Court Rules
Judge

Judge W. Terrence O’Brien

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Pretrial StatementCourt-wide
200 wds
BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Exhibits

Court-wide

Motion

Court-wide

Opposition Brief

Court-wide
  • At Least 7 Days Prior To Argument

Communication

Email
charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk, Intake Unit

hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

412-350-4462
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

412.350.5400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Email
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

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

Documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SecStandard Operating Procedures
Formatting

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

Proposed orders must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

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

Required Format

DOCX

2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SecStandard Operating Procedures
Formatting

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

All documents must include attorney contact information, including an email address.

All documents should include attorney contact information including an email address.

2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SecStandard Operating Procedures

Filing & Service rules

Chambers Communication Rules

Parties should contact Charlene Baker for scheduling concerns or clarification.

If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Charlene Baker.

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

Page 1 | Standard Operating Procedures

Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

In order to contact the Court, please email the following:

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

Page 1 | Standard Operating Procedures

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 W. Terrence O’Brien

**W. Terrence O’Brien** 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: Senior Judge.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division: Senior Judge **Chambers:** 705 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.5898 **Official sources** - [Judicial directory and chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/)

Common questions about Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge W. Terrence O’Brien?

Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's formatting rule includes documents must be in pdf or microsoft word format. Documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Operating Procedures

How may parties contact Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. The rule lists email charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us. Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Operating Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge W. Terrence O’Brien

Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

Parties should contact Charlene Baker for scheduling concerns or clarification.

Documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

All documents must include attorney contact information, including an email address.

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