Honorable Lynne A. Sitarski
United States Magistrate Judge
U.S. Courthouse
601 Market Street, Room 3015
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(267) 299-7810
Fax: (267) 299-5060
Courtroom Deputy Clerk: Regina M. Zarnowski
[email protected]
MAGISTRATE JUDGE ASSIGNMENT:
Magistrate Judge Sitarski is paired with Judges Kenney, Quinones, and Surrick.
STANDING ORDERS:
See settlement conference order below.
JUDGE SITARSKI’S GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1. Professionalism. Judge Sitarski expects counsel and parties to conduct
themselves in a civil, polite, and professional manner at all times. All proceedings will begin at
the scheduled time, and punctuality is expected.
2. Correspondence with the Court. Judge Sitarski permits correspondence from
counsel on all matters, with copies to all counsel of record. Except for settlement conference
documents, everything sent to the Court must also be sent to all counsel of record, and be served
in the same manner. Judge Sitarski sometimes permits letter motions in lieu of formal motions.
3. Communications with Law Clerks. Judge Sitarski permits counsel to talk with
her Deputy Clerk and law clerks regarding logistical matters, but never on the merits of the case.
Counsel should never contact Chambers to inquire on the status of a pending motion.
4. Telephone Conferences versus In-Person Conferences. Judge Sitarski will
determine whether a telephone conference or an in-person conference is appropriate on a
case-by-case basis. Generally, telephone conferences will be used to deal with routine matters
such as scheduling changes, extensions of time, and routine discovery disputes. Counsel
seeking any such relief are responsible for initiating the conference by contacting Judge
Sitarski’s Deputy Clerk.
5. Pro Hac Vice Admissions. Judge Sitarski will permit oral motions for pro hac
vice admissions on the day that the attorney to be admitted first appears. On or before the date
of the non-admitted attorney’s first appearance, counsel must prepare an appropriate order to
memorialize the pro hac vice admission.
CIVIL CASES
Pretrial Procedure
Pretrial Status Conference. Judge Sitarski will schedule status conferences, settlement
conferences, and final pretrial conferences as required by the circumstance of each particular
case. Judge Sitarski will schedule either telephone conferences or conferences in chambers to
resolve any issues that may arise as the case progresses. Judge Sitarski does expect that counsel
will make all good-faith efforts to resolve any disputed matter between themselves before
seeking involvement of the Court. Counsel are expected to be mindful of the mandate of
Fed.R.Civ.P. 1 that the procedural rules “shall be construed and administered to secure the just,
speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.”
Continuances and Extensions
General Policy. Generally, Judge Sitarski will expect counsel to comply with the
requirements set out in the Court’s initial Rule 16 order. A scheduling order will be issued after
a conference with the parties. The Court expects that counsel will provide all information
necessary to set realistic and firm deadlines. Counsel will be encouraged to consider settlement
at the earliest possible stage and, alternatively, to consider discovery staging agreements that
permit productive settlement discussions before the parties are required to bear the extensive
costs of protracted discovery. Extensions will be entertained upon a showing that circumstances
beyond the reasonable expectation of counsel have hampered the progress of the case. Judge
Sitarski will not require a formal motion seeking an extension, and will consider requests for
extensions brought to the attention of her Deputy Clerk, who will set up either a telephone or
chambers conference.
General Motions Practice
1. Oral Argument on Motions and Evidentiary Hearings. Judge Sitarski will
schedule oral argument on motions if it appears likely to be helpful to the Court’s resolution of
the matter. Counsel may request oral argument if counsel considers argument appropriate, but
the Court will determine whether oral arguments will be heard. Evidentiary hearings will be
scheduled by Judge Sitarski’s Deputy Clerk in appropriate cases. The Court will endeavor to
accommodate the schedules of counsel and witnesses, consistent with the exigency of the matter
and the Court’s schedule.
2. Reply and Surreply Briefs. Judge Sitarski will permit reply briefs, but expects
such briefs to be concise, and to be limited to replying to matters raised in the opposition brief.
