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i ANNOTATED LOCAL RULES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MAINE THESE RULES ARE CURRENT AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2019 (The Annotations are current as of July 31, 2019)

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Page 1: ANNOTATED...Annotations Rule 3(a) (1) Under Local Rule 3(a), for a spouse to join a pro se plaintiff and proceed in forma pauperis, “she must provide an application and affidavit

i

ANNOTATED

LOCAL RULES

OF THE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF MAINE

THESE RULES ARE CURRENT AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2019

(The Annotations are current as of July 31, 2019)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

[page numbers are no longer accurate]

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ ii

CIVIL RULES ................................................................................................................ 1

RULE 1 - GENERAL ..................................................................................................... 1

RULE 3 - COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION ................................................................ 3

RULE 4 - SERVICE OF PROCESS .............................................................................. 5

RULE 5 - SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS ........... 6

RULE 5.1 – NOTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION ....................................... 7

RULE 6 - TIME .............................................................................................................. 8

RULE 7 - MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA OF LAW .................................................. 9

RULE 7.1 – CORPORATE DISCLOSURE ................................................................. 18

RULE 7A - FILING SEALED DOCUMENTS AND PLEADINGS............................ 19

RULE 9 - PLEADING SPECIAL MATTERS ............................................................. 22

RULE 10 - FORM OF PLEADINGS, MOTIONS AND OTHER PAPERS ................ 23

RULE 16.1 - CASE MANAGEMENT TRACKS ......................................................... 24

RULE 16.2 - SCHEDULING ORDER ......................................................................... 27

RULE 16.3 - MANAGEMENT TRACK PROCEDURES ............................................ 30

RULE 16.4 - FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE AND ORDER .............................. 38

RULE 22 - INTERPLEADER ...................................................................................... 41

RULE 26 - DISCOVERY ............................................................................................. 42

RULE 30 - DEPOSITIONS.......................................................................................... 47

RULE 32 - USE OF DEPOSITIONS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS .......................... 48

RULE 33 - INTERROGATORIES ............................................................................... 49

RULE 38 - DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL .................................................................. 50

RULE 39 - COURTROOM PRACTICE ....................................................................... 51

RULE 41.1 - COMPROMISED ACTIONS .................................................................. 54

RULE 41.2 - COURT APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENTS ON BEHALF OF MINORS

...................................................................................................................................... 55

RULE 44 - PROOF OF OFFICIAL OR CERTIFIED RECORDS .............................. 56

RULE 47 - SELECTION OF JURORS ....................................................................... 57

RULE 54.1 - SECURITY FOR COSTS ....................................................................... 58

RULE 54.2 - CLAIM FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES ........................................................ 59

RULE 54.3 - BILL OF COSTS .................................................................................... 62

RULE 56 - MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT .............................................. 63

RULE 64 - ATTACHMENT AND TRUSTEE PROCESS .......................................... 79

RULE 65.1 - BONDS AND SECURITY ...................................................................... 81

RULE 67 - DEPOSIT OF REGISTRY FUNDS IN INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNTS

...................................................................................................................................... 82

RULE 72 - DUTIES OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES ..................... 86

RULE 72.1 - OBJECTIONS TO PRETRIAL ORDERS .............................................. 87

RULE 73 - CONSENT TO ORDER OF REFERENCE .............................................. 89

RULE 77 - ORDERS BY THE CLERK OF COURT ................................................... 90

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RULE 79 - CUSTODY OF PAPERS AND RECORDS ............................................... 91

RULE 81 - JURY DEMAND IN REMOVED ACTIONS ............................................ 92

RULE 83.1 - ATTORNEYS - ADMISSION ................................................................. 93

RULE 83.2 - ATTORNEYS - APPEARANCES AND WITHDRAWALS ................... 96

RULE 83.3 - ATTORNEYS - RULES OF DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT ......... 98

RULE 83.4 - LEGAL ASSISTANCE BY CERTIFIED LAW STUDENTS .............. 111

RULE 83.5 - ASSIGNMENT OF REMANDED CASES ........................................... 114

RULE 83.6 - BANKRUPTCY .................................................................................... 115

RULE 83.7 - CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ..................................... 117

RULE 83.8 - SECURITY ........................................................................................... 118

RULE 83.9 - COMPLAINTS OF JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT OR DISABILITY .... 121

RULE 83.10 - CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY .............................................. 122

RULE 83.11 - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) .......................... 123

RULE 83.12 - PROCEDURES GOVERNING CASES REFERRED TO OR FROM

NEW HAMPSHIRE OR RHODE ISLAND ............................................................... 125

RULE 83.13 - RESTRICTIONS UPON LAW PRACTICE AFTER TERMINATION OF

A CLERKSHIP ........................................................................................................... 126

APPENDIX I - MODEL COMPLAINT IN SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL .......... 1

APPENDIX II - FORM CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER ........................................ 1

APPENDIX III - AGREEMENT ON ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE ................... 1

APPENDIX IV - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES GOVERNING ................. 1

THE FILING AND SERVICE BY ELECTRONIC MEANS ................................. 1

CRIMINAL RULES ....................................................................................................... 1

RULE 110 - TRIAL DATE ............................................................................................. 1

RULE 111 - PLEA AGREEMENTS .............................................................................. 2

RULE 117 - FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE ........................................................ 3

RULE 123 - COURTROOM PRACTICE ....................................................................... 4

RULE 124.1 - PROPOSED QUESTIONS FOR JURY VOIR DIRE ............................ 7

RULE 124.2 - TRIAL JURY .......................................................................................... 8

RULE 130 - REQUESTS FOR JURY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................ 10

RULE 132 - GUIDELINE SENTENCING ................................................................. 11

RULE 132.1 - REVOCATION OF PROBATION OR SUPERVISED RELEASE ...... 14

RULE 145 – TIME ....................................................................................................... 15

RULE 147 - MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA OF LAW ............................................ 16

RULE 157.1 - DUTIES OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES ................ 19

RULE 157.2 - TRIAL BRIEFS .................................................................................... 20

RULE 157.3 - SPECIAL ORDERS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ACCUSED IN

WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND SENSATIONAL CRIMINAL CASES ........................ 21

RULE 157.4 - RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY ATTORNEYS AND

COURTHOUSE PERSONNEL IN CRIMINAL CASES ............................................ 22

RULE 157.5 - ATTORNEYS - APPEARANCES AND WITHDRAWALS ................. 25

RULE 157.6 - SEALED DOCUMENTS AND PLEADINGS...................................... 26

RULE 158 - PETTY OFFENSES ................................................................................ 29

RULE 159 – SENTENCING EXHIBITS AND DOCUMENTS ................................. 30

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CIVIL RULES

RULE 1 - GENERAL

(a) Relaxation

The Court may relax these rules in exceptional circumstances when justice so

requires.

(b) Effective Date: Repealer

These rules shall be effective February 1, 1997, and shall govern all proceedings

in cases then pending, or thereafter brought. All prior rules of this Court are

repealed, and all standing orders inconsistent with these rules are vacated, as of

that date.

(c) Definition

The term "party's attorney" or similar term whenever used in these rules shall

include a party appearing without counsel.

(d) Numbering

The numbering of the local rules tracks the numbers of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure. Rules concerning criminal practice have been assigned to the

100 series and thereafter correspond to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

*** Annotations

Rule 1(a) (1) The “exceptional circumstances” provision of Local Rule 1(a) did not support the plaintiff’s motion to set trial in Portland, which would overrule Local Rule 3(b)’s

assignment of the case to Bangor (“the subject events or omissions occurred in Somerset County (locus of purchase) and Piscataquis County (locus of accident)”). The plaintiff argued for Portland because he and several witnesses were Massachusetts residents, his expert witnesses resided outside Maine, much of his medical treatment was in Massachusetts, and the defendant was incorporated in Minnesota and did business throughout Maine. The defendant contended that Bangor was more convenient for many potential witnesses and that the plaintiff’s initial medical care occurred in Dover-Foxcroft. Phaneuf v. Polaris Indus., Inc., 2016 WL 4595677, at *1 (D. Me. Sept. 2, 2016).

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(2) “[W]here the most logical means for the opposing party to bring a Rule 56 violation to the attention of the Court is a motion to strike, the Court relaxes the Local Rule 56(e) prohibition [on motions to strike] to allow the Plaintiff in this case to bring Defendants' Rule 56(d) violation to its attention,” amounting to “exceptional circumstances when justice so requires” under Local Rule 1(a). Hinton v. Outboard Marine Corp., 828 F. Supp. 2d 366, 374-75 (D. Me. 2011). (3) “The Court has the inherent and express authority to relax its own rules ‘when justice requires.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 1(a).” Therefore, it was not required to refer a petition for attorney reinstatement to counsel and assign the matter for hearing before a judge, because it was apparent from the face of the petition that the petitioner was not a member of the bar of the State of Maine, and the chief judge had authority to screen the petition and assign it to himself and no hearing was necessary in light of the record generated in the state court proceeding. In re Williams, 775 F. Supp. 2d 210, 225-26

(D. Me. 2011). (4) “We review the district court’s initial application of its local rules for abuse of discretion.” NEPSK Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 5 (1st Cir. 2002) (dealing with Local Rule 7(b)) (internal citation omitted). “We have recognized that ‘[d]istrict courts enjoy broad latitude’ in adopting and administering such local rules.” Id. at 6 (internal citations omitted). (5) Post-conviction proceedings under 26 U.S.C. § 2255 have their own rules, Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts. Rule 12 of those rules states: “If no procedure is specifically prescribed by these rules, the district court may proceed in any lawful manner not inconsistent with these rules, or any applicable statute, and may apply the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, whichever it deems most appropriate, to motions filed under these rules.” The court found that Maine’s local rules concerning time limits on reply memoranda did not control, that essentially what the moving party had done was seek permission to amend his motion, and that Fed. R. Civ. P. 15 furnished the best analogy. United States v. Castro, 188 F.R.D. 173 (D. Me. 1999).

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RULE 3 - COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION (Amended December 1, 2009)

(a) Commencement of Civil Action

The filing fee shall be paid to the Clerk upon filing the complaint. A party who

desires to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 shall file with

the complaint a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis together with an

affidavit showing in detail the party's inability to pay fees and costs and that the

party is entitled to redress. All complaints shall be accompanied by a properly

completed Civil Cover Sheet (Form JS-44) which is available from the Clerk.

(b) Assignment

Maine constitutes one judicial district. Court shall be held at Bangor and

Portland. The filing party shall file each new action in Bangor or Portland, and

the latter shall ordinarily be tried in Bangor or Portland, by reference to the

county in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the

claim occurred or in which a substantial part of the property that is the subject

of the action is situated. Cases arising in the counties of Aroostook, Franklin,

Hancock, Kennebec, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington

shall be filed and ordinarily tried at Bangor. Cases arising in the counties of

Androscoggin, Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc and York shall be

filed and ordinarily tried at Portland. However, the Clerk shall assign those

cases arising out of Kennebec County, in which the State of Maine is either a

plaintiff or a defendant, to the judges of the Court by lot, in such manner that

each judge shall be assigned an equal number of said cases.1 Those Knox

County cases brought by inmates at the Maine State Prison in Warren, which

would ordinarily be filed in Portland, are to be filed in Bangor.

New Hampshire and Rhode Island cases referred to this Court due to the recusal

of the judges in those Districts and appeals from decisions of the U. S.

Bankruptcy Court to the district judges of this Court shall be assigned by lot so

that each judge is assigned an equal number of each category of cases.

1 Cases shall be randomly assigned to the extent a judge is not recused at the time of assignment.

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(c) Form of Complaint in Social Security Cases

Complaints filed in civil cases, pursuant to Section 205(g) of the Social Security

Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for benefits under Titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social

Security Act shall use the form provided in Appendix I.

*** Annotations

Rule 3(a)

(1) Under Local Rule 3(a), for a spouse to join a pro se plaintiff and proceed in forma pauperis, “she must provide an application and affidavit demonstrating her inability to pay fees and costs. D. Me. Loc. R. 3.” Barnard v. State, 2016 WL 3264264, at *2 (D. Me. June 14, 2016), R.&R. adopted in part, 2017 WL 3477740 (D. Me. Aug. 14, 2017). Rule 3(b) (1) Rule 3(b) properly assigned a case to Bangor where “the subject events or omissions occurred in Somerset County (locus of purchase) and Piscataquis County (locus of accident).” Phaneuf v. Polaris Indus., Inc., 2016 WL 4595677, at *1 (D. Me. Sept. 2, 2016). Rule 3(c)

(1) “‘While the district court does not have unbridled discretion to ignore the local rules, it enjoys a considerable latitude in applying local procedural rules and in departing from them,’ Garcia-Goyco v. Law Envtl. Consultants, Inc., 428 F.3d 14, 19 (1st Cir. 2005) (citation and internal punctuation omitted). The First Circuit ‘generally will not disturb the district court’s departure from its local rules so long as there is sound reason for the departure and no party’s substantial rights have been unfairly jeopardized.’ Id. at 19-20. That is the case here. . . . Local Rule 3(c) cannot sensibly be construed to forbid assertion of [a colorable claim of violation of constitutional rights] in a complaint otherwise compliant with the prescribed model form. Nor would any useful purpose be served in requiring Social Security claimants to seek leave of court to allege such a claim.” Bishop v. Astrue, 2009 WL 3517577, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 29, 2009); Williams v. Astrue, 2009 WL 3517579, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 29, 2009) (same); Maloon v. Astrue, 2009 WL 3517581, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 29, 2009) (same).

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RULE 4 - SERVICE OF PROCESS

(Amended May 1, 2009)

When service documents are issued in any civil case where a plaintiff has

been granted in forma pauperis status in an action involving the State of Maine or

its employees, and in all cases where a petitioner has filed a habeas corpus petition

under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, regardless of whether or not the filing fee has been paid,

procedures for service will be pursuant to the agreement between the Attorney

General of Maine and the Court set forth in Appendix III to these Local Rules.

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RULE 5 - SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS

(Amended December 1, 2009)

(a) Place of Filing

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, papers shall be filed with the Court at

Bangor in cases filed and pending at Bangor, and at Portland in cases filed and

pending at Portland.

(b) Filing of Discovery

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, depositions upon oral examination and

interrogatories, requests for documents, requests for admissions, and answers

and responses thereto and disclosures made under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)-(3)

and pursuant to scheduling orders issued by the Court, shall be served upon

other parties but shall not be filed with the Court. The party that has served

notice of a deposition or has served discovery papers shall be responsible for

preserving and for insuring the integrity of original transcripts and discovery

papers for use by the Court.

(c) Filing and Service by Electronic Means

Unless exempt or otherwise ordered by the Court, papers shall be filed and

served electronically as required by the Court’s Administrative Procedures

Governing the Filing and Service by Electronic Means, which is set forth in

Appendix IV in these Local Rules. The provisions of the Court’s Administrative

Procedures Governing the Filing and Service by Electronic Means shall be

applied and enforced as part of these Local Rules. No papers shall be submitted

to the Court by means of a facsimile machine without prior leave of the Court.

*** Annotations

Rule 5(c)

(1) Under the Court’s electronic case filing protocol, Administrative Procedures Governing the Filing and Service by Electronic Means, pro se litigants not registered with ECF are to be served a paper copy of any electronically filed pleading or other document in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5. United States v. McCurdy, 2013 WL 173468, at *1-2 (D. Me. Jan. 16, 2013).

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RULE 5.1 – NOTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION

(formerly Rule 24)

To enable the Court to comply with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2403 and

Fed. R. Civ. P. 24(c), in any action, suit or proceeding to which the United States or

any agency, officer or employee thereof is not a party, any party who shall draw into

question the constitutionality of any Act of Congress affecting the public interest

shall forthwith so notify the Clerk in writing, stating the title of the action, its

docket number if any, and the Act of Congress in question.

To enable the Court to comply with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2403, in any

action, suit or proceeding to which a State or any agency, officer or employee thereof

is not a party, any party who shall draw in question the constitutionality of any

statute of that State affecting the public interest shall forthwith so notify the Clerk

in writing, stating the title of the action, its docket number if any, and the statute of

the State in question.

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RULE 6 - TIME (Amended December 1, 2017)

(a) Computation of Time

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6 applies when computing any period of time

stated in these rules.

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RULE 7 - MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA OF LAW

(Amended December 1, 2019)

(a) Submissions of Motions and Supporting Memoranda

Every motion shall incorporate a memorandum of law, including citations and

supporting authorities. Any affidavits and other documents setting forth or

evidencing facts on which the motion is based must be filed with the motion. No

written discovery motions shall be filed without the prior approval of a judicial

officer. See Rule 26(b).

(b) Objections to Motions

Unless within 21 days after the filing of a motion the opposing party files written

objection thereto, incorporating a memorandum of law, the opposing party shall

be deemed to have waived objection.

Any objections shall include citations and supporting authorities and affidavits

and other documents setting forth or evidencing facts on which the objection is

based. The deemed waiver imposed herein shall not apply to motions filed

during trial.

(c) Reply Memorandum

Within 14 days of the filing of any objection to a motion, the moving party may

file a reply memorandum, which shall not exceed 7 pages in length and which

shall be strictly confined to replying to new matter raised in the objection or

opposing memorandum.

(d) Form and Length

All memoranda shall be typed, in a font of no less than size 12 point, and shall

be double-spaced on 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper or printed. Footnotes shall be in a font

of no less than size 10 point, and may be single spaced. All pages shall be

numbered at the bottom. No memorandum of law in support of or in opposition

to a nondispositive motion shall exceed 10 pages. No memorandum of law in

support of or in opposition to a motion to dismiss, a motion for judgment on the

pleadings, a motion for summary judgment or a motion for injunctive relief shall

exceed 20 pages. No reply memorandum shall exceed 7 pages.

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A motion to exceed the limitation of this rule shall be filed no later than three (3)

business days in advance of the date for filing the memorandum to permit

meaningful review by the Court. A motion to exceed the page limitations shall

not be filed simultaneously with a memorandum in excess of the limitations of

this rule.

(e) Written Submissions and Oral Argument

Unless otherwise required by federal rule or statute, all motions may be decided

by the Court without oral argument unless otherwise ordered by the Court on its

own motion or, in its discretion, upon request of counsel.

(f) Motions for Reconsideration

A motion to reconsider an interlocutory order of the Court, meaning a motion

other than one governed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 59 or 60, shall demonstrate that the

order was based on a manifest error of fact or law and shall be filed within 14

days from the date of the order unless the party seeking a reconsideration shows

cause for not filing within that time. Cause for not filing within 14 days from

the date of the order includes newly available material evidence and an

intervening change in the governing legal standard. When a motion to

reconsider a ruling by the magistrate judge is directed to the magistrate judge,

an objection pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72 or 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) shall be filed

within 14 days after the party objecting has been served with a copy of the

magistrate's ruling on the motion to reconsider.

*** Annotations

Rule 7(a) (1) “Contrary to Local Rule 7(a), the Defendants filed a motion and a separate memorandum of law; Local Rule 7(a) requires that ‘[e]very motion shall incorporate a memorandum of law, including citations and supporting authorities.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 7(a).” Shaw v. Stewart’s Transfer, 2010 WL 2943202, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. July 22, 2010).

(2) “[I]t seems apparent to me that the parties’ extension of ‘professional courtesies’ cannot operate to suspend the Local Rules of federal district courts,” in this case Local Rule 7(a)’s requirement that every motion must incorporate a legal memorandum (but court delayed action until a ruling from the District of Idaho). Mktg. Unlimited LLC v. SRE Cheaptrips Inc., 2009 WL 2711954, at *2 (D. Me. Aug. 21, 2009), R. & R. adopted, 2009 WL 2923061 (D. Me. Sept. 10, 2009).

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Rule 7(b) (formerly Local Rule 19(c)) (1) A prisoner who fails to respond to correctional authorities’ motion to dismiss for failure to exhaust prison administrative remedies can be deemed to have waived objection to that argument. Wilson v. Clinton, 2018 WL 4441241, at *2 (D. Me. July 24, 2018), R.&R. adopted, 2018 WL 4440650 (D. Me. Sept. 17, 2018). (2) Even though Local Rule 7(b) provides that if a party fails to file a timely objection to a motion, the party is “deemed to have waived objection,” the court “may not automatically grant a motion for summary judgment simply because the opposing party failed to comply with a local rule requiring a response within a certain number of days.” Maddocks v. Portland Police Dep’t, 2016 WL 7480270, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 29, 2016), R.&R. adopted, 2017 WL 2222912 (D. Me. May 19, 2017) (internal citation and quotations omitted). (3) Although Local Rule 7(b) provides that if a party fails to file an objection within 21 days of the filing of a motion (here a motion to strike a request for summary judgment) the “party shall be deemed to have waived objection,” the court need not grant the motion to strike if “not appropriate.” Inman v. Riebe, 2016 WL 1170973, at *1 n.1, 2 (D. Me. Mar. 24, 2016) (internal quotations omitted). (4) A failure to object to a motion to remand within Local Rule 7(b)’s time limit waives objection to the motion to remand. Hamilton v. Federal Home Loan Mortg. Corp., 2014 WL 640288, at *2 (D. Me. Feb. 14, 2014). (5) Failure to comply with Local Rule 7(b) can be treated as a waiver of any opposition to both a (12)(b)(6) motion and a 12(c) motion. Relying upon the First Circuit’s treatment in NEPSK, Inc., infra, the court stated: “Motions for judgment on the pleadings are ordinarily accorded the same treatment as motions to dismiss. There is only a ‘modest difference between Rule 12(c) and Rule 12(b)(6) motions,’ in that a Rule 12(c) motion implicates the pleadings as a whole.’ Neither Rule 12(b)(6) nor Rule 12(c) allows for the resolution of any contested facts, the pertinent facts being primarily those alleged in the plaintiff’s complaint,” Cambron v. Brewer Police Dep’t, 2013 WL 6229376, at *2 (D. Me. Dec. 2, 2013) (internal citations omitted), R.&R. adopted, id. at 1 (In Cambron, the court also ruled on the merits.). But see Van Dyke v. Town of Dexter, 2018 WL 6251362, at *3 (D. Me. Nov. 29, 2018). There the court said that failure to respond to a non-merits-based Rule 80B timeliness objection amounts to waiver pursuant to D. Me. Loc. R. 7(b), but distinguished a merits-based motion where, it said, the court is not relieved of its obligation to examine the merits. For this conclusion, Van Dyke quoted Vega-Encarnacion v. Babilonia, 344 F.3d 37, 41 (1st Cir. 2003), which said: “If the merits are at issue, the mere fact that a motion to dismiss is unopposed does not relieve the district court of the obligation to examine the complaint itself to see whether it is formally sufficient to state a claim.” The First Circuit later noticed the tension between NEPSK and Vega-Encarnacion, and reconciled them as follows:

When deciding a 12(b)(6) motion, “the mere fact that a motion to dismiss is unopposed does not relieve the district court of the obligation to examine the complaint itself to see whether it is formally sufficient to state a claim. Vega-

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Encarnacion v. Babilonia, 344 F.3d 37, 41 (1st Cir. 2003). This obligation means that a court may not automatically treat a failure to respond to a 12(b)(6) motion as a procedural default. See Pinto v. Universidad De Puerto Rico, 895 F.2d 18, 19 & n.1 (1st Cir. 1990) (rejecting defendants’ argument that “a court may, without notice, take a failure to respond to a motion to dismiss as a default, warranting dismissal irrespective of substantive merit”). On the other hand, we have held that “it is within the district court’s discretion to dismiss an action based on a party’s unexcused failure to respond to a dispositive motion when such response is required by local rule, at least when the result does not clearly offend equity.” NEPSK, Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2002); see Pinto, 895 F.2d at 19 & n.1 (noting that a court may treat the failure to respond to a motion to dismiss as a procedural default “where a court had ordered a memorandum, and of course, cases where a response was required by rule”) (citations omitted). Where a local rule expressly requires a response to a motion, the nonmoving party is placed on notice that failure to respond could result in a procedural default. See Pinto, 895 F.2d at 19 & n.1. In such cases the local rule provides the basis for dismissal rather than Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), which does not on its own terms require a response to a motion to dismiss. Where a district court grants an unopposed motion to dismiss pursuant to a local rule that requires a response, we will uphold the sanction provided that it does not offend equity or conflict with a federal rule.

Pomerleau v. W. Springfield Pub. Sch., 362 F.3d 143, 145 (1st Cir. 2004) (some internal citations omitted). (6) Although Local Rule 7(b) allows 21 days to file a memorandum opposing a motion, where the motion was filed many months earlier (albeit without some attachments) and was only a single-issue 4-page motion and plaintiff’s expedited response to it was “detailed” and “replete with citations,” there were no “concrete suggestions of what he would have done with additional time; he has not mentioned any arguments he would have made, cases he would have cited, or issues he now fears he forfeited,” he did not need the full 21 days. Widi v. McNeil, 2013 WL 1873215, at *4 (D. Me. May 3, 2013). (7) “When a district court has promulgated a local rule, such as the District of Maine’s Local Rule 7(b), which requires a party to file a written objection to any motion, it is within the district court’s discretion to dismiss an action based on a party’s unexcused failure to respond to a dispositive motion. The only limitation on this discretion is that an order dismissing the case must ‘not clearly offend equity’ or be inconsistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.” Manuel v. Labor Ready Inc., 2012 WL 1893782, at *1 (D. Me. May 3, 2012) (internal citations omitted), R.&R. adopted, 2012 WL 18793777 (D. Me. May 23, 2012).

(8) On a motion for judgment on the administrative record, even though Local Rule 7(b) provides that a party who fails to file an objection to a motion waives objection to the motion, the failure “does not . . . necessarily entitle the movant to the requested relief. The Court is still obligated to ascertain whether judgment is appropriate as a matter of law.” Gagnon v. Lincoln Nat’l Life Ins. Co., 2010 WL 2399355, at *1 (D. Me. June 10, 2010) (citing Cordero-Soto v. Island Find., Inc., 418 F.3d 114, 118 (1st Cir. 2005)).

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(9) The court applied Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)’s “excusable neglect” standard to a request to file an objection after Local Rule 7(b)’s time limit had expired, and said it is “‘a balancing test which requires an equitable determination taking account of all relevant circumstances surrounding the party’s omission.’ These circumstances include: ‘the danger of prejudice to the non-moving party, the length of the delay and its potential impact on judicial proceedings, the reason for the delay, including whether it was within the reasonable control of the movant, and whether the movant acted in good faith.’” Nickerson-Malpher v. Baldacci, 247 F.R.D. 223, 224 (D. Me. 2008) (internal citations omitted). (10) “Nor can the plaintiff avoid the fact that its failure to respond to two of the three arguments advanced by the defendants in the motion to dismiss constitutes a waiver of its right to oppose those motions simply by stating that it intends to file an amended complaint. . . . See Local Rule 7(b).” ITI Holdings, Inc. v. Professional Scuba Ass’n, Inc.,

2006 WL 240618, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Jan. 31, 2006), R.&R. adopted, 2006 WL 616069 (D. Me. Mar. 9, 2006), aff'd sub nom. ITI Holdings, Inc. v. Odom, 468 F.3d 17 (1st Cir. 2006). (11) It is improper to file a motion to strike and to wait for the court’s ruling before deciding whether to respond to the underlying motion. Randall v. Potter, 366 F. Supp. 2d 120, 122 (D. Me. 2005) (plaintiff should have responded to defendant’s statement of material facts in support of its motion for partial summary judgment). (12) The court did not find a Local Rule 7(b) waiver where “the Plaintiffs responded to the Defendants’ argument, but cryptically and ineffectively.” Griffin v. Town of Cutler, 2005 WL 2476249, at *2 (D. Me. Oct. 5, 2005). (13) Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e) formerly provided that a district court may grant summary judgment only “if appropriate.” The First Circuit said that “[g]iven the potential tension between Rule 56(e) and local rules such as the District of Maine’s Rule 7(b), we have recognized the need to interpret local waiver rules . . . so as to preserve their scope and validity without running afoul of the requirements of Rule 56 . . . . To that end, in the summary judgment context we read the ‘deemed waiver’ provision of the local rules to extend only to waiver of objection to the moving party’s factual assertions.” NEPSK, Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 8-9 (1st Cir. 2002). The language “if appropriate” no longer appears in Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e), but the standard has not changed. The Rule now says that the court may “grant summary judgment if the motion and supporting materials—including the facts considered undisputed—show that the movant is entitled to it.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(3). The Advisory Committee Note explains: “Subdivision (e)(3) recognizes that the court may grant summary judgment only if the motion and supporting materials—including the facts considered undisputed under subdivision (e)(2)—show that the movant is entitled to it. Considering some facts undisputed does not of itself allow summary judgment. . . . Once the court has determined the set of facts—both those it has chosen to consider undisputed for want of a proper response or reply and any that cannot be genuinely disputed despite a procedurally proper response or reply—it must determine the legal consequences of these facts and permissible inferences from them.” Notes of the Advisory Committee, Rule 56(e) (2010 Amendments).

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(14) Except for summary judgment, “it is within the district court’s discretion to dismiss an action based on a party’s unexcused failure to respond to a dispositive motion when such response is required by local rule, at least when the result does not clearly offend equity.” NEPSK, Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2002) (internal citation omitted); id. at 7 n.6 (“this discretion ‘is not unbridled,’ citing United States v. Roberts, 978 F.2d 17, 20 (1st Cir. 1992), where the court found an abuse of discretion in denying the government’s motion to reconsider an order granting a motion to suppress for lack of opposition). (15) The court can grant a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings based upon a failure to object under Local Rule 7(b) because, unlike Federal Rule 56, “nothing in the text of Rule 12(c) compels the court to apply any particular standard when deciding whether to grant or deny a motion for judgment on the pleadings.” NEPSK, Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 8 (1st Cir. 2002).

(16) “Local Rule 7 does not preclude the filing of consolidated memoranda,” but in a case with multiple filings, it is helpful to segregate the motions and filings and properly label them. LaMarche v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 236 F. Supp. 2d 34, 37-38, 38 n.3 (D. Me. 2002) R.&.R. adopted, id. at 35-36. (17) The court granted the defendants’ motion for entry of default on their counterclaims because the plaintiff filed no opposition to the motions for entry of default and accordingly, under Rule 7(b), waived objection. Brown v. Maine Medical Center, 1999 WL 33117168, at *1-2 (D. Me. Aug. 6, 1999). (18) If a memorandum is not filed along with the objection to a motion to dismiss, the court can grant the motion to dismiss. United Transp. Union v. Maine Cent. R.R. Co., 107 F.R.D. 383, 383–84 (D. Me. 1985). Rule 7(c) (1) The fact that a Reply “raises new issues, in violation of Local Rule 7(c) . . . is not a reason to strike the entire reply. This court will not address new issues raised for the first time in reply memoranda. I will not consider any new issues or arguments raised in the defendant’s reply memorandum.” Hearts with Haiti, Inc. v. Kendrick, 2013 WL 5729533, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 22, 2013) (internal citations omitted), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (2) “Neither the Federal Rules nor the Local Rules permits a party to file a surreply to the moving party’s reply. Local Rule 7 instead reflects the Court’s need for finality and only allows parties to file a motion, a response, and a reply ‘strictly confined to replying to new matter raised in the objection or opposing memorandum.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 7. The Court therefore grants leave to file a surreply only in rare instances. ‘A surreply is appropriate where a party has not had the opportunity to contest matters introduced for the first time in the opposing party’s reply.’ Animal Welfare Inst. v. Martin, 588 F. Supp. 2d 70, 81 (D. Me. 2008). However, ‘[t]he matter must be truly new.’ Id. “Absent highly unusual circumstances, [surreplies] are not favored.’ In re Light Cigarettes Mktg.

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Sales Practices Litig., 832 F. Supp. 2d 74, 78 (D. Me. 2011).” Aero Union Corp. v. Aircraft Deconstructors Int’l LLC, 2012 WL 3679627, at *9 (D. Me. Aug. 24, 2012). (3) “To the extent that I have relied on the defendants’ reply memorandum, I have not relied on the portions identified by the plaintiffs as raising new substantive argument.” The court therefore denied the motion to strike and the motion to allow a surreply memorandum. Ford v. Dealer Computer Services, Inc., 1999 WL 1995026, at *6 n. 3 (D. Me. Feb. 12, 1999). Rule 7(d) (formerly Rule 7(e)) (1) “Local Rule 7(d) requires memoranda to be double spaced and provides that ‘no memorandum of law . . . in opposition to a motion to dismiss . . . shall exceed 20 pages.’” Carey & Assocs., P.A. v. Sheriffs and Ctys. of Cumberland, 320 F. Supp. 3d 226, 231 n.5 (D. Me. 2018). (2) “For her part, the Plaintiff violated Local Rule 7([d]) by filing an opposition to the Defendant’s motion that totaled 25 pages without first seeking leave to exceed the 20-page limit set by the local rules.” Norris v. City of Portland, 2017 WL 3613024, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. Aug. 22, 2017). (3) A moving party cannot exceed the page limit by filing separate motions addressing segregable issues. Desena v. Beekley Corp., 2010 WL 1049873, at *1 (D. Me. Mar. 17, 2010) (striking 6 separate summary judgment motions and ordering the filing of a consolidated motion). (4) Pages must be numbered at the bottom. Michael v. Liberty, 2007 WL 2251413, at *1 n.3 (D. Me. Aug. 1, 2007). (5) Although motions to exceed the page limitations in Rule 7 shall be filed no later than 3 business days in advance of the due date, and not simultaneously with the overlong memorandum, the court did not apply the requirement where a multidistrict transfer was pending to a different district that might have a different rule. Instead, the court allowed the overlong memorandum and an extended surrebuttal. United States v. Adams, 2006 WL 3841512, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 29, 2006). Rule 7(e) (formerly Rule 7(f)) (1) Oral argument requests denied “in the exercise of the Court’s discretion pursuant to District of Maine Local Rule 7(e).” Bath Iron Works Corp. v. Congoleum Corp., 2019 WL 2110499, at *4 n.6 (D. Me. May 14, 2019). (2) Under Rule 7(e), the Court has discretion whether to allow oral argument and can deny it when it “concludes the issues presented by the written submissions are sufficiently clear without oral argument.” Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians v. Ryan, 2006 WL 897660, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Apr. 6, 2006), aff'd, 484 F.3d 73 (1st Cir. 2007).

