Judge Victoria A. Valentine
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Exhibits
- Chambers Drop Off
Reconsideration Motions
Summary Disposition Filing
Adjournments
- The first adjournment of the initial scheduling order is limited to 60 days, and the request must include the old and new dates.
Communication
Clerk6 contacts
- efiling@oakgov.com
- mifile@imagesoft.com
- efiling@oaklandcountymi.gov
- 248-858-5831
- 855-959-8868
- 248-858-0582
Chambers2 contacts
- valentinechambers@oakgov.com
- feinbergs@oakgov.com
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Briefs are limited to 10 pages, excluding exhibits, unless the Court expressly grants otherwise.
Briefs are limited to 10 pages, not including exhibits, unless otherwise expressly granted by the Court.
Brief
10 pages
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
The jury instructions provided to the Court must be in a Word document.
The parties shall jointly provide the Court, in a Word document, a FULL COPY of the JURY INSTRUCTIONS, fully filled-in (and ready to be printed for the jury) via valentinechambers@oakgov.com and nemera@oakgov.com.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
A witness permitted to testify remotely by Zoom must have a hard-wired fast internet connection.
If the Court does allow a remote Zoom Witness, he/she MUST have a hard-wired fast internet connection.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Confidential material must be conspicuously designated; paper may be marked on the first or applicable pages, and electronic designation must not alter metadata or may be placed on the storage medium.
A producing party may designate any document or other tangible information or thing as “Confidential” by conspicuously stamping or appending the appropriate designation. In the case of a paper document, a producing party may so mark the first page of a multipage document or each applicable page. In the case of an electronic document, a producing party may append to that document the appropriate designation that does not alter the metadata associated with the document or may place the appropriate designation mark “CONFIDENTIAL” on the outside of the medium (whether disc, hard drive, etc.) containing the document.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The parties must jointly provide the Court a complete, fully filled-in copy of the jury instructions ready for printing.
The parties shall jointly provide the Court, in a Word document, a FULL COPY of the JURY INSTRUCTIONS, fully filled-in (and ready to be printed for the jury) via valentinechambers@oakgov.com and nemera@oakgov.com.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Counsel or pro per parties must prepare and serve all parties, and email chambers, a short settlement-conference statement one week before the conference addressing the listed topics.
COUNSEL AND/OR PRO PER PARTY shall prepare and serve on all parties and email the Judge’s chambers valentinechambers@oakgov.com, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE, a SHORT statement, which: Summarizes the background of the action and the principal factual and legal issues; Detail all issues remaining; REV: 10/13/2022 ===== PAGE 2 ===== List all outstanding motions; Summarize settlement efforts, including whether the parties engaged in facilitation and/or other ADR proceedings; Whether parties have discussed arbitration; Discloses insurance available to satisfy all/part of a judgment, including indemnification agreements; and
Document Type
Settlement Conference Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A motion for summary disposition must include the specified certification above the signature.
Include this statement above signature: I certify that I reviewed the most recent Scheduling Order and this motion for summary disposition is timely and conforms to the applicable court rules.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
For an arraignment by mail, include a pretrial date no more than three weeks after the arraignment date.
Arraignments by Mail (ABM): This Court allows ABM. Please include the Pretrial date, which is not to exceed three weeks after the arraignment date.
Document Type
Arraignment By Mail
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
The parties must use the most current jury instructions.
The parties are required to use the most current jury instructions, the links are:
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Parties must discuss their settlement-conference statements with one another before the conference.
Parties are required to discuss their statements with each other, prior to Settlement Conference.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Cases are opted out of case evaluation; to opt in, submit a stipulated order to the Case Management Office.
All cases OPTED OUT of case evaluation. To OPT IN, provide a stipulated order to the Case Management Office.
Document Type
Stipulated Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Defendants on bond are scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.; defendants in custody are scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Defendants on bond are set for a Tuesday at 8:30AM and Defendants in custody are set for a Tuesday at 9AM.
Requirement
Document requirement
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Witnesses must have been named on a prior Witness List or must be stipulated to by all parties.
Summary: A witness may be included only if previously named on a witness list or stipulated to by all parties.
Document Type
Final Witness List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
This statement must not be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Summary: The settlement-conference statement must not be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Statement
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motions for rehearing or reconsideration must be e-filed with the Court, and a copy must be submitted to chambers by email.
MCR 2.119(F) governs Motions for Rehearing or Reconsideration. Please e-file with the Court and submit a copy to chambers via valentinechambers@oakgov.com.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Motions for Rehearing or Reconsideration
Emergency motions must be filed with the Clerk’s Office and a copy must be sent to chambers by email.
Emergency Motions must be filed with the Clerks' Office and a copy MUST be sent to Chambers at valentinechambers@oakgov.com.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Emergency Motions
Criminal adjournments may be submitted by stipulated order through e-filing or email, with opposing counsel copied; faxed orders will not be considered.
Adjournments may be submitted by stipulated Order via e-filing or email to nemera@oakgov.com with opposing counsel copied. Faxed Orders will not be considered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | Criminal Adjournments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The oral-argument hearing date must be e-praeciped and noticed under the court rule at least 21 days after filing.
Hearing date for ORAL ARGUMENT must be e-praeciped and noticed for hearing pursuant to court rule at least 21 days after filing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Summary Dispositions Motions
At least one week before the bench trial or hearing, submit an exhibit list identifying stipulated and/or proposed exhibits by email to the judge’s staff attorney and deliver hard copies of all exhibits to chambers.
▪ A LIST of EXHIBITS indicating Stipulated and/or Proposed must be submitted to Judge Valentine’s Staff Attorney, Shelli Feinberg, at feinbergs@oakgov.com at least ONE (1) WEEK prior to Bench Trial/Hearing AND A HARD COPY of all EXHIBITS MUST BE DELIVERED TO CHAMBERS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
The bench trial or hearing brief must be filed and served on opposing parties two weeks before the proceeding.
▪ BENCH TRIAL/HEARING BRIEF shall be filed and served on opposing parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
Each party must file a final list of intended trial or hearing witnesses and experts, excluding rebuttal witnesses, two weeks before the proceeding.
▪ Each Party shall file a FINAL LIST OF WITNESSES/EXPERTS intended to be called at the Trial/Hearing, excluding rebuttal witnesses.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
A party wishing to use audio or video technology must identify the items no later than two weeks before trial or hearing.
Any party wishing to use AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNOLOGY during the Trial/Hearing, must identify the items no later than TWO (2) WEEKS prior to Trial/Hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
A party requiring an interpreter must notify the Court no later than two weeks before trial or hearing.
▪ Any party requiring the assistance of an INTERPRETER, must notify the Court no later than TWO (2) WEEKS prior to Trial/Hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
The Court must approve a witness’s remote testimony by Zoom at least two weeks before trial or hearing.
The Court must approve a witness testifying by Zoom at least TWO (2) WEEKS prior to Trial/Hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The bench trial or hearing brief must be served on opposing parties.
▪ BENCH TRIAL/HEARING BRIEF shall be filed and served on opposing parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
The settlement-conference statement must be served on all parties one week before the conference.
COUNSEL AND/OR PRO PER PARTY shall prepare and serve on all parties and email the Judge’s chambers valentinechambers@oakgov.com, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE, a SHORT statement, which:
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | NOTICE TO APPEAR FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE WITH CLIENTS
A subpoena seeking documents or information from a non-party must be served with a copy of the protective order.
A copy of this protective order shall be served with any subpoena seeking documents or information from a non-party.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER
All motions must be praeciped and served with a Notice of Hearing under the Court Rules.
Motions: All motions MUST be praeciped, e- and served with a Notice of Hearing pursuant to Court Rules.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions
All other parties must receive notice of a request for a witness to testify by Zoom.
Notice of the Request must be provided to all other parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
Opposing counsel must be copied when a criminal adjournment order is emailed.
Adjournments may be submitted by stipulated Order via e-filing or email to nemera@oakgov.com with opposing counsel copied. Faxed Orders will not be considered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | Criminal Adjournments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Submit a physical copy of all summary disposition filings, with exhibits tabbed, to Chambers 5A.
A PHYSICAL copy of all summary disposition filings with tabbed exhibits must be submitted to chambers 5A.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Summary Dispositions Motions
A copy of each motion for rehearing or reconsideration must be submitted to chambers by email.
MCR 2.119(F) governs Motions for Rehearing or Reconsideration. Please e-file with the Court and submit a copy to chambers via valentinechambers@oakgov.com.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Motions for Rehearing or Reconsideration
A copy of each emergency motion must be sent to chambers by email.
Emergency Motions must be filed with the Clerks' Office and a copy MUST be sent to Chambers at valentinechambers@oakgov.com.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Emergency Motions
Hard copies of all exhibits must be delivered to chambers.
AND A HARD COPY of all EXHIBITS MUST BE DELIVERED TO CHAMBERS.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Confidential materials may not be filed except in sealed envelopes bearing the specified caption, inventory, and notice; only confidential portions should be sealed when practical, and non-disclosing references may be filed without sealing.
No documents, information, or things designated as “Confidential,” including that contained in pleadings, motions, briefs, declarations, or exhibits (except in sealed envelopes) shall be filed with the Court. Such sealed envelopes shall bear the case caption and shall recite a concise, non-disclosing inventory of their contents for docketing purposes. Additionally, in the case of materials or information designated “Confidential,” such sealed envelopes shall prominently bear the notice: CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. TO BE OPENED ONLY BY OR AS DIRECTED BY THE COURT. To the extent practical, only those portions of a filing with the Court that contains material designated as “Confidential” shall be filed under seal or provided to the Court for in-camera inspection. The Court and its staff shall maintain all filings so designated pending further order or direction from the Court. Provided that no “Confidential” information is disclosed, the parties may generally refer to documents designated as “Confidential” in pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, or exhibits filed with the Court, without filing such pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, or exhibits under seal.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 5 | STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer on an expedited basis in good faith to resolve objections to a Confidential designation before bringing an unresolved dispute to the Court.
Should any party object to a designation of any information, documents, or things as “Confidential,” the parties or the producing party shall, on an expedited basis, meet and confer in a good faith attempt to reach an agreement regarding the status of the information, documents, or things. If an objection is not thereby resolved, a party may bring the dispute before the Court on an expedited basis for a determination.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 4 | STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
An adjournment that does not affect the trial date may be submitted by stipulated order.
Any adjournment that do not affect the trial date can be by stipulated order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Adjournments
The first adjournment of the initial scheduling order is limited to 60 days, and the request must include the old and new dates.
Adjournments: irst adjournment of the initial scheduling order for a maximum of (60) days. Old dates and new dates MUST be included.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Adjournments
Pretrial dates should be Fridays, trial dates should be Mondays, and at least 45 days must separate them.
Pretrial dates should be set for a Friday and Trial dates should be set for a Monday. Please make sure there is a minimum of (45) days between pretrial date and trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Adjournments
Chambers Communication Rules
The parties must email the jury instructions to the listed Court addresses.
The parties shall jointly provide the Court, in a Word document, a FULL COPY of the JURY INSTRUCTIONS, fully filled-in (and ready to be printed for the jury) via valentinechambers@oakgov.com and nemera@oakgov.com.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | JURY TRIALS
The exhibit list identifying stipulated and/or proposed exhibits must be emailed to the judge’s staff attorney at least one week before the bench trial or hearing.
▪ A LIST of EXHIBITS indicating Stipulated and/or Proposed must be submitted to Judge Valentine’s Staff Attorney, Shelli Feinberg, at feinbergs@oakgov.com at least ONE (1) WEEK prior to Bench Trial/Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | Bench Trials/Hearings
Use the listed email address to correspond with Chambers or the Clerks.
Please use valentinechambers@oakgov.com to correspond with Chambers or Clerks.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | BUSINESS/CRIMINAL COURT PROTOCOL
Parties may contact the indicated recipient at any time to schedule a status conference and should email dates and times when all parties are available.
Parties may contact at any time to schedule a status conference. Please view the Hearing Schedule and email dates and times that ALL parties are available.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Court Conference