Court Rules
Judge

Judge Matthew V. Rudzki

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Pretrial StatementCourt-wide
200 wds
BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Email

Motion In Limine

  • 2 copies

Exhibits

Court-wide

Motion

Court-wide

Communication

Chambers6 contacts

  • rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us
  • jobara@alleghenycourts.us
  • mgirlardo@alleghenycourts.us
  • ddougherty@alleghenycourts.us
  • 412-350-6883
  • 412-350-6885

Clerk3 contacts

  • civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us
  • hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
  • 412-350-4462

Other Contacts1 contacts

  • civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingProposed OrdersLettersExhibits

Document Format Requirements4 rules

Formatting

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Required Format

PDF

Rudzki-SOP-January-5-2026 · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecGENERAL INFORMATION
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A proposed order must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders must be attached separately in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.

Required Format

DOCX

Rudzki-SOP-January-5-2026 · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecGENERAL INFORMATION
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

If requested, proposed findings or a proposed order must be submitted in Word format to chambers by email with a copy to opposing counsel.

The Court may request submission of proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and/or a proposed Order. These shall be submitted in Word format to rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.

Required Format

DOCX

Rudzki-SOP-January-5-2026 · Jan 2026 · p. 3|SecNON-JURY TRIALS
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Plaintiffs must identify trial exhibits with Arabic numerals, while defendants must use letters.

Plaintiff shall identify exhibits with Arabic numerals, and Defendant shall use letters.

Rudzki-SOP-January-5-2026 · Jan 2026 · p. 3|SecNON-JURY TRIALS

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Shared files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as submission methods to the Court.

Share files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links may not be submitted to the Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A Housing Court motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records after the Help Desk provides its hearing date and time; obtaining Help Desk scheduling does not itself constitute filing.

Once the Housing Court Help Desk gives you a date and time for your motion, file the Motion with the Department of Court Records. Getting a time from the Help Desk is not the same as filing with the Department of Court Records.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | HOUSING COURT

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Every filed post-trial motion must also be served on the trial judge in chambers or by email.

A copy of any filed post-trial motion must also be served upon the trial judge in chambers or electronically at rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 3 | POST-TRIAL MOTIONS

Requested proposed findings and proposed orders must be emailed to chambers with a copy to opposing counsel.

These shall be submitted in Word format to rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS

A copy of the exhibits must be provided to the witness, opposing counsel, and the Court.

At a minimum, the witness, opposing counsel and the Court must be provided with a copy.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS

Courtesy Copy Requirements

A courtesy copy of every filing must be emailed to Chambers because the Court does not automatically receive filed-document copies.

With respect to filings, note that the Court does not automatically receive copies of documents filed with the Department of Court Records and a courtesy copy must be provided to Chambers at rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION

The parties must email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.

The parties shall email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses thereto to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 2 | CIVIL JURY TRIALS

Filing Bundling Requirements

Using binders for trial exhibits is preferred.

Exhibit binders are preferred.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 3 | NON-JURY TRIALS

Chambers Communication Rules

Court email addresses may be used to transmit filed court documents and address administrative scheduling matters.

Please note that communications through the Court’s email addresses shall be limited to transmission of petitions/motions/other filed chambers and inquiry regarding administrative (scheduling) matters.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION

Self-represented litigants must read the court website before directing inquiries to Chambers.

All self-represented litigants must visit and become familiar with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas website: www.alleghenycourts.us. Please read it before you direct inquiries to Chambers.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | HOUSING COURT

Parties may contact Chambers by phone or email for scheduling concerns or clarification.

Following review of these Standard Operating Procedures and applicable rules, if any party appearing before the Court has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in a case, they should contact Chambers at 412-350-6883 or rudzkichambers@alleghenycourts.us.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6883 for Melissa Girlardo.

Melissa Girlardo Judicial Administrative Assistant 412-350-6883

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6885 for Dana Dougherty.

Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Melissa Girlardo's listed address.

Melissa Girlardo Judicial Administrative Assistant 412-350-6883 mgirlardo@alleghenycourts.us

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Dana Dougherty's listed address.

Dana Dougherty Tip Staff 412-350-6885 ddougherty@alleghenycourts.us

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Jacqulyn Obara's listed address.

