Local Rule LCR 11: SIGNING FILINGS; SANCTIONS
W.D. Wash. — Civil rule
LCR 11
SIGNING FILINGS; SANCTIONS
(a) Signature
Except as otherwise required by law, a signature means any of the following when affixed to a document with the intent to sign the document:
(1) A name or mark the signer created by hand in ink on paper.
(2) A name or mark the signer created by hand using a stylus or other mechanism for creating a digital drawing.
(3) A mechanical or digital reproduction of the signature described in (a)(1) or (a)(2), if the filer retains:
(A) For a document executed on paper, an original paper copy of the signature page of the document; or
(B) For a document to which a signature image is affixed, the original digital file to which the signer affixed the signature.
(4) A name or mark the signer affixed digitally using a process that automatically creates a certificate of completion identifying the signer. A signature created with DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, or other similar software is presumed to meet this definition.
(5) A mechanical or digital reproduction of the signature described in (a)(4), if the filer retains an original digital copy of the executed document and certificate of completion.
(6) The signer's name typed with the "s/ [Name]" convention if:
(A) The signer is any of:
(i) A lawyer admitted to the bar of this court;
(ii) A lawyer admitted pro hac vice (or seeking pro hac vice admission) in the matter in which the signature is submitted;
(iii) A pro se litigant in the matter in which the signature is submitted, provided that the signature does not authenticate a statement made under penalty of perjury; or
(iv) The staff of a person described in (a)(6)(i)-(iii) when the signature is affixed to a certificate of service; and
(B) The document:
(i) Requires only one signature and the filer or the filer's staff, at the filer's direction, typed the "s/ [Name]" on the document; or
(ii) Requires multiple signatures and the filer's signature conforms with (a)(6)(B)(i) and for the additional signatures, the filer confirmed that the contents of the document are acceptable to all signers and received express written permission from the additional signer or signers to type (or direct the filer's staff to type) the additional "s/ [Name]" signature or signatures.
(b) Notifying the Court of Settlement
Attorneys must advise the court promptly when a case is settled or when for other reasons it will not be ready for trial at the time set. An attorney who fails to promptly notify the court may be subject to such discipline as the court deems appropriate, including the imposition of costs or of a fine.
(c) Sanctions for Non-Participation, Non-Compliance, or Multiplying or Obstructing Proceedings
Failure of an attorney for any party to appear at a pretrial conference or to complete the necessary preparations therefor, or to appear or be prepared for trial on the date assigned, may be considered an abandonment or failure to prosecute or defend diligently, and judgment may be entered against that party either with respect to a specific issue or the entire case.
An attorney or party who without just cause fails to comply with any of the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, these rules, or an order of the court, or who presents to the court unnecessary motions or unwarranted opposition to motions, or who fails to prepare for presentation to the court, or who otherwise so multiplies or obstructs the proceedings in a case may, in addition to or in lieu of the sanctions and penalties provided elsewhere in these rules, be required by the court to satisfy personally such excess costs and may be subject to such other sanctions as the court may deem appropriate.