Judge Lynne A. Sitarski
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- Upon request
Adjournments
- Extension requests do not require a formal motion; contact the Deputy Clerk to arrange a conference.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Page & Word Limits6 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please complete the attached settlement conference form and email it to Chambers at Chambers_sitarski@paed.uscourts.gov 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.
Summary: Settlement conference submissions limited to 5 pages.
Settlement Conference Submission
5 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel shall not submit more than 20 pages of documents without prior Court approval.
Summary: Document submissions for settlement conference limited to 20 pages without Court approval.
Settlement Conference Documents
20 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
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.
Summary: Reply briefs permitted but limited; surreplies require permission
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
ATTACH SYNOPSIS OF CASE (UP TO FIVE [5] PAGES)
Summary: Case synopsis attachment for settlement conference is limited to 5 pages.
Case Synopsis
5 pages
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Counsel shall not submit more than 20 pages of documents without prior Court approval.
Summary: Supporting documents for settlement conferences are limited to 20 pages without prior approval.
20 pages
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The Court anticipates that in most cases, the parties' case summaries will not exceed five (5) pages.
Summary: Case summaries for settlement conferences should not exceed 5 pages.
5 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Exhibits must be provided in two sets, in a tabbed three-ring binder with a schedule.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The proposed jury instructions and verdict forms shall be submitted electronically, via e-mail to chambers, in Word format.
Summary: Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted electronically via email in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements49 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Surreply briefs not normally permitted; prior court permission required.
Document Type
Sur Reply
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: All factual statements in motions must include specific record citations with page and line numbers
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Parties must identify expert witnesses and provide reports per Rule 16 scheduling order; failure may bar testimony.
Document Type
Notice Of Appearance
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Rule 56 summary judgment motions must include a separate Statement of Undisputed Facts in numbered paragraphs.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Summary judgment motions require a separate Statement of Undisputed Facts in numbered paragraphs
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Statements of material facts must cite specific record references including page and line numbers.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Opposition to summary judgment must respond to each numbered paragraph in the Statement of Undisputed Facts
Document Type
Opposition
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: All discovery must be completed before arbitration; no additional discovery allowed if trial de novo is requested
Document Type
Discovery Plan
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
These summaries shall be submitted to the Court only and should not be filed with the Clerk's Office.
Summary: Settlement conference memoranda must be submitted to the Court only, not filed with the Clerk.
Document Type
Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski will normally require counsel to submit a confidential settlement conference memorandum one week before the actual conference.
Summary: Settlement conference memorandum must be submitted one week before the conference.
Document Type
Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Parties must have representative with settlement authority participate in settlement conference
Document Type
Settlement Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Expert witnesses must be identified and reports provided per Rule 16 scheduling order; failure may bar testimony
Document Type
Expert Report
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski will normally require counsel to submit a confidential settlement conference memorandum one week before the actual conference.
Summary: Confidential settlement conference memorandum required one week before conference
Document Type
Settlement Conference Memorandum
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski requires the submission of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in advance of the hearing in all injunction cases.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be submitted before injunction hearings.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski requires the submission of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in advance of the hearing in all injunction cases.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law required for all injunction cases.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Videotaped depositions must be edited to present only essential evidence, with objections resolved before trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Normally only one attorney per party for witness examination and argument.
Document Type
Attorney Participation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Videotaped depositions must be reviewed and edited to present essential evidence.
Document Type
Videotaped Deposition
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: In limine motions must be filed and served before final pretrial conference.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski will generally restrict counsel from examining witnesses beyond redirect and recross.
Summary: Witness examination limited to redirect and recross.
Document Type
Witness Examination
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Two tabbed three-ring binder sets of exhibits required before trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: In limine motions must be filed and served before the final pretrial conference.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Joint proposed jury instructions with citations must be submitted 2 business days before trial.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Jointly prepared verdict form or special interrogatories must be submitted at least two business days before trial start.
Document Type
Verdict Form
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law required in nonjury cases at final pretrial conference.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be submitted at final pretrial conference in Word format via email for nonjury cases.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Joint verdict form or special interrogatories must be submitted 2 business days before trial.
Document Type
Verdict Form
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The proposed jury instructions and verdict forms shall be submitted electronically, via e-mail to chambers, in Word format.
Summary: Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted electronically via email to chambers in Word format.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Points for charge must include legal citations and be submitted at least two business days before trial.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Sitarski requires that all relevant documents be delivered to chambers in advance of all hearings and other proceedings.
Summary: All relevant documents must be delivered to chambers in advance of all hearings.
Document Type
Hearing Documents
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Parties/client representatives with full and complete settlement authority must be present for the duration of the conference. Full and complete authority means the party must possess authority consistent with the most recent demand.
