Chambers Procedures for the Honorable Mary F. Walrath

(Effective August 22, 2024)

GENERAL CHAMBERS PROCEDURES

Except as set forth herein, the General Chambers Procedures on the Court’s website shall govern all procedural aspects of cases before the Court.

Pleadings

• Please do not provide courtesy copies of documents unless set forth below or requested by Chambers.

• Pursuant to Local Rules 7026-1(c) and 9013-1(b), all discovery disputes shall be addressed by motion.

Agendas and Binders

• First Day Binders:  Please submit a virtual, hyperlinked hearing agenda and deliver one physical binder to Chambers.

• Hearing Binders:  Please submit a virtual, hyperlinked hearing agenda.

• Chapter 11 Fee Application Binders:  Please deliver a physical binder to Chambers.

• Chapter 7 Fee Application Binders:  Please submit a virtual binder.

• Claims Binders:  Please deliver a physical binder to Chambers.

• Notice of Completion of Briefing Binders:  Please submit a virtual binder and deliver two physical binders to Chambers.

• Exhibit Binders: Please submit a virtual binder unless otherwise requested.

Hearings

• Hearings will be conducted by Zoom.  Parties and Witnesses are permitted, but not required, to appear in person.  The Court has no preference. 

• All participants must use their full names when registering and logging into Zoom.

• A Zoom hearing is an official Court proceeding and appropriate conduct and courtroom attire is required.  Disruptions or inappropriate behavior may result in removal.  Under no circumstances may any Zoom participant photograph, record, or broadcast the proceedings or the participants.

• Hearings will not be cancelled automatically when all matters are submitted under CNO or Certification of Counsel until after the Judge has reviewed the pleadings.  Therefore, an agenda must be filed and transmitted to Chambers.  If, after review, the Judge signs all orders, Chambers will notify counsel to file a Notice of Amended Agenda cancelling the hearing.

• Prior to requesting a continuance of any matter, counsel should contact all interested parties and advise Chambers if all parties agree or oppose the request.

Chapter 7 Cases

• The Chapter 7 Calendar is available on Judge Walrath’s Chambers web page, which can be found under the “Judges’ Info” drop-down menu on the Court’s home page.

• The dates listed on the “Chapter 7 Hearing Dates” link are for scheduling matters in ALL Chapter 7 consumer and business cases.  No other dates will be given.  Matters must be scheduled in accordance with the Local Rules regarding noticing procedures. The dates on the “Chapter 7 Hearing Dates” link are subject to change at any time, so please check the calendar before filing pleadings.

Adversary Proceedings

• Initial scheduling conferences in adversary proceedings cannot be continued.  A preliminary hearing will be held and a Scheduling Order shall be presented. 

Fee Applications

• When submitting final fee applications, all previously approved fee applications need not be provided, unless there is a dispute regarding a prior interim award.