Judge Karen Held Phipps
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Receivership Plan, Receiver Progress Report
Court-wide- Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Unless there is a true emergency, a trial continuance motion must be written and should be filed well before the final pretrial conference.
- A continuance motion should state whether the requested change is opposed after consultation with all other counsel.
- A continuance motion must state specific supporting reasons and, when applicable, an amended case schedule.
- +1 more
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Page & Word Limits4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Without advance permission to file longer documents, the Court may disregard memorandum pages beyond the Local Rules limits.
The Court reserves the right to disregard pages of memoranda beyond the limits set in the Local Rules, absent prior leave to file longer documents.
Memoranda
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A supporting or opposing memorandum or brief, including administrative appeals, shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages exclusive of any supporting documents. Any supporting or opposing memorandum or brief which exceeds fifteen (15) pages shall not be considered without prior leave of the Court.
Summary: Supporting or opposing memoranda and briefs, including administrative appeals, may not exceed 15 pages exclusive of supporting documents, and an over-limit filing will not be considered without prior leave of the Court.
Supporting Or Opposing Memorandum Or Brief
15 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A reply memorandum or brief including administrative appeals shall not exceed seven pages and shall be restricted to matters in rebuttal. Any reply memorandum or brief which exceeds seven pages shall not be considered without prior leave of the Court.
Summary: Reply memoranda and briefs, including administrative appeals, may not exceed seven pages, must address only matters in rebuttal, and will not be considered without prior leave of the Court if they exceed seven pages.
Reply Memorandum Or Brief
7 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Page limits (Local Rule 12 (PDF)) serve a salutary purpose given the heavy docket. Ordinarily, counsel should edit tightly and live within those page limits.
Summary: Counsel ordinarily should edit briefs tightly and remain within the Local Rule 12 page limits.
Memoranda
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be submitted in Word format.
Counsel shall confer and attempt to agree upon joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and send them to the staff attorney in Word Format via email three days before trial.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements26 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A motion for leave to exceed the page limitation must state the unusual and extraordinary circumstances justifying the request.
Such motion shall set forth the unusual and extraordinary circumstances which necessitate exceeding the page limitation.
Document Type
Motion For Leave
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A Local Rule 16.04 pretrial statement is required and filed three days before the final pretrial conference.
Pre-trial Statements in accordance with Local Rule 16.04 are required and must be filed three days prior to the Final Pre-Trial Conference.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must bring the court a separate exhibit list and copies of the trial exhibits.
Please bring a separate list and copies of trial Exhibits for the court’s use during trial.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Motions in limine may be filed only after counsel discuss the issues in good faith and certify that they have exhausted efforts to resolve them.
They may only be filed after discussion in good faith among counsel, and after counsel certify they have met and exhausted efforts to resolve the issue(s).
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every filed motion must include a working email address and phone number in its signature block.
Counsel shall include a working email address and phone number in the signature block of each motion filed.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
If the Civ.R. 26 Conference results in an amended case management schedule, the parties must provide a proposed modifying entry.
If, as a result of the Civ.R. 26 Conference, the parties wish to amend the case management schedule, the parties shall provide a proposed entry modifying the case management schedule.
Document Type
Amended Case Schedule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Trial exhibits must be pre-marked, copied, and exchanged before the final pretrial conference.
Trial Exhibits must be pre-marked, copied, and exchanged prior to the Final Pretrial Conference.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
After notice, a specific request by any party requires a continuance hearing to be scheduled and held as promptly as practicable, even if the original order was issued ex parte.
Even when an order is issued ex parte as provided herein, a hearing on the continuance of the order shall be scheduled and held as promptly as practicable after notice, upon specific request of any party.
Document Type
Request For Continuance Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
An ex parte hearing requires affidavits filed with the motion and a trial-judge determination that delay or attempting notice would cause extraordinary undue hardship or prejudice to the moving party.
No matter shall be heard ex parte unless, from affidavits filed with the motion, the trial judge determines that extraordinary undue hardship or prejudice would result to the moving party by any delay in proceeding or as a result of attempting to give notice.
Document Type
Ex Parte Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The trial judge fixes the time for submission and hearing of TRO, preliminary-injunction, receiver-appointment, and similar urgent equitable-relief motions.
Motions for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, appointment of receivers, or similar urgent equitable relief shall be heard and submitted at a time fixed by the trial judge.