Summary: Parties with full settlement authority must attend settlement conference.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Participation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Lead trial counsel must attend settlement conference and be fully familiar with case.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Participation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please complete the attached settlement conference form and email it to Chambers at Chambers_sitarski@paed.uscourts.gov on or before XXXXX , 20XX.
Summary: Settlement conference form must be emailed to Chambers by deadline.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: All participants must review and adhere to Court’s Remote Video Proceedings Protocols.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Protocols
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
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.
Summary: Reply briefs permitted but must be concise and limited to matters raised in opposition; no new issues allowed.
Document Type
Reply
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Counsel should exchange proposed voir dire questions prior to the final pretrial conference.
Summary: Proposed voir dire questions must be exchanged before the final pretrial conference.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
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.
Summary: Stipulations and pleadings read into record; depositions discouraged.
Document Type
Record Reading
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
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.
Summary: Counsel must be prompt, professional, courteous, and discuss disputes before bringing them to court.
Document Type
General Practice
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Please notify the Court if settlement is not a real possibility.
Summary: Parties must notify Court if settlement is not a real possibility.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Notification
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
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.
Summary: Oral argument scheduled at court's discretion, may be requested
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
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.
Summary: Oral pro hac vice motions permitted on first appearance day
Document Type
Pro Hac Vice Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Sitarski will permit confidentiality agreements, subject to the requirements of Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772, 786 (3d Cir. 1994).
Summary: Confidentiality agreements permitted subject to Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg requirements
Document Type
Confidentiality Agreement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
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.
Summary: Standard discovery period is 90-120 days, but may be adjusted based on counsel's input
Document Type
Discovery Plan
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Sitarski permits each attorney to submit copies of up to five documents that he/she considers critical to resolution of the case.
Summary: Attorneys may submit up to five critical documents with settlement conference memorandum
Document Type
Settlement Conference Memorandum
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Sitarski will permit witnesses to be taken out of turn in appropriate circumstances.
Summary: Witnesses may be examined out of sequence in appropriate circumstances.
Document Type
Witness Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Sitarski encourages the submission of trial briefs when they are necessary or likely to be helpful to the Court.
Summary: Trial briefs encouraged when necessary or helpful.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Counsel are encouraged 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.
Summary: Only essential portions of lengthy exhibits should be provided to court.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Sitarski will discuss with counsel the length of time necessary and appropriate for opening and closing statements, but will give counsel reasonable latitude.
Summary: Reasonable latitude for opening/closing statements length.
Document Type
Opening Closing Statements
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
These submissions are confidential and shall be submitted to the Court only.
Summary: Settlement conference submissions are confidential and for Court only.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Submission
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
All relevant documents must be delivered to chambers in advance of hearings and proceedings.
Judge Sitarski requires that all relevant documents be delivered to chambers in advance of all hearings and other proceedings.
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Page 8 | CRIMINAL DUTY WEEK
Judge Sitarski prefers to receive copies of appellate briefs when decisions are appealed.
When a decision rendered by the Court is appealed, Judge Sitarski prefers to receive copies of appellate briefs.
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Page 8 | OTHER GENERAL MATTERS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Conference on proposed jury instructions is usually conducted.
Judge Sitarski usually conducts a conference on proposed jury instructions.
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Page 7 | Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Extension requests do not require a formal motion; contact the Deputy Clerk to arrange a conference.
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.
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Page 2 | Continuances and Extensions
Chambers Communication Rules
All correspondence to court must be copied to all counsel of record
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.
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Page 1 | Correspondence with the Court
Settlement conference form must be emailed to Chambers at the specified email address by the deadline.
Please complete the attached settlement conference form and email it to Chambers at Chambers_sitarski@paed.uscourts.gov on or before XXXXX , 20XX.
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Chambers communication limited to logistical matters only
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.
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Page 1 | Communications with Law Clerks
Status inquiries to Chambers are prohibited.
Counsel should never contact Chambers to inquire on the status of a pending motion.
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Page 1 | Communications with Law Clerks
Counsel must remain in the Courthouse during jury deliberations and be available within 10 minutes.
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.
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Page 7 | Availability of Counsel During Jury Deliberations
Telephone conferences for scheduling changes and extensions must be initiated by contacting the Deputy Clerk.
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.
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Page 1 | Telephone Conferences versus In-Person Conferences
Counsel may contact chambers to schedule telephone or chambers conferences to resolve discovery disputes.
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.
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Page 3 | Discovery Matters
Discovery disputes should be resolved without court intervention; chambers conferences available if good faith efforts fail
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.
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Page 3 | Discovery Matters
Motion papers to chambers should be submitted by email.
Judge Sitarski expects that in most cases, these papers will be submitted by email.
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Page 3 | General Motions Practice
Counsel may contact Deputy Clerk or law clerks with questions about courtroom practices.
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.
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Page 8 | OTHER GENERAL MATTERS
Counsel may contact Deputy Clerk or law clerks with questions about courtroom practices.
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.
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Page 8 | OTHER GENERAL MATTERS