Court Rules
Judge Mary Ellen Brennan
Judge

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Exhibits

  • Chambers Drop Off • At Least 7 Days Before Trial

Jury Instructions

  • Chambers Drop Off • At Least 7 Days Before Trial

Binding: Three Ring Binder

Motion

  • Chambers Drop Off • By Thursday At Noon

Trial Brief

  • Chambers Drop Off • At Least One Week Before Trial

Communication

Clerk6 contacts

  • efiling@oakgov.com
  • mifile@imagesoft.com
  • efiling@oaklandcountymi.gov
  • 248-858-5831
  • 855-959-8868
  • 248-858-0582

Chambers1 contacts

  • turnerk@oaklandcountymi.gov
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingTRO/InjunctionJuryBinders/TabsLettersExhibitsMemoranda

Document Format Requirements2 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important

Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted in electronic Word form.

Each party shall submit a copy of proposed jury instructions and verdict forms to the Court at least 7 days before trial in both paper (delivered to chambers) and electronic (Word) forms.

Required Format

DOCX

brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL TRIALS
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?

Jury instructions are due one week prior to trial and must be delivered to chambers in a 3-ring binder.

Summary: In criminal cases, jury instructions must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

Layout & Binding
Binding Style
Three Ring Binder
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 2|SecCRIMINAL CALL

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory

A motion will not be heard on its scheduled date if the praecipe is not filed.

If a praecipe is not filed, the motion will not be heard on the scheduled date.

Document Type

Praecipe

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory

Each party must submit proposed jury instructions and verdict forms at least 7 days before trial in paper form delivered to chambers and electronic Word form.

Each party shall submit a copy of proposed jury instructions and verdict forms to the Court at least 7 days before trial in both paper (delivered to chambers) and electronic (Word) forms.

Document Type

Proposed Jury Instructions And Verdict Forms

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL TRIALS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important

Exhibits should be marked before trial, with plaintiff exhibits numbered and defendant exhibits lettered.

Exhibits should be marked prior to trial (Plaintiff – numbers; Defendant – letters).

Document Type

Exhibits

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL TRIALS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important

A trial brief should include pertinent facts, issues to be tried, controlling law, and an analysis of evidentiary and legal issues.

The trial brief should contain a brief statement of pertinent facts, a statement of the issues to be tried, an identification of controlling law, and a brief analysis of the evidentiary and legal issues.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL TRIALS
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

To do so, the parties must submit a stipulated order that includes the name of the facilitator, and the date and time of facilitation.

Summary: A stipulated order for facilitation in lieu of case evaluation must identify the facilitator and the date and time of facilitation.

Document Type

Stipulated Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

The moving party must then file a praecipe for the hearing date.

Summary: After the hearing date is set, the moving party must file a praecipe for that date.

Document Type

Praecipe

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
brennan-mary-ellen-pro · p. 3|SecCIVIL

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

In criminal cases, attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings and are responsible for e-filing their own documents.

E-File: Attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings. Attorneys are responsible for e-filing their own documents.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | CRIMINAL CALL

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

In criminal cases, jury instructions are due one week before trial and must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

Jury instructions are due one week prior to trial and must be delivered to chambers in a 3-ring binder.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | CRIMINAL CALL

The Court will enter a scheduling order with a hearing date and briefing schedule within 21 days after a summary disposition motion is filed.

Once the motion is filed, the Court will enter a scheduling order with a hearing date and briefing schedule within 21 days of motion being filed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL

In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should reach chambers by Tuesday at noon.

All sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to turnerk@OaklandCountyMI.gov and/or delivered to chambers by Tuesday at noon.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | CRIMINAL CALL

Courtesy Copy Requirements

For all motions, a Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers by Thursday at noon; if not received on time, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.

Judge’s Copies: A Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers for all motions by Thursday at noon. If the Court does not receive a timely Judge’s copy, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026

Page 2 | MOTION CALL

A binder containing the exhibits should be delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial.

Please deliver a binder containing the exhibits to chambers at least 7 days before trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL TRIALS

In jury trials, jury instructions must be filed and delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial in a three-ring binder.

In jury trial jury instructions shall be filed and delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial in a 3-ring binder.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL TRIALS

In bench trials, briefs must be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial.

In bench trial briefs shall be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL TRIALS

Filing Bundling Requirements

Counsel must attempt to stipulate to exhibits before the trial date.

Counsel shall attempt to stipulate exhibits before the trial date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL TRIALS

The Court encourages parties to agree on jury instructions and submit them jointly.

The court encourages parties to agree upon instructions before submitting them and submit them as joint jury instructions.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | CIVIL TRIALS

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

A motion for summary disposition must be noticed for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”

Summary Disposition Motions – Please notice a motion for summary disposition for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026

Page 3 | CIVIL

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Scheduled trial dates are firm, and a motion must be filed to adjourn a trial.

Trial dates that are scheduled are firm dates. If you are looking to adjourn trial a motion must be filed.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026

Page 3 | CIVIL

The parties may stipulate to the first adjournment of due dates if the trial date will not be affected.

The parties may stipulate the first adjournment of due dates if the trial date is not impacted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026

Page 3 | CIVIL

Chambers Communication Rules

In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to chambers or delivered there by Tuesday at noon.

All sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to turnerk@OaklandCountyMI.gov and/or delivered to chambers by Tuesday at noon.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | CRIMINAL CALL

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 57 rules apply across Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Fees

All 14

  • MiFILE e-filing has no fee except for documents requiring statutory filing fees, which are paid through MiFILE and subject to a credit-card transaction fee of up to 3%.

  • Payment is charged to the filer’s credit card at checkout when the filing is submitted, and refunded if the document is rejected.

  • Applies to
    Complaint

    Select the statutory filing fee type on the complaint.

Filing Requirements

All 12
  • Applies to
    Pleading or document

    Combine pages into a document and combine any attachments with the main pleading or document before submitting.

  • Applies to
    Document
    Must include
    caption, case number

    The first page of each document must include the case number, case names, and document title.

  • Applies to
    Judgment of divorce

    File the Record of Divorce or Annulment form before or with the Judgment of Divorce; if filed together, submit them as separate documents in the same bundle, not as an attachment.

E-Filing

All 10
  • Applies to
    Pleading or document

    Separate each pleading or document into its own file before uploading; do not combine distinct documents into one PDF.

  • Applies to
    Civil case filing

    E-filing is mandatory for civil cases when starting a new case and when filing in an existing case.

  • Applies to
    Pleading or document

    Submit each pleading or document as its own document, not as separate individual pages.

Communication

All 5
  • Contact
    Email to clerk

    If a case number cannot be found in MiFILE, email the listed address to have the case added.

  • Contact
    Phone to clerk
    Phone
    248-858-5831

    Questions about ePraecipe may be directed to Oakland County Case Management by telephone.

  • Phone
    855-959-8868

    MiFILE technical and customer care support is available by telephone or email.

More categories

View all Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County rules
About Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

Elected to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court on November 4th, 2008 Former Presiding Judge, Family Court Division Former Presiding Judge, Family-Focused Juvenile Drug Court Graduate - James Madison College of Michigan State University Graduate - Wayne State University Law School Judicial Staff Attorney, 44th District Court 2002-2008 Assistant City Attorney, City of Royal Oak 1998-2002 Assistant General Counsel, Meadowbrook Insurance Group 1996-1998 Assistant Prosecutor, Oakland County 1990-1996

Circuit Court Judge, Civil Criminal Div In person courtroom: 2G Chambers: 248-858-0355 Clerk: 248-701-3183 Clerk: 248-807-9971

Common questions about Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: delivery by thursday at noon, by chambers drop off. For all motions, a Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers by Thursday at noon; if not received on time, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.

View ruleSource: page 2, section MOTION CALL

Does Judge Mary Ellen Brennan require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. A motion for summary disposition must be noticed for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's formatting rule includes binding three ring binder. In criminal cases, jury instructions must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CRIMINAL CALL

What must be included with praecipe filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. After the hearing date is set, the moving party must file a praecipe for that date.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL

What must be included with stipulated order filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A stipulated order for facilitation in lieu of case evaluation must identify the facilitator and the date and time of facilitation.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL

How may parties contact Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's chambers. The rule lists email turnerk@OaklandCountyMI.gov. In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to chambers or delivered there by Tuesday at noon.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CRIMINAL CALL

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Scheduled trial dates are firm, and a motion must be filed to adjourn a trial.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL

Does Judge Mary Ellen Brennan require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan. Counsel must attempt to stipulate to exhibits before the trial date.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL TRIALS

Is electronic filing required before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. In criminal cases, attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings and are responsible for e-filing their own documents.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CRIMINAL CALL

What filing deadlines does Judge Mary Ellen Brennan set?

In criminal cases, jury instructions are due one week before trial and must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CRIMINAL CALL
Complete rules summary for Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

In criminal cases, jury instructions must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

After the hearing date is set, the moving party must file a praecipe for that date.

In criminal cases, attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings and are responsible for e-filing their own documents.

In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to chambers or delivered there by Tuesday at noon.

In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should reach chambers by Tuesday at noon.

In criminal cases, jury instructions are due one week before trial and must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.

For all motions, a Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers by Thursday at noon; if not received on time, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.

The parties may stipulate to the first adjournment of due dates if the trial date will not be affected.

Scheduled trial dates are firm, and a motion must be filed to adjourn a trial.

A stipulated order for facilitation in lieu of case evaluation must identify the facilitator and the date and time of facilitation.

A motion for summary disposition must be noticed for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”

The Court will enter a scheduling order with a hearing date and briefing schedule within 21 days after a summary disposition motion is filed.

A motion will not be heard on its scheduled date if the praecipe is not filed.

Each party must submit proposed jury instructions and verdict forms at least 7 days before trial in paper form delivered to chambers and electronic Word form.

Proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted in electronic Word form.

In jury trials, jury instructions must be filed and delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial in a three-ring binder.

The Court encourages parties to agree on jury instructions and submit them jointly.

In bench trials, briefs must be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial.

A trial brief should include pertinent facts, issues to be tried, controlling law, and an analysis of evidentiary and legal issues.

Exhibits should be marked before trial, with plaintiff exhibits numbered and defendant exhibits lettered.

Counsel must attempt to stipulate to exhibits before the trial date.

A binder containing the exhibits should be delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial.

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