(a) Joint Final Pretrial Order. The parties shall furnish a joint final pretrial order in every civil case
at, or if the judge requires, before the final pretrial conference. This joint final pretrial order shall fulfill
the parties' disclosure obligations under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3), unless the Judge orders otherwise. All
objections specified in Rule 26(a)(3)(B) shall be made in this order. Counsel for plaintiff(s) or a plaintiff
without counsel shall convene a conference for all parties to confer and collaborate in formulating a
concise joint final pretrial order. Counsel for plaintiff(s) or a plaintiff without counsel shall compile the
order. Counsel for all parties and any party without counsel shall approve and sign the order. Counsel for
plaintiff(s) or a plaintiff without counsel shall submit an original and one copy of the order to the assigned
Judge for approval and adoption. The order shall provide for the signature of the Court and, when signed
and filed in the Clerk's Office, becomes an order of the Court, superseding the pleadings and governing
the course of trial unless modified by further order. The pretrial order shall not be a vehicle for adding
claims or defenses. The order will not be filed in the Clerk's Office until the Judge has signed it.
(b) Contents of Order. The joint final pretrial order shall contain, under numbered and captioned
headings, the following:
(1) Jurisdiction. The parties shall state the basis for Federal Court jurisdiction and whether
jurisdiction is contested by any party.
(2) Plaintiffs' Claims. The statement of the claim or claims of plaintiffs shall include legal
theories.
(3) Defendants' Claims. The statement of the defenses or claims of defendants, or third
parties, shall include legal theories.
(4) Stipulation of Facts. The parties shall state, in separately numbered paragraphs, all
uncontested facts.
(5) Issues of Fact to be Litigated.
(6) Issues of Law to be Litigated.
(7) Evidence Problems Likely to Arise at Trial. Include objections to exhibits and to the
use of deposition testimony, including the objections required under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(B). The order
shall list all motions in limine of which counsel or a party without counsel should reasonably be aware.
(8) Witnesses. Each party shall list all witnesses whom that party will call and all witnesses
whom that party may call. This listing shall include, but is not limited to, the disclosures required under
Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(A)(i) and (ii). A party may, without further notice, call a witness listed by another
party as a "will call" witness. Except as permitted by the Court for good cause a party may not list a witness
unless the witness was included on a witness list submitted under a prior order or has been deposed. The
list shall state whether the witness is an expert and whether testimony will be offered by deposition. Only
listed witnesses will be permitted to testify at trial, except for rebuttal witnesses whose testimony could
not be reasonably anticipated before trial, or except for good cause shown. The provisions of Fed.R.Civ.P.
37(c)(1) shall apply to a failure to list a witness.
United States District Court
Eastern District of Michigan
(9) Exhibits. The parties must number and list, with appropriate identification, each exhibit,
including summaries, as provided in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(3)(A)(iii). Objections to listed exhibits must be
stated in the joint pretrial order. Only listed exhibits will be considered for admission at trial, except for
rebuttal exhibits which could not be reasonably anticipated before trial, or except for good cause shown.
The provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1) will apply to a failure to list an exhibit.
(10) Damages. The parties shall itemize all claimed damages and shall specify damages that
can be calculated from objective data. The parties shall stipulate to those damages not in dispute.
(11) Trial
(A) Jury or non-jury.
(B) Estimated length of trial.
(12) Settlement. Counsel or a party without counsel shall state that they have conferred and
considered the possibility of settlement, giving the most recent place and date, and state the current
status of negotiations and any plans for further discussions. They may state that they wish the Court to
schedule a settlement conference.
(c) Failure to Cooperate. For failure to cooperate in preparing or submitting the joint final pretrial
order or failure to comply strictly with the terms of the joint final pretrial order, the Court may dismiss
claims, enter default judgment, refuse to permit witnesses to testify or to admit exhibits, assess costs and
expenses, including attorney fees, or impose other appropriate sanctions.
(d) Filing of Trial Briefs, Findings and Instructions. The joint final pretrial order must further
provide that trial briefs and requests for jury instructions must be filed on the first day of trial and
proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in nonjury cases must be filed before the last day of trial
unless the court orders otherwise.
(e) Additional Requirements. A Judge, in an appropriate case, may add additional requirements
to the joint final pretrial order, or may suspend application of this Rule, in whole or in part.
(f) Juror Costs Attributable to Parties. Each party shall also acknowledge that the Court may
assess juror expenses under LR 38.2.
COMMENT: Under LR 16.2(b)(9), any objection based on foundation or
authenticity will be deemed waived if not raised before trial.
Stylistic amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure took effect
on December 1, 2007. Pursuant to those amendments:
1) The reference to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3) in the third sentence of LR
16.2(a) was changed to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(B).
2) The reference to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3) in LR 16.2(b)(7) was
changed to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(B).
3) The reference to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(A) and (B) in LR 16.2(b)(8)
was changed to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(A)(i) and (ii).
United States District Court
Eastern District of Michigan
4) The reference to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(C) in LR 16.2(b)(9) was
changed to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(3)(A)(iii). (6/2/08)
November 2, 1998
United States District Court
Eastern District of Michigan
