The Honorable Michelle L. Peterson
- Local Rules
- Motions to Seal
- Telephonic Motions
- Meet and Confer Requirement
- Discovery Disputes
- Settlement Conference Procedures
Magistrate Judge Overview
- Pro Se Social Security Complaint
- Pro Se Social Security Information Sheet
- Procedures Regarding Prisoner Civil Rights Suits – 42 U.S.C. § 1983
- Procedures Regarding Petitions for a Writ of Habeas Corpus – 28 U.S.C. § 2254
Unless specifically noted otherwise, Judge Peterson follows the Court’s local rules. Counsel are directed to consult the Local Rules for the Western District of Washington and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on all matters.
Parties moving to file documents under seal must comply with W.D. Wash. LCR 5(g). All motions to seal, including stipulated motions, must describe with specificity the documents sought to be protected, provide facts justifying sealing, and include a proposed order.
If counsel cannot agree, then a properly noted motion to seal must be filed prior to or contemporaneously with the document to be sealed.
If a party seeks to file a document that another party claims is confidential, the party seeking to file the document shall give at least seven days’ notice to the other parties so a motion to seal may be prepared and filed by the proponent of sealing at the same time the document is submitted.
Counsel shall advise the Court of the requested disposition of confidential matters in the event the Court denies a request to seal (e.g., should the information be removed from the docket rather than be unsealed).
The Court generally considers all evidence presented at trial, including confidential materials, to be matters of public record. Although the parties may move or stipulate to maintaining as confidential any sealed information used at trial, the Court retains the authority to determine what evidence should be part of the public record.
The parties may also contact the Court when presented with disputes regarding discovery issues that are particularly time-sensitive. This approach may resolve the dispute in an expedient manner and avoid the extra costs associated with motions practice. The moving party must make reasonable efforts to have all parties to the discovery dispute participate in contacting the Court to request a telephonic motion. See W.D. Wash. LCR 7(i). If the Court grants the request, the moving party should file a motion no longer than one and a half pages on CM/ECF under the “Telephonic Motion Pursuant to LCR 7(i)” event. The responding party should file a responsive pleading no longer than one and a half pages on CM/ECF and link it to the LCR 7(i) motion. Counsel may telephone Judge Peterson’s chambers at (206) 370-8940 to make a request for a telephonic motion with Judge Peterson.
For all cases, except applications for temporary restraining orders, counsel contemplating the filing of any motion shall first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly, preferably in person, the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution. The Court construes this requirement strictly. Half-hearted attempts at compliance with this rule will not satisfy counsel’s obligation. The parties must attempt to reach an accord that would eliminate the need for the motion. All motions must include a declaration by counsel briefly describing the parties’ discussion and attempt to eliminate the need for the motion and the date of such discussion. Filings not in compliance with this rule may be stricken.
Judge Peterson strongly encourages parties to make every effort to resolve discovery disputes without the Court’s intervention. To the extent motions practice is necessary, Judge Peterson encourages parties to take advantage of the expedited discovery dispute procedures described in W.D. Wash. LCR 37(a)(2). Should the parties elect to utilize LCR 37(a)(2), the moving party is directed to file the joint motion on CM/ECF under the “Expedited Joint Motion for Discovery Pursuant to LCR 37(a)(2)” event.
Parties may also request a telephonic discovery motion pursuant to LCR 7(i).
Settlement Conference Procedures
When a case is referred for a judicial settlement conference before Judge Peterson, the Court will promptly issue a letter setting the date and time for the settlement conference. The letter will also outline the following procedures.
Who Must Be Present. Each attorney who will try the case should be physically present, accompanied by the client or a representative with full authority to resolve the case. If there are other interested parties whose presence would assist in resolving the case, please arrange for their attendance. Failure to produce the appropriate persons at the mediation or failure to participate in good faith may result in an award of costs and attorney fees incurred by the other parties regarding the conference.