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(3) “The plaintiff appears to assume that a hearing will be scheduled on its motion. That is not the practice in this court. Loc. R. 7(f). Construing the plaintiff’s submission as a request for oral argument, I conclude that the parties’ papers provide a sufficient basis on which to decide the motion and deny the request for oral argument before me.” Am. Towers, Inc. v. Town of Falmouth, 217 F. Supp. 2d 154, 155 n.1 (D. Me. 2002) (internal citation omitted), R.&R. adopted, id. at 155. (4) “Because I am satisfied that the written submissions of the parties adequately address the issues raised, their request for oral argument is denied. See Loc. R. 7(f).” J.D. Irving, Ltd. v. Allen, 1999 WL 33117101, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Mar. 25, 1999), R.&R. adopted, No. CIV. 98-357-P-H (ECF No. 37) (May 11, 1999). Rule 7(f) (formerly Rule 7(g)) (1) A motion for reconsideration can be denied for lack of timeliness under this Local Rule, but the court declined to rule on the basis of untimeliness in the case of an incarcerated plaintiff where it was not clear when the plaintiff received the order for which he sought reconsideration; instead, the court proceeded to the merits. Stile v. Cumberland County Sheriff, 2019 WL 578589, at *2 (D. Me. Feb. 12, 2019). (2) The rule on motions for reconsideration applies only to orders that are interlocutory and does not apply when judgment has entered. Pushor v. Mt. Washington Observatory, Inc., 2018 WL 3478892, *1 (D. Me. July 19, 2018). (3) “[T]he mere prospect of an appellate ruling does not provide cause under [then] Rule 7(g) to delay filing a motion for reconsideration.” Merrimon v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am., 2013 WL 1490583, at *1 (D. Me. Apr. 10, 2013). (4) Although Local Rule 7 allows a motion for reconsideration, “[t]he standard for a motion for reconsideration is whether the order ‘was based on a manifest error of fact or law.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 7(g). A party may present newly discovered evidence in a motion for reconsideration; however, the standard for newly discovered evidence is that the evidence be not only new to the litigant but not previously available.” Murphy v. Corizon, 2012 WL 5258492, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 24, 2012); accord Merrimon v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am., 2013 WL 1490583, at *2 (D. Me. Apr. 10, 2013). (5) “The failure to comply with the time periods in the Local Rule is justification enough for the denial of the motion for reconsideration.” Goguen v. Gilblair, 2012 WL 4589197, at *3 (D. Me. Oct. 1, 2012) (but also finding no manifest error of fact or law sufficient for reconsideration). (6) Where the movant misses the time limit, it is the movant’s burden to show cause for its failure and not the other party’s burden to demonstrate lack of cause. Although “cause” includes newly available material evidence, the movant “fails to show the necessary cause under Local Rule 7(g)” when it does not demonstrate that the evidence was previously unavailable. Golf Tech, LLC v. Edens Techs., LLC, 610 F. Supp. 2d 106, 108-09 (D. Me. 2009).

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(7) “Local Rule 7(g) clearly envisions [a motion for reconsideration of a recommended decision] addressed to a magistrate judge.” Huhtamaki Co. Mfg. v. CKF, Inc., 2009 WL 1683802, at *2 (D. Me. June 15, 2009).

(8) “When faced with a motion to reconsider, the district court must apply an interests-of-justice test,” and “[i]t was simply unfair—and an abuse of discretion—for the district court, after having switched the basic issue without giving the parties adequate warning, to refuse to accept the prompt proffer of material relevant to the newly-raised issue.” Douglas v. York County, 360 F. 3d 286, 290 (1st Cir. 2004).

(9) Requests for reconsideration of interlocutory orders “do not necessarily fall within any specific Federal Rule. They rely on ‘the inherent power of the rendering district court to afford such relief from interlocutory judgments . . . as justice requires.’’’ They are not subject to the excusable neglect standards for Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b). Greene v.

Union Mutual Life Ins. Co., 764 F. 2d 19, 22 (1st Cir. 1985).

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RULE 7.1 – CORPORATE DISCLOSURE

To enable the Court to evaluate possible disqualification or recusal, counsel for

all non-governmental parties shall file with their first appearance a Notice of

Interested Parties, which shall list all persons, associations of persons, firms,

partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, corporations (including

parent or affiliated corporations, clearly identified as such), or any similar entities,

owning 10% or more of the named party. Counsel shall be under a continuing

obligation to file an amended Notice if any material change occurs in the status of

an Interested Party, such as through merger, acquisition, or new/additional

membership.

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RULE 7A - FILING SEALED DOCUMENTS AND PLEADINGS (Amended January 1, 2013)

A document or pleading may be filed under seal only upon order of the Court, in

accordance with the following procedures:

(a) Motion to Seal and Sealed Documents

To obtain an order allowing one or more documents or pleadings to be sealed, a

party shall electronically file on ECF a motion to seal together with the separate

document(s) or pleading(s) sought to be sealed. The motion shall propose specific

findings as to the need for sealing and the duration the document(s) should be

sealed. The motion shall include a statement whether there is agreement of the

parties to the sealing. The ECF system will generate and send a Notice of

Electronic Filing (NEF) to counsel of record notifying them of the filing, but

counsel will be unable to view the document. If service is required, all counsel

must be served in a manner other than through ECF.

(b) Objection to Sealing and Reply

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any objection to a motion to seal and any

reply thereto shall be filed electronically under seal and in accordance with Local

Rule 7.

(c) Order

In making specific findings as to the need for sealing and the duration the

document(s) shall be sealed, the Court may incorporate by reference the

proposed findings in the motion to seal. If the motion to seal is denied, the

motion to seal and any supporting document(s) tendered under provisional seal

shall remain in the ECF system, sealed indefinitely, unless the Court orders

otherwise. The parties should anticipate that the Court’s order granting or

denying the motion to seal will not be filed under seal and will be publicly

available.

(d) Public Notice

The docket entry noting the filing of the motion to seal, and of any objection and

reply thereto, and of the filing of the Court’s order thereon, and of the filing of

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any sealed document(s) or pleading(s) shall be publicly available on ECF, but the

document(s) or pleading(s) themselves shall only be available to the Court.

(e) Exceptions

(1) No motion or order is required for the filing of a document that has been

redacted solely to remove personal identifiers pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P.

5.2 or that is included within a category of pleadings and documents

deemed sealed or authorized to be filed ex parte pursuant to a federal

statute, the federal rules of procedure, or the local rules of this Court.

Any filing of a redacted document shall reference the authority for such

redaction.

(2) Documents marked confidential pursuant to an existing protective order

may not automatically be filed under seal. The parties must confer and

attempt to redact the exhibit in order to remove “confidential” material

that is not essential for the Court’s use in rendering a decision. If the

exhibit cannot be redacted by agreement to remove confidential

information, the party claiming that the document should be under seal

shall file a motion in compliance with paragraphs (a-b) above.

(3) Sealed pleadings and documents, such as deeds, photographs, or bulky

exhibits, which cannot be filed electronically, shall be filed in accordance

with the provisions of the ECF User Manual.

*** Annotations

(1) Where a party files a motion to seal that is to be scanned for electronic filing and the motion uses hyperlinks, the court cannot access the hyperlinks and will not “do the work of the party requesting redaction and comb through the docket in search of personal identifiers. ‘The responsibility to redact filings rests with counsel and the party or nonparty making the filing.’ D. Me. Loc. Rules, App. IV, Administrative Procedures Governing the filing and service by Electronic Means, (i), Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court.” Flanders v. Maine, 2019 WL 2929500, at *3 (D. Me. July 8, 2019).

(2) “’[T]here is a strong common law presumption favoring public access to judicial proceedings and records.’ . . . The confidentiality concerns of [the parties] can be addressed through the Court’s standard procedure of making publicly available redacted versions of the documents filed under seal because the parties have agreed to

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meet and confer regarding matters that can be disclosed in this way.” Aero Union Corp. v. Aircraft Deconstructors Int’l LLC, 2012 WL 3679627, at *4 (D. Me. Aug. 24, 2012). (3) “When, as a result of pretrial proceedings and in accordance with this Court’s Local Rule 7A, documents are filed under seal, they remain under seal until someone files a motion to unseal them, or the Court, on its own motion, issues an order to show cause why they should remain sealed.” Nat’l Org. for Marriage v. McKee, 2011 WL 285684, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 26, 2011) (previous version of the Rule; the Rule now requires the Order to specify the length of the seal). (4) “Assuming that the public has a right of access to records attached to an undecided dispositive motion in a civil action, the public’s right is not absolute. Here, the privacy interest in non-disclosure is a party’s financial records, the disclosure of which could cause the party to suffer a competitive disadvantage.” Maine v. Zealandia Holding Co.,

Inc., 2014 WL 12726291, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 31, 2014) (granting a motion to seal under Local Rule 7A(c) and 7A(e)(2); internal citations omitted).

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RULE 9 - PLEADING SPECIAL MATTERS (Amended July 1, 2011)

(a) Request for Three-Judge District Court

To enable the Court to comply with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2284, in any

action or proceeding which a party believes is required to be heard by a three-

judge district court, the words "THREE-JUDGE DISTRICT COURT

REQUESTED" or the equivalent shall be included directly beneath the

designation of the pleadings.

(b) Request for Injunctive Relief

If a pleading or motion seeks injunctive relief, in addition to the prayer for such

relief, the words "INJUNCTIVE RELIEF SOUGHT" or the equivalent shall be

included on the first page.

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RULE 10 - FORM OF PLEADINGS, MOTIONS

AND OTHER PAPERS (Amended July 1, 2011)

All pleadings, motions and other papers filed with the Clerk or otherwise

submitted to the Court, except exhibits, shall bear the proper case number and shall

contain on the first page a caption as described by Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(a) and

immediately thereunder a designation of what the document is and the name of the

party in whose behalf it is submitted. All such documents shall be typed in a font of

no less than size 12 point, and shall be double-spaced or printed on 8-1/2 x 11 inch

paper. Footnotes shall be in a font of no less than size 10 point, and may be single

spaced. All pages shall be numbered at the bottom. Ancillary papers shall be

attached at the end of the document to which they relate.

Documents Signed Under Oath. Affidavits, declarations, verified complaints,

or any other document signed under oath shall be filed electronically. The

electronically filed version shall contain the typed name of the signatory, preceded

by a “/s/” in the space where the signature would otherwise appear indicating that

the paper document bears an original signature. The filing attorney shall retain the

original for future production, if necessary, for a period of not less than two (2) years

after the expiration of the time for filing a timely appeal. Any party may, following

the filing of an electronically signed document under oath, request a copy of the

original document on which the electronic document is based.

*** Annotations

Rule 10 (1) “Local Rule 10 requires that ‘[a]ll pages shall be numbered at the bottom.’” Buckeye Ret. Co., LLC, Ltd. v. Ruotolo, 2013 WL 5531312, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. Oct. 4, 2013).

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RULE 16.1 - CASE MANAGEMENT TRACKS (Amended July 1, 2018)

(a) Civil Case Tracks

Each civil case shall be assigned to one of the following tracks:

1. Administrative

2. Standard

3. Complex

4. Prisoner Civil Rights

5. Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

6. Employee Retirement Income Security Act

(b) Definitions

(1) Administrative Track. Contains those cases in which discovery is

prohibited entirely unless specific approval is obtained from a judicial

officer. Cases on this track include cases filed under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254,

2255 (habeas corpus cases); social security disability cases; government

collections of student loans and VA benefits; government foreclosures; and

bankruptcy appeals. Administrative track cases shall ordinarily be

resolved within six (6) months after filing.

(2) Standard Track. Contains all civil cases, unless otherwise provided for in

this Rule, in which discovery is limited to not more than 30

interrogatories per opposing side (subparts not permitted); 30 requests for

admission per opposing side; 2 sets of requests for production per opposing

side; and 5 depositions per opposing side. In standard track cases,

discovery shall ordinarily be completed within 5 months and the case

scheduled for trial within 7 months after issuance of the scheduling order.

Cases on this track shall include cases such as vehicle collision cases

involving only negligence claims; slip and fall cases; Fair Labor Standards

Act and False Claim Act cases; personal injury litigation; civil rights cases

other than prisoner civil rights; statutory forfeiture cases; simple contract

cases; declaratory judgments regarding insurance coverage; FELA cases;

Jones Act cases; foreclosure of first preferred ship mortgages; and

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complaints for copyright violations for unauthorized musical

performances.

(3) Complex Track. Contains those cases that require special attention

because of the number of parties, complexity of the issues, scope of

discovery, and/or other comparable factors. Cases that are transferred or

returned to Maine by the Multi-District Litigation Panel shall be placed

on the complex track. The scope of discovery, motion practice, ADR and

other matters will be discussed with the parties or their lawyers.

(4) Prisoner Civil Rights Track. Contains civil rights cases filed by prisoners

pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Discovery and motion practice in

prisoner track cases shall ordinarily be completed within 4 months of the

issuance of the scheduling order.

(5) Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Track. Contains those cases

filed under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.

§ 1400 et seq. (IDEA).

(6) Employee Retirement Income Security Act Track. Contains those cases

filed pursuant to § 502(a)(1)(B) of The Employee Retirement Income

Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B) (ERISA).

(c) Assignment

Each case shall be assigned to a track by the Clerk based on the initial pleading.

The Court may on its own initiative, or upon good cause shown by a party,

change the track assignment of any case.

*** Annotations

(1) “This District’s Local Rules illustrate the unique procedural approach the Court undertakes in ruling on motions for judgment on the administrative record.” Carter v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 2019 WL 80434, at *13 n.21 (D. Me. Jan. 2, 2019) (citing D. Me.

Loc. R. 16.1(a)(6) and 16.2(c)(4)) (ERISA case). (2) Despite the small number of parties (three), “the Court will assign this case to the complex track. The Court credits the Respondents’ assertion that the issues relating to the DALRP may become convoluted. Moreover, FERC’s claim that it has already collected all the relevant evidence is grounded in assumption that the Respondents are not entitled to discovery. The Court holds that the Respondents are entitled to discovery; hence, it remains to be seen whether FERC has collected all the relevant evidence.

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Finally, the Court predicts that unique discovery issues may arise given the distinctive procedural backdrop of this case. As such, the Court will avail itself of the flexibility that the complex track affords.” FERC v. Silkman, 233 F. Supp. 3d 201, 227-28 (D. Me. 2017).

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RULE 16.2 - SCHEDULING ORDER (Amended July 1, 2018)

(a) Applicable Cases

A proposed scheduling order shall issue in all cases except social security

disability cases, habeas corpus petitions, bankruptcy appeals, and any other case

or category of cases as a judicial officer may order.

(b) Track Designation

The proposed scheduling order shall identify the case management track to

which the case is assigned.

(c) Contents of Scheduling Order

(1) The proposed scheduling order in administrative track cases shall

establish the deadline (1) to join other parties and to amend the pleadings;

and (2) to file motions. The order shall also direct the parties to exchange

written settlement papers by dates certain and it shall identify the month

in which the case shall be ready for trial.

(2) The proposed scheduling order in standard track cases shall establish the

deadline (1) for initial disclosures pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1);

(2) to join other parties and to amend the pleadings; (3) to file motions;

(4) to disclose experts and complete discovery; and (5) to complete other

pretrial preparation. The order shall also direct the parties to exchange

written settlement papers by dates certain and it shall identify the month

in which the case shall be ready for trial.

(3) The proposed scheduling order in prisoner civil rights track cases shall

establish the deadline (1) to join other parties and to amend the pleadings;

(2) to file motions; (3) to complete discovery; and (4) to complete other

pretrial preparation. This order shall also direct the parties to exchange

written settlement papers by dates certain and it shall identify the month

in which the case shall be ready for trial.

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(4) The proposed scheduling order in ERISA track cases shall establish the

deadline (1) for establishing the administrative record; (2) for filing

motions to modify the administrative record and/or for discovery; (3) for

amendment of the pleadings and joinder of parties; and (4) for filing

motions for judgment on the record for judicial review.

(d) Issuance

The proposed scheduling order in administrative, standard track, prisoner civil

rights track, and ERISA cases shall issue immediately upon the appearance of

defendant(s) but in no event more than 90 days after defendant has been served

with the complaint or 60 days after any defendant has appeared unless the judge

finds good cause for delay. The scheduling order in complex cases shall issue

after an initial conference with counsel at which discovery, motion practice, ADR

and other matters will be discussed. The scheduling order in IDEA track cases

shall issue after an initial conference with counsel at which the administrative

record, additional evidence, if any, motion practice, and other matters will be

discussed.

(e) Objections

Unless a party files an objection to the proposed scheduling order within twenty-

one (21) days of its filing, fourteen (14) days in ERISA track cases, the proposed

order shall thereupon become the Scheduling Order of the Court as required by

Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). A party wishing to alter any deadline or any discovery

limitation of a scheduling order must file a detailed explanation of the reasons

for each requested alteration with the objection or request a scheduling

conference with a judicial officer, or both. A conference, if deemed necessary by

the Court, will be scheduled promptly.

*** Annotations

Rule 16.2(c) (1) “This District’s Local Rules illustrate the unique procedural approach the Court undertakes in ruling on motions for judgment on the administrative record.” Carter v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 2019 WL 80434, at *13 n.21 (D. Me. Jan. 2, 2019) (citing D. Me. Loc. R. 16.1(a)(6) and 16.2(c)(4)) (ERISA case)).

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(2) “In this District, the deadline for expert designations in most cases, including patent cases, is established by a scheduling order.” Marical, Inc. v. Cooke Aquaculture Inc., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140466, *2 n.1 (D. Me. Aug. 31, 2017) (citing D. Me. Loc. R. 16.2(c)). (3) “This ‘ERISA track’ is different from the ‘standard track’ assigned to other claims, such as discrimination claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Compare Local Rule 16.3(b) with Local Rule 16.3([f]). For example, cases placed on the standard track would be subject to a scheduling order that establishes, as a matter of course, the deadlines for expert discovery and pretrial preparation. See Local Rule 16.2(c)(2). In contrast, the track and scheduling order for ERISA claims under § 502(a)(1)(B) does not allow for discovery as a matter of regular course and provides for more expedited resolution of claims via judgment on the record. See Local Rule 16.2(c)(4). Under Local 16.2(c)(4), the contents of a scheduling order for a case

brought under ERISA § 502(a)(1)(B) shall: “establish the deadline (1) for establishing the administrative record; (2) for filing motions to modify the administrative record and/or for discovery; (3) for amendment of the pleadings and joinder of parties; and (4) for filing motions for judgment on the record for judicial review.” Local Rule 16.2(c)(4). Notably, the customary scheduling order for a denial of benefits claim explicitly contemplates establishing the administrative record, followed by motion practice to modify that record. See id.” The court therefore granted a motion to sever an ERISA claim from other claims. Lampron v. Group Life Ins. & Disability Plan of United Techs. Corp., 2013 WL 2237854, at *3 (D. Me. May 21, 2013).

