Communications with Chambers: Calls to chambers are permitted only in urgent situations that require immediate attention. All other communication with chambers must be filed in a letter on the docket via CM/ECF.

Communications with Law Clerks: Judge Semper does not permit communications with his law clerks on any substantive matters.

Law Clerk Applications: Applicants are directed to apply via OSCAR only. Emailed or mailed applications will not be reviewed. Calls to chambers regarding applications are not permitted. Letters of recommendation must be submitted via OSCAR.

CM/ECF Filings: Pleadings, motions, letters, and proposed jury charges must be filed in searchable PDF format. Supporting documents, such as exhibits, may be filed in non-searchable PDF format.

Courtesy Copies: By request of the Court only.

Civil Jury Trial Preferences

Motions to Dismiss: Parties must explicitly cite the elements of a claim and how the allegations do or do not give rise to an entitlement of relief.  Conclusory allegations unsupported by facts and details will be deemed irrelevant to the Court’s analysis.

Motions for Summary Judgment: Parties may not file an early motion for summary judgment (i.e., prior to the close of fact discovery) without leave from either Judge Semper or the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case. When seeking leave from Judge Semper, the moving party must first submit a letter, no longer than three pages, summarizing the party’s substantive argument. Within one week of the moving party’s letter, the party opposing the motion must also submit a letter, no longer than three pages, summarizing the party’s substantive argument in opposition.

Proposed Orders: If any relief is being sought, the CM/ECF filing must be accompanied by a proposed order in searchable PDF format.

Extensions of Time to a Deadline: All requests for adjournments or extensions of time, other than those pursuant to Local Rule 7.1(d)(5), must comport with Local Rule 6.1 and include: (1) the date or dates sought to be extended; (2) the number of previous requests for extensions and the Court’s ruling; (3) the reason for the current request; and (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent. If the requested extension affects any other scheduled dates/deadlines, the request must list the proposed change for all such other dates/deadlines.  Adjournment requests should be made at least three business days before a scheduled hearing or conference. The party seeking an adjournment should attempt to gain the consent of his or her adversary before filing said request by letter. In any such letter, the party should set forth the date of the hearing or conference, the basis for the adjournment request, whether the request is being made with consent, and the length of adjournment being sought. Absent exigent circumstances, adjournment requests made less than three days prior to the deadline will not be granted.

Pro se Filings: All filings by pro se litigants shall be mailed to or filed directly with the Clerk's Office. Documents mailed to the courthouse must be addressed to the Clerk's Office, not Judge Semper.

Briefs (compliance with local rule):  Judge Semper requires strict compliance with the length limitations and format requirements for briefs set forth in L. Civ. R. 7.2 (and any amendments and modifications thereto). Judge Semper enforces the provision in L. Civ. R. 7.2(b) that mandates that a litigant get special permission before submitting papers that are not in compliance. 

Sur-replies: Pursuant to L. Civ. R. 7.1(d)(6), no sur-replies are permitted without leave of the Court. Any request to file a sur-reply must be accompanied by an exhibit consisting of the proposed sur-reply.

Sample Final Pretrial Order