Settlement Briefs. The parties shall exchange settlement briefs no more than 8 pages in length that set forth the issues to resolve, and the current status of settlement by 12:00 noon on a date to be specified by the Court. The briefs should identify all individuals who will be in attendance at the conference with authority to settlement the case. The briefs should not be filed, but should be emailed to Judge Peterson’s courtroom deputy at Tim_Farrell@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Confidential Settlement Memoranda. Each party shall email a settlement memo of no more than five pages in length to Tim_Farrell@wawd.uscourts.gov by 12:00 noon on a date to be specified by the Court. These memos are confidential, and should not be filed with the Clerk’s Office or served on opposing counsel. Settlement memos should help the Court understand the facts, the issues to resolve, the applicable law and the parties’ settlement position. The memo should include a settlement proposal, and describe settlement efforts to date. Exhibits that would help the Court understand the case may also be submitted.
Good Faith Participation. The Court expects all participants to be prepared and sincerely interested in settlement. All parties should keep an open mind and be willing to reassess previous positions. Parties should be frank and open in their discussions. The Court expects the parties to address each other with courtesy and respect. In order to allow enough time to thoroughly explore all issues, the Court will set aside the entire day for the settlement conference. The parties should adjust their schedules accordingly.
The parties and counsel are encouraged to advise the Court of their pronouns and may do so in writing by including their pronouns in the signature
lines, advising the in-court deputy clerk before the hearing begins, or orally when appearing for conferences, hearings, or trials.
The Court encourages parties and counsel to be mindful of opportunities for new lawyers to conduct hearings before the Court, especially where
these lawyers drafted or significantly contributed to motions and responses. The Court is aware that having a new lawyer appear may not be appropriate
or in the client’s best interest in all instances. Therefore, an experienced attorney may supplement a new lawyer’s arguments and questions
with their own if necessary.
Parties are directed to provide courtesy copies only upon request.
In response to the heavy caseload of social security appeals, our district has developed certain procedures to help streamline and simplify these cases for the parties as well as the Court.
Most significantly, a plaintiff has the option to effectuate service electronically as detailed in General Orders 04-15 and 05-15, by sending a copy of the summonses and complaint, along the plaintiff’s identifying information and social security number, by email to USAWAW.SSAClerk@usdoj.gov. The Social Security Administration will respond to the complaint within approximately sixty (60) days by filing a copy of the administrative record (AR).
The parties should carefully review the Court’s Scheduling Order, and abide by the briefing requirements. For example, a plaintiff’s opening brief is limited to eighteen (18) pages in length, and must identify the alleged errors on page 1. The government’s responsive brief is also limited to eighteen (18) pages, and plaintiff’s optional reply brief is limited to nine (9) pages. All briefs and exhibits must also conform to the redaction rules regarding personal data set forth in W.D. Wash. LCR 5.2, to the formatting requirements set forth in LCR 10, and must use the Bates Number when citing to specific pages of the administrative record or they will be stricken.
Finally, the parties should note that stipulations and motions to extend time or page limitations must be noted on the Court’s calendar prior to the due date pursuant to the briefing schedules established in LCR 10(g) and LCR 7, respectively. Without more, a heavy workload is not good cause to extend the briefing schedule in a social security case.
Procedures Regarding Prisoner Civil Rights Suits – 42 U.S.C. § 1983
IFP requests. To file a complaint you must pay the $405.00 filing fee ($350.00 plus a $55.00 administrative fee) or obtain the Court’s permission to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). If you are granted leave to proceed IFP, funds will be deducted from your prison account on a monthly basis, as funds are available, until the $350.00 filing fee is paid. Link to IFP application.
Pretrial Scheduling Order. Where plaintiff is a pro se prisoner, the parties need not make initial disclosures or hold a scheduling conference under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26. Because the parties are relieved of these obligations, the Court will enter a Pretrial Scheduling Order that: (1) directs discovery be completed within a specified period, usually within approximately 90 days of the order; (2) sets the date by which dispositive motions must be filed; (3) advises the plaintiff about the consequences of failing to respond to a summary judgment motion; and (4) advises the parties the joint pretrial statement will be scheduled at a later time.
