Judges' Filing Preferences


Chief Judge David C. Norton Judge Terry L. Wooten Magistrate Judge William M. Catoe
Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Judge Henry F. Floyd Magistrate Judge Joseph R. McCrorey
Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. Judge R. Bryan Harwell Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant
Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr. Judge Sol Blatt, Jr. Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie

Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr.

Magistrate Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks
Judge Patrick Michael Duffy Judge C. Weston Houck Magistrate Judge Thomas E. Rogers, III
Judge Margaret B. Seymour

Magistrate Judge Robert S. Carr

Magistrate Judge Robert L. Buchanan, Jr.

JUDICIAL PREFERENCES FOR ELECTRONICALLY FILED CASES

STANDARD PREFERENCES


The following preferences apply if the judge does not express another preference.


  1. ACCEPTED WORD PROCESSING FORM

    Unless otherwise indicated, documents submitted directly to chambers (i.e., by Email) must be in WordPerfect format.

  2. CONVERSION VS. SCANNING

    3. All legal memoranda MUST be converted rather than scanned. (Section I.B.5. of the Attorney User Manual requires that certain documents (e.g., affidavits and exhibits) be scanned and that section, along with II.A.2., expresses a strong preference that other documents be converted).

  3. COURTESY COPIES

    4. Do not send a courtesy copy unless specifically requested.

  4. COURTESY COPY FORM

    5. * Courtesy copies should include the docket entry number (see NEF) on the first page.
    * If the collective document (e.g., memorandum plus exhibits) exceeds 50 pages, submit it in    bound form with cover sheet, index, and tabs.
    * Unless otherwise indicated, the courtesy copies should be delivered to chambers within three    business days of filing or the request for copies.

  5. ATTACHMENTS (Including Exhibits)

    6. * Docket entries for attachments must include a descriptive name (e.g., "Depos. of Bill Jones" not    "Exhibit 1"). See Attorney User Manual II.B.4.e. and C.5.f.
    * If multiple exhibits are included in a single attachment to the main document, the first page of the    attachment shall be an index and a description of the contents must be included in the docket    text.

  6. FORMAT OF FILED DOCUMENTS

    7. * Minimum one-inch margins on all sides.
    * Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier New.
    * Minimum 12-point type for caption, text, and footnotes.
    * Only page numbers and document identification footers may appear in margins or in smaller than    12-point type.
    * Double space text except in indented quotations and footnotes.

  7. PRETRIAL BRIEFS

    8. * Send paper version of full pretrial brief to chambers.
    * Do not file except for voir dire and requests to charge.
    * Reminder: traditional (pen and ink) signatures are required on documents which are not    electronically filed.

  8. PROPOSED ORDERS

    9. * Email proposed order in accepted word processing form to judge's ECF email address (listed    below under Judge-Specific Preferences).
    * Include the case number and short form of the case name in email subject line.
    * Email should indicate if the order was requested or relates to a corresponding motion and should    be copied to opposing counsel.

  9. PROTECTION REQUESTS AND EXTENSIONS OF TIME

    10. Request by motion in compliance with Local Civil Rule 6.01 (not via facsimile, mail, or telephone).

  10. SIGNATURES

    11. Signatures may appear in any of the forms allowed by the Policies and Procedures and Attorney User Manual for the type document at issue.

  11. SOCIAL SECURITY

    12. In Social Security cases, deliver courtesy copies of the complaint, answer and all briefs/memoranda to the Clerk's office.

  12. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

    13. Communications to the court should normally be in the form of a motion, memorandum, status report, or other traditional document designation. Letters are acceptable only in unusual circumstances. Nevertheless, all written communications from Filing Users relating to an action should be filed unless there are grounds for an ex parte communication. The filed communications should not be submitted in any other form (e.g., by facsimile, mail, email, or hand delivery) unless expressly requested.

