Email is the preferred method of communication. All general inquiries, including questions about these policies, may be emailed to Chambers_of_Judge_Kai_Scott@paed.uscourts.gov. Communications regarding cases must be made through filing a pleading, motion, or application through Electronic Case Filing (ECF) whenever possible. Email correspondence regarding cases is permitted in the following situations: - To advise the Court of unanticipated schedule changes (less than seven (7) business days in advance of a deadline) or schedule changes due to personal or medical issues that counsel does not wish to file on the docket. - To promptly advise the Court that a case has been settled. Court staff have no authority to give advice on substantive or procedural matters.

Any dispositive motion and its supporting memorandum of law must not exceed twenty (25) pages. If a filing exceeds these page limits due only to the size of pictures or charts embedded within the filing, then the party may file the oversize brief and must certify that that is why the brief is oversize. Otherwise, parties must seek leave from the Court to file an oversize brief at least three (3) business days prior to a filing deadline.

One reply brief may be filed within fourteen (14) business days of service of the opponent's brief in opposition; parties must seek leave from the Court to file any additional supplemental briefings, and Judge Scott rarely grants such requests. Reply or supplemental briefings must not exceed ten (10) pages and may not simply repeat arguments already made.

Yes

A courtesy copy must be submitted only if (1) there are large attachments to a motion or (2) a document is filed under seal. A filing has large attachments if the appendices or exhibits attached to the filing exceed 50 pages or there are five (5) or more exhibits. The courtesy copy of a filing with large attachments must be submitted to Judge Scott's Chambers as a binder with tabbed exhibits and an exhibit index.

Parties are not permitted to file documents under seal without leave of the Court, unless an emergency arises. Judge Scott will permit parties to file documents under seal or with redactions only after a showing of good cause or presentation of an enforceable private confidentiality agreement contracted prior to litigation. Parties cannot stipulate to sealing documents to avoid showing good cause. All proposed sealing orders must contain language to this effect: "The Court reserves its inherent power to modify the terms of this Order and permit the disclosure of information in the interest of justice." If the Court orders that a document be filed under seal, a redacted copy of the document must be filed within 14 days, unless the Court's order specifies otherwise, or redaction would render the document unreadable.

Parties may request oral argument in their motions. Judge Scott will grant requests for oral argument only if oral argument would illuminate any aspect of the pleadings or briefs. Judge Scott strongly encourages counsel to consider including junior attorneys for portions of oral argument where appropriate. Counsel intending to present physical exhibits during oral argument shall bring two (2) copies of each exhibit for Judge Scott.

Continuance requests for motions and discovery deadlines, hearings, and trial must be filed in the form of a motion and must include a proposed order. Joint continuance requests must be filed as an unopposed motion. Judge Scott will generally grant joint discovery continuance requests if (1) they do not alter key motions deadlines or trial dates, and (2) they are made at least seven (7) business days before the scheduled deadline. Judge Scott seldom grants continuances that will alter (1) motion deadlines in which oral argument has been scheduled or (2) trial dates. Such continuance requests must be made at least fourteen (14) business days before the applicable deadline or trial date, and they must provide good cause. Judge Scott no longer permits changes to operative deadlines to be filed as joint stipulations. All parties filing joint stipulations will be instructed to refile the request as a joint, unopposed motion.

If an unresolvable discovery dispute arises, the aggrieved party must file the following: - A motion that (1) complies with Local Civil Rule 26.1(f) by certifying that the parties, after reasonable effort, are unable to resolve the dispute, and (2) specifies whether the parties request a telephone conference with Judge Scott to resolve the matter; - A proposed order; and - A brief of up to five (5) pages that (1) outlines the efforts the parties have made to resolve the dispute and (2) cites any applicable legal authority. Judge Scott will promptly review the motion and either issue a decision, schedule a phone conference, or order responsive briefing. Judge Scott routinely acts upon filed discovery motions without waiting for a response or scheduling a telephone conference. Parties are encouraged to call Chambers when an unresolvable discovery dispute arises; if Judge Scott is available, she may resolve the dispute.