Judge Alan D. Hertzberg
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Court-wideExhibits
Court-wideMotion
Court-wideOpposition Brief
Court-wide- At Least 7 Days Prior To Argument
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Clerk, Intake Unit
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A proposed order should be attached separately in Microsoft Word format.
Proposed orders should be attached separately in Word format.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Documents should be sent in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word Format.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The post-trial motion must include the request for the trial testimony transcript.
The post-trial motion must contain a copy of the request for the transcript of the trial testimony
Document Type
Post Trial Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Petitioners must file one or more affidavits of service with the Department of Court Records to demonstrate proper service and posting.
Petitioners must demonstrate proper service of the petition and posting of the notice by filing one or more affidavits of service (see definition of affidavit in Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 76) with the Department of Court Records.
Document Type
Affidavit Of Service
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Unless the property is listed on the West Penn Multilist, the Disclosure Statement must include a recent appraisal and must state whether delinquent or liened property taxes will be submitted for extinction.
Unless the property is being sold pursuant to a listing on the West Penn Multilist, the “Disclosure Statement” shall contain a recent appraisal of the property. The Disclosure Statement also must disclose whether the Conservator will be asking Judge Hertzberg to extinguish any delinquent or liened property taxes.
Document Type
Disclosure Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Pre-trial statements are not required unless Judge Hertzberg orders them.
Pre-trial statements are not required for hearings unless ordered by Judge Hertzberg.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The parties, rather than the judge or chambers staff, must file pleadings, motions, briefs, and pretrial statements with the Department of Court Records in person or electronically.
The parties (and not Judge Hertzberg or his staff) are responsible for filing their pleadings, motions, briefs, pre-trial statements, etc. with the Department of Court Records, whether it be in-person or electronically.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Communications and Document Delivery
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A conservator must file a Disclosure Statement 30 days before the hearing on the application to transfer or sell the property.
After a conservator is appointed and fully rehabilitates the property, Judge Hertzberg requires the filing of a “Disclosure Statement” 30 days before the hearing on the Conservator’s application to transfer or sell the property.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorships
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A motion in limine must be served on the opposition at least five days before trial and sufficiently earlier to allow counsel and the parties to attempt to resolve the issue themselves.
Motions in Limine should be served on the opposition sufficiently in advance of trial to allow time for counsel and the parties to attempt to resolve the issue on their own. In no event shall a motion in linmine be served on the opposition less than 5 days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | Trials
The abandoned-and-blighted-property hearing will not be scheduled until the petition is properly served and the notice is posted on the property.
Judge Hertzberg will not schedule the hearing on whether a property is abandoned and blighted until after proper service of the petition on the owner (as well as others) and posting of the notice of filing on the property.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorships
A copy of every post-trial motion must be served on Judge Hertzberg.
A copy of a post-trial motion must be served on Judge Hertzberg.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | Post-Trial Motions
Chambers Communication Rules
Email may not be sent directly to Judge Hertzberg unless the judge or staff authorizes it.
Do not send email directly to Judge Hertzberg unless authorized to do so by Judge Hertzberg or staff.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Communications and Document Delivery
Parties may call chambers at the listed number to speak with staff or leave a voicemail.
You may call chambers at 412-350-6333 to speak with a staff person, or, if none is available, to leave a voicemail message.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Communications and Document Delivery
If chambers has not responded within 10 business days, the sender should call chambers to confirm receipt of the request.
We do our best to respond to inquiries promptly. If you do not hear back from chambers within 10 business days, please call to insure we received the request.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | Communications and Document Delivery
Requests to schedule arguments, hearings, conferences, trials, or other court intervention should be made by telephone at 412-350-633 or email to shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us.
Requests to schedule arguments, hearings, conferences, trials or other court intervention should be made by telephoning 412-350-633 or emailing shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | Class Actions
When emailing the court, all parties must be included in the To or CC fields unless directed otherwise, and opposing parties or counsel must not be placed in BCC.
When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. The email addresses of the other parties/opposing counsel must be included in either the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Please do NOT “BCC” the other parties/opposing counsel on your communications.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Communications and Document Delivery
Electronic communications should be sent to the listed chambers email address.
Please send electronic communications to shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Communications and Document Delivery