Local Rule RULE 7016-1: Answers/Pretrial Conferences
Bankr. E.D. La. — Civil rule
RULE 7016-1 Answers/Pretrial Conferences A. When all answers have been filed, a pretrial conference will be set by the court. This will be the only pretrial conference unless otherwise ordered by the court.
B. The pretrial conference must be attended by all counsel enrolled or planning to enroll in the case. The attorney attending for a firm should be the attorney who intends to be trial counsel. If a party is not represented by counsel, the party must attend. All who attend must bring their calendars in order to set pretrial deadlines and trial dates. Failure to attend or bring calendars may result in sanctions or other appropriate action.
C. Telephonic participation is allowed under the procedures set forth in the Section A and B Procedures.
D. Motions to Continue Trials 1. Trial continuances must be requested by written motion and may be granted without a hearing. Because all trials in adversary proceedings are fixed only on an agreed date, motions to continue trials are discouraged and will only be granted when compelling reasons are shown. For this reason, no party should assume a continuance will be granted, even on joint motion by all parties.
2. The motion must state whether opposing counsel and parties entitled to notice have an objection or, if the opposing parties have not been contacted, the reasons why contact has not been made.
3. Every motion for continuance based on the absence of a material witness must be accompanied by an affidavit that sets forth the efforts made to procure attendance and the facts expected to be proven by the witness.