Judge Matthew S. Switalski
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Response, Brief
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A joint succinct statement explaining what the case is about must not exceed one paragraph.
Joint succinct statement as-to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Proposed exhibits must be marked before trial.
Have proposed exhibits marked prior to trial.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Deposition objections and supporting law must be submitted to the judge and opposing counsel at least 14 days before trial, with responses submitted seven days before trial.
If depositions have objections therein, the parties shall submit to the Judge and opposing counsel no later than 14 days before trial date, the objections with supporting law including argument, with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Document Type
Deposition Objections
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each trial brief must contain the specified factual, legal, asset, proposed-findings, conclusions, and requested-relief sections.
Trial briefs shall contain a statement of facts, issues, theory of case, memorandum of law, joint schedule of assets, and proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and relief requested (proposed property division, custody or parenting time, etc.).
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Fourteen days before trial, counsel must supply sufficient copies of a witness list identifying actual or probable witnesses, whether they will appear in person or by deposition, and specified information for medical experts.
Fourteen days before trial date, supply witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, if medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
Document Type
Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Any stipulations must be prepared in writing for placement on the record.
Prepare stipulations in writing, if any, to be placed on the record.
Document Type
Stipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Note
Whenever practicable, copies of exhibits should be furnished to the court and opposing counsel for use at trial.
Whenever practicable, copies of exhibits shall be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel for use during the trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If cases or statutes are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.
Summary: Any cited case or statute must be attached as a photocopy to the trial brief.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel shall have stipulations for entry or stated reasons for objections.
Summary: Counsel must provide either a stipulation for entry of each exhibit or stated reasons for objecting to it.
Document Type
Exhibits
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Unless the court otherwise permits, dispositive motions must be both filed and heard at least 28 days before trial.
Unless otherwise permitted by the Court, all dispositive motions shall be filed and heard at least 28 days prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Motions in limine and trial motions must be both filed and heard at least 14 days before trial.
Motions in Limine and/or trial motions shall be filed and heard at least 14 days prior to trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Deposition objections filed on the trial day will not be entertained absent a showing of good cause.
Objections to depositions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
The court will not entertain motions filed on the trial day absent a showing of good cause.
Motions on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Responses to deposition objections must be filed with the judge and opposing counsel seven days before trial.
If depositions have objections therein, the parties shall submit to the Judge and opposing counsel no later than 14 days before trial date, the objections with supporting law including argument, with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
The trial brief must be submitted at least two days before trial.
Submit a Trial Brief at least 2 days prior.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | ON THE DAY OF TRIAL
Witness lists must be supplied to the court and all counsel fourteen days before trial.
Fourteen days before trial date, supply witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, if medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Copies of motions, responses, and briefs must be mailed or delivered to Judge Switalski before the hearing because chambers staff will not print the judge's copies.
Additional comments: Copies of motions and responses (including briefs) must be mailed or dropped off to the Judge prior to the hearing. Judge Switalski's staff will not print Judge's copies.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Motion day
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Parties seeking a motion adjournment must contact the clerk before the scheduled motion day.
Motion adjournments: Contact Clerk prior to motion day
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Motion day
Chambers Communication Rules
Parties may request special scheduling times for motions in limine or trial motions by contacting the court clerk or secretary.
Motions in Limine and/or trial motions can be scheduled at special times to accommodate counsel. Contact this Court's clerk or secretary to schedule special time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
If the parties cannot resolve deposition objections, they must contact the judge's secretary to obtain a hearing date.
If the parties have not resolved the objections, the parties shall contact the Judge's secretary for a hearing date regarding the deposition objections.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL