Judge Hodge permits communications with Chambers by telephone, or letter sent via email regarding scheduling and other non-substantive matters. An email request without a letter will not be considered. All other issues must be addressed by an appropriate motion or other document filed on the docket. Under no circumstances may any party or counsel communicate ex parte with any Chambers personnel concerning substantive matters. Law clerks may not render advice to counsel and have no authority to grant continuances or any other relief. Judge Hodge prohibits any communications to her personal email.

Any brief or memorandum filed in support of the motion should be limited to twenty-five (25) pages. Any brief or memorandum filed in opposition or in response to a motion is subject to the same page limitation. If a party requires more than twenty-five (25) pages to explain its position to the Court, a motion to exceed the page limit shall be filed prior to the deadline, setting forth good cause for granting an exception to this rule.

Any brief or memorandum filed in support of the motion should be limited to twenty-five (25) pages. Any brief or memorandum filed in opposition or in response to a motion is subject to the same page limitation.

Reply briefs, addressing only issues raised in the brief in opposition and not repeating arguments in the brief, may be filed within seven (7) days of service of the opponent's brief in opposition and shall be limited to ten (10) pages. The parties must seek leave of court prior to filing a surreply. If leave is granted, surreplies may not exceed five (5) pages.

Yes

Parties must provide one (1) courtesy copy to the Court of any document submitted which is twenty-five (25) pages or more, including exhibits. The exhibits in the Court's courtesy copy shall be printed double-sided and clearly marked, tabbed, and bound in a 3-ring binder. Courtesy copies should be delivered by first-class mail or other delivery service. Courtesy copies will not be accepted via email.

Proposed orders should be attached to corresponding motions or memoranda of law. Submission of pleadings, motions, or other filings to Chambers by any method other than ECF is not permitted. Except as expressly provided in Section I.C. Stipulations (above), the Court will not act on any submission that has not been docketed.

Judge Hodge will only consider entry of stipulated confidentiality or sealing orders if the parties demonstrate that "good cause" exists pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1)(G). See Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772, 786 (3d Cir. 1994). All such orders must contain the following language (or language substantially similar): "The Court retains the right to allow disclosure of any subject covered by this stipulation or to modify this stipulation at any time in the interest of justice."

A party desiring oral argument should request it by letter or in the body of the motion or responsive pleading. If Judge Hodge believes oral argument will be helpful in deciding a matter, she will schedule it, particularly when it involves a dispositive motion. Not all requests for oral argument will be granted but will be determined by the judge on a case-by-case basis.

Where compelling circumstances exist, counsel may request an extension of a filing or other deadline. Extension requests should be made by letter sent via email and counsel requesting the extension shall include the basis for the request and state the position of opposing counsel. Any counsel opposing the extension shall submit a responsive letter via email setting forth the reasons for opposition. All requests for extension MUST include a proposed order. Counsel may not extend any deadlines without Court approval. An email request without a letter attached will not be considered. Since trial and hearing dates are set in advance, Judge Hodge is extremely reluctant to grant continuances especially if the attorneys have not been diligent in moving the case forward. However, the Court will consider such continuance requests upon a showing of compelling circumstances and good cause.

When a discovery dispute arises, counsel are strongly urged to settle it among themselves. However, if after making a good faith effort, counsel are unable to resolve a disputed issue, counsel for the aggrieved party shall file with the Court a motion in conformity with Local Civil Rule 26.1(b), with a form of order, and short brief not to exceed five (5) pages describing the disputed issue(s). Within seven (7) days of the filing of the motion, any counsel opposing the motion shall file with a Court a response to the motion not to exceed five (5) pages in conformity with Local Rule 26.1(b). The Court will determine the need for a telephone or video conference with counsel to discuss the motion on a case-by-case basis.