Reply briefs should not be used to raise new issues. Judge Sitarski will not normally permit
surreply briefs, and counsel who wish to file a surreply must first seek permission of the Court
before such a brief will be accepted.
3. Chambers Copy of Motions Papers. Judge Sitarski expects a courtesy copy of
all motion papers to be sent directly to chambers. Judge Sitarski expects that in most cases,
these papers will be submitted by email.
4. Rule 56 Motions. Any motion for summary judgment filed pursuant to
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56 shall include a separate Statement of Undisputed Facts which sets forth, in
numbered paragraphs, the material facts that the moving party contends are undisputed and
entitle the movant to judgment as a matter of law. Only those facts which bear on dispositive,
material issues shall be included in the Statement of Undisputed Facts.
A party opposing summary judgment must respond to the numbered paragraphs set forth
in the Statement of Undisputed Facts and state whether it agrees or disagrees with each fact the
moving party lists. The responding party shall also set forth, in separate numbered paragraphs,
any additional facts which the respondent contends preclude summary judgment.
Statements of material facts in support of or in opposition to a motion shall include
specific references to the parts of the record that support the statements. Each stated fact shall
cite the source relied upon, including the page and line of any document or deposition to which
reference is made.
Discovery Matters
1. Length of Discovery Period and Extensions. Judge Sitarski normally permits
from 90 to 120 days for the completion of discovery; however, she will consider the informed
view of counsel as to the time that will be required for discovery in a particular case. Additional
time will be allowed in complex cases or upon a specific showing of need. Judge Sitarski will
also consider staged discovery. She will encourage that the most essential discovery be
undertaken early in the case so that it will foster early settlement opportunities and minimize the
costs of litigation.
2. Discovery Conferences and Dispute Resolution. Discovery should be
conducted in a voluntary, candid, cooperative, and timely manner. Judge Sitarski expects the
parties to resolve discovery disputes without Court intervention. Should counsel be unable, in
good faith, to resolve their dispute, Judge Sitarski permits contact with the Court so that
telephone or chambers conferences may be set up to resolve outstanding issues.
3. Confidentiality Agreements. Judge Sitarski will permit confidentiality
agreements, subject to the requirements of Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772, 786
(3d Cir. 1994).
4. Expert Witnesses. The parties will identify expert witnesses and provide expert
reports pursuant to the Rule 16 scheduling order entered in the particular case. Failure to do so
may bar the use of the expert’s testimony at trial.
Settlement
1. When The Case Is Assigned to Another Judge.
a. Settlement Conference Memoranda. Settlement conferences will be
conducted via Video [Zoom]. Judge Sitarski will normally require counsel to submit a
confidential settlement conference memorandum one week before the actual conference. Judge
Sitarski permits each attorney to submit copies of up to five documents that he/she considers
critical to resolution of the case. An order outlining the matters to be covered in the
memorandum will be filed shortly after the conference is scheduled. These summaries shall be
submitted to the Court only and should not be filed with the Clerk’s Office. Judge Sitarski
expects that these submissions will include a candid discussion of the submitting party’s
strengths and weaknesses in the case.
b. Parties’ Attendance and Participation. Judge Sitarski will require that
each party or a representative of each party with knowledge of the case and settlement authority
participate in the conference. All participants should review and adhere to the Court’s Protocols
for Remote Video Proceedings. Counsel are specifically directed to ensure their clients review
and adhere to this Protocol. Link:
https://www.paed.uscourts.gov/sites/paed/files/documents/Protocols%20for%20Remote%20Proc
eedings.pdf.
c. Follow-up Contact. Judge Sitarski may, if appropriate, continue to work
with counsel after the settlement conference if the matter is not resolved at the conference.