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RULE 16.3 - MANAGEMENT TRACK PROCEDURES

(Amended December 1, 2018)

(a) Administrative Track

(1) Habeas Corpus Petitions. Proceedings on applications for habeas corpus

under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and proceedings on motions to vacate sentence

under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 shall be referred to a magistrate judge in

accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and processed in accordance with

the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, 28 U.S.C. § 2254, and the Rules

Governing Section 2255 Proceedings, 28 U.S.C. § 2255 respectively.

(2) Social Security Disability Cases. These matters are referred upon filing to

a magistrate judge for further proceedings as follows:

(A) Within thirty (30) days of the filing of the transcript and answer,

counsel for the plaintiff shall file with the Court an itemized

statement of the specific errors upon which the plaintiff seeks

reversal of the Commissioner’s decision, and complete and file a Fact

Sheet available in the Clerk’s Office. Plaintiff’s itemized statement

of the specific errors shall not exceed twenty (20) pages in length.

On a showing of good cause, the plaintiff may move to extend the 30-

day deadline by an additional fifteen (15) days.

(B) The Commissioner shall file an opposition to the Plaintiff’s itemized

statement of specific errors no later than thirty (30) days after the

Plaintiff files his/her statement of errors. The Commissioner’s

opposition shall not exceed twenty (20) pages in length. No further

briefing will be permitted. On a showing of good cause, the

Commissioner may move to extend the 30-day deadline by an

additional fifteen (15) days.

(C) The case, then being ready for the entry of judgment upon the

pleadings and transcript of the record, will be scheduled for oral

argument.

(D) At oral argument, each party will be given 15 minutes to present its

position to the Court. Counsel for the plaintiff shall set forth the

specific errors about which the plaintiff complains. Counsel for the

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Commissioner shall then set forth reasons why the Commissioner's

decision should be affirmed. Counsel are required to cite statute,

regulation, and case authority to support their respective positions.

Any factual assertions must be supported by transcript references.

Additional time for oral argument or the presentation of briefs

following argument will be permitted only for good cause shown and

on such terms as the Court may direct.

(E) If the oral argument is conducted before a magistrate judge and the

parties have not consented to the magistrate judge's jurisdiction

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the magistrate judge will issue a

recommended decision. Any party desiring to object to the

recommended decision shall do so in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P.

72(b) and must provide a transcript of the oral argument.

(F) The Court has the discretion to waive oral argument, either on its

own, or at the request of one of the parties.

(3) Bankruptcy Appeals. Upon the filing of a bankruptcy appeal the Clerk

shall issue a notice setting forth the briefing schedule as required by

Bankruptcy Rule 8009 and the appeal shall be processed as follows:

An appeal from a final judgment, order or decree of the bankruptcy

court shall be assigned for hearing as soon after briefs have been

filed as the Court's calendar permits. The provisions of Bankruptcy

Rule 8012 shall govern whether an appeal is decided on the written

submissions or following oral argument. Any party requesting oral

argument shall file with its brief a separate statement setting forth

the reason why oral argument should be allowed.

Local Rule 7 shall govern any motion practice arising from the filing

of a bankruptcy appeal.

All briefs shall be filed in accordance with Bankruptcy Rules

8009(a), 8010(a) and 8010(b). Except by leave of Court, principal

briefs shall not exceed 30 pages, and reply briefs shall not exceed 10

pages, exclusive of pages containing the table of contents, table of

citations and any addendum containing photocopies of any statutes,

rules or regulations.

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(4) Other Cases. The case management of all other cases on the

administrative track shall be governed by the scheduling order.

(b) Standard Track

(1) The case management of all cases on the standard track shall be governed

by the scheduling order.

(2) When a scheduling conference is requested, it may be conducted by

telephone at the discretion of the judicial officer. In those instances, the

Clerk will inform the lawyers or unrepresented parties of the date and

time of the conference. It shall be the responsibility of the party who

requested the conference to initiate the telephone conference call to

chambers.

(3) Prior to the requested scheduling conference, the lawyers must confer and

discuss the following topics: voluntary exchange of information and

discovery; a discovery plan; the various alternative dispute resolution

options; consenting to trial before the magistrate judge; the legal issues in

the case; a plan for raising and disposing of serious and legitimate

dispositive motions; settlement; and stipulations.

(4) The Court may require counsel to file a joint proposed discovery and

motion plan prior to the scheduling conference.

(5) The agenda for the scheduling conference shall include the following

topics: narrowing the case to its essential issues; sequencing and limiting

discovery and motion practice; settlement; ADR options; and consent to

trial before the magistrate judge.

(6) During the conference the judicial officer shall explore the advisability

and utility of ADR, ascertaining actual discovery needs and costs and

imposing discovery limits and deadlines.

(c) Complex Track

(1) Promptly after the pleadings are complete an initial scheduling conference

will be held before a judicial officer. If the conference is to be conducted by

telephone, the Clerk will inform the lawyers or unrepresented parties of

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the time and date of the conference and it shall be the responsibility of the

plaintiff to initiate the telephone conference call to chambers.

(2) Prior to the conference the lawyers must meet face-to-face unless they are

more than 30 miles apart and in that event by telephone and discuss the

following issues: voluntary exchange of information and discovery; a

discovery plan; the various kinds of alternative dispute resolution;

consenting to trial by the magistrate judge; the legal issues in the case; a

plan for raising and disposing of serious and legitimate dispositive

motions; settlement; and stipulations.

(3) Not less than two (2) business days before the conference the lawyers

shall file a joint proposed discovery and motion plan and any proposal for

ADR.

(4) The agenda for the initial conference shall include the following topics:

narrowing the case to its essential issues; sequencing and limiting

discovery and motion practice; a trial date; all legal issues; settlement;

ADR options; consenting to trial before the magistrate judge; and the date

of the next conference.

(5) During the conference the judicial officer shall explore the advisability

and utility of ADR, ascertaining the actual discovery needs and costs and

imposing discovery limits and deadlines.

(6) During the initial conference the judicial officer will ordinarily schedule

further settlement discussions as part of the next conference and will

determine whether clients or client representatives should be required to

attend the next conference. The attendance of the clients (in person or by

being available by telephone) will usually be required.

(7) Unless the parties otherwise agree, the settlement conference in a nonjury

case will be conducted by a judicial officer other than the one who will

preside at trial.

(8) Additional case management and settlement conferences will be

scheduled at the discretion of the judicial officer. The judicial officer will

regularly hold case management conferences (either in person or by

telephone) in those cases in which there is substantial discovery. At each

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such conference, the lawyers shall be prepared to discuss in a detailed

manner the settlement status of the case, ongoing and projected litigation

costs, ADR options, and avoidance of unnecessary motion practice.

(d) Prisoner Civil Rights Track

(1) All prisoner civil rights cases are referred upon filing or removal from the

state courts to a magistrate judge.

(2) The case management of the cases shall be governed by a scheduling order

entered by the magistrate judge.

(e) Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Track

(1) Promptly after the pleadings are complete an initial scheduling conference

will be held before a judicial officer. If the conference is to be conducted by

telephone, the Clerk will inform the lawyers or unrepresented parties of

the time and date of the conference and it shall be the responsibility of the

plaintiff to initiate the telephone conference call to chambers.

(2) The agenda for the initial conference shall include the following topics:

identifying the essential factual and legal issues of the case; the

organization of the administrative record; the mode and sequence for the

presentation of additional evidence, if any; and the briefing schedule.

(3) Counsel shall not use the name of the child with a disability in court

filings, and shall refer to the child with a disability by initials only, or by

the alias of J. Doe.

(4) The administrative record, transcript, and any additional evidence of the

administrative proceedings shall be filed under seal.

(f) Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Track

(1) All cases brought pursuant to § 502(a)(1)(B) of The Employee Retirement

Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B) (ERISA), are

referred upon filing to a magistrate judge.

(2) The case management of all cases on the ERISA track shall be governed

by the scheduling order.

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(3) Scheduling conferences, at the discretion of the magistrate judge, may be

conducted by telephone. In those instances, the Clerk will inform the

lawyers and any unrepresented parties of the date and time of the

conference. It shall be the responsibility of the party requesting the

conference to initiate the telephone conference call to chambers.

*** Annotations

Rule 16.3(a)(2) (1) In Social Security cases, Local Rule 16.3(a)(2) “requires the plaintiff to file an itemized statement of the specific errors upon which she seeks reversal of the commissioner’s decision and to complete and file a fact sheet available at the Clerk’s Office, and the commissioner to file a written opposition to the itemized statement.” Local Rule 16.3(a)(2)(D) “require[s] the parties to set forth at oral argument their respective positions with citations to relevant statutes, regulations, case authority, and page references to the administrative record.” Roberta M.R. v. Berryhill, 2019 WL 1006225, at *3 n.1 (D. Me. Feb. 28, 2019). (2) Where a plaintiff “failed to comply with two court orders requiring her to file her itemized statement of specific errors and fact sheet, as mandated by Local Rule 16.3(a)(2),” the failure “arguably warrants dismissal with prejudice. However, given her pro se status, and erring on the side of caution,” the case was dismissed without prejudice for failure to prosecute. Heather S. v. Berryhill, 2018 WL 4781169, at *1-2 (D. Me. Oct. 3, 2018), R.&R. adopted, No. 1:18-CV-00178-JAW (ECF No. 20) (D. Me. Mar. 13, 2019). (3) “This Court’s review must be guided by the parties’ arguments of law and discussion of the factual record; the Court does not scrutinize the ALJ’s decision on its own. See D. Me. Local Rule 16.3(a).” Butler v. Berryhill, 2017 WL 3098086, at *2 (D. Me. July 21, 2017), R. & R. adopted sub nom. Butler v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 2017 WL 4077416 (D. Me. Sept. 14, 2017). (4) “[T]he point at issue in Connor was deemed waived ‘because it [was] an independent basis for affirmance of the decision that could have been, but was not, raised in the commissioner’s brief[.]’ Id. Here, the commissioner simply neglected to respond to one

of several points that the plaintiff made in seeking remand on the basis of an allegedly invalid credibility analysis. This did not relieve the plaintiff of his burden of demonstrating entitlement to remand on that basis, or the court of its duty to decide whether that burden was met by the plaintiff.” Fothergill v. Colvin, 2016 WL 183643, at * 8 n.6 (D. Me. Jan. 13, 2006) (internal citations omitted). (5) The court granted the Commissioner’s motion to strike exhibits to the itemized statement of specific errors “to the extent that the exhibits contain arguments, which I

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agree should have been confined to the statement of errors,” but otherwise denied it because they “qualify as illustrative aids that do not fall within the page limits set by Local Rule 16.3(a)(2)(A) because they only set out the actual record language or citation in support of the plaintiff’s core argument that the administrative law judge mischaracterized the record evidence in such a wholesale fashion as to warrant reversal and remand.” Ball v. Soc. Sec. Admin. Com’r, 2015 WL 893008, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. Mar. 2, 2015), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (6) Where the court granted without objection a motion by the plaintiff to file a reply brief although the local Rule does not contemplate a reply brief (“no further briefing will be permitted” after the commissioner’s opposition is filed), it would not consider a new point of error raised in the reply brief, and treated the point as waived. Small v. Colvin, 2015 WL 860856, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. Feb. 27, 2015), R. & R. adopted, id. at *1.

(7) Issues not raised in the Commissioner’s brief are deemed waived. “[B]ecause it is an independent basis for affirmance of the decision that could have been, but was not, raised in the commissioner’s brief, it is deemed waived. The general rule in this district long has been that any claim or issue not raised in a claimant’s statement of errors is deemed waived. I perceive no reason against, and indeed fairness would counsel for, the same rule applying with respect to responsive briefs, which the commissioner has been required to file since the amendment of Local Rule 16.3(a)(2) effective January 1, 2013.” Connor v. Colvin, 2014 WL 3533466, at *5 n. 4 (D. Me. July 16, 2014) (internal citation omitted), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (8) “This court’s Local Rule 16.3(a) directs parties involved in Social Security appeals to provide page references to the administrative record . . . .” Rawstron v. Soc. Sec. Admin Com’r, 2014 WL 1806864, at *2 (D. Me. May 6, 2014), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (9) In Social Security cases, a new point raised at oral argument and not included in the itemized statement of errors required by Local Rule 16.3(a)(2) is considered waived. McCallister v. Astrue, 2009 WL 1885036, at *7 (D. Me. June 30, 2009), R.&R. adopted, 2009 WL 2223418 (D. Me. July 23, 2009). (10) “Counsel for the plaintiff in this case and the Social Security bar generally are hereby placed on notice that in the future, issues or claims not raised in the itemized statement of errors required by this court’s Local Rule 16.3(a) will be considered waived and will not be addressed by this court.” Farrin v Barnhart, 2006 WL 549376, at *5 (D. Me. Mar. 6, 2006), R.&R. adopted, No. CIV 05-144-P-H (ECF No. 14) (D. Me. Mar. 28, 2006). (11) “The commissioner’s primary argument is that the statement of itemized errors required by the local rule should be a concise document devoid of legal citation and argument, presumably requiring minimal compensable time to prepare. Her interpretation of the local rule is not the only possible interpretation and in fact is incorrect. While no briefing, and indeed no indication of position at all is required from the commissioner pursuant to the rule before oral argument, oral argument is best served by a statement of errors that makes clear the plaintiff’s position on the alleged errors and the authority on which the plaintiff relies to support that position. Such

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submissions make possible the best use of the court’s time before and during oral argument. This court will not specify, as the commissioner apparently wishes, a maximum length for the required statement of errors nor will it forbid plaintiffs from providing helpful information to the court before oral argument. The local rule forbids only unsolicited post-argument briefing. The discipline and focus provided by pre-hearing development of the issues by the plaintiff is beneficial to both sides and to the court. Skeletal itemized statements of errors are insufficient for the court’s purposes, as counsel for some plaintiffs have been informed in the past by this court.” Smith v. Barnhart, 211 F.R.D. 25, 26 (D. Me. 2002).

Rule 16.3(f) (1) “This District’s Local Rules illustrate the unique procedural approach the Court undertakes in ruling on motions for judgment on the administrative record.” Carter v.

Aetna Life Ins. Co., 2019 WL 80434, at *13 n.21 (D. Me. Jan. 2, 2019) (ERISA case, citing D. Me. Loc. R. 16.1(a)(6) and 16.2(c)(4)). (2) “This ‘ERISA track’ is different from the ‘standard track’ assigned to other claims, such as discrimination claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Compare Local Rule 16.3(b) with Local Rule 16.3([f]). For example, cases placed on the standard track would be subject to a scheduling order that establishes, as a matter of course, the deadlines for expert discovery and pretrial preparation. See Local Rule 16.2(c)(2). In contrast, the track and scheduling order for ERISA claims under § 502(a)(1)(B) does not allow for discovery as a matter of regular course and provides for more expedited resolution of claims via judgment on the record. See Local Rule 16.2(c)(4). Under Local 16.2(c)(4), the contents of a scheduling order for a case brought under ERISA § 502(a)(1)(B) shall: establish the deadline (1) for establishing the administrative record; (2) for filing motions to modify the administrative record and/or for discovery; (3) for amendment of the pleadings and joinder of parties; and (4) for filing motions for judgment on the record for judicial review. Local Rule 16.2(c)(4). Notably, the customary scheduling order for a denial of benefits claim explicitly contemplates establishing the administrative record, followed by motion practice to modify that record. See id.” The court therefore granted a motion to sever an ERISA claim from other claims. Lampron v. Group Life Ins. & Disability Plan, 2013 WL 2237854, at *3 (D. Me. May 21, 2013).

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RULE 16.4 - FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE AND ORDER

(Amended July 1, 2010)

(a) Final Pretrial Conference

A final pretrial conference shall be held as close to the time of trial as reasonable

under the circumstances. The Clerk shall notify counsel of the time and place by

mailing to them a written notice.

A final pretrial conference may be conducted by the trial judge or any other

judicial officer.

(b) Preparation for Final Pretrial Conference

Not later than 5 business days prior to the final pretrial conference, each party

shall file with the Court and serve on every other party a pretrial memorandum,

which normally need not exceed 5 pages in length, containing the following

information: (1) a brief factual statement of the party's claim or defense, as the

case may be, including an itemized statement of any damages claimed; (2) a brief

statement of the party's contentions with respect to any controverted points of

law, including evidentiary questions, together with supporting authority;

(3) proposed stipulations concerning matters which are not in substantial

dispute and to facts and documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) the

names and addresses of all witnesses the party intends to call at trial, other

than those to be used for impeachment and rebuttal, but in the absence of

stipulation, the disclosure of a witness shall not constitute a representation that

the witness will be produced or called at trial; (5) any proposed use of case-

specific juror questionnaires and (6) a list of the documents and things the party

intends to offer as exhibits at trial.

Each party shall be prepared at the pretrial conference to discuss the issues set

forth in items (1) through (5) above, to exchange or to agree to exchange medical

reports, hospital records, and other documents, to make a representation

concerning settlement as set forth in this rule and to discuss fully all aspects of

the case.

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(c) Conduct of Final Pretrial Conference

The Court will consider at the final pretrial conference the pleadings and papers

then on file; all motions and other proceedings then pending; and any other

matters referred to in this rule or in Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 which may be applicable.