Document Type
Urgent Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
An oral hearing on a motion is prohibited unless the trial judge grants leave following a written request by a party.
Oral hearings on motions are not permitted except upon leave of the trial judge upon written request by a party.
Document Type
Written Request For Oral Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Oral testimony at a motion hearing is prohibited unless the trial judge permits it for good cause.
No oral testimony shall be permitted upon any motion unless the trial judge for good cause directs otherwise.
Document Type
Motion Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every civil or criminal motion must be accompanied by a brief stating its grounds and citing the authorities relied upon.
All civil or criminal motions shall be accompanied by a brief stating the grounds and citing the authorities relied upon.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All prospective jurors must complete the court-approved Juror Questionnaire and any supplemental questionnaire approved by the trial judge.
G. All prospective jurors shall complete the "Juror Questionnaire" approved by the Court. If a trial judge approves a supplemental questionnaire, jurors shall complete the supplemental questionnaire.
Document Type
Juror Questionnaire
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
For an unopposed continuance or case-schedule change, counsel should submit the time-stamped motion and an agreed entry approved by every party for immediate determination.
If there is no opposition to the continuance or new Case Schedule, submit the time-stamped Motion and an Agreed Entry approved by all parties to enable the Court to make an immediate determination.
Document Type
Continuance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The final jury charge ordinarily must be submitted in writing.
The final jury charge ordinarily is submitted in writing in all cases.
Document Type
Final Jury Charge
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Proposed continuance entries should include blank lines for new final pretrial and trial dates and any other anticipated deadline changes.
Proposed Entries should contain blank lines for both a new Final Pretrial date and a new Trial date, plus any other deadline changes anticipated.
Document Type
Proposed Entry
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The Court may exclude trial exhibits that were not pre-marked and exchanged.
The court reserves the right to exclude Exhibits not pre-marked and exchanged among trial counsel.
Document Type
Trial Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
An agreed or unopposed motion should include a proposed entry uploaded through e-filing in Microsoft Word format, and the motion and order titles should identify them as agreed or unopposed.
Agreed/unopposed motions should be accompanied by a proposed entry uploaded in Microsoft Word format through e-filing. Please indicate in the title of the motion and order that it is agreed/unopposed.
Document Type
Agreed Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The counsel's name and the Trial Judge's name must be typed or printed on the journal entry.
Name of the counsel and of the Trial Judge shall be typed or printed upon the entry.
Document Type
Journal Entry
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Entries should state the reason for the entry or relate it to the decided motion and decision date, indicate whether it is final, and specify any claims remaining pending if the entry does not dispose of all claims.
Contents of the Entry (Amended 5-23-02) All entries should: (1) state the reason for the entry; or (2) relate the entry to the motion decided and the date of the decision; and (3) indicate whether or not it is a final entry. If the entry does not dispose of all claims, counterclaims and/or cross-claims, it shall specify what claims remain pending.
Document Type
Journal Entry
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Hearing evidence must consist of affidavits or depositions, which should be filed before the hearing when possible.
Evidence upon any hearing shall be in the form of affidavits or depositions which must be filed in advance of the hearing, if possible.
Document Type
Affidavits Or Depositions
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
However, trial counsel are required to discuss and prepare the case-specific portions of the charge. Identify any changes from OJI or other standard form instructions.
Summary: Trial counsel must discuss and prepare the case-specific jury instructions and identify changes from OJI or other standard forms.
Document Type
Final Jury Charge
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel shall file a certification setting forth all efforts made to provide notice to the opposing parties.
Summary: Counsel must file a certification describing all efforts made to notify the opposing parties.
Document Type
Restraining Order Filing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If counsel do not agree upon joint jury instructions, one draft shall be submitted to the staff attorney via email, with differences highlighted, three days before trial.
Summary: If counsel cannot agree, one draft of the joint jury instructions must be emailed to the staff attorney with the differences highlighted.
Document Type
Joint Jury Instructions
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The time and length of any oral hearing shall be fixed by the trial judge.
Summary: The trial judge must fix the time and duration of any permitted oral hearing.
Document Type
Oral Hearing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The proposed entry accompanying an agreed or unopposed motion should be uploaded through e-filing in Microsoft Word format.
Agreed/unopposed motions should be accompanied by a proposed entry uploaded in Microsoft Word format through e-filing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
Parties must serve Civ. R. 33 interrogatories, Civ. R. 34 production or inspection requests, and Civ. R. 36 admission requests under those rules, but must not file them with the Court.
Interrogatories under Civ. R. 33, requests for production or inspection under Civ. R. 34, and requests for admissions under Civ. R. 36 shall be served upon other counsel or parties in accordance with those rules but shall not be filed with the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | 21.04 Interrogatories, Requests for Production or Inspection and Requests for Admissions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A motion seeking leave to exceed the memorandum or brief page limits must be filed no later than seven days before the brief-filing deadline.
A motion for leave to file a memorandum or brief in excess of the page limitations set forth in 12.01 and 12.02 above shall be made no later than seven days prior to the time for filing the brief.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | LOCAL RULE 12. PAGE LIMITATIONS
The pretrial statement must be filed three days before the final pretrial conference.
Pre-trial Statements in accordance with Local Rule 16.04 are required and must be filed three days prior to the Final Pre-Trial Conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | III. Status and Pretrial Conferences
A response to a motion in limine is due seven days after the motion is filed.
Responses are due 7 days after the motion in limine is filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Counsel must confer on joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and email Word-format documents to the staff attorney three days before trial.
Counsel shall confer and attempt to agree upon joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and send them to the staff attorney in Word Format via email three days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
If counsel cannot agree on joint jury instructions, one draft with highlighted differences must be emailed to the staff attorney three days before trial.
If counsel do not agree upon joint jury instructions, one draft shall be submitted to the staff attorney via email, with differences highlighted, three days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Unless the Trial Judge directs otherwise, counsel prevailing in a decision, order, decree, or judgment must prepare and submit the proper journal entry to opposing counsel within five days.
Unless the Trial Judge otherwise directs, counsel for the party in whose favor a decision, order, decree, or judgment is rendered, shall within five days thereafter prepare the proper journal entry and submit it to the counsel for the adverse party
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
If counsel does not present the dismissal entry within 20 days after notifying the Trial Judge of settlement, the Trial Judge may dismiss the case for want of prosecution.
If counsel fails to present such an entry to the Trial Judge within 20 days after representation to the Trial Judge that a case has been settled, the Trial Judge may order the case dismissed for want of prosecution.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
Counsel must promptly submit an entry of dismissal to the Trial Judge after settling any case.
Counsel shall promptly submit an entry of dismissal to the Trial Judge following settlement of any case.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
If counsel fails to present an entry within 20 days after the decision, order, decree, or judgment, the Trial Judge must cause the proper entry to be prepared and filed without notice to counsel or take other appropriate action.
If counsel fails to present any entry within 20 days after the decision, order, decree, or judgment is rendered, the Trial Judge shall cause the proper entry to be prepared and filed without submission or notice to counsel or take such other action as may be appropriate under the circumstances.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
Unless a case-specific order changes the deadlines, responses to civil or criminal motions and reply memoranda must be filed within the periods in Civ. R. 6(C).
Unless a different period is set by order in a specific case, responses to a civil or criminal case motion, and any reply memoranda, shall be filed within the time periods set forth in Civ. R. 6(C).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | 21.01 Briefs, Time and Hearings
The Court generally does not review a motion until 28 days after filing.
Accordingly, motions are generally not reviewed until 28 days after they are filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
Unless the Court orders otherwise, a motion in limine must be filed at least 14 days before trial, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Unless the Court otherwise orders, Motions in Limine must be filed at least 14 days before trial absent a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Adverse counsel must approve or reject the submitted journal entry within three days after receipt.
who shall approve or reject the entry within three days after receipt.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
A discovery motion under Civ. R. 26(C) or 37 must be accompanied, contemporaneously, by copies of the disputed portions of the relevant documents.
If relief is sought under Civ. R. 26(C) or Civ. R. 37 concerning any interrogatories, requests for production or inspection, or requests for admissions, copies of the portions of the documents which are in dispute shall be filed with the Court contemporaneously with any such discovery motion.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 2 | 21.04 Interrogatories, Requests for Production or Inspection and Requests for Admissions
Once approved by counsel, the entry must be signed and presented to the Trial Judge and, if signed by the judge, filed with the Clerk.
When the entry is approved by counsel, it shall be signed and presented to the Trial Judge for approval, and if signed by the Trial Judge, shall then be filed with the Clerk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | RULE 25 - ENTRIES
Service and Proof of Service Rules
After filing a restraining-order motion, counsel must notify the opposing parties, and known attorneys, of the hearing date and time.
