6 Cir. I.O.P. 27: Motions
Rules and Internal Operating Procedures of the Sixth Circuit — Title VII. General Provisions
(a) Motion Assignment.
(1) Before Assignment to the Merits Panel. Composition of Motion Panels. In cases not yet assigned to a merits panel, substantive motions are assigned to randomly assembled panels drawn from among active and senior circuit judges and visiting judges designated to sit with the court. Motions panels sit together for a calendar quarter and are assigned motions throughout that period. One member of the panel is designated the lead judge of each motions panel, to coordinate the actions of the panel.
(2) After Assignment to the Oral Argument Calendar. In cases assigned to the oral argument calendar, the court assigns motions to the merits panel rather than to a motions panel. The senior active judge on the panel initiates the panel's action.
(3) Review of Single Judge Decision. A panel reviewing a single judge's decision will not include that judge.
(b) Emergency Motions. Hearings on emergency motions, as with other motions, are extremely unusual. Parties should not expect that there will be a hearing and need not move for one. The clerk will inform the parties of the hearing time if the court decides to hold one.