Unless excused for good cause, each party shall be represented at the final

pretrial conference by counsel who is to conduct the trial on behalf of such party,

who shall be thoroughly familiar with this rule and with the case. Counsel shall

be required to make a representation to the Court at the final pretrial conference

that counsel has made a recommendation to the client in respect to settlement

and that the client has acted on such recommendation. Counsel's inability to

make such representations shall be grounds for imposition of sanctions.

(d) Final Pretrial Order

Either at or following the final pretrial conference, the Court shall make a final

pretrial order, which shall recite the action taken at the conference, and such

order shall control the subsequent course of the action, unless modified by the

Court to prevent manifest injustice. Unless otherwise ordered, any objections to

the final pretrial order must be made within 14 days after receipt by counsel of a

copy thereof. Any discussion at the conference relating to settlement shall not be

a part of the final pretrial order. The final pretrial order deadlines shall be such

that they do not come into play until after the last settlement conference has

been held and it appears that trial is unavoidable. In any case where there is a

pending dispositive motion, one item on the final pretrial conference agenda

shall be whether the provisions and deadlines of the final pretrial order should

be stayed until the motion is resolved. The judicial officer presiding at the final

pretrial conference shall tailor the order to the individual case and consider

whether certain provisions of the final pretrial order should be waived. (For

example, in a simple automobile negligence personal injury case it may not be

necessary to list exhibits or summaries of witness testimony. In such cases trial

briefs and draft jury instructions may also be unnecessary.) The number of

copies of documents to be filed shall be limited. In a jury case, the original set of

exhibits is ordinarily sufficient and should not be filed with the Clerk before

trial. In a nonjury case, one extra set of exhibits for the judge to review in

advance of the trial shall be filed as set forth in the Final Pretrial Order.

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Trial briefs, voir dire, jury instructions, etc. should be filed electronically in

accordance with the Administrative Procedures Governing the Filing and

Service by Electronic Means as set forth in Appendix IV of these rules.

(e) Sanctions

If a party fails to comply with the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 or this rule,

the Court may impose such penalties and sanctions as are just, including those

set forth in Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(f).

(f) Special Circumstances

The Court may provide for a special pretrial procedure in any case when special

circumstances warrant.

(g) Settlement

The parties, through their lawyers, shall be prepared to fully engage in

meaningful settlement discussions at the conference. If the case will be tried by

the judge without a jury, a different judicial officer will conduct the settlement

discussions.

A judicial officer may direct that a separate settlement conference be held with

party representatives present in person.

*** Annotations

(1) Plaintiffs can file a “motion to consolidate [trial] in connection with the filing of their pretrial memoranda required by Local Rule 16.4.” Friends of Merrymeeting Bay v. Miller Hydro Grp., 2012 WL 458618, at *2 (D. Me. Feb. 9, 2012); Friends of Merrymeeting Bay v. Brookfield Power U.S. Asset Mgt., LLC, 2012 WL 463931, at *2 (D. Me. Feb. 9, 2012).

(2) Under Local Rule 16.4(b), “by the time of the pretrial conference both parties should have disclosed their witness and exhibit lists to the opposing party. . . . Defendant cites no case law that supports the proposition that lack of surprise somehow cures violations of Rule 26 and Local Rule 16.4.” Skidgell v. Bowlby, 2006 WL 1208026, at *1-2 (D. Me. May 3, 2006).

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RULE 22 - INTERPLEADER

See Local Rule 67.

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RULE 26 - DISCOVERY

(Amended July 1, 2018)

(a) Filing of Discovery

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, or as may be otherwise required by these

Rules, depositions upon oral examination and interrogatories, requests for

documents, requests for admissions, and answers and responses thereto and

disclosures made under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)-(3) and pursuant to scheduling

orders issued by the Court, shall be served upon other parties but shall not be

filed with the Court, except as required by subsection (c) of this Rule. The party

that has served notice of a deposition or has served discovery papers shall be

responsible for preserving and for insuring the integrity of original transcripts

and discovery papers for use by the Court.

(b) Discovery Disputes

No written discovery motions shall be filed without the prior approval of a

judicial officer. A party with a discovery dispute must first confer with the

opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve by agreement the issues in

dispute. If that good faith effort is unsuccessful, the moving party shall file a

Request for Hearing Re Discovery Dispute using the Court’s form seeking a

prompt hearing with a judicial officer by telephone or in person. The party

seeking the hearing shall confer with opposing counsel and agree on the relevant

discovery materials that should be submitted to the Court with the Request for

Hearing. If the hearing is to be conducted by telephone, the Clerk will inform

counsel of the time and date of the hearing and it shall be the responsibility of

the moving party to initiate the telephone call to chambers, unless the Court, in

its discretion, directs otherwise. The recording by counsel of telephone hearings

with the Court is prohibited, except with prior permission of the Court. The

Court shall conduct the hearing on the record, but that record will not be

officially transcribed except on specific request of counsel or the Court. The

request for a hearing with a judicial officer carries with it a professional

representation by the lawyer that a conference has taken place and that he or

she has made a good faith effort to resolve the dispute. The lawyers or

unrepresented parties shall supply the judicial officer with the particular

discovery materials (such as objectionable answers to interrogatories) that are

needed to understand the dispute.

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If the judicial officer decides that motion papers and supporting memoranda are

needed to satisfactorily resolve the discovery dispute, such papers shall be filed

in conformity with Rule 7. Such motions shall (1) quote in full each

interrogatory, question at deposition, request for admission or request for

production to which the motion is addressed, or otherwise identify specifically

and succinctly the discovery to which objection is taken or from which a

protective order is sought; and (2) the response or objection and grounds

therefor, if any, as stated by the opposing party.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the complete transcripts or discovery

papers need not be filed with the Court pursuant to subsection (c) of this rule

unless the motion cannot be fairly decided without reference to the complete

original.

(c) Use of Depositions and Discovery Material by the Court

If depositions, interrogatories, requests or answers or responses thereto are to be

used at trial, other than for purposes of impeachment or rebuttal, the complete

original of the transcript or the discovery material to be used shall be filed with

the Clerk seven (7) days prior to trial. A party relying on discovery transcripts

or materials in support of or in opposition to a motion shall file excerpts of such

transcript or materials with the memorandum required by Rule 7 as well as a

list of specific citations to the parts on which the party relies.

(d) Confidentiality Order

A party by motion or with the agreement of all parties may submit to the Court

a proposed order governing the production and use of confidential documents

and information in the pending action. The proposed order shall conform to the

Form Confidentiality Order set forth in Appendix II to these Local Rules. Any

proposed modification to the Form Confidentiality Order shall be identified with

a short statement of the reason for each modification.

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*** Annotations

In general (1) “Local Rule 26 is designed to give the Court a specific context for any discovery dispute, to allow the parties to narrow any disputes before presenting them to the Court.” Aero Union Corp. v. Aircraft Deconstructors Int’l LLC, 2012 WL 4893744, at *2 (D. Me. Oct. 15, 2012) (internal citation omitted). Rule 26(a) (1) “Under this District’s Local Rules . . . discovery is not filed and made public unless the court so orders.” United States ex rel. S. Prawer & Co. v. Fleet Bank of Maine, 63

F. Supp. 2d 59, 60-61 (D. Me. 1998) (citing then Local Rule 5(b), now 26(a)). Rule 26(b) (1) “[P]oints are unripe for court resolution in the absence of any indication that the defendant’s counsel has made a good-faith effort to address them with the plaintiff’s counsel prior to seeking the court’s assistance, as required by Local Rule 26(b).” Burton v. S.D. Warren Co., 2019 WL 3242049, at *6 (D. Me. July 18, 2019). (2) Summary judgment is not the time to challenge discovery violations. “If Mr. Burnett was unable to obtain the discovery material he needed, he should have followed the local rule by attempting to resolve the matter informally and then requesting a discovery conference. See D. Me. Loc. R. 26(b).” Burnett v. Ocean Properties, Ltd., 327 F. Supp. 3d 198, 213 n. 47 (D. Me. 2018). (3) “When the parties are involved in a discovery dispute, Local Rule 26(b) requires the parties to engage in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute,” and the court proceeded to order the parties to do so. Widi v. McNeil, 2017 WL 4570299, at *5 (D. Me. Oct. 13, 2017) (internal citation omitted). (4) “By local rule, discovery motions require prior approval from the Court. D. Me. Loc. R. 26(b).” Marical, Inc. v. Cooke Aquaculture Inc., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140466, *2 n.1 (D. Me. Aug. 31, 2017). (5) “The Bar is reminded that a dispute over the sufficiency of an expert designation is a discovery dispute to be handled in the manner prescribed by Local Rule 26(b). That rule prohibits the filing of written discovery motions without the prior approval of a

judicial officer and directs that ‘[a] party with a discovery dispute . . . first confer with the opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve by agreement the issues in dispute[,]’ failing which ‘the moving party shall then seek a prompt hearing with a judicial officer by telephone or in person.’ Loc. R. 26(b).” Downing v. Select Rehabilitation, Inc., 2017 WL 3820946, at *1 (D. Me. Aug. 31, 2017).

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(6) The defendant filed a motion for in camera review of an email that the plaintiff claims was privileged and inadvertently disclosed. The plaintiff moved to strike the motion. “Local Rule 26(b), upon which Plaintiff relies in part, prohibits the filing of a ‘discovery motion’ without ‘the prior approval of a judicial officer.’ The Rule also requires that before a party requests the court’s intervention on a discovery dispute, the party must attempt to resolve the issue directly with the opposing party. Defendant did not seek leave of court to file the motion for in camera review. A preliminary issue is whether the motion is a ‘discovery motion.’ Insofar as Defendant ultimately requests that the court order the production of the email communication, Plaintiff’s characterization of the motion as a ‘discovery motion’ is not unreasonable. However, because the motion is not the typical discovery motion (e.g., motion to compel, motion for protective order), and because Defendant first requests an in camera review of the email communication before the Court considers the possible production of the document, Defendant's belief that Local Rule 26(b) was inapplicable is understandable. The applicability of Local Rule 26(b) thus is somewhat uncertain. Given that uncertainty, the Court will not strike the motion based on Defendant’s failure to comply with the Rule.” Schmid Pipeline Const. Inc. v. Summit Nat. Gas of Maine, 2014 WL 6632972, at *1 (D. Me. Nov. 21, 2014). (7) Local Rule 26(b) does not apply to criminal matters; it is “intended as the local counterpart to Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.” United States v. Sanborn, 2013 WL 5571082, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Oct. 9, 2013). (8) A motion to exclude from the summary judgment record declarations of witnesses who were not disclosed during discovery is not a discovery motion that requires prior court approval under Local Rule 26(b). “Evidentiary disputes that arise after discovery has closed, particularly after a motion for summary judgment has been filed, are not properly characterized as discovery disputes. The local rule does not apply to such disputes when they arise after discovery has ended.” 165 Park Row, Inc. v. JHR Dev., LLC, 2013 WL 633403, at *1 (D. Me. Feb. 20, 2013). (9) “To the extent that the parties cannot reach agreement on the consolidation of a specific deposition or the procedures to be used at a specific deposition, they are free to request a conference before the magistrate judge in accordance with District of Maine Local Rule 26(b).” Friends of Merrymeeting Bay v. Miller Hydro Grp., 2012 WL 458618, at *1 (D. Me. Feb. 9, 2012). (10) A motion to compel is unauthorized until the party seeking it pursues the discovery dispute with the magistrate judge as Local Rule 26(b) requires. Alden v. Office Furniture Distributors of New England, Inc., 2011 WL 1770948, at *2 (D. Me. May 9, 2011). (11) A Rule 45 subpoena issued to an expert more than one month after the discovery

deadline is a form of discovery. The opposing party can move to quash the subpoena without first getting permission to file a motion under Local Rule 26. Marzoll v. Marine Harvest US, Inc., 2009 WL 3631403, at *1-2 (D. Me. Oct. 30, 2009). (12) “This District’s Local Rule 26(b) . . . articulates a specific process for resolving discovery disputes quickly and economically.” New England Surfaces v. E.I. Dupont de Nemours & Co., 558 F. Supp. 2d 116, 123 (D. Me. 2008).

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(13) A request for a settlement conference is not a request for a discovery conference under Local Rule 26(b) and a motion to compel discovery will be denied until the express requirements of the Rule are satisfied. Marcello v. Maine, 2006 WL 3804891, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 22, 2006). (14) “[T]he defendants’ concern that Tripp first disclosed the existence of Hopkins’s testimony only two weeks prior to the discovery deadline, thereby allegedly preventing the defendants from deposing Hopkins, is the kind of concern that should have been raised in the context of Local Rule 26 [i.e., not at summary judgment].” Tripp v. Cole, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25124, *9 n.6 (D. Me. 2004). (15) “In this District, written discovery motions may not be presented without prior leave of court. D. Me. Loc. R. 26(b).” Cannon v. UNUM Life Ins. Co. of Am., 219 F.R.D. 211, 212 n.1 (D. Me. 2004). (16) “I had never given authorization to any party to file a written discovery motion in this case. Counsel are directed to Local Rule 26(b). No written discovery motions shall be filed without the prior approval of a judicial officer. I have therefore entered an Order striking th[e] Motion to Compel. Following the discovery conference on January 12, 2004, an order will issue addressing the current discovery dispute and if either party is entitled to file a Motion to Compel or other written discovery motion, that order will indicate that they have been given leave to file such a motion. ECF does not amend or change Local Rule 26(b) and the prior practice under that Rule.” Labbe v. Zale Corp., 2004 WL 51112, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 9, 2004) (emphasis in original; internal citation omitted). Rule 26(d) (1) Although “Local Rule 26(d) directs that ‘[a]ny proposed modification to the Form Confidentiality Order shall be identified with a short statement of the reason for each modification’ and “no such short statement” was provided, “the Court reviewed the parties’ drafts and has determined the terms appropriate to protect the respective interests of the parties, the public and the Court.” Aero Union Corp. v. Aircraft Deconstructors Int’l LLC, 2012 WL 3679627, at *5 (D. Me. Aug. 24, 2012) (internal citation omitted).

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RULE 30 - DEPOSITIONS

(Amended July 1, 2011)

In a video deposition, the camera shall focus from a single stationary position

on the witness and any exhibits utilized by the witness, unless the parties otherwise

agree or the Court enters an order under Local Rule 26(b).

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RULE 32 - USE OF DEPOSITIONS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS

(a) Stipulations Regarding Objections

The Court will not give any effect to a stipulation attempting to preserve for trial

those objections which by Fed. R. Civ. P. 32(d)(3)(A) and (B) are waived (unless

reasonable objection is made at the taking of the deposition).

(b) Use of Depositions

See Local Rule 26(b).

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RULE 33 - INTERROGATORIES

Answers and objections to interrogatories shall set forth in full, immediately

preceding the answer or objection, the interrogatory to which answer or objection is

being made.

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RULE 38 - DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

If a demand for jury trial is endorsed upon a pleading pursuant to Fed. R.

Civ. P. 38(b), in addition to said endorsement the designation of the pleading shall

include the words "AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL” or the equivalent on the

first page.

A demand for jury trial in actions removed to this Court from the state courts

shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 81(c).

*** Annotations

(1) “This court’s Local Rule 38 requires that, if a demand for jury trial ‘is endorsed upon a pleading pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 38(b), . . . the designation of the pleading shall include the words “AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL” or the equivalent on the first page.’ The complaint does not comply with this rule. Count VIII [a separate count demanding a jury trial] should be dismissed, but leave to amend the complaint in accordance with the local rule should also be granted, as the defendant has received written notice of the demand in a timely fashion by virtue of the erroneous approach used by the plaintiffs.” Julian v. George Weston Bakeries Distribution, Inc., 2005 WL 1926643, at *5 (D. Me. Aug. 11, 2005), R.&.R. adopted, 2005 WL 2106390 (D. Me. Aug. 31, 2015). (2) This District has cases on the timeliness of jury trial demands, especially in cases removed from state court, although the cases do not refer to the Local Rule. See, e.g., Lundy v. Nestle Waters N. Am., Inc., 2009 WL 2767915 (D. Me. Aug. 28, 2009); Raymond v. Lane Constr. Corp., 2007 WL 3348286 (D. Me. Nov. 7, 2007); French v. Fleet Carrier Corp., 101 F.R.D. 369 (D. Me. 1984); Bonney v. Canadian Nat. Ry. Co., 100 F.R.D. 388 (D. Me. 1983).

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RULE 39 - COURTROOM PRACTICE

(Amended July 1, 2016)

(a) Opening Statements

Opening statements shall not be argumentative, and shall not exceed thirty

minutes in length, except by leave of Court. Counsel for the defendant may

make an opening statement immediately following the plaintiff's opening

statement, or counsel may reserve the right to do so until the close of the

plaintiff's evidence.

(b) Closing Arguments

The length of closing arguments shall be fixed by the Court. Only one attorney

shall argue for each party, except by leave of Court. The plaintiff in a civil action

and the claimant in a land condemnation action shall argue first, and may

reserve for rebuttal such time as shall be fixed by the Court.

(c) Examination of Witnesses

(1) The examination of a particular witness, and objections relating to that

examination, shall be made by one attorney for each party, except by leave

of Court.

(2) Upon oral motion of a party or on its own motion, the Court may order on

such terms as it may prescribe, that a witness under examination in court

shall not discuss the witness’s testimony, including during any recess

taken during the examination or before the witness is finally excused.

(d) Attorneys as Witnesses

No attorney shall without leave of Court conduct the trial of a jury action in

which the attorney is a witness for the party represented at trial.

(e) Trial Day

(1) The presiding judge shall establish the limits of the trial day.

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(2) In a civil case, the presiding judge may, after consulting with the trial

lawyers, establish the amount of time that each side will have for its case,

including its cross-examination of witnesses. Such limits may be exceeded

only for good cause shown, taking into account, among other things, the

lawyers' efficient use of the time already allotted.

