Western District of Washington Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

The Court encourages less-experienced or historically underrepresented attorneys to argue motions and allows multiple attorneys per party to argue a single motion.

The Court encourages attorneys with less experience or from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the federal bar, particularly those who were vital in drafting the underlying filing, to argue motions. The Court will allow more than one attorney to argue per party on a single motion to promote this goal.

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Parties shall submit notice under this provision by issue and speaker two (2) business days prior to the hearing to the Courtroom Deputy, Kadya Peter, by email at kadya_peter@wawd.uscourts.gov.

Summary: Notice required 2 business days before hearing for multiple attorney participation.

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Civil cases

The Court also encourages opportunities for junior attorneys and Rule 9 licensed legal interns to appear and to argue in Court, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Summary: Court encourages junior attorneys and Rule 9 interns to argue, permits multiple attorneys per party.

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Civil cases

The Court will generally grant requests for oral argument and will also generally grant requests for status or scheduling conferences. While the Court prefers to hold arguments in person, particularly on dispositive motions, the Court will consider requests for remote hearings.

Summary: Oral arguments and status conferences generally granted; in-person preferred but remote considered.

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Civil cases

The Court also encourages opportunities for junior attorneys and Rule 9 licensed legal interns to appear and to argue in Court, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Summary: Court encourages junior attorneys and Rule 9 legal interns to argue, permits multiple attorneys per party to create participation opportunities.

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While typically only one lawyer may present an argument or question a witness on behalf of a client, the Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine a witness to achieve this end (for example, so that an experienced attorney can supplement a new lawyer's arguments or witness examination questions with their own, if necessary).

Summary: Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine witnesses to facilitate less experienced lawyer participation.

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The Court encourages litigants to provide opportunities for less experienced lawyers and Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns (accompanied and supervised by an experienced attorney) to participate in all courtroom proceedings, particularly where they contributed significantly to the preparation.

Summary: Court encourages participation of less experienced lawyers and Rule 9 Legal Interns in courtroom proceedings.

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An experienced attorney may supplement a new lawyer's arguments or witness examination questions with their own if necessary.

Summary: Experienced attorneys may supplement junior lawyers' arguments if needed.

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While typically only one lawyer may argue on behalf of a Party or question a witness, the Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine a witness on behalf of a client to achieve this end.

Summary: Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine witnesses for junior lawyer participation.

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The Court encourages litigants to provide opportunities for less experienced lawyers and Rule 9 licensed legal interns (accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney) to participate in all courtroom proceedings, particularly where they contributed significantly to the preparation.

Summary: Court encourages junior lawyer participation in courtroom proceedings.

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Civil cases

Judge Cartwright encourages opportunities for Rule 9 licensed legal interns and junior attorneys to appear and argue in Court. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Summary: Encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue in court.

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The Court encourages opportunities for Rule 9 licensed legal interns, accompanied and supervised by a more experienced attorney, and for junior attorneys to appear and to argue in Court. Requests for leave for Rule 9 interns to argue in Court will be freely granted, and the Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for junior attorneys to participate.

Summary: Court encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue, permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.

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The Court encourages parties and counsel to be mindful of opportunities for new lawyers (practicing less than seven years) to conduct hearings before the Court, especially where these lawyers drafted or significantly contributed to motions and responses.

Summary: Junior lawyers with less than 7 years experience are encouraged to conduct hearings, especially when they contributed to the motion papers.

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Civil cases

(2) Eligibility. To qualify for inclusion and continued maintenance on the register of neutrals under this rule, an attorney shall certify that he or she: (A) has been a member of the bar of a federal district court for at least seven years or has had at least seven years of judicial experience;

Summary: Attorneys must have at least 7 years of bar membership or judicial experience to serve as neutrals.

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Civil cases

The supervising lawyer shall be admitted to practice before this court. The supervising lawyer shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law for at least three years at the time the application is filed.

Summary: Supervising lawyers must be admitted to practice and have at least 3 years of experience.

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Oral argument ................................................................................................... 34

Summary: Oral argument procedures section begins

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Civil cases

The parties shall be limited to twenty (20) minutes per side plus five (5) minutes for rebuttal unless otherwise ordered.

Summary: Each side limited to 20 minutes for oral argument plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.

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Oral argument is generally granted (1) when the Court requires it to better understand the issues and arguments; or (2) when requested by the party which the Court, after reviewing the pleadings, believes will not prevail on the motion.

Summary: Oral argument granted when Court needs clarification or when opposing party likely to lose.