Special Noting Rules where a party is confined. Stipulated and agreed motions, motions to file over-length motions or briefs, motions for reconsideration, joint submissions pursuant to the option procedure established in LCR 37(a)(2), motions for default, requests for the clerk to enter default judgment, and motions for the court to enter default judgment where the opposing party has not appeared shall be noted for consideration on the day they are filed. See LCR 7(d)(1). All other non-dispositive motions shall be noted for consideration no earlier than the third Friday following filing and service of the motion. See LCR 7(d)(3). All dispositive motions shall be noted for consideration no earlier than the fourth Friday following filing and service of the motion. Id. Second Friday motions under LCR 7(d)(2) are disallowed in prisoner cases.
Amended Pleadings. Pursuant to LCR 15, a party who moves for leave to amend a pleading MUST attach a copy of the proposed amended pleading as an exhibit to the motion. The party must also indicate on the proposed amended pleading how it differs from the pleading that it amends by bracketing or striking through the text to be deleted and underlining or highlighting the text to be added. The proposed amended pleading must not incorporate by reference any part of the preceding pleading, including exhibits.
Motions to Compel Discovery. Pursuant to LCR 37(a)(1), any motion for an order compelling disclosure or discovery MUST include a certification, in the motion or in a declaration or affidavit, that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action. The certification must list the date, manner, and participants to the conference. If the movant fails to include such a certification, the court may deny the motion without addressing the merits of the dispute. If the court finds that counsel for any party, or a party proceeding pro se, willfully refused to confer, failed to confer in good faith, or failed to respond on a timely basis to a request to confer, the court may impose sanctions in accordance with LCR 11.
Oral Argument. Pursuant to LCR 7(b)(4), all motions submitted by the parties will be decided by the court without oral argument unless the court orders otherwise. A party desiring oral argument shall so indicate by including the words “ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED” in the caption of its motion or responsive memorandum. If a request for oral argument is granted, the clerk will notify the parties of the date and time for argument.
Redaction of Filings. Pursuant to LCR 5.2(a), personal identifiers should not be included in any document submitted to the court for filing, including exhibits. If it is necessary to include such identifiers, the party presenting the document shall partially redact the identifiers prior to filing. Personal identifiers include: (1) Dates of Birth (redact to the year of birth, unless deceased); (2) Names of Minor Children (redact to the initials, unless deceased or currently over the age of 18); (3) Social Security Numbers and Taxpayer-Identification Numbers (redact in their entirety); (4) Financial Accounting Information (redact to the last four digits); and, (5) Passport Numbers and Driver License Numbers (redact in their entirety).
Procedures Regarding Petitions for a Writ of Habeas Corpus – 28 U.S.C. § 2254
IFP requests. To file a complaint you must pay the $5.00 filing fee or obtain the Court’s permission to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). Link to habeas IFP form.
Discovery. Under Rule 6 of the Rules Governing § 2254 cases, discovery is not permitted without prior court order.
The State Court Record. If the Court orders an Answer, respondent must indicate what transcripts are available, when they can be furnished and what proceedings have been recorded but not transcribed. Respondent must file with the Court all relevant portions of the state court record. The Court may order the respondent to file additional parts of the record.
Evidentiary Hearing. If the Court determines an evidentiary hearing is warranted, the Court will appoint counsel to represent petitioner under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. If the case has been referred to Judge Peterson, her Deputy Clerk will contact counsel to schedule the evidentiary hearing. Judge Peterson will also enter an order directing the parties to submit a hearing brief setting forth the issues presented, and the parties’ witnesses and exhibits.
Verification. If a federal habeas petition is not presented and verified by the party in custody, the person presenting the petition shall verify the petition on behalf of the party in custody, and shall explain the reason why the petition is not being presented and verified by the party in custody. The person presenting the petition shall also state that he or she knows the facts set forth therein, or if the facts are asserted upon information and belief, the sources of the information must be identified.