Counsel is then required to notify the opposing parties, as well as their attorney if such representation is known, of the date and time that the Motion will be considered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
The adverse party or its counsel must receive notice of the hearing's time and place.
Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served upon the adverse party or their counsel.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | 21.02 Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Appointment of Receivers
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must state specific supporting reasons and, when applicable, an amended case schedule.
Specific reasons supporting a continuance (and if applicable an amended Case Schedule).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | II. Continuances or Amended Case Schedules
Counsel must obtain leave of court before filing a motion or memorandum out of rule or after the case-schedule deadline.
It is necessary to obtain leave of court prior to filing a Motion or Memorandum out of rule or beyond the deadline set in the Case Schedule.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
Unless there is a true emergency, a trial continuance motion must be written and should be filed well before the final pretrial conference.
Motions for continuance of a trial date, absent true emergency, must be in writing, and should be sought well before the Final Pre-trial Conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | II. Continuances or Amended Case Schedules
A continuance motion should state whether the requested change is opposed after consultation with all other counsel.
Any such Motion should affirmatively state:Whether, following consultation with all other counsel, the change is opposed
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | II. Continuances or Amended Case Schedules
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must promptly notify the staff attorney when a matter requires urgent attention.
In the event that the matter requires more urgent attention, counsel shall promptly notify staff attorney Michael Walton.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
Counsel must promptly call or email the staff attorney or secretary when a case settles.
Consistent with Local Rule 22 (PDF) Counsel must call or e-mail the Staff Attorney or Secretary as soon as possible to advise when a case has been settled.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VIII. Notices of Settlement
Joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be sent to the staff attorney by email.
Counsel shall confer and attempt to agree upon joint jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and send them to the staff attorney in Word Format via email three days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Counsel seeking input on new trial or pretrial dates should email the staff attorney and identify conflicting vacations or court assignments.
If counsel would like input as to new trial or pre-trial dates, they should e-mail staff attorney Michael Walton or otherwise indicate their conflicting vacations or court assignments.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | II. Continuances or Amended Case Schedules
Counsel seeking referral to Magistrate Hunt for mediation should email the staff attorney and confirm that all counsel agree.
If counsel desire to submit their case to mediation with Magistrate Hunt, simply e-mail the Staff Attorney and advise that counsel are in agreement.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | VI. Mediation
Upon filing a restraining-order motion, counsel must contact the staff attorney to alert the Court and obtain a hearing date and time.
Upon the filing of a Motion for Restraining Order, Counsel shall contact the Staff Attorney to alert the Court to the filing and to be given a date and time as to when the Motion will be heard.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | V. Motions and Memoranda
If counsel cannot agree, one draft of the joint jury instructions must be emailed to the staff attorney.
If counsel do not agree upon joint jury instructions, one draft shall be submitted to the staff attorney via email, with differences highlighted, three days before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Court staff may not engage in unilateral ex parte communications or provide legal advice.
Counsel and unrepresented parties are reminded that Court staff are unable, both legally and ethically, to engage in unilateral, or ex parte communications, or to provide advice regarding legal rights or duties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | I. General
Copies of all emails to Court staff should go to opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.
Opposing counsel and unrepresented parties should be "cc’d" on all emails with Court staff.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | I. General
Counsel should alert chambers as soon as a case appears likely to require trial so the court can plan pretrial proceedings and a firm trial date.
If you have a case that genuinely appears likely to require a trial, alert chambers as soon as you know so that we can do our best to allow enough time for pretrial proceedings, to attempt to avoid scheduling conflicts, and to try to assign a "firm" trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Before ex parte contact with the Court, counsel should confer with the other side, obtain approval, or at minimum provide notice.
Counsel should set up conference calls with opposing counsel and unrepresented parties before calling the Court, or obtain opposing counsel’s approval, or at a minimum provide notice before contacting the Court ex parte.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | I. General
Copies of motions in limine should be emailed to the staff attorney.
Copies should be e-mailed to the Staff Attorney.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | VII. Trial Procedures
Email is the preferred way to communicate with the staff attorney, who may also be reached by phone at 614.525.4513.
Email is the preferred method of communication, but the staff attorney may also be reached at 614.525.4513.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | I. General