding the
management of patent cases.
A32:
Respondent skipped this question.
Q33: Do you have particular
practice about Markman hearings? If so, please
describe them including but not limited to whether you allow
tutorial(s).
A33: No particular practice.
Criminal Matters
Q34: Do you handle matters
regarding discovery in criminal cases?
A34: No.
Q35: Do you have any particular
practices as to scheduling in criminal
cases? If so, please describe them.
A35: No particular practices
Q36: If a defendant files a
motion for release and/or modification of
conditions of release after the case has been referred back
to the district judge, is it your typical
practice to resolve the motion or refer it back to the
magistrate judge?
A36: I typically refer this motion back to the Magistrate Judge.
Q37: Do you typically hold a
hearing on motions for review of a detention
order?
A37: Yes.
Q38: Do you have any particular
practices regarding the filing of
suppression motions or hearings on suppression motions?
A38: No particular practices.
General Trial Practice - Pretrial Matters
Q39: Do you require the filing
of a trial brief?
A39: Yes.
Q40: If you do not require the
filing of a trial brief, under what
circumstances do you think it would be helpful to the Court?
A40:
Respondent skipped this
question.
Q41: Do you typically hold an
initial pretrial conference in criminal
cases?
If so, what issues do you want counsel to be able to address
at each conference in addition to those
addressed under Local Rule 117.1(a)?
A41: Yes, but I don't expect counsel to address matters beyond those referenced in Local Rule 117.1(a).
Q42: Do you typically hold an
initial pretrial conference in civil cases?
A42: Yes, but only to set a trial date, discuss the length of trial and trial practices, and see if the parties are interested in mediation. Counsel do not need to file anything ahead of the initial pretrial conference.
Q43: When do you set a deadline
for the filing of proposed voir dire,
proposed jury instructions and/or special verdict form,
witness and exhibits lists, motions in limine?
Typically, how far in advance of trial are these deadlines?
A43:
I set these deadlines in a pretrial order issued after the initial pretrial conference. These deadlines back out from the final pretrial conference and are set for dates one to two months before the trial is set to begin.
Q44: Do you require that
proposed voir dire, verdict forms and/or jury
instructions be filed in any particular form (i.e., courtesy
electronic copy to your deputy clerk in
Word or
WordPerfect format, etc.)?
A44: No.
Q45: Do you set a page limit
for motions in limine? If so, what is it?
A45: No set practice.
Q46: Do you typically hear
motions in limine at the final pretrial
conference?
A46: If I can resolve motions in limine ahead of the final pretrial conference, I will do that through a memorandum and order or docket order. Otherwise, I will hear motions in limine at the final pretrial conference.
Q47: Do you typically resolve
motions in limine at the final pretrial
conference?
A47: At or before the final pretrial conference.
Q48: Do you typically hear
and/or resolve Daubert motions at the final
pretrial conference?
A48: I prefer to resolve Daubert motions before the final pretrial conference.
Q49: Do you require the parties
to provide a courtesy copy of trial
exhibits
to the Court before trial?
A49: Yes.
Q50: If courtesy copies of
trial exhibits are required, when do you require
them?
A50: No set practice.
Q51: If courtesy copies of
trial exhibits are required, what particular
form
is required?
A51: No set practice.
Q52: Do you require trial
exhibits to be pre-marked? If so, please describe
your practice?
A52: Stipulated exhibits should be pre-marked.
Criminal - Scheduling Trials
Q53: Typically, when do you set
a trial date in criminal cases?
A53: No set practice.
Q54: Typically, when do you set
a trial date in civil cases?
A54: At the initial pretrial conference.
Q55: What is your typical trial
schedule?
A55: 9am - 1pm.
Q56: In civil cases, do you set
time limits for counsel for opening
statements, the presentation of evidence and/or closing
arguments? If so, please describe your practice?
A56: It depends on the case.
Criminal - Jury Selection
Q57: Please describe your jury
selection process.
A57: I'll ask general voir dire questions to the whole panel, move jurors to a neighboring courtroom, then bring jurors who answered yes to the voir dire questions back into the courtroom for individual voir dire.
Q58: Under what circumstances,
if any, have you or would you consider using
a juror questionnaire?
A58: No set practice.
Q59: If you would consider the
use of a jury questionnaire, when and in
what
form should it be proposed?
A59: No set practice.
Q60: Have you or would you
consider allowing attorney voir dire?
A60: Rarely.
Q61: In civil trials, typically
what number of jurors do you seat?
A61: 10.
Q62: In criminal trials,
typically how many alternate jurors do you
seat?
A62: 2.
General Trial Practice - Trial Practices
Q63: Do you require counsel to
use the podium during openings, examination
of witnesses and/or closings?
A63: No.
Q64: How many rounds of
examination do you typically allow?
A64:
Direct, cross, redirect, recross
Q65: Under what, if any,
circumstances, will you allow a rebuttal case?
A65: No set practice.
Q66: Do you have any
preferences about the use of chalks during openings
and
closings?
A66:
I allow them within reason.
Q67: Do you have any particular
practice in regard to jury charge
conferences? If so, please describe it.
A67: No set practice.
Q68: Do you provide a written
copy of your jury charge to the jury?
A68: Yes.
Q69: Will you consider
counsel's proposals of a special verdict form? If
so,
should it be in any particular format?
A69: Yes. No particular format.
Q70: If you have any
preferences or practices about pretrial or trial
matters that has not been solicited by the prior questions,
please describe them here.
A70: I meet with counsel each morning at 8:30am to resolve any anticipated evidentiary objections or other disputes.
Q71: If you have any particular
practices as to bench trials, please
describe them.
A71: No particular practices.
Criminal - Sentencing/Revocation Hearings
Q72: Do you require a
sentencing memorandum in every case?
A72: Yes.
Q73: If you do not require a
sentencing memorandum in every case, when
would
it be helpful to you?
A73:
Respondent skipped this question.
Q74: Under what, if any,
circumstances, would you consider an expedited
sentencing?
A74:
If the defendant is detained and would risk overserving the guideline range absent an expedited sentencing.
Q75: Do you have any particular
practices regarding the presentation of
victim impact statements at sentencing?
A75: No set practices.
Q76: Under what, if any
circumstances, would you consider the postponement
of a sentencing hearing?
A76: No set practices.
Q77: Do you have any particular
practices as to revocation matters?
A77: No.
Standing Orders & Miscellaneous Matters
Q78: If your session has any
standing orders, please attach them here.
A78: See the Standing Orders section.
Q79: Order #2
A79:
Respondent skipped this question.
Q80: Order #3
A80:
Respondent skipped this question.
Q81: If there is any other
guidance about your court practices and
preferences that you would like to share with counsel that
has not been solicited by any of the prior
questions, please provide it here.
A81:
Slide decks during motion hearings should be used sparingly, if at all.
Post-Pandemic Practices
Q82: As of Fall 2022, are there
any case events that you routinely conduct via Zoom in civil
cases? If so, what are they?
A82:
I typically conduct status conferences and initial scheduling conferences via Zoom.
Q83: As of Fall 2022, are there
any case events that you routinely conduct via Zoom in
criminal cases? If so, what are they?
A83:
No.
Q84: As of Fall 2022, if there
are case events that you routinely conduct in person that
you would consider conducting via
Zoom, what are those case events and under what
circumstances would you consider conducting them via Zoom?
A84:
If counsel would have to travel far for a motion hearing, I will sometimes hold it over Zoom.
