PRACTICE POINTERS
Contacting Chambers
The Court permits counsel to contact chambers personnel for assistance. However, the
Court admonishes counsel to read all orders provided in the case, the local rules, and information
provided on this website before contacting chambers. The Court wants chambers personnel to be
available to assist counsel; however, unnecessary phone calls to chambers are discouraged.
Questions concerning scheduling matters in criminal and civil cases shall be directed to
Lisa Hardwick. Questions concerning substantive matters in criminal or civil cases shall be
directed to Judge Mitchell=s Law Clerk(s).
Courtroom Procedures
Counsel shall stand when addressing the Court. Further, when questioning witnesses or
arguing to the Court or jury, counsel should do so from the podium and approach the witness stand
or jury box only with the Court=s permission.
Please stand when the jury enters or leaves the courtroom.
Motion Practice
Counsel are encouraged to make every effort to resolve discovery issues without the
necessity of Court intervention. The Court looks with disfavor on discovery motions, unless they
are of substantial import and the parties have worked diligently to resolve them by agreement.
Counsel are encouraged to use jump cites in cases cited to the Court and to provide specific
citations to the record. Further, Counsel may request oral argument in their motion or response.
Finally, the Court requests that the parties be judicious in their requests to exceed the page limits
provided for in the local rules. In this Court, less is better.
Objections
Speaking objections are prohibited. Counsel should simply state the objection and the
basis for the objection without argument, i.e., AObjection. Hearsay,@ or AObjection. Leading.@
