IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
, Case No.
Plaintiff,
-vs-
JUDGE PAMELA A. BARKER
,
STANDING ORDER
Defendant.
I. Governing Rules
This case is governed by both the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Counsel and pro se parties are ordered
to familiarize themselves with those rules and this Standing Order.
II. Partial Motions to Dismiss
The filing of a partial motion to dismiss will not excuse the filing of an answer, compliance
with discovery, or any other rules or orders. So as not to delay the overall resolution of the case,
proceedings will go forward while the partial motion to dismiss is being briefed and/or is under
advisement by the Court. Accordingly, defendants who timely file a partial motion to dismiss under
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b), must still file an answer. The deadline to serve an answer shall be calculated
as set forth in Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a).
III. Ex Parte Communications
This Court will not accept ex parte telephone calls to Chambers regarding substantive issues
in pending cases. The Court speaks through its docket. While it may be appropriate to call Chambers
regarding routine, non-substantive matters (such as requests for the dial-in information for an
upcoming status conference, etc.), it is not appropriate under any circumstances for counsel to call
Chambers ex parte for guidance or clarification regarding substantive matters, including matters
relating to existing case management deadlines, requests to file briefing, and/or inquiries regarding
the status of pending motions. All questions regarding substantive matters in pending cases must be
filed as a motion on the public docket, with the following exception. If a dispute arises during a
deposition that requires this Court’s immediate assistance, the parties may call Chambers for
assistance, but must do so jointly (and not on an ex parte basis).
IV. Protective Orders
This Court has a strong preference for the use of the protective order as set forth in Appendix
L to the Local Civil Rules. If any party seeks a protective order that deviates from Appendix L, the
party must email a redlined Word version of the revisions they propose to Appendix L to
[email protected]. That request must also set forth the basis for any deviations
from Appendix L. Joint proposals will be viewed more favorably
V. Meet and Confers
At any point in which the parties are directed to meet and confer, such a conference must be
conducted in-person, by video conference, or by telephone conference. Email communications will
never be sufficient to demonstrate a good faith effort to meet and confer. This Court’s separate
Discovery Dispute Order more fully sets forth the parties’ obligations in the event of a discovery
dispute.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Pamela A. Barker
PAMELA A. BARKER
U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE
2
