The Law Mind

Western District of Pennsylvania

W.D. Pa. — local rules, ECF filing procedures, and judges’ standing orders, readable in full.

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Civil Rules (35)
16.1 D” to the Local Rules and filed with this Report
17.1 Minors Or Incompetent Persons -- Compromise Settlement, Discontinuance And Distribution
17.2 Settlement Procedure For Seaman Suits
23 Class Actions And Collective Actions
24 Notice Of Constitutional Question
26.1 Discovery Motions
26.2 E-Model Order” to the Local Rules providing a framework for
26.3 Certification By Serving Or Filing Electronic Documents
30 Videotape Depositions
31 Serving Notices And Written Questions In Electronic Form
33 Serving And Responding To Interrogatories To Parties In Electronic Form
34 Serving And Responding To Requests For Production In Electronic Form
36 Serving And Responding To Requests For Admission In Electronic Form
37.1 Referral Of Discovery Motions By Clerk Of Court
37.2 Form Of Discovery Motions
40 Assignment Of Actions
47 Voir Dire Of Jurors
52 Findings By The Court
54 Costs
56 Motion For Summary Judgment
66 Receivers
67.1 Bonds And Other Sureties
67.2 Deposit In Court
67.3 Withdrawal Of A Deposit Pursuant To Fed. R. Civ. P. 67
71 A Condemnation Of Property
72 Magistrate Judges
77 Sessions Of Court
83.1 to prohibit only speech that is substantially likely to materially prejudice ongoing
83.2 Admission To Practice And Appearance Of Attorneys And Students
83.3 B.4
100.1 Transfer Of Multidistrict Litigation
100.2 Publication Of Notice Or Advertisements
2241 Actions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241
2254 Actions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254
2255 Actions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255
Criminal Rules (19)
1 Citation And Applicability To Pro Se Defendants
5 Initial Appearance Before Magistrate Judge
10 Arraignments
12 Pretrial Motions
16 Discovery And Inspection
23 Law Enforcement Evidence
24.1 Jury List
24.2 Examination Of Jurors Before Trial
24.3 Communication With A Trial Juror
24.4 Juror Note Taking
28 Interpreters
32 may be modified by the Court
41 Inspection And Copying Of Seized Property
46 Types Of Bail In Criminal Cases
49 Electronic Case Filing; Sealing Of Documents
57 Assignment Of Cases
58 Procedures For Misdemeanors And Other Petty Offenses
83 Free Press -- Fair Trial Provisions
83.2 Pro Hac Vice Admissions
Electronic Filing (ECF) Procedures
Electronic Case Filing Procedures
District Forms (1)
Physician's Statement for Medical Excuse
National (AO) forms used in every district are searchable too — try “AO 440” or “subpoena to testify at a deposition” in Search.
Standing Orders & Judge Procedures (41)
Court-wide (17)
Administrative Order Regarding Criminal Justice Act Panel Committee Membership
Court Closure of Erie Division on December 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In Re: Assignment of Habeas Corpus Actions Filed by Alien Detainees
In Re: Authorization to Make and Amend Local Bankruptcy Rules
In Re: Designation of U.S. District Judges and U.S. Magistrate Judges to hear cases assigned to Erie and Johnstown Divisions
In Re: Disclosure and Service of Documents Filed Under Seal by the U.S. Probation Office
In Re: Pilot Program for the Assignment of Certain Civil Actions Filed in the Johnstown Office
In Re: Reappointment of Richard A. Lanzillo, United States Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In Re: Reassignment of Certain Civil Actions Currently Assigned to Hon. Stephanie L. Haines
In The Matter of Collateral Forfeitures for Violations of Rules and Regulations Governing Department of the Army Corps of Engineers Recreation and Flood Control Projects (36 C.F.R.
Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel
Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel
Order In Re: Assignment of Certain Civil Cases Pending before (Ret.) Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto
Order in Re: Assignment of Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee Actions
Order in Re: Court Closure on Friday, December 26, 2025
Order in Re: Court Closure on Friday, November 28, 2025 and Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Third Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge's designation of the Honorable D. Brooks Smith of the Court of Appeals to hold court in the District Court for the Western District of Pe
Arthur J Schwab Senior District Judge (1)
Practices and Procedures — Arthur J Schwab Senior District Judge
Cathy Bissoon Chief District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — Cathy Bissoon Chief District Judge
Christopher B Brown Magistrate Judge (1)
Practices and Procedures — Christopher B Brown Magistrate Judge
Christy Criswell Wiegand District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Practices and Procedures — Christy Criswell Wiegand District Judge
David Stewart Cercone Senior District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — David Stewart Cercone Senior District Judge
Joy Flowers Conti Senior District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — Joy Flowers Conti Senior District Judge
Judge J Nicholas Ranjan District Judge (2)
Brief Writing Preferences — Judge J Nicholas Ranjan District Judge
Practices and Procedures (rev 4/23/2025) — Judge J Nicholas Ranjan District Judge
Kezia O L Taylor Magistrate Judge (1)
Practices and Procedures — Kezia O L Taylor Magistrate Judge
Marilyn J Horan District Judge (1)
Standing Order and Procedures on Civil Motion Practice — Marilyn J Horan District Judge
Mark R Hornak District Judge (4)
Chambers’ Rules and Pretrial Orders — Mark R Hornak District Judge
Judge Hornak's Trial Procedures — Mark R Hornak District Judge
Law Clerk Hiring Procedures — Mark R Hornak District Judge
Sentencing Hearing Order — Mark R Hornak District Judge
Maureen P Kelly Magistrate Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — Maureen P Kelly Magistrate Judge
Nora Barry Fischer Senior District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — Nora Barry Fischer Senior District Judge
Patricia L Dodge Magistrate Judge (1)
Chambers’ Practices and Procedures — Patricia L Dodge Magistrate Judge
Richard Lanzillo Chief Magistrate Judge (1)
General Practice and Procedures — Richard Lanzillo Chief Magistrate Judge
Robert J Colville District Judge (2)
Practices and Procedures — Robert J Colville District Judge
Standing Order on Civil Motions — Robert J Colville District Judge
Stephanie L Haines District Judge (1)
Interim Standing Order — Stephanie L Haines District Judge
Susan Paradise Baxter District Judge (1)
Chambers’ Rules — Susan Paradise Baxter District Judge
W Scott Hardy District Judge (2)
Chamber Practices and Procedures (effective 1/1/26) — W Scott Hardy District Judge
Chamber Practices and Procedures — W Scott Hardy District Judge
Tip: everything on this page is also retrievable in Search (“W.D. Pa. LR 7.1”) and cited by Ask.