(f) Exhibits

(1) Custody and Marking. All exhibits shall be marked for identification

prior to trial in accordance with the final pretrial order. Unless otherwise

ordered by the Court, all exhibits offered in evidence or otherwise used or

referred to shall be left by counsel in the custody of the Clerk to be held

until released by order of the Court upon motion of a party or until the

conclusion of any appellate proceedings, except that exhibits which

because of their size or nature require special handling shall remain in

the possession of the party introducing them. Exhibits retained by

counsel shall be preserved in the form in which they were offered until the

proceeding is finally concluded.

(2) Return. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, at the conclusion of the

proceeding, all nondocumentary exhibits shall be returned to the

submitting parties who shall keep them in the form in which they had

been offered and who shall make them available for the use of other

parties, the Court, or an appellate court until the expiration of any appeal.

Any documentary exhibits shall be withdrawn by counsel who offered

them within 30 days after the final determination of the action by this or

any appellate court. Upon counsel's failure to timely remove any exhibits,

the Clerk may, after due notice to counsel, dispose of them as necessary.

(3) Valuable or Bulky Exhibits. A party who offers valuable exhibits shall be

responsible for their insurance and protection.

(4) Photographs of Chalks. Counsel may photograph or otherwise copy any

chalk in order to make a record of it.

(5) Firearms. A party intending to offer a firearm must first deliver it to the

Marshal who will ensure that it is not loaded and that it is rendered safe

for presentation in court. During the course of the proceedings, the

firearm shall remain in the custody and control of a custodian approved in

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advance by the Court and Marshal. A firearm shall be examined by a

deliberating jury only while in the custody of a Court Security Officer, who

shall remain, without comment, in the jury room during the examination.

(g) Official Record

The only official record of any court proceeding shall be a record prepared by an

authorized court reporter or an electronic sound recording made by court

personnel or a transcript prepared therefrom by professional transcription

services, when properly certified in each case.

*** Annotations

Rule 39(a), (b) (1) See United States District Court for the District of Maine, Summary of Principles Regarding Opening Statements and Closing Arguments from First Circuit Authority and Local Rules, available at https://www.med.uscourts.gov/pdf/OpeningAndClosing.pdf (last visited June 3, 2019). Rule 39(d) (1) “[B]efore OMC is allowed to call [attorney] Greif as a witness, they must obtain the Court’s permission. D. ME. LOC. R. 39(d) (‘No attorney shall without leave of Court conduct the trial of a jury action in which the attorney is a witness for the party represented at trial’).” Hinton v. Outboard Marine Corp., 2012 WL 195026, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 23, 2012).

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RULE 41.1 - COMPROMISED ACTIONS

(a) Compromised Actions

Within 30 days after counsel notify the Clerk that an action has been settled,

counsel shall execute and file the papers necessary to terminate the action as of

record. Upon failure of counsel to do so, unless otherwise ordered by the Court,

the Clerk shall enter an order as of course dismissing the action with prejudice

but without costs, subject to the right of any party to move to reinstate the

action within one year after the entry of the order if the settlement is not

consummated.

(b) Dismissal for Lack of Prosecution

The Court may at any time issue an order to show cause why a case should not

be dismissed for lack of prosecution. If good cause is not shown within the time

prescribed by the show cause order, the Court may enter a judgment of dismissal

with or without prejudice.

(c) Class Actions, etc.

In actions to which Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e), 23.1, 23.2 or 66 apply, or in which any

other rule or any statute of the United States so requires, dismissal under this

rule will be made by Court order.

*** Annotations

(1) For an example of a case involving this rule, see Kennebunk Savings Bank v. Lollipop Tree, Inc., 2010 WL 3704921, at *1 (D. Me. Sept. 13, 2010 (dismissing the action, after notice of settlement, “with prejudice but without costs in accordance with Federal Rule 41(a)(2) and District of Maine Local Rule 41.1(a).”).

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RULE 41.2 - COURT APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENTS

ON BEHALF OF MINORS (Amended December 1, 2018)

No approval of settlement of actions on behalf of minors will be given unless a

motion is filed signed by the next friend or guardian containing the following

information where applicable:

(1) A brief description of the claim and of all damages sustained;

(2) An itemized statement of all damages;

(3) The total amount of the settlement and whether reimbursement of

expenses is to be paid out of the total settlement or is being paid in

addition as part of the parent's claim. If the parent is being paid anything

directly, the motion shall contain a statement of the total amount being

paid the parent and a specification of the items covered;

(4) Whether the settlement was negotiated by counsel actually representing

the minor and, if so, the amount claimed as attorney's fees; and

(5) Designates a depository of the funds received for the minor and subjects

any withdrawals to court approval until the minor reaches majority.

(6) Any deviation from the plan requires approval by the Court upon motion.

(7) Not later than thirty (30) days after entry of the order approving the

settlement, the attorney or party to whom the funds are paid shall file a

sworn affidavit verifying that the funds paid have been deposited as

required by the court order, stating the depository financial institution

and account number, and certifying that a copy of the Court’s order with

restrictions on withdrawal, if any, has been provided to the depository

financial institution.

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RULE 44 - PROOF OF OFFICIAL OR CERTIFIED RECORDS

(REPEALED December 1, 2015)

Rule 44 is abrogated in its entirety, effective December 1, 2015.

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RULE 47 - SELECTION OF JURORS

(a) Number of Jurors

In all civil jury cases the jury shall consist of no fewer than six (6) members

unless the parties otherwise consent.

(b) Examination of Jurors

The Court will itself conduct the examination of prospective jurors. At the close

of such examination, the Court will afford counsel an opportunity, at the bench,

to request that the Court ask additional questions.

(c) Challenges for Cause

Challenges for cause of individual prospective jurors shall be made at the bench,

at the conclusion of the Court's examination.

(d) Peremptory Challenges

(1) Manner of Exercise. Peremptory challenges shall be exercised by striking

out the name of the juror challenged on the list of the drawn venire

prepared by the Clerk. Any party may waive the exercise of any

peremptory challenge without thereby relinquishing the right to exercise

any remaining peremptory challenge or challenges to which the party is

entitled. If all peremptory challenges are not exercised, the Court will

strike from the bottom of the list sufficient names to reduce the number of

jurors remaining to the number of jurors decided by the Court to sit on the

case.

(2) Order of Exercise. In any action in which both sides are entitled to an

equal number of peremptory challenges, they shall be exercised one by

one, alternately, the plaintiff in a civil action and the claimant in a land

condemnation action, exercising the first challenge. In any action in

which the Court allows several plaintiffs or several defendants additional

peremptory challenges, the order of challenges shall be determined by the

Court.

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RULE 54.1 - SECURITY FOR COSTS

(Amended December 1, 2009)

Except where 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915, 1916 or any other statute of the United

States otherwise provides, the Clerk shall, upon written application by a defendant

at any time after the commencement of any civil action, enter an order as of course

directing a non-resident plaintiff to furnish, within 21 days after service of said

order, security in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for the payment of all

taxable costs of the action. Upon motion and for good cause shown, the Court may

at any time modify or rescind such an order, or direct that additional or other

security be furnished.

*** Annotations

(1) The court’s authority to direct that additional or other security be furnished does not allow a winning defendant to seek attachment against a plaintiff’s funds for the defendant’s costs, because attachment is governed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 64 which in turn refers to state law. Maine allows attachment on behalf of a plaintiff without any reference to attaching property to secure a defendant’s costs when the defendant wins. In re New Motor Vehicles Canadian Export Antitrust Litigation, 265 F.R.D. 12, 13-14 (D. Me. 2010).

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RULE 54.2 - CLAIM FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES (Amended January 1, 2015)

An application for attorneys’ fees in which no notice of appeal to the Court of

Appeals has been filed shall be filed within 30 days of the expiration of the time for

filing a timely appeal.

An application for fees in all other cases shall be filed within 30 days of the

filing of the appellate mandate providing for the final disposition of any appeal to

the Court of Appeals. A claim for fees filed before the final disposition of any appeal

to the Court of Appeals shall have no effect and a new application must be filed

within the prescribed time as described herein.

The foregoing notwithstanding, any application for fees under 42 U.S.C.

§ 406(b) in a Social Security appeal pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §405(g) that results in a

remand under either sentence four or six of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) shall be filed within

30 days of the date of the Commissioner of Social Security’s notice of award that

establishes both that there are past due benefits and the amount thereof.

*** Annotations

(1) “Local Rule 54.2 is designed to avoid directing the parties’ and the court’s attention to the attorney fee issue until it is clear that the ruling justifying the fee is not subject to alteration in the court of appeals. Although the defendants say that ‘plaintiff does not suggest that he intends to appeal the Court’s Decision and Order,’ the time for such an appeal, if any, has not run because there is not yet a final judgment in the case and therefore the motion for attorney fees is premature.” John F. Chase v. Arthur Merson, No. 2:18-cv-165-DBH, at *1 (D. Me. Apr. 1, 2019) (ECF No. 101). (2) “Local Rule 54.2’s provision [for Social Security appeals] that the 30-day limit runs from a notice that establishes ‘both that there are past due benefits and the amount thereof’ (emphasis added) should be read as referring to the total award issued on a particular disability.” Therefore, the later award to the plaintiff’s dependent minor son (which flowed directly from the award to the plaintiff) started the applicable time period’s running for both awards. Weimer v. Commissioner, 2016 WL 1069948, at *2 (D. Me. Mar. 18, 2016). (3) Even though a party consents to dismissal or a judgment, the 30-day limit does not begin to run until the time for filing a timely appeal has expired. “That is, to avoid uncertainty as to whether the appeal period is included within the fee petition filing

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deadline in any particular case, and to assure the consistent application of Local Rule 54.2 to all cases, the Rule should be applied in accordance with its plain language. The plain language includes the appeal period within the fee petition filing deadline.” Clifford v. Social Security Administration Comm’r, 2016 WL 3619450, at *3 (D. Me. May 11, 2016). (4) In an Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) case with a statutory provision for attorney fees, “[i]f the school district can establish both its prevailing party status and the frivolity of [the plaintiff’s] claims at the conclusion of th[e] case, it may move for an assessment of legal fees against [the plaintiff’s] attorneys in accordance with Local Rule 54.2 See Doe v. Regional School Unit No. 21, 2013 WL 5232248 (D. Me. Sept. 16, 2013) (awarding attorney’s fees under section 1415(i)(3)(B)(i)(I) in a Local Rule 54.2 motion); Regional School Unit 51 v. Doe, 920 F. Supp. 2d 168 (D. Me. 2013) (noting that requests for attorney’s fees and costs in an IDEA action should be made pursuant

to Local Rules 54.2 and 54.3).” Ms. S. v. Regional School Unit 72, 2014 WL 5314578, at *2 (D. Me. Oct. 16, 2014). (5) The language in the rule concerning the time for seeking fees in Social Security appeals applies “only to a final notice of award.” Cordice v. Astrue, 2012 WL 243089, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 24, 2012), R.&R. adopted, 2012 WL 483193 (D. Me. Feb. 14, 2012). (6) In two 2010 cases, the court gave “notice to the Social Security bar” that future failures to file attorney fee petitions within the time required by this rule could result in forfeiture of the fees. Richardson v. Astrue, 2010 WL 2927269, at *4 (D. Me. July 20, 2010), R.&R. adopted, No. CIV. 07-62-P-H (ECF No, 28) (D. Me. Aug. 9, 2010); Reer v. Astrue, 2010 WL 2927255, at *4 (D. Me. July 20, 2010), R.&R. adopted, 2010 WL 3168266 (D. Me. Aug. 10, 2010). (7) Although Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(2)(B)(i) sets a 14-day limit after entry of judgment for an attorney fees motion, it makes an exception if “a court order provides otherwise.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(2)(B). Other courts deem local rules to be standing orders. See, e.g., Planned Parenthood v. Attorney General, 297 F.3d 253, 261 (3d Cir. 2002) (“conclud[ing] that District of New Jersey Local Rule 54.2(a) is an order of the court for the purposes of Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(2)(B)”). In this case, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file his motion for attorneys’ fees “in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(2) and District of Maine Local Rule 54.2,” and the Local Rule sets a 30-day limit. “Thus, the Court specifically provided for the enlarged time period contemplated in Local Rule 54.2.” Spooner v. EEN, Inc., 829 F. Supp. 2d 3, 6 (D. Me. 2010), aff'd, 644 F.3d 62 (1st Cir. 2011). (8) “[S]ome courts, such as this one, have written their local rules to delay submission of motions for attorney fees until the appeals process is complete. See Local Rule 54.2. The reason there is not so much because of attorney client privilege or work product issues (although they could be at stake in some aspects of the detailed time records) but because of the wasted effort if a trial court spends a lot of time evaluating attorney time and fees only to have the court of appeals reverse the merits of the appeal and thereby make no fees recoverable.” Gorman v. Coogan, 324 F. Supp. 2d 171, 174 n.5 (D. Me. 2004).

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(9) “Local Rule 54.2 does not apply to [a request for fees as a sanction under Fed. R. Civ. P 37] because Federal Rule 54, which the local rule is designed to implement, does not apply to claims for fees when the fee award serves as a sanction for violation of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(E).” Frank v. LL Bean, Inc., 2006 WL 890692, at *1 (D. Me. Mar. 31, 2002). (10) “Both Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d) and this court’s Local Rules 54.2 and 54.3 contemplate an application to the court for attorney fees and an application to the clerk of the court for recoverable costs. . . . [C]ounsel are hereby placed on notice that in all future cases, whether or not the amount of costs claimed by the prevailing party are disputed, separate claims for attorney fees and for costs must be submitted, and the bill of costs shall be submitted as required by Local Rule 54.3. Requests for an award of costs not submitted in the specified manner will not be considered by the court

or by the clerk of this court.” Doe v. Reg’l Sch. Unit No. 21, 2013 WL 5232248, at *7 (D. Me. Sept. 16, 2013), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1.

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RULE 54.3 - BILL OF COSTS

(Amended December 1, 2016)

Except in those situations where a party is applying for costs as part of an

application for statutorily permitted attorneys’ fees under Loc. R. 54.2, Bills of Costs

shall be prepared on forms available from the Clerk's Office or on a filing

substantially similar and shall be filed with supporting memoranda and

documentation within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the time for filing a

timely appeal if no notice of appeal has been filed or within 30 days of the filing of

the appellate mandate providing for the final disposition of any appeal to the Court

of Appeals. Unless within twenty-one (21) days after the filing of a Bill of Costs the

opposing party files a written objection thereto, incorporating a memorandum of

law, the opposing party shall be deemed to have waived objection and the Clerk

shall tax the costs which appear properly claimed. A reply to the opposing party’s

objection will not be permitted, unless otherwise ordered by the Clerk.

*** Annotations

(1) Under Local Rule 54.3, after the prevailing party files a bill of costs, the Clerk taxes the costs properly claimed. The federal rule on costs applies even in diversity cases. Dinan v. Alpha Networks, Inc., 2015 WL 1737734, at *13 (D. Me. Apr. 16, 2015). (2) “[I]t was more efficient for [the Court], rather than the Clerk, to resolve the contested issue as to which party prevailed.” In this case, the Court found that the plaintiff prevailed even though he received a much lower amount in damages than he had demanded. Once the prevailing party is determined, “the Court refers the matter to the Clerk of Court to tax appropriate costs to the Plaintiff in accordance with the local rule.” Berry v. WorldWide Language Res., Inc., 811 F. Supp. 2d 520, 523 (D. Me. 2011). (3) “Both Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d) and this court’s Local Rules 54.2 and 54.3 contemplate an application to the court for attorney fees and an application to the clerk of the court for recoverable costs. . . . .[C]ounsel are hereby placed on notice that

in all future cases, whether or not the amount of costs claimed by the prevailing party are disputed, separate claims for attorney fees and for costs must be submitted, and the bill of coasts shall be submitted as required by Local Rule 54.3. Requests for an award of costs not submitted in the specified manner will not be considered by the court or by the clerk of this court.” Doe v. Reg’l Sch. Unit No. 21, 2013 WL 5232248, at *7 (D. Me. Aug. 18, 2013); R.&R. adopted, id. at *1.

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RULE 56 - MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

(Amended July 1, 2016)

(a) Motions for Summary Judgment

In addition to the material required to be filed by Local Rule 7, a motion for

summary judgment and opposition thereto shall comply with the requirements

of this rule.

(b) Supporting Statement of Material Facts

A motion for summary judgment shall be supported by a separate, short, and

concise statement of material facts, each set forth in a separately numbered

paragraph(s), as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue of

material fact to be tried. Each fact asserted in the statement shall be simply

and directly stated in narrative without footnotes or tables and shall be

supported by a record citation as required by subsection (f) of this rule.

Nothing in this Local Rule 56 precludes the parties from filing a stipulated

statement of material facts as to all, or some, of the facts underlying a motion for

summary judgment, or any opposition thereto. In the event the parties file a

stipulated statement of material facts, such stipulated facts shall control and

take precedence over any conflicting statement of fact filed by any party to the

stipulation.

(c) Opposing Statement of Material Facts

A party opposing a motion for summary judgment shall submit with its

opposition a separate, short, and concise statement of material facts. The

opposing statement shall admit, deny or qualify the facts by reference to each

numbered paragraph of the moving party’s statement of material facts and

unless a fact is admitted, shall support each denial or qualification by a record

citation as required by this rule. Each such statement shall begin with the

designation “Admitted,” “Denied,” or “Qualified” and, in the case of an

admission, shall end with such designation. The opposing statement may

contain in a separately titled section additional facts, each set forth in a

separately numbered paragraph and supported by a record citation as required

by subsection (f) of this rule.

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(d) Reply Statement of Material Facts

A party replying to the opposition to a motion for summary judgment shall

submit with its reply a separate, short, and concise statement of material facts

which shall be limited to any additional facts submitted by the opposing party.

The reply statement shall admit, deny or qualify such additional facts by

reference to the numbered paragraphs of the opposing party’s statement of

material facts and unless a fact is admitted, shall support each denial or

qualification by a record citation as required by subsection (f) of this rule. Each

such reply statement shall begin with the designation “Admitted,” “Denied,” or

“Qualified” and, in the case of an admission, shall end with such designation.

(e) Motions to Strike Not Allowed

Motions to strike statements of fact are not allowed. If a party contends that an

individual statement of fact should not be considered by the court, the party may

include as part of the response that the statement of fact “should be stricken”

with a brief statement of the reason(s) and the authority or record citation in

support. Without prejudice to the determination of the request to strike the

party shall admit, deny or qualify the statement as provided in this rule. A

party may respond to a request to strike either in the reply statement of

material facts as provided in this rule or, if the request was made in a reply

statement of material facts, by filing a response within 14 days. A response to a

request to strike shall be strictly limited to a brief statement of the reason(s)

why the statement of fact should be considered and the authority or record

citation in support.

(f) Statement of Facts Deemed Admitted Unless Properly Controverted;

Specific Record of Citations Required

Facts contained in a supporting or opposing statement of material facts, if

supported by record citations as required by this rule, shall be deemed admitted

unless properly controverted. An assertion of fact set forth in a statement of

material facts shall be followed by a citation to the specific page or paragraph of

identified record material supporting the assertion. The court may disregard

any statement of fact not supported by a specific citation to record material

properly considered on summary judgment. The court shall have no

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independent duty to search or consider any part of the record not specifically

referenced in the parties’ separate statement of facts.

(g) Facts Admitted for Purpose of Summary Judgment

Facts deemed admitted solely for purposes of summary judgment shall not be

deemed admitted for purposes other than determining whether summary

judgment is appropriate.

(h) Pre-filing Conference

In all Standard Track cases, except those categories of cases listed in Rule

26(a)(1)(B), Fed. R. Civ. P., a party intending to move for summary judgment

shall file no later than seven (7) days after the close of discovery either (1) a joint

motion setting forth a proposed schedule agreed to by all the parties and

confirming that all of the parties agree that a pre-filing conference with a

judicial officer would not be helpful, or (2) a notice of intent to move for summary

judgment, and the need for a pre-filing conference with a judicial officer.

(1) By Joint Motion with Proposed Schedule

The parties must jointly propose a schedule for briefing all proposed motions

for summary judgment. The proposed schedule shall include:

Proposed page limits and deadlines for filing. If the Motion

proposes to exceed the limits set forth in L.R. 7, the parties shall

include a brief statement explaining why good cause exists for

allowing extra time and/or pages.

The estimated number of statements of material fact and the

estimated number of additional statements by any party opposing

the motion for summary judgment.

Any stipulations to be filed. The parties shall generally describe

any stipulated record or factual stipulations they propose to file and

indicate whether stipulations of fact are made solely pursuant to

L.R. 56(b). If any such stipulated filings will be made, the proposed

schedule shall first set a deadline for this stipulated filing, which

shall be at least five (5) calendar days before the deadline for filing

the motion for summary judgment.

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Proposed page limits and deadlines for filing Daubert and/or

Kumho motions, oppositions to Daubert and/or Kumho motions, and

replies to oppositions to Daubert and/or Kumho motions.2 If the

parties propose to exceed the time or page limits set forth in L.R. 7,

the parties shall include a brief statement explaining why good

cause exists for allowing extra time and/or pages.

The Court may adopt or modify the jointly proposed schedule, or instead may

set the matter for a pre-filing conference.

(2) By Notice

Alternatively, absent agreement, the movant shall provide the Court and all

other parties to the action with written notice of the intent to seek summary

judgment and the need for a pre-filing conference with a judicial officer.

(3) Pre-Filing Conference

At any pre-filing conference, the parties shall be prepared to discuss, and the

judicial officer shall consider:

The issues to be addressed by a motion for summary judgment;

The length of any statement of material facts filed pursuant to L.R.

56(b) and (c);

The length of the memoranda filed pursuant to L.R. 7;

The time within which the motion for summary judgment shall be

filed;

The use of a stipulated statement of material facts in addition to or

in lieu of, separate statements of material fact; and

Whether either party intends to file any Daubert and/or Kumho

motions, and, if so, the issues to be addressed by such motions, the

length of any memoranda of law to be filed pursuant to L.R. 7, and

2 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993); Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S.

137 (1999).

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the time within which the Daubert and/or Kumho motions shall be

filed.

Following any pre-filing conference, the judicial officer shall issue an order reciting

the action taken at the conference.

*** Annotations

In general (1) “In assessing the briefs of the amici, the Court will do its best not to allow asserted facts from amici that have not been subjected to Local Rule 56 to affect its decision. This should not pose an inordinate problem because the Court will glean the facts not from the contents of the amici briefs, but from the statements of material facts submitted by the parties.” Portland Pipe Line Corp. v. City of South Portland, 2017 WL 79948, at *6 (D. Me. Jan. 9, 2017). (2) Even though Local Rule 7(b) provides that if a party fails to file a timely objection to a motion then the party is “deemed to have waived objection,” the court “may not automatically grant a motion for summary judgment simply because the opposing party failed to comply with a local rule requiring a response within a certain number of days.” Maddocks v. Portland Police Dep’t, 2016 WL 7480270, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 29, 2016), R.&R. adopted, 2017 WL 2222912 (D. Me. May 19, 2017) (internal citation omitted). (3) “Local Rule 56 defines the evidence that this court may consider in deciding whether genuine issues of material fact exist for purposes of summary judgment. First, the moving party must file a statement of material facts that it claims are not in dispute, with each fact presented in numbered paragraph[s] and supported by a specific citation to the record. See Loc. R. 56(b). Second, the non-moving party must submit its own short and concise statement of material facts in which it admits, denies, or qualifies the facts alleged by the moving party, making sure to reference each numbered paragraph of the moving party’s statement and to support each denial or qualification with a specific citation to the record. Loc. R. 56(c). The non-moving party may also include its own statement of additional facts that it contends are not in dispute. Id. These additional facts must also be presented in numbered paragraphs and be supported by a specific citation to the record. Id. Third, the moving party must then submit a reply statement of material facts in which it admits, denies, or qualifies the non-moving

party’s additional facts, if any. Loc. R. 56(d). The reply statement must reference each numbered paragraph of the non-moving party’s statement of additional facts and each denial or qualification must be supported by a specific citation to the record. Id. The court may disregard any statement of fact that is not supported by a specific citation to the record, Loc. R. 56(f), and the court has ‘no independent duty to search or consider any part of the record not specifically reference in the parties’ separate statement of fact.’ Id.; see also, e.g., Borges ex rel. S.M.B.W. v. Serrano-Isern, 605 F.3d 1, 5 (1st Cir.

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2010); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(2). Properly supported facts that are contained in a statement of material or additional facts are deemed admitted unless properly controverted. Loc. R. 56(f).” Morissette v. Cote Corp., 190 F. Supp. 3d 193, 200-01 (D. Me. 2016). (4) “The parties seek a resolution to their dispute through cross-motions for summary judgment. To succeed on a motion for summary judgment, a party must establish ‘that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.’ Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). ‘Cross-motions for summary judgment do not alter the basic Rule 56 standard, but rather simply require [the Court] to determine whether either of the parties deserves judgment as a matter of law on facts that are not disputed.’ Adria Int’l Grp., Inc. v. Ferre Dev., Inc., 241 F.3d 103, 107 (1st Cir. 2001).” Monaghan v. Fitzpatrick, 2015 WL 732644, at *5 (D. Me. Feb. 20, 2015). (5) “Failure to comply with Local Rule 56 can result in serious consequences. ‘Facts contained in a supporting or opposing statement of material facts, if supported by record citations as required by this rule, shall be deemed admitted unless properly controverted.’ Loc. R. 56(f). In addition, ‘[t]he court may disregard any statement of fact not supported by a specific citation to record material properly considered on summary judgment’ and has ‘no independent duty to search or consider any part of the record not specifically referenced in the parties’ separate statemen of fact.’ Id.; see also, e.g., Sánchez-Figueroa v. Banco Popular de P.R., 527 F.3d 209, 213-14 (1st Cir. 2008); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(2) (‘If a party fails to properly support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address another party’s assertion of fact as required by Rule 56(c), the court may . . . consider the fact undisputed for purposes of the motion[.]’).” Stark v. Hartt Transp. Sys., Inc., 37 F. Supp. 3d 445, 451 (D. Me. 2014); R.&R. adopted, id. at 448. (6) “[B]oth Plaintiff’s Statement of Material Facts and Plaintiff’s Objections to Defendants’ Statement of Material Fact evidence a failure to understand and appreciate both the spirit and the purpose of this local rule. Local Rule 56 adopted a procedure by which the parties are required to direct the Court to the material facts within the record and the Court has no independent duty to consider any part of the record not referenced in the parties’ statements of material fact. The rule is intended to focus both the parties and the Court on what facts are actually in dispute. With the material facts clearly laid out, the Court, in turn, can more efficiently and effectively determine when a case can be appropriately resolved via summary judgment.” Toomey v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am., 324 F. Supp. 2d 220, 221 n.1 (D. Me. 2004) (internal citation omitted). (7) “The rule neither addresses nor precludes evidentiary objections to the presentation of facts (regardless whether they are ‘additional’ facts or facts submitted in support of a denial or qualification).” Smith v. Danzig, 2001 WL 823642, at *2 (D. Me. Jul. 20, 2001).

aff’d, No. CIV. 00-216-PH (ECF No. 64) (D. Me. Aug. 23, 2001).

(8) “‘The parties are bound by their [Local Rule 56] Statements of Fact and cannot challenge the court’s summary judgment decision based on facts not properly presented therein.’” Talarico v. Marathon Shoe Co., 221 F. Supp. 2d 35, 39 n.1 (D. Me. 2002) (quoting Pew v. Scopino, 161 F.R.D. 1,1 (D. Me. 1995)); id. at 36 (adopting R.&R.).

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(9) “It is well-established law in this district that Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 requires the Court to examine the merits of a motion for summary judgment even though a nonmoving party fails to object as required by [then-Local Rule 19(c)]. However, a party who fails to object to a motion for summary judgment [within the Rule’s time limit] is deemed to have consented to the moving party’s statement of facts to the extent it is supported by appropriate record citations.” MCI Telecommunications Corp. v. Franklin-Centennial Corp., 128 F.R.D. 158, 159 (D. Me. 1989) (emphasis in original; internal citations omitted) (describing what was then Local Rule 19); accord Gagne v. Carl Bauer Schraubenfabrick, GmbH, 595 F. Supp. 1081, 1084 (D. Me. 1984); McDermott v. Lehman, 594 F. Supp. 1315, 1320-21 (D. Me. 1984). Parties Without Lawyers (1) “[T]he factual assertions contained in the verified pleadings and affidavits filed by a pro se litigant generally will be considered in the review of a summary judgment motion. That is, where a pro se litigant has failed to comply strictly with the summary judgment rules, this Court has considered the sworn assertions of record.” Moore v. Maine Dep’t of Corrections, 2019 WL 267871, at *2 (D. Me. Jan. 19, 2019), R.&R.adopted, 2019 WL 489078 (D. Me. Feb. 7, 2019) (internal citation omitted). (2) “[T]he Court is required to maintain a strict neutrality between opposing parties and even though a more forgiving reading may be appropriate for a pro se party in the summary judgment context, it is also true that ‘[j]udges and magistrate judges who review these filings must be able to rely on procedural rules so as to avoid becoming the lawyer for the unrepresented [party] or devoting an excessive portion of their time to such cases.’” Ruffin v. Knowlton, 2019 WL 206091, at *2 n.3 (D. Me. Jan. 15, 2019) (internal citations omitted), R.&R. adopted, No. 2:17-CV-00152-LEW (ECF No. 64) (D. Me. Feb. 12, 2019). (3) Although not required by First Circuit precedents, “in certain cases, the Court has approached summary judgment disputes involving a pro se party with some leniency.” Tinkham v. Perry, 2015 WL 2092513, at *2 (D. Me. May 5, 2015) (internal citations omitted). (4) “This District’s Local Rules concerning the filing of statements of material fact, opposing statements of material fact, additional statements of material fact, and replies to additional statements of material fact have been an endless source of confusion and contention. D. Me. Loc. R. 56(b)-(d). As these Rules are difficult for lawyers to comply with, it is not surprising that Mr. Widi, himself not a lawyer, did not correctly respond to them. The Court has endeavored to apply the Local Rules evenly while at the same time to avoid affecting Mr. Widi’s substantive rights as a consequence of his procedural

miscues.” Widi v. McNeil, 2013 WL 5407457, at *3 (D. Me. Sept. 25, 2013). (5) “Mr. Baxter’s idiosyncratic responses to the court-sanctioned summary judgment process have placed the Court in an awkward position. Court rules must be followed by all litigants in order to maintain a level playing field. Thus, ‘pro se litigants are not excused from complying with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the Local Rules of this district.’ Furthermore, even though Mr. Baxter is pro se, it is obvious that he is

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aware of the Local Rules because he cited them. He just has not complied with them. Moreover, the Court is required to maintain a strict neutrality between opposing parties and even though a more forgiving reading may be appropriate for a pro se party in the summary judgment context, it is also true that ‘[j]udges and magistrate judges who review these filings must be able to rely on procedural rules so as to avoid becoming the lawyer for the unrepresented [party] or devoting an excessive portion of their time to such cases.’ Unfortunately, Mr. Baxter’s handling of the case has forced the Court to devote excessive time to this motion, and in attempting to be fair to the pro se party who has not fully complied with the Rules, the Court cannot be unfair to the represented party who has.” United States v. Baxter, 841 F. Supp. 2d 378, 383 (D. Me. 2012) (internal citations omitted). (6) The Advisory Committee note to the 2010 amendments to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(e)(4), which now allows a court to “issue any other appropriate order” when a “party fails to properly support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address another party’s assertion of fact as required by Rule 56(c),” states: “The choice among possible orders should be designed to encourage proper presentation of the record. Many courts take extra care with pro se litigants, advising them of the need to respond and the risk of losing by summary judgment if an adequate response is not filed. And the court may seek to reassure itself by some examination of the record before granting summary judgment against a pro se litigant.” No District of Maine case seems to have addressed this language yet. (7) “It is true that pro se plaintiffs are not as a rule excused from complying with District of Maine Local Rule 56. For, judges ‘who review these filings must be able to rely on procedural rules so as to avoid becoming the lawyer for the unrepresented plaintiff or devoting an excessive portion of their time to such cases.’ Nevertheless, in certain cases, this court has approached summary judgment disputes involving a pro se party with some leniency. In the context of this case, where the outcome remains the same regardless, the Court has accorded Plaintiff’s pro se filing the appropriate latitude in the following recitation of undisputed material facts.” Robinson v. Westrum, 2010 WL 2734778, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Jul. 12, 2010) (internal citations omitted). (8) “The dilemma is most frequently posed in motions for summary judgment, where the pro se plaintiffs remain blissfully ignorant of Local Rule 56 requirements for contesting statements of material fact until it is too late and judgment is issued against them. The judges in this District have repeatedly grappled with the tension between evenly enforcing the rules and working an injustice. For motions for summary judgment, even if the pro se plaintiff fails to respond to the statements of material fact, the court is still required to ‘inquire whether the moving party has met its burden to demonstrate undisputed facts entitling it to summary judgment as a matter of law.’” Szillery v. Career

Sys. Dev. Corp., 2008 WL 2789492, at *2 (D. Me. Jul.17, 2008) (internal citations omitted). (9) “‘The First Circuit has not ruled directly on this notice issue [notice to a pro se plaintiff of the consequences of a summary judgment motion and the requirements of the summary judgment rule], but has ruled that pro se litigants are not exempt from the Federal Rules or Local Rules. In any event, the Court recognizes that, for some

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matters, pro se litigants receive the benefit of the doubt. For example, when construing a complaint for the purposes of a motion to dismiss, ‘the allegations of a [pro se] complaint . . . are held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’ While a liberal reading may be appropriate in the summary judgment context, it is also true that ‘[j]udges and magistrate judges who review these filings must be able to rely on procedural rules so as to avoid becoming the lawyer for the unrepresented plaintiff or devoting an excessive portion of their time to such cases.’” Marcello v. Maine, 489 F. Supp. 2d 70, 77 (D. Me. 2007) (internal citations omitted). The Court went on to find that these pro se plaintiffs were familiar with the Local Rule requirements. Id. at 78. (10) “It is well-settled in this Circuit that a pro se litigant is not exempt from compliance with procedural rules. By contrast, most circuits have adopted a so-called ‘fair notice’ rule, which entitles a pro se prisoner to notice of the consequences of failing to respond

to a motion for summary judgment. Such a rule does not exempt a pro se prisoner from complying with the rules, but rather requires notice of the potential repercussions of failing to do so. Two circuits have refused this special treatment of pro se prisoner litigants, opting instead for uniform enforcement of the rules. The First Circuit has not addressed whether to implement a ‘fair notice’ rule for pro se prisoner litigants. Nevertheless, under First Circuit authority, in the summary judgment context, a ‘verified complaint ought to be treated as the functional equivalent of an affidavit to the extent that it satisfied the standards explicated in Rule 56(e). . . .’” Demmons v. Tritch, 484 F. Supp. 2d 177, 182 (D. Me. 2007) (internal citations omitted). The court then distinguished Clarke v. Blais (cited in the next annotation) and added: “Clarke makes several points about the effect of rigorously applying the Local Rules against pro se prisoners that are disquieting, even in the less egregious context of this case. The counterpoint is that parties who obey the rules should not be penalized when their opponents do not. . . . ‘[M]ost prisoner complaints are doomed to failure in federal court. Although the prisoner may have what he believes to be justified grievance, seldom does it rise to a constitutional right violation that would entitle him to relief. Dispositive motion practice remains the most efficient means short of trial for defendants to extract themselves from a case “doomed to failure.”’ Further . . . if the rules are applied unevenly, the danger is that the judges and magistrate judges will become ‘the lawyer for the unrepresented party’ or devote ‘an excessive portion of their time to such cases.’ There are no easy solutions.” Id. at 183 (internal quotation marks denote quotations from Clarke). (11) “What makes this case distinct is the following: the plaintiff made very clear in his response to the [summary judgment] motion (his ‘Opposition’) the precise nature of his disagreement with the officers’ version of what happened; the affidavit filed with the Amended Complaint supported the plaintiff’s version and demonstrated from the outset that there was a competent witness (the plaintiff himself) with sufficient admissible evidence to allow the plaintiff to get to a factfinder on his excessive force claim, whatever might develop in discovery (unless he were to recant his story); the plaintiff was not someone who chose to proceed without a lawyer, thereby risking voluntarily the consequences of this ignorance of the rules, but instead requested appointment of a lawyer repeatedly; the plaintiff has mental and medical issues; the defendants confirmed for themselves during discovery that there was a genuine issue of material fact on the

