Opinion
4:CV-00-1306.
October 7, 2004.
ORDER
BACKGROUND:
The above-captioned civil case has been placed on the January 2005 trial list for non-jury trial in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for December 1, 2004, at 1:30 p.m., in Chambers, Third Floor, Federal Building, 240 West Third Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
2. At least one attorney for each party shall attend the conference and shall be fully familiar with the case and have full authority to effectuate a complete settlement pursuant to LR 16.2.
3. Counsel who expect to try the case are hereby directed to confer with all other counsel in the case at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the final pretrial conference. LR 16.3(b). Subsequent to this meeting of counsel and at least five (5) days prior to the final pretrial conference, counsel shall file and serve a pretrial memorandum in the form set forth in Appendix B to our Local Rules. LR 16.6.
4. At the conference of counsel, held pursuant to LR 16.3(b), all exhibits that any party intends to introduce at trial (whether in his case in chief or in rebuttal) shall be identified and numbered on the attached form. Only exhibits so listed may be offered in evidence at the trial, absent compelling reasons to the contrary. LR 16.3(b). .
5. At the final pretrial conference, the court will
(a) without participating in settlement negotiations or discussions, determine whether settlement can be effected;
(b) review the pretrial memoranda with counsel;
(c) attempt to fix a date certain for trial;
(d) discuss any outstanding motions;
(e) formulate a plan for trial, including a program for facilitating the admission of evidence; and
(f) discuss such other matters as may facilitate the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the action.
6. Failure of counsel to abide by this order or our LR 16.2, LR 16.3 or LR 16.6 may result in imposition of the sanctions listed in LR 83.3.
7. Electronic Case Filing System (ECF). Please note that the court entered a Standing Order effective March 3, 2003 establishing an Electronic Case Filing System (ECF), which is now generally mandatory for all filings in both civil and criminal cases.
Standing Order No. 04-7 entered October 4, 2004 provides as follows:
Within fourteen days of the date of this order, counsel of record in cases now pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania shall register as filing users for the court's Electronic Case Filing System and file documents electronically or show cause to the Chief Judge why they should not be required to register as filing users and file documents electronically.ECF Standing Orders, the ECF User Manual and the Local Rules are available at the Clerk's Office or on the court's website at www.pamd.uscourts.gov.
8. Any inquiries you have concerning this case and its progress should be directed to Kathy McLaughlin, Deputy Clerk of Court, Federal Building, 240 West Third Street, Suite 218, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, telephone number (570) 323-9772.