Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon request
Adjournments
- Trial continuances require good cause beyond normal litigation; discovery delays or settlement discussions don't qualify.
Request must include
Communication
In Person
Chambers
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Counsel should follow LCR 51’s guidance on the format of proposed instructions.
Counsel should follow the guidance set forth in LCR 51 regarding the format of proposed instructions.
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Exhibits must be numbered as follows: Plaintiff: 001 - 499 Defendant: 500 – forward
Summary: Exhibits must be numbered: Plaintiff 001-499, Defendant 500+.
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Exhibits must be presented to the Court prior to the trial date. Exhibits are to be delivered in the following format:
Summary: Electronic exhibits must be submitted before trial in specific format.
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Exhibits should be numbered as follows on the Word list: Plaintiff: 001 – 499 Defendant: 500 – forward
Summary: Exhibit list must use same numbering: Plaintiff 001-499, Defendant 500+.
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The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by
Summary: Courtesy copies must include ECF-generated header.
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Courtesy copies should be printed double-sided. Courtesy copies should be three-hole punched and tabbed but not submitted in a three-ring binder, to avoid waste.
Summary: Courtesy copies must be double-sided, three-hole punched, and tabbed.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each side’s set of proposed jury instructions should include a proposed verdict form.
Each side's set of proposed instructions should also include a proposed verdict form.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel are expected to submit agreed further instructions and each side’s disputed proposed instructions, with explanations and citations supporting differing positions.
Counsel will be expected to submit to the Court (1) any further instructions upon which the opposing parties have conferred and agreed and (2) each side's proposed jury instructions upon which no agreement has been reached, along with explanations and any citations supporting differing positions.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Note
Parties need not submit instructions that are included in the Court’s standard set.
Any instructions included in the standard set need not be submitted by any party.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
An exhibit list in Microsoft Word format must be emailed to the Court prior to the trial date. Please email to mary_trent@wawd.uscourts.gov
Summary: Exhibit list in Word format must be emailed before trial.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed jury instructions should be filed on ECF and emailed as a Word version to the specified address.
Proposed jury instructions should be filed on ECF and submitted via email as a Word version to cartwrightorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies welcomed but not required for pleadings over 50 pages or upon request.
Courtesy copies are welcomed but not required for pleadings that in the aggregate (i.e., the brief plus any declarations or exhibits) are longer than 50 pages or upon Court request. If a party believes that courtesy copies may be helpful, such as for complex graphs or images best viewed in color, the party may submit a courtesy copy to chambers for the Court's ease of reference. The courtesy copy must be the version of the document with the header generated by
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Page 2 | COURTESY COPIES
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
For in camera review, send electronic copy to Mary Trent; if over 50 pages, also deliver physical copy to Tacoma Clerk's Office.
If the Court orders a party to submit documents for in camera review, the party shall send an electronic copy of the documents to Courtroom Deputy Mary Trent at Mary_Trent@wawd.uscourts.gov. If the document is longer than 50 pages, the party shall also deliver a physical copy of the documents to the Tacoma Clerk's Office, clearly marked for in camera review to avoid inadvertent filing on the docket.
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Page 3 | VI. IN CAMERA REVIEW
Filing Bundling Requirements
Encouraged alternate briefing schedule for cross-motions (4 briefs instead of 6).
Judge Cartwright encourages parties filing cross-motions to agree to an alternate briefing schedule allowing for four briefs (one cross-motion, second cross-motion/opposition, opposition/reply, and reply) rather than a full six briefs (motion, opposition, and reply for each cross-motion). If the parties can reach an agreement on such a schedule and any necessary adjustments to the page/word limits, they shall submit a stipulated motion and proposed order for the Court's approval.
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Page 2 | CROSS-MOTIONS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Discovery disputes require conference and 3-page joint statement before filing motions.
As required by LCR 37(a), all discovery matters are to be resolved by agreement if possible. If agreement is not possible, before filing any discovery motions, Judge Cartwright requires the parties to request a conference with the Court. See FRCP 16(b)(3)(B)(v). The moving party must submit a joint statement to the Court briefly identifying the issue(s) in dispute. The joint statement shall be no more than three pages and shall be filed via CM/ECF.
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Page 2 | DISCOVERY DISPUTES
Dispositive and expert testimony challenges must be filed 4 months before trial with hearing set within 4 weeks.
All dispositive motions and motions challenging expert witness testimony must be filed by this date (see LCR 7(d)). Such motions must be noted for consideration no later than the fourth Friday thereafter (see LCR 7(d)).
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Page 5 | Dispositive motions deadline
Stipulated motions with non-compliant schedules will be denied.
Stipulated motions proposing a schedule that does not comply with this requirement will be denied.
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Page 5 | Stipulated motions scheduling
Discovery-related motions must be filed 6 months before trial.
All motions related to discovery must be filed by TR – 6 mos
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Page 5 | Discovery motions deadline
Motions in limine must be filed 37 days before trial.
All motions in limine must be filed by TR – 37 days
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Page 6 | Motions in limine deadline
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuances require good cause beyond normal litigation; discovery delays or settlement discussions don't qualify.
Judge Cartwright disfavors trial continuances and will not grant them absent good cause beyond the normal process of litigation. A failure to complete discovery within the time allowed or a decision to engage in settlement discussions does not on its own create good cause, although Judge Cartwright will consider requests for brief continuances where the parties have secured a mediation date or where there is a compelling reason that discovery could not be completed as scheduled.
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Page 5 | Trial continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must have sufficient witnesses; no early recess for missing witnesses.
Counsel must have sufficient witnesses available to fill up the court day. Judge Cartwright will not recess early or delay the trial if a witness is not available.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Jury voir dire starts at 9:00 a.m. with 20 minutes per side.
The jury panel is sworn for voir dire in the courtroom at 9:00; after Court-directed voir dire, the Court usually gives each side 20 minutes to conduct voir dire, and a jury is usually sworn prior to the noon recess.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
15-minute break at 3:00 p.m.
15 minute mid-afternoon break is taken at approximately 3:00 p.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Lunch recess 12:00-1:30 p.m., jury matters at 1:15 p.m.
Noon/Lunch recess is taken at from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., if matters need to be discussed outside the presence of the jury, this will occur at 1:15 p.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Court recesses at 4:30 p.m.
Court recesses for the day at 4:30 p.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Courtroom opens at 8:15 a.m. for counsel.
The courtroom will be open and available to counsel at approximately 8:15 a.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Final pretrial matters at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.
Final Pretrial matters are taken up at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Opening statements and first witnesses on first trial afternoon.
Counsel should be prepared to deliver opening statements and call their first witnesses on the afternoon of the first trial day.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Discuss leaving trial materials overnight with courtroom deputy.
The parties should discuss leaving trial materials overnight in the courtroom with the courtroom deputy.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
All parties must exit courthouse by 5:00 p.m. unless court in session.
Court Security Officers require that all parties exit the courthouse by 5:00 p.m., unless court remains in session.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
15-minute break at 10:30 a.m.
15 minute mid-morning break is taken at approximately 10:30 a.m.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Courtroom must be cleared promptly if no jury matters remain.
If there are no matters to take up at the end of the day outside the presence of the jury, the courtroom needs to be cleared and closed as soon as possible so court staff can attend to other matters.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Tuesday trial days may be shortened for in-custody criminal hearings.
Judge Cartwright holds trial Monday through Friday of each week. The Tuesday trial day may be shortened if necessary to allow for in-custody hearings in criminal cases. Judge Cartwright will advise counsel in advance if the Tuesday trial day will be shortened.
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Page 1 | Court's Daily Schedule During Trial
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue in court.
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.
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Page 2 | ORAL ARGUMENTS