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excessive force claim by taking the plaintiff’s deposition and asking him about it, and they presented that entire deposition to the court as part of their motion for summary judgment, on notice that the plaintiff’s testimony from the deposition and the affidavit created a genuine issue of material fact; and the Magistrate Judge was aware (as am I) of the affidavit (it would be difficult to decide a motion for summary judgment without reading the Amended Complaint, which included the affidavit). No record scouring was required. Although there may be occasions where a plaintiff’s failure of the sort that occurred here would unfairly prevent a meaningful defendants’ reply, this is not such a case. Here, there is a clear credibility conflict between what the plaintiff says happened and what the defendants . . . say happened. The issue concerns a material fact. A defendant’s reply cannot alter that.” The court therefore denied summary judgment on the excessive force claim despite the plaintiff’s violation of Local Rule 56 in responding to the defendants’ summary judgment motion by failing to file a plaintiff’s statement of material facts or to refer specifically to his affidavit (attached to his Amended Complaint)

or his deposition testimony (attached to the defendants’ statement of material facts). Clarke v. Blais, 473 F. Supp. 2d 124, 128, 130 (D. Me. 2007) (internal citations omitted). Rule 56(a)

(1) “Local Rule 56 requires that factual assertions in support of or in opposition to a motion for summary judgment must be set forth in a separate statement of material facts, that each factual statement be set forth in its own numbered paragraph, and that each factual statement be followed by a citation to record material that supports the statement. D. Me. Loc. R. 56(a), (b), (f). In addition, under Local Rule 7, a party must file a memorandum of law in support of a motion for summary judgment. The rules are designed to ensure an orderly procedure for determining a party’s entitlement to summary judgment and compliance is mandatory for both represented and pro se litigants. Doe v. Solvay Pharm., Inc., 350 F. Supp. 2d 257, 260 & n.3 (D. Me. 2004), aff’d[,] 153 Fed. Appx. 1 (1st Cir. 2005). Here, Plaintiff has not filed a statement of material facts in accordance with Local Rule 56, and has not filed a memorandum of law in accordance with Local Rule 7. . . . Because Plaintiff has not complied with the rules governing summary judgment, because Plaintiff has not demonstrated cause as to why the Court should not deny his motion for summary judgment without requiring Defendants to respond to the motion, and because Plaintiff has not otherwise established a basis for summary judgment, Plaintiff is not entitled to summary judgment.” Inman v. Riebe, 2016 WL 3102199, at *2 (D. Me. May 5, 2016), R. & R. adopted, 2016 WL 3129115 (D. Me. June 2, 2016).

Rule 56(b) (1) “[I]n this case, I was faced with, as the Maine Supreme Judicial Court so aptly put it, ‘a summary judgment process that was, by definition, not “summary.”’ First Tracks Investments, LLC v. Murray, Plumb & Murray, 2015 ME 104, ¶ 2, 121 A.3d 1279. In direct contradiction to our conversation during the 56(h) conference at which I reminded the parties I had every intention of requiring the parties to ‘fastidiously . . . comply with a short and concise statement,’ Defendants’ summary judgment motion was submitted along with 668 statements of ‘material’ facts to which Plaintiff responded and then submitted an additional 93 statements of ‘material’ facts in opposition. Of the 668 facts

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submitted along with their motion, Defendants . . . identified 558 of them as the ‘facts . . . necessary to the resolution of the partial motion for summary judgment issue.’ Despite this anemic effort at trimming the fat, disappointingly few of the purported facts submitted by both parties were material to the three narrow legal questions advanced in the motion.” Lauzon v. Dodd, 2019 WL 2996904, at *1 (D. Me. July 9, 2019) (some internal citations omitted). (2) The plaintiff “is correct that the Local Rule 56(b) requires ‘a separate, short, and concise statement of material facts, each set forth in a separately numbered paragraph(s).’ D. Me. Loc. R. 56(b). But both parties have consistently violated this rule and in a case as contested and dense as this one, some flexibility is necessary to prevent the parties’ statements of fact from containing hundreds of separate assertions. Objection overruled.” Richardson v. Mabus, 203 F. Supp. 3d 86, 116 n.58 (D. Me. 2016).

(3) “By local rule, summary judgment facts are introduced by means of ‘a separate, short, and concise statement of material facts,’ which statement must be supported by record citations. D. Me. Loc. R. 56(b), (c), (d).” Thurston v. Cumberland County, 2014 WL 294487, at *1 (D. Me. Jan. 27, 2014). (4) “[T]he Court has never interpreted the Local Rule to require single sentence paragraphs. In fact, the term ‘paragraph’ in the Local rule implies that each statement may contain more than one sentence. The Court reads the Local Rule as encouraging the parties not to load up statements so as to make them difficult to respond to.” Goldenson v. Steffens, 2014 WL 12788001, at *3 n.5 (D. Me. Mar. 7, 2014). (5) The motion for summary judgment “was defective under this District’s Local Rule 56 because . . . it failed to provide a statement of material facts not in dispute. That alone is enough to deny the motion.” Murphy v. U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, 2013 WL 4508346, at *5 (D. Me. Aug. 23, 2013) (internal citation omitted). (6) “To the extent these facts are not also properly presented in a statement of material facts as required by Local Rule 56, they are not cognizable on summary judgment, and I have disregarded them.” Cox v. Maine State Police, 2004 WL 1529268, at *3 n.3 (D. Me. Mar. 30, 2004), R.&R. adopted in part, rejected in part, 324 F. Supp. 2d 128 (D. Me. 2004), aff'd sub nom. Cox v. Hainey, 391 F.3d 25 (1st Cir. 2004). Rule 56(c) (1) “[T]he Plaintiff’s ‘qualifications’ of the Defendant’s facts occasionally exceeded the scope of the asserted fact. Such material facts beyond the scope of the Defendant’s facts should be presented separately as the Plaintiff’s additional facts, in accord with Local Rule 56(c).” Michaud v. Calais Regional Hosp., 2017 WL 902133, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Mar. 7, 2017). (2) A party “transgresses Local Rule 56(c), setting forth a number of facts solely in the body of its opposing brief rather than in a statement of additional facts. This court previously has declined to consider facts that are strewn throughout the body of a brief rather than presented as required by Local Rule 56. I do the same here.” Sea Hunters,

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LP v. S.S. Port Nicholson, 2015 WL 1206487, at *6 n.3 (D. Me. Mar. 17, 2015) (internal citations omitted), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (3) “The plaintiff’s ‘qualified denial’ of this paragraph of the defendant’s statement of materials facts is not a response allowed under Local Rule 56. In addition, the response does not cite any support in the record and must be disregarded for that reason as well.” Zagklara v. Sprague Energy Corp., 2012 WL 3679635, at *6 n.5 (D. Me. Jul. 2, 2012), R.&R. adopted, 2012 WL 3650596 (D. Me. Aug. 24, 2012). (4) “The plaintiff filed no opposing statement of material facts. Instead, she filed a series of documents on the first page of which she appended the designation ‘Statement of Facts.’ This filing does not begin to comply with the requirements of this court’s Local Rule 56(c). The documents will be disregarded and the assertions in the defendant’s statement of material facts will be deemed admitted insofar as they are supported by

the stated citations to the summary judgment record. Local Rule 56(e).” Peterson v. Scotia Prince Cruises Ltd., 2004 WL 1529300, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. June 2, 2004). Rule 56(d) (1) “The defendant contended at oral argument that Local Rule 56(d) permits reply statements to include a new section of additional facts. It does not. Local Rule 56(c), which governs opposing statements of material facts, allows ‘a separately titled section’ of ‘additional facts.’ Local Rule 56(c). Local Rule 56(d) contains no such provision. Read in conjunction, it is clear that reply statements must be limited to responding to (i.e., admitting, qualifying or denying) additional facts contained in the opposing statement.” Agganis v. T-Mobile USA Inc., 2018 WL 1278423, at *4 n.7 (D. Me. Mar. 12, 2018). (2) “[T]he Defendant repeatedly stated lengthy ‘objections’ beneath the Plaintiff’s qualifications. The Defendant used these objections to advance arguments and offer additional qualifying facts in reply to the Plaintiff’s qualifications. Local Rules 56(d) and 56(e) limit a party’s reply to only the opposing party’s additional facts and requests to strike.” Michaud v. Calais Regional Hosp., 2017 WL 902133, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Mar. 7, 2017). (3) Defendants filed five additional facts along with their reply statement of facts, and plaintiffs moved to strike the five additional facts. as not permitted by the local Rule. “Plaintiffs are correct. However, the Local Rules also specifically disallow motions to strike. Local Rule 56(e). Accordingly, the Court did not consider the five additional facts filed by Defendants in reaching the conclusions set forth in this Order. . . . Plaintiffs’ Motion To Strike is DENIED AS MOOT.” Friends of Merrymeeting Bay v. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, 2013 WL 145733, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Jan. 14, 2013). (4) The Rule permits a statement of material facts, an opposing statement, and a reply, but not an additional statement. “The clear language . . . requires the movant to limits its reply statement to admitting, denying or qualifying the responsive statement. It does not allow the movant to add new facts at this late stage.” Hinton v. Outboard Marine Corp., 828 F. Supp. 2d 366, 373 (D. Me. 2011).

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(5) “The overall rationale of the rule is clear: there must be an end point. The Rule requires the movant for summary judgment to set forth those undisputed facts it contends entitle it to summary judgment; it permits the non-movant to put into play any facts, which the non-movant contends require trial. Finally, it permits the movant to respond to the non-movant’s facts. But the Rule does not permit the movant to add yet another set of facts. If the movant were allowed to posit new facts in its reply, the movant’s final document would be an unanswered set of factual assertions, which would run contrary to the requirement that the facts must be interpreted in a manner most congenial to the non-movant. In other words, if the rule were interpreted in the Defendants’ fashion, to comply with Rule 56, the Local Rule would have to permit the non-movant to sur-reply. However[,] there is no provision in the local rule for the non-movant to file a sur-reply precisely because the movant is not allowed to posit a new set of facts with its reply statement. Finally, movants would be encouraged to hide their most salient statements of fact until the very end of the point-counterpoint process so

that there would be no counter to their final point.” Knowlton v. Shaw, 791 F. Supp. 2d 220, 268 (D. Me. 2011). (6) A “Supplemental Statement of Additional Material Facts in Support of Defendant’s Reply” is “not procedurally proper; the reply statement must consist of ‘a separate, short, and concise statement of material facts which shall be limited to any additional facts submitted by the opposing party.” Local Rule 56(d). This Court will not consider the Defendant’s additional facts ….” Moore v. Sunbeam Products, Inc., 425 F. Supp. 2d 151, 154 n.6 (D. Me. 2006). (7) “[N]umerous decisions of this court have held that new factual assertions submitted with a reply to the opposition to a motion for summary judgment in the absence of a request for leave to do so will be disregarded by the court.” Currier Builders Inc. v. Town of York, 2002 WL 1146773, at *5 (D. Me. May 30, 2002). Rule 56(e) (1) “[T]he Defendant repeatedly stated lengthy ‘objections’ beneath the Plaintiff’s qualifications. The Defendant used these objections to advance arguments and offer additional qualifying facts in reply to the Plaintiff’s qualifications. Local Rules 56(d) and 56(e) limit a party’s reply to only the opposing party’s additional facts and requests to strike.” Michaud v. Calais Regional Hosp., 2017 WL 902133, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Mar. 7, 2017). (2) Rule 56(e) does not allow the filing of a response to an objection contained in a reply statement of material facts unless the reply statement contained a request to strike. Kirouac v. Donahoe, 2013 WL 140911, at *1-2 (D. Me. Jan. 11, 2013) Rule 56(f) (1) Replying to a properly supported statement of fact “by asserting that the Defendant has ‘no knowledge’ of the fact asserted” does not satisfy the Local Rule and does not

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controvert the assertion. Mullen v. New Balance Athletics, Inc., 2019 WL 958370, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Feb. 27, 2019). (2) “The Plaintiff failed to provide citations to specific facts immediately following the assertion of that fact and instead frequently included compound cites at the end of paragraphs containing multiple facts. Rule 56(f) requires ‘specific citation,’ and it facilitates my analysis when the citations are presented fact by fact.” Michaud v. Calais Regional Hosp., 2017 WL 902133, at *1 n.1 (Mar. 7, 2017). (3) “While the Court has ‘no independent duty to search or consider any part of the record not specifically referenced’ in a statement of material facts, there is no prohibition on the Court doing so in either the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the Local Rules. Loc. R. 56(f); see, e.g., Ricci, 297 F. Supp. 2d at 321. In this case review of the exhibits specifically referenced in the Statement of material Facts yields more information . . .

without any additional searching of the record.” United States v. Walsh, 702 F. Supp. 2d 6, 10 (D. Me. 2010). (4) The response to a paragraph in a statement of material facts that “Plaintiff did not admit or deny” is “not an acceptable response under Local Rule 56. Because the paragraph is supported by the citation given to the summary judgment record, it is deemed admitted.” Forrest v. Brinker Intern. Payroll Co., 2007 WL 120307, at *4 n.2 (D. Me. Jan. 11, 2007), R.&R. adopted, 2007 WL 1083431 (D. Me. Apr. 11, 2007), aff'd, 511 F.3d 225 (1st Cir. 2007). (5) “[I]n the District of Maine, to determine whether there is a trialworthy issue, I review the parties' competing summary judgment statements of material fact under the auspices of this District's Local Rule 56, as outlined in Doe v. Solvay Pharms., Inc., 350 F. Supp. 2d 257, 259–60 (D. Me. 2004). In presenting their motion, the defendants have complied with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 and the District of Maine Local Rules of Civil Procedure 7 and 56. In addition to their summary judgment memorandum the defendants have filed a statement of material facts (Docket No. 12) that contains record citations to seven exhibits, including the affidavits of the officers involved in the incident. Apropos the present motion, the Andrewses filed an ‘in response to affidavit of Christopher L. Donahue’ (Docket No. 19) and their own pro se motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 18). Neither pleading complies with subsections (c) and (e) of Local Rule 56. The response to the defendants’ summary judgment statement of facts consists of an unsigned document refuting each of the supporting affidavits filed by defendants and it is absolutely devoid of any record citation. (See Docket No. 19). The Andrewses’ pro se motion for summary judgment does not comply with Local Rule 7 nor does it comply with Local Rule 56(b) and (d). The defendants’ summary judgment factual statements have not been properly controverted and, therefore, pursuant to Local Rule 56(f), the material facts set forth by defendants are deemed admitted.” Andrews v. City of Calais, 2005 WL 3371080, at *1 (D. Me. Nov. 9, 2005), R.&R. adopted, 2005 WL 3418503 (D. Me. Dec. 12, 2005), aff'd sub nom. Andrews v. City of Calais, Maine, 196 F. App’x 3 (1st Cir. 2006).

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(6) If a party fails to respond to a statement of material facts while filing a motion to strike, and the motion to strike is denied, the fact will be deemed admitted. Randall v. Potter, 366 F. Supp. 2d 120, 122 (D. Me. 2005). (7) The plaintiff’s “disputation is not supported by a record citation as required by Local Rule 56(c) and is on that basis disregarded, see Loc. R. 56([f]).” Cox v. Maine State Police, 2004 WL 1529268, at *4 n.4 (D. Me. Mar. 30, 2004), R.&R. adopted in part, 324 F. Supp. 2d 128 (D. Me. 2004). (8) “In accordance with Local Rule 56, a party must support a qualification with a record citation and the Court ‘may disregard any statement of fact not supported by a specific citation to record material properly considered on summary judgment.’” Black v. Unum Life Ins. Co., 324 F. Supp. 2d 206, 209 (D. Me. 2004) (quoting what is now Local Rule 56(f)).

(9) A party responding to a statement of material facts saying that it “dispute[s] the veracity of these findings” without providing a citation to the summary judgment record to support its assertion is deemed to have admitted the assertion. Andrews v. American Red Cross Blood Services, 251 F. Supp. 2d 976, 980 n.2 (D. Me. 2003), R.&R. adopted, id. at 977. (10) “Given the potential tension between Rule 56(e) and local rules such as the District of Maine’s Rule 7(b), we have recognized the need to interpret local waiver rules . . . so as to preserