Judicial Survey Questions

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Gorton, Nathaniel M.

NMG Q1: Do you have any specific scheduling order or any particular topics that counsel must address in the joint statement in addition to/or in lieu of the topics required to be addressed under Local Rule 16.1(D) for the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q2: If you have a specific scheduling order, please attach your order.
NMG Q3: Do you have any additional requirement(s) as to the attorneys’ obligation that they confer with their client(s) about case budget and ADR pursuant to Local Rule 16.1(D)(3)?
NMG Q4: What, if any, inquiries do you make about settlement prospects and/or interest in mediation at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q5: What, if any, inquiries do you make about the likelihood of trial at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q6: What schedule do you set at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q7: After the initial scheduling conference, do you hold status conferences?
NMG Q8: If so, when do you typically hold status conferences?
NMG Q9: If so, what issues do you address at status conferences? (e.g., status of discovery, settlement prospects, mediation, etc.)
NMG Q10: Other than the requirements under Local Rule 16.1(D) for addressing certain discovery topics in the parties’ joint statement, what, if any, discovery issues do you like counsel to be prepared to address at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q11: What, if any, issues related to electronically stored information should counsel be prepared to address at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q12: If the parties intend to file a proposed protective order, do you require any particular format and/or a specific time for doing so?
NMG Q13: Under what circumstances would you consider a bifurcation of discovery?
NMG Q14: Given the new requirement under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) regarding the proportionality of the scope of discovery, what, if any inquiry do you make about this issue at the initial scheduling conference?
NMG Q15: Other than the requirement that the parties confer in good faith to narrow the issues before filing any discovery motion under Local Rule 37.1(A), what, if any, additional requirements do you make of counsel before considering discovery motions?
NMG Q16: Typically, do you resolve discovery motions or do you refer them to the magistrate judge?
NMG Q17: Do you typically hold a hearing on discovery motions?
NMG Q18: Please describe your general practice regarding the resolution of discovery motions.
NMG Q19: Under what circumstances will you consider emergency motions regarding discovery matters?
NMG Q20: Do you have any particular practices or requirements about expert disclosures?
NMG Q21: What, if any, expert discovery deadlines do you set at the initial scheduling conference? When do you typically set a schedule for the filing of Daubert motions?
NMG Q22: If the case involves a pro se litigant, do you typically have any different practices in regard to scheduling conferences, status conferences or discovery matters?
NMG Q23: Other than the presumptive pages limits for memoranda under Rule 7.1(b), do you have any other requirements or preferences about the filing of dispositive motions?
NMG Q24: In connection with dispositive motions, do you require the filing of any courtesy copies of exhibits, depositions and/or other materials in addition to the electronic versions that are filed on ECF?
NMG Q25: Do you typically allow reply briefs and/or surreply briefs?
NMG Q26: If you allow reply and/or surreply briefs, do you impose a page limit?
NMG Q27: Do you typically hold a hearing on motions to dismiss?
NMG Q28: Do you typically hold a hearing on summary judgment motions?
NMG Q29: If you typically hold hearings on dispositive motions, what, if any, time limits do you impose on counsel for their arguments?
NMG Q30: Under what, if any, circumstances, would you allow the filing of post-argument briefs?
NMG Q31: Do you have any standing order and/or any particular practice regarding the management of patent cases? If so, please describe them.
NMG Q32: If applicable, please upload your standing order regarding the management of patent cases.
NMG Q33: Do you have particular practice about Markman hearings? If so, please describe them including but not limited to whether you allow tutorial(s).
NMG Q34: Do you handle matters regarding discovery in criminal cases?
NMG Q35: Do you have any particular practices as to scheduling in criminal cases? If so, please describe them.
NMG Q36: If a defendant files a motion for release and/or modification of conditions of release after the case has been referred back to the district judge, is it your typical practice to resolve the motion or refer it back to the magistrate judge?
NMG Q37: Do you typically hold a hearing on motions for review of a detention order?
NMG Q38: Do you have any particular practices regarding the filing of suppression motions or hearings on suppression motions?
NMG Q39: Do you require the filing of a trial brief?
NMG Q40: If you do not require the filing of a trial brief, under what circumstances do you think it would be helpful to the Court?
NMG Q41: Do you typically hold an initial pretrial conference in criminal cases? If so, what issues do you want counsel to be able to address at each conference in addition to those addressed under Local Rule 117.1(a)?
NMG Q42: Do you typically hold an initial pretrial conference in civil cases?
NMG Q43: When do you set a deadline for the filing of proposed voir dire, proposed jury instructions and/or special verdict form, witness and exhibits lists, motions in limine? Typically, how far in advance of trial are these deadlines?
NMG Q44: Do you require that proposed voir dire, verdict forms and/or jury instructions be filed in any particular form? (i.e., courtesy electronic copy to your deputy clerk in Word or WordPerfect format, etc.) Describe your practice.
NMG Q45: Do you set a page limit for motions in limine? If so, what is it?
NMG Q46: Do you typically hear motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?
NMG Q47: Do you typically resolve motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?
NMG Q48: Do you typically resolve motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?
NMG Q49: Do you require the parties to provide a courtesy copy of trial exhibits to the Court before trial?
NMG Q50: If courtesy copies of trial exhibits are required, when do you require them?
NMG Q51: If courtesy copies of trial exhibits are required, what particular form is required?
NMG Q52: Do you require trial exhibits to be pre-marked? If so, please describe your practice?
NMG Q53: Typically, when do you set a trial date in criminal cases?
NMG Q54: Typically, when do you set a trial date in civil cases?
NMG Q55: What is your typical trial schedule?
NMG Q56: In civil cases, do you set time limits for counsel for opening statements, the presentation of evidence and/or closing arguments? If so, please describe your practice?
NMG Q57: Please describe your jury selection process.
NMG Q58: Under what circumstances, if any, have you or would you consider using a juror questionnaire?
NMG Q59: If you would consider the use of a jury questionnaire, when and in what form should it be proposed?
NMG Q60: Have you or would you consider allowing attorney voir dire?
NMG Q61: In civil trials, typically what number of jurors do you seat?
NMG Q62: In criminal trials, typically how many alternate jurors do you seat?
NMG Q63: Do you require counsel to use the podium during openings, examination of witnesses and/or closings?
NMG Q64: How many rounds of examination do you typically allow?
NMG Q65: Under what, if any, circumstances, will you allow a rebuttal case?
NMG Q66: Do you have any preferences about the use of chalks during openings and closings?
NMG Q67: Do you have any particular practice in regard to jury charge conferences? If so, please describe it.
NMG Q68: Do you provide a written copy of your jury charge to the jury?
NMG Q69: Do you provide a written copy of your jury charge to the jury?
NMG Q70: If you have any preferences or practices about pretrial or trial matters that has not been solicited by the prior questions, please describe them here.
NMG Q71: If you have any particular practices as to bench trials, please describe them.
NMG Q72: Do you require a sentencing memorandum in every case?
NMG Q73: If you do not require a sentencing memorandum in every case, when would it be helpful to you?
NMG Q74: Under what, if any, circumstances, would you consider an expedited sentencing?
NMG Q75: Do you have any particular practices regarding the presentation of victim impact statements at sentencing?
NMG Q76: Under what, if any circumstances, would you consider the postponement of a sentencing hearing?
NMG Q77: Do you have any particular practices as to revocation matters?
NMG Q78: If your session has any standing orders, please attach them here
NMG Q79: Order #2
NMG Q80: Order #3
NMG Q81: If there is any other guidance about your court practices and preferences that you would like to share with counsel that has not been solicited by any of the prior questions, please provide it here.

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts