Local Rule LR 16.6: Final Pretrial Conference and Order

LR 16.6 - Final Pretrial Conference and Order a. Final Pretrial Conference. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e), a final pretrial conference will be held not later than seven (7) days before the scheduled trial date, unless deemed unnecessary by the Court and counsel. 1. Individuals Attending. Unless excused by the judge, each unrepresented party must be present at the final pretrial conference and a party with counsel must be represented by at least one attorney who will conduct the trial. Counsel must have full authority from their clients with respect to settlement and will be prepared to advise the judge as to the prospects of settlement.

b. Final Pretrial Order. The following issues will be discussed at the final pretrial conference and will be included in the final pretrial order, which order will be prepared jointly by the parties for the signature of the judge: 1. The firm trial date; 2. Stipulated and uncontroverted facts; 3. List of issues to be tried; 4. Disclosure of all witnesses; 5. Listing and exchange of copies of all exhibits; 6. Pretrial rulings, where possible, on objections to evidence; 7. Disposition of all outstanding motions; 8. Elimination of unnecessary or redundant proof, including limitations on expert witnesses; 9. Itemized statements of all damages by all parties; 10. Bifurcation of the trial; 11. Limits on the length of trial; 12. Jury selection issues; and 13. Any issue that in the judge's opinion may facilitate and expedite the trial, for example the feasibility of presenting testimony by a summary written statement.