2. When The Case is Assigned to Judge Sitarski.
a. Jury Matters. Judge Sitarski may, after discussion with counsel,
conduct her own settlement conferences using the above procedures. If that is not appropriate,
and if a conference is deemed worthwhile, Judge Sitarski will seek the assistance of another
magistrate judge to assist with settlement discussions.
b. Nonjury Matters. Judge Sitarski will not take part in settlement
discussions in a nonjury matter. In appropriate cases, Judge Sitarski will seek the assistance of
another magistrate judge to assist with settlement discussions.
Arbitration
1. General Approach to Arbitration Cases. Judge Sitarski has no special
practices or procedures for arbitration cases.
2. Scheduling Trial De Novo from Arbitration. Judge Sitarski will schedule trial
promptly when a demand for trial de novo is filed following arbitration. Judge Sitarski expects
that all discovery will be completed before the arbitration hearing, and will not permit additional
discovery in cases where a party requests trial de novo.
Proposed Pretrial Memoranda
1. Required Form of Pretrial Memoranda. Unless specifically provided for by
separate order, Judge Sitarski will require the use of the short form pretrial memorandum
described in Rule 16.1(c) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania. In certain cases, Judge Sitarski may require counsel to stipulate to uncontested
facts as generally set out in Local Rule 16.1(d)(2)(b)(2)(A-E).
Injunctions
1. Scheduling and Expedited Discovery. Judge Sitarski will promptly list for a
conference any injunction matters assigned to her. The scheduling of injunction matters will
depend upon the circumstances of the case and will be determined at an initial conference to be
attended by all counsel.
2. Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. Judge Sitarski requires
the submission of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in advance of the hearing in
all injunction cases.
Trial Procedure
1. Scheduling of Cases. Judge Sitarski’s cases will be specially listed for trial
based upon the Court’s calendar and the availability of counsel, the parties, experts, and critical
witnesses.
2. Conflicts of Counsel. Given the manner of scheduling, conflicts will normally
not occur. Should a professional or personal conflict arise that may affect the trial schedule,
counsel shall immediately notify opposing counsel and the Court. The Court will hold a
conference to address the conflict.
3. Parties or Witnesses. Given the manner of scheduling, the parties and witnesses
are expected to be available as needed for trial. If an exceptional circumstance arises, Judge
Sitarski will attempt to accommodate the schedules and availability of parties and witnesses,
while also being respectful of the jurors’ and the Court’s time.
4. Note-taking by Jurors. Judge Sitarski will consider note-taking by jurors on a
case-by-case basis.
5. Trial Briefs. Judge Sitarski encourages the submission of trial briefs when they
are necessary or likely to be helpful to the Court.
6. Voir Dire. It is Judge Sitarski’s general practice to preside over voir dire and
jury selection. Judge Sitarski permits counsel to conduct voir dire in all civil cases. Counsel
should exchange proposed voir dire questions prior to the final pretrial conference. Judge
Sitarski may conduct supplemental voir dire when appropriate.
7. Sidebar. Judge Sitarski strongly discourages the use of sidebar conferences.
Counsel are encouraged to raise particular evidentiary issues before trial or during recesses or
adjournments.
8. In Limine Motions. Judge Sitarski requires that in limine motions be filed and
served in advance of the final pretrial conference so as to give her an opportunity to consider the
merits of each motion.
9. Examination of Witnesses Out of Sequence. Judge Sitarski will permit
witnesses to be taken out of turn in appropriate circumstances.
10. Opening Statements and Submission. Judge Sitarski will discuss with counsel
the length of time necessary and appropriate for opening and closing statements, but will give
counsel reasonable latitude.
11. Examination of Witnesses or Argument by More Than One Attorney. Judge
Sitarski will normally not permit more than one attorney for the party to examine the same
witness, and will normally not permit more than one attorney to present argument on behalf of
the party on the same point.
12. Examination of Witnesses Beyond Redirect or Recross. Judge Sitarski will
generally restrict counsel from examining witnesses beyond redirect and recross.
13. Videotaped Testimony. Judge Sitarski requires counsel to review all
videotaped depositions and to have them edited so as to fairly present only the essential evidence
of the witness involved. Counsel are expected to resolve all matters pertaining to objections
before offering the videotape into evidence.
14. Reading of Material Into the Record. Judge Sitarski will request that counsel
read stipulations and pleadings into the record. Judge Sitarski discourages reading depositions
into the record, she prefers that a witness respond to the questions of counsel in open court.
15. Preparation of Exhibits. Prior to commencement of trial, counsel shall
pre-mark and exchange exhibits. Counsel shall provide Judge Sitarski with two sets of exhibits
in a tabbed, three-ring binder, together with a schedule of exhibits that briefly describes each
exhibit. Counsel are encouraged, however, to provide the Court with only the essential and
relevant portions of lengthy exhibits, together with sufficient material to provide context for the
relevant portion of the exhibits.
16. Offering Exhibits Into Evidence. Judge Sitarski expects counsel to attempt in
good faith to reach agreement in advance as to the admission of exhibits. Judge Sitarski has no
particular procedure as to when an exhibit may be formally offered into evidence.
17. Motions for Judgment as a Matter of Law and Motions for Judgment on
Partial Findings. Motions for judgment as a matter of law or motions for judgment on partial
findings in nonjury trials may be submitted in writing or orally. Judge Sitarski will ordinarily
request oral argument on these motions.
18. Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms. Judge Sitarski expects
counsel to use the Third Circuit’s Model Jury Instructions whenever possible. In cases that
include state law claims, Judge Sitarski expects counsel to use the model instructions, if any, of
the applicable state law whenever possible. Judge Sitarski requires counsel to submit joint
proposed jury instructions noting areas of agreement as well as objections. The points for
charge should be submitted with appropriate citations of legal authority and must be provided to
the Court at least two business days prior to the commencement of trial.
Counsel will submit a jointly prepared verdict form or proposed special interrogatories at
least two business days prior to the start of trial. If counsel are unable to agree, they may submit
separate proposed forms of interrogatories. She will accept supplemental points prior to the
delivery of the charge. Judge Sitarski usually conducts a conference on proposed jury
instructions. The proposed jury instructions and verdict forms shall be submitted electronically,
via e-mail to chambers, in Word format.
19. Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. Judge Sitarski requires
counsel to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in nonjury cases at the final
pretrial conference. They shall be submitted electronically, via e-mail to chambers, in Word
format. Supplementation will be permitted at the close of trial or in an appropriate case after
trial.
Jury Deliberations
1. Written Jury Instructions. Judge Sitarski generally does not submit a written
copy of the instructions to the jury.
2. Exhibits in the Jury Room. Judge Sitarski will consider what exhibits should
be sent out to the jury during their deliberations on a case-by-case basis.
3. Handling of Jury Requests to Read Back Testimony or Replay Tapes. Judge
Sitarski will seek the input of counsel and will then make a determination on a case-by-case basis
when requests are made to read back testimony or replay tapes.
4. Availability of Counsel During Jury Deliberations. In most cases, Judge
Sitarski will expect counsel to remain in the Courthouse during deliberations, and will expect
counsel to be available on short telephone notice and be able to be in the courtroom within 10
minutes.
5. Taking the Verdict and Special Interrogatories. Judge Sitarski has no usual
practice with respect to taking a verdict. Judge Sitarski will submit written interrogatories to the
jury. A copy of the interrogatories will be given to each juror.
6. Polling the Jury. Judge Sitarski will, if requested, permit the jury to be polled.
7. Interviewing the Jury. Judge Sitarski will permit counsel to interview jurors,
but only after the verdict has been recorded, and the jury has been discharged and told in clear
terms that they have no obligation to speak with counsel.
CRIMINAL DUTY WEEK
Practices and Procedures. When Judge Sitarski is assigned to criminal duty matters,
she holds the hearings in Courtroom 5C at 1:30 p.m.
At all criminal duty week proceedings, counsel, once appointed or retained, must be
present for all proceedings. Once the Court has ordered that a defendant be detained or has set
conditions of release, any proposed changes thereto must be submitted to the Court by written
motion.
Judge Sitarski requires that all relevant documents be delivered to chambers in advance
of all hearings and other proceedings. Counsel may contact Judge Sitarski’s Deputy Clerk if
there are questions regarding the matters before the Court.
OTHER GENERAL MATTERS
When a decision rendered by the Court is appealed, Judge Sitarski prefers to receive
copies of appellate briefs.
Judge Sitarski expects counsel to be prompt in all appearances, to be professional and
courteous to each other, both in the presence of the Court and otherwise, and to have discussions
with each other about any matter in dispute before it is brought to the attention of the Court.
Counsel should feel free to contact Judge Sitarski’s Deputy Clerk or law clerks if they
have any questions about her courtroom practices or procedures.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
XXXXXXXXXXX, : CIVIL ACTION
Plaintiff, :
:
v. : No.: XX-cv-XXXX
:
XXXXXXXXXXX, :
Defendant. :
ORDER
AND NOW, this XX day of , 20XX, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a
VIDEO SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE in the above-captioned case will be held on
XXXXXX, XXXX , 20XX, at 10:00 A.M. The Zoom conference shall be set up by the Court.
The Court will supply counsel with the Zoom link, or other needed information, by 4 p.m. on
Friday, XXXXX X, 20XX.
• Please notify the Court if settlement is not a real possibility.
• Parties/client representatives with full and complete settlement authority must be
present for the duration of the conference. 1 Full and complete authority means
the party must possess authority consistent with the most recent demand.
• Lead Trial Counsel for each party must be present at the Conference. Counsel
are expected to be fully familiar with the facts of the case, the legal theories
supporting their client’s claims or defenses, and the procedural posture of the
case.
• Please complete the attached settlement conference form and email it to
Chambers at
[email protected] on or before XXXXX ,
20XX. As indicated on the attached form, counsel shall include a synopsis of the
case with a discussion of the relevant facts, as well as a brief summary of the legal
issues affecting the party’s settlement position. The Court anticipates that in
most cases, the parties’ case summaries will not exceed five (5) pages. The case
synopsis should include a candid discussion of the submitting party’s strengths
and weaknesses in the case.
1
Parties include all persons, corporations or other business entities, and insurance
companies with an interest in the case, and each entity with an interest in the case must attend the
conference. In the case of corporate or other business entities, the corporate official with
ultimate settlement authority is required to attend. Where an insurance company is involved, a
representative with full and complete settlement authority is also required to attend.
• Counsel are also encouraged to submit a small number of documents that counsel
considers critical to their client’s claims or defenses (by way of example only:
the contract at issue, or excerpts therefrom; selected portions of critical medical
records; police reports; the “smoking gun” email). Counsel shall not submit
more than 20 pages of documents without prior Court approval.
• These submissions are confidential and shall be submitted to the Court only.
• ALL PARTICIPANTS must review and adhere to the Court’s Protocols for
Remote Video Proceedings in The United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania. Counsel are specifically directed to ensure their clients
review and adhere to this Protocol. Link:
https://www.paed.uscourts.gov/sites/paed/files/documents/Protocols%20for%20R
emote%20Proceedings.pdf.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the imposition of sanctions.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Lynne A. Sitarski
LYNNE A. SITARSKI
United States Magistrate Judge
COPIES BY ECF:
XXXXXXXXX, Esquire
XXXXXXXXX, Esquire
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE SUMMARY
Caption: ___________________________________________________________
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: __________________________________ JURY / NONJURY
(Circle One)
TRIAL POOL DATE: _________________________________
COUNSEL ATTENDING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Client:
CLIENT ATTENDING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE:
Name of Individual with Full and Complete Settlement Authority who will be present at
the settlement conference (include company and position where applicable):
________________________________________________________________________
MOTIONS PENDING:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PRIOR OFFERS / DEMANDS:
________________________________________________________________________
ATTACH SYNOPSIS OF CASE (UP TO FIVE [5] PAGES)