JUDGE-SPECIFIC PREFERENCES

Chief Judge David C. Norton

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 835, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 35 pages. Otherwise, no courtesy copies required.
    8. Proposed orders: MUST be e-mailed to chambers and may be filed concurrently in ECF as PDF attachments to the main document. Include signature, date, and location block.

Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 2147, Anderson, SC 29622

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 35 pages. Otherwise, no courtesy copies required.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Do not file proposed orders in ECF. Do not submit proposed orders as a result oral argument unless requested by Judge Anderson.
    10. Signatures: All documents submitted for filing must contain the attorney's graphical signature instead of the s/typed name. This should be accomplished through the use of a digital graphical signature inserted on a created document and not a signed signature on a printed document that is subsequently scanned.
    12. Written Communications: Do not follow Standard Preference. Instead, all written communications from Filing Users relating to an action should be filed unless there are grounds for an ex parte communication.

Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 35 pages. Otherwise, no courtesy copies required.
    5. Attachments: Follow Standard Preference EXCEPT: Each attachment (including exhibits) shall be a separate attachment to the main document.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Do not include signature and date block.

Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing Address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 10469, Greenville, SC 29603

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 10 pages. Send courtesy copies of any filed document which exceeds 25 pages.
    4. Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Documents should be bound in any manner that is secure, does not obscure the text, and permits the documents to lie reasonably flat when open. For trial purposes, two bound copies of exhibits are required. The exhibits should be organized in a manner easily accessible to the court.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email full pretrial brief in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address. Do not file or serve except for voir dire and requests to charge.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Proposed orders are not required for simple extensions of time (i.e., extension of a single deadline).
    9.
    Protection Requests and Extensions of Time:
      For extensions of time, follow Standard Preference.
      For protection requests: A request for protection should be filed as a notice. Please include in the docket text the dates for which protection is requested.

Judge Cameron McGowan Currie

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages.
    7.

    Pretrial Briefs: Must be filed and served. Include with the pretrial brief as a separate document a proposed Witness List and an Exhibit List using the format below. Follow courtesy copy standard applied to motions and memoranda. Email WordPerfect version of proposed jury charge and verdict form to proposed orders email address.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Do not include signature and date block. Proposed orders are not required for simple extensions of time (i.e., extension of a single deadline when a motion is filed).

Judge Patrick Michael Duffy

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 835, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    1. Accepted Word Processing Form: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Please do not use table formats in documents to be submitted in WordPerfect or Rich Text Format.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copy of any filed document which exceeds 15 pages. Otherwise, no courtesy copies required.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email full pretrial brief in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address. Do not file or serve except for voir dire and requests to charge.
    8. Proposed Orders: MUST be e-mailed to chambers and may be filed concurrently in ECF as PDF attachments to the main document. For consent orders, PDF format is preferred. If unable to submit proposed orders in WordPerfect, PDF format is acceptable. Do not include a signature and date block on any proposed order. Do not include exhibit stickers or the word "proposed" in the title of the order. DO NOT SEND PROPOSED ORDERS FOR DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS.
    12. Written communications: Do not follow Standard Preference. Instead, all written communications from Filing Users relating to an action should be filed unless there are grounds for an ex parte communication. The filed communications should not be submitted in any other form (e.g., by facsimile, mail, email, or hand delivery) unless expressly requested.

Judge Margaret B. Seymour

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages. Send courtesy copy of any filed document that exceeds 50 pages. The courtesy copy should be printed after filing so that the filing information header will be present and mailed to the Court within one business day. Otherwise, no courtesy copies needed.
    4. Courtesy Copy Form: Follow Standard Preference except do not bind or tab. Courtesy copies should be stapled or clipped together. IN ADDITION: The copies must be printed directly from ECF.
    5. Attachments: Follow Standard Preference EXCEPT: Each attachment (including exhibits) shall be a separate attachment to the main document.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email full pretrial brief, including voir dire and requests to charge, in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address and including the case number in the subject line. Do not file or serve (except as required by Local Rule 26.05). Also, see Judge Seymour's "Instructions for Proposed Jury Charges" on the court's web page.
    9. Protection Requests: Do not follow Standard Preference. Requests for protection should be filed as a Notice.
    12. Written Communications: Do not follow Standard Preference. Letters to the court are discouraged. The court will review correspondence on a case-by-case basis and determine whether a particular letter should be filed by the Office of the Clerk of Court.

     

    Note to Counsel

    *** Requests for juror strikes for cause will be due no later than noon two (2) days prior to jury selection. Please use the Request to Strike Juror For Cause form ***


Judge Terry L. Wooten

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 2557, Florence, SC 29503

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages. Otherwise, no courtesy copies needed.
    5. Attachments: Follow Standard Preference EXCEPT: Each attachment (including exhibits) shall be a separate attachment to the main document.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date, and location block.

Judge Henry F. Floyd

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 201 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions and memoranda if these documents exceed 100 pages.
    8. Proposed Orders: Do not attach to pleadings. Email proposed orders to chambers in WordPerfect format only.

Judge R. Bryan Harwell

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 2317, Florence, SC 29503

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    5. Attachments: Follow Standard Preference EXCEPT: Each attachment (including exhibits) shall be a separate attachment to the main document.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email the pretrial brief, voir dire, and requests to charge in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address. Also, file the voir dire and requests to charge in ECF; however, do not file the pretrial briefs.

Judge Sol Blatt, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 835, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email full pretrial brief in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address. Do not file or serve except for voir dire and requests to charge.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date, and location block.

Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Send courtesy copies of all filed documents. A cover letter should be attached to all material sent to chambers.
    5. Attachments: Follow Standard Preference EXCEPT: Each attachment (including exhibits) shall be a separate attachment to the main document.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: A courtesy copy of all proposed orders must be sent to chambers. Consent orders must contain the original signatures.
    10. Signatures: Follow Standard Preference except that consent orders must contain the original signatures.
    12. Communications: Phone calls to chambers are discouraged. If a phone call regarding a case is necessary, it must be made by the attorney in the case.

Judge C. Weston Houck

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 150, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    12. Written Communications: Do not follow Standard Preference. The court will review correspondence on a case-by-case basis and determine whether a particular letter should be filed by the Office of the Clerk of Court.

Magistrate Judge Robert S. Carr

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 835, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Pursuant to Judge Carr's Standing Order re: Binding of Exhibits, in all civil cases, parties submitting pleadings and/or exhibits which exceed a total of fifty (50) pages shall furnish one bound copy of those documents for the court. For trial purposes, two bound copies are required. Otherwise, no courtesy copies required.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date, and location block.

Magistrate Judge William M. Catoe

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 10262, Greenville, SC 29603

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email full pretrial brief in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address. Do not file or serve except for voir dire and requests to charge.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Proposed orders are not required for simple extensions of time (i.e., extension of a single deadline).

Magistrate Judge Joseph R. McCrorey

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 10 pages.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date and location block.

Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 10 pages.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date, and location block.
    12. Written Communications: Do not follow the Standard Preference.

Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 835, Charleston, SC 29402

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Send courtesy copy of any filed document which exceeds 15 pages.

Magistrate Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 10823, Greenville, SC 29603

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages.

Magistrate Judge Thomas E. Rogers, III

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 2317, Florence, SC 29503

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.
    3. Courtesy Copies: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Send courtesy copies of motions, related memoranda, and attachments if these documents together exceed 25 pages.
    7. Pretrial Briefs: Email the pretrial brief, voir dire, and requests to charge in WordPerfect format to chambers, using proposed orders email address and including the case number in the subject line. Also, file the voir dire and requests to charge in ECF.
    8. Proposed Orders: Follow Standard Preference. IN ADDITION: Include signature, date and location block.

Magistrate Judge Robert L. Buchanan, Jr.

    Email address for Proposed Orders:
    Mailing address: U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 463, Aiken, SC 29802

    Standard Preferences apply unless otherwise indicated below.