Jacqulyn Obara, Esq. Law Clerk jobara@alleghenycourts.us

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 4 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 499 rules apply across Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 193
  • Applies to
    Index of exhibits

    Custodians filing exhibits must include an index identifying each exhibit by the proponent’s number or letter, whether admitted or rejected, and by description or identification.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The cover sheet must contain the completed statement identifying the party on whose behalf the filing is made and that party's relationship to the case.

  • Applies to
    Petition for conservator
    Must include
    proposed order

    A petition for appointment of a conservator must include a proposed order of court.

Service

All 118
  • Service
    Publication

    When notice must be published in a newspaper, an affidavit by the owner, publisher, or designated agent proving publication must be filed before entry of a final order, decree, or judgment.

  • Service
    Publication

    All newspaper-advertised legal notices must also be published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal.

  • Service
    Electronic service to all parties

    After an accepted electronic filing, the DCR automatically notifies and may electronically serve prior electronic filers with verified email addresses, while the filing party must serve everyone else as required by the rules.

Filing Timing

All 71
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    After court proceedings conclude, the custodian must file documentary exhibits and specified photographs with the Department of Court Records within five business days unless the court directs otherwise.

  • The DCR electronic filing system generates a printable acknowledgement and sends an initial email confirming receipt and the receipt date and time.

  • After processing an electronic filing, the DCR emails the filing party the acceptance date and time or the reasons for non-acceptance.

E-Filing

All 36

  • Beginning November 13, 2023, all legal papers must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system unless an exception or court order applies.

  • All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

  • Applies to
    Petition to strike or open default judgment

    All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

More categories

View all Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge Matthew V. Rudzki

**Matthew V. Rudzki** is listed as a current judicial officer of the [Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/). The court's chambers directory records this officer as Civil Division.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division **Chambers:** 820 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.6883 **Official sources** - [Judicial directory and chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/) - [Published chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rudzki-SOP-January-5-2026.pdf)

Common questions about Judge Matthew V. Rudzki's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Matthew V. Rudzki?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motion in limines. Details: 2 copies. The parties must email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CIVIL JURY TRIALS

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Matthew V. Rudzki?

Judge Matthew V. Rudzki's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GENERAL INFORMATION

How may parties contact Judge Matthew V. Rudzki's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Matthew V. Rudzki's chambers. Court email addresses may be used to transmit filed court documents and address administrative scheduling matters.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GENERAL INFORMATION

Does Judge Matthew V. Rudzki require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Matthew V. Rudzki. Using binders for trial exhibits is preferred.

View ruleSource: page 3, section NON-JURY TRIALS

Is electronic filing required before Judge Matthew V. Rudzki?

No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. Shared files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as submission methods to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GENERAL INFORMATION

What filing deadlines does Judge Matthew V. Rudzki set?

A Housing Court motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records after the Help Desk provides its hearing date and time; obtaining Help Desk scheduling does not itself constitute filing.

View ruleSource: page 4, section HOUSING COURT

What service or proof of service rules apply before Judge Matthew V. Rudzki?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. A copy of the exhibits must be provided to the witness, opposing counsel, and the Court.

View ruleSource: page 3, section NON-JURY TRIALS
Complete rules summary for Judge Matthew V. Rudzki

The parties must email and deliver two (2) paper copies of any Motions in Limine and written responses to Judge Rudzki’s Chambers.

Parties may contact Chambers by phone or email for scheduling concerns or clarification.

Court email addresses may be used to transmit filed court documents and address administrative scheduling matters.

A courtesy copy of every filing must be emailed to Chambers because the Court does not automatically receive filed-document copies.

Send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

A proposed order must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

Shared files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as submission methods to the Court.

Plaintiffs must identify trial exhibits with Arabic numerals, while defendants must use letters.

A copy of the exhibits must be provided to the witness, opposing counsel, and the Court.

Using binders for trial exhibits is preferred.

If requested, proposed findings or a proposed order must be submitted in Word format to chambers by email with a copy to opposing counsel.

Requested proposed findings and proposed orders must be emailed to chambers with a copy to opposing counsel.

Every filed post-trial motion must also be served on the trial judge in chambers or by email.

A Housing Court motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records after the Help Desk provides its hearing date and time; obtaining Help Desk scheduling does not itself constitute filing.

Self-represented litigants must read the court website before directing inquiries to Chambers.

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Jacqulyn Obara's listed address.

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6883 for Melissa Girlardo.

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Melissa Girlardo's listed address.

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by phone at 412-350-6885 for Dana Dougherty.

Chambers judicial staff may be contacted by email at Dana Dougherty's listed address.

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