Judge Dowling's Practices and Preferences

Practices and Preferences


Local Rules

Read and follow.

 

Distribution List/Certificate of Service

  1. List/reference lead attorney and party represented.
  2. Include e-mail for each attorney or pro se litigant.

 

Motions/Petitions/Applications

  1. Attach Order on relief sought.
  2. If applicable, also attach Rule to Show Cause.  (Preferred format attached as Exhibit 1.)
  3. If Motion references a prior Order and/or seeks modification of a prior Order, ATTACH THE PRIOR ORDER.
  4. State concurrence/non-concurrence.
  5. Motions for Rule Absolute – preferred format attached as Exhibit 2.
  6. When including any Order, DO NOT put “proposed” Order so, if appropriate, the Court can sign the Order submitted.
  7. The matter will not be received by the assigned Judge until/unless a party files a Certificate of Readiness. 

 

Case Management Order (CMO)

At Status Conference, the Court will issue a CMO similar to Exhibit 3. 

 

Settlement

The Court is available to conduct Settlement Conferences, if all parties agree.

 

Pre-Trial Conference

  1. Usually one week prior to Trial.
  2. Bring to conference Points for Charge and proposed Verdict Form.
  3. Will review/discuss stipulations.
  4. Will review/discuss agreement on exhibits.
  5. At conference, parties will argue Motions In Limine and Court will decide shortly thereafter.
  6. Jury Selection may occur the same day as the Pre-Trial Conference.

 

Jury Trials

  1. Current practice is to conduct Jury Selection approximately one week before the trial week.  If possible, Jury Selection will occur the same day as the Pre-Trial Conference. 
  2. Schedule a time with the Judge’s Courtroom Clerk Crier, Greg Smith, at gsmith@dauphincounty.gov, to have your technology company view the Courtroom and equipment at some time during the week prior to Trial. 

 

Any Proceedings In Court

Stand when addressing the Court and/or when making objections. 

 

Continuances

Matters are typically scheduled approximately 4 weeks prior.  If a continuance is requested, it should be done immediately upon receipt of the Scheduling Order and NOT at the last minute. 

 

In Person/Virtual

The Court prefers all matters to be in person but will accommodate virtual appearances if necessary/appropriate.  If virtual, it must be done by computer and NOT phone.

 

 

Judicial Assistant:            Vasilka Mihailoff (vmihailoff@dauphincounty.gov)

Law Clerk:                         Heather Verchick (hverchick@dauphincounty.gov)

Courtroom Crier:             Greg Smith  (gsmith@dauphincounty.gov)