JUDGE PAUL A. MAGNUSON
PRACTICE POINTERS AND PREFERENCES
Contact with Chambers
• Judge Magnuson prefers that lawyers and their staff contact his courtroom
deputy, rather than his law clerks.
Motion Scheduling
• The courtroom deputy provides a hearing date when a date is requested
by counsel.
• Judge Magnuson does not follow the Local Rules with respect to dispositive
motion practice. A standing order is entered in each case describing Judge
Magnuson’s practice in detail. Judge Magnuson’s practice is also outlined
below.
• Oral argument on dispositive motions must take place at least 42 days after
the filing of a party’s motion papers. More often than not, the hearing will
occur more than 42 days after a motion is filed.
• The memorandum in support of a dispositive motion is due at least 42 days
before the hearing. Any opposition memorandum is due 21 days before
the hearing. Any reply memorandum is due 14 days before the hearing.
• When the moving party calls to obtain an oral argument date, it is up to the
parties to follow the dispositive motion briefing schedule. If the motion is
not fully briefed by the final date of the briefing schedule, which is 14 days
before the hearing, the motion hearing may be canceled and the motion may
be taken on the papers.
• As long as a party has filed its motion papers and has received a date from
the courtroom deputy before the deadline for dispositive motions as set in
the pretrial scheduling order, that party is in compliance with the pretrial
scheduling order.
• The parties need not meet and confer before filing a dispositive motion.
• Judge Magnuson does not refer Daubert motions to the Magistrate Judge.
A party seeking to schedule a Daubert motion should contact Judge
Magnuson’s courtroom deputy for a hearing date. This date will govern
the briefing of the Daubert motion, which is briefed according to the
dispositive-motion briefing schedule outlined above. However, parties
should be aware that Judge Magnuson rarely holds oral argument on
Daubert motions; the courtroom deputy will inform the parties if oral
argument is necessary. In addition, it is Judge Magnuson’s strong
preference that Daubert motions be filed and scheduled in conjunction
with motions for summary judgment if at all possible.
Written Submissions
• Follow the word count and page limits set forth in the Local Rules.
• If a party needs additional pages, a party must submit a written request in
advance to request additional pages.
• Judge Magnuson requests two courtesy hard copies of the memoranda of
law, and one copy of affidavits, exhibits, and other supporting documents.
In-Court Proceedings
• Be on time.
• Be formal in the courtroom—stand at the podium and formally address the
Court and counsel.
• Judge Magnuson has no preference as to which side of the courtroom the
parties sit.
• Judge Magnuson generally grants no more than 20 minutes to each side for
oral argument on summary judgment motions. This time limit varies,
however, depending on the type and size of case.
• There is no need to repeat facts that are set forth in the brief. Judge
Magnuson reads the written submissions in advance.
• If a party submits additional or new case law at oral argument, counsel
must first furnish the additional case law to opposing counsel and should
bring extra copies for the Court.
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Trial
• Parties are required to meet and confer in advance of trial and then jointly
submit to the Court an exhibit list on which they agree. Judge Magnuson
does not require this on jury instructions. He will, however, require parties
in a civil trial to agree on a jury verdict form before trial begins.
• Attorneys may request the opportunity to voir dire prospective jurors.
However, Judge Magnuson rarely grants such requests. If a party’s request
is granted, Judge Magnuson generally gives each side 10 or 15 minutes for
voir dire.
• With respect to videorecorded depositions, attorneys must confer and edit
the tapes to get to the heart of the matter. If the video is unnecessarily
lengthy, Judge Magnuson will curtail its use.
Settlement Conferences
• Judge Magnuson refers all settlement conferences to the assigned
Magistrate Judge or a special master.
• The parties can request a settlement conference at any time by contacting
the assigned Magistrate Judge’s courtroom deputy or by sending a letter to
the assigned Magistrate Judge.
• The Court is willing to engage in more than one settlement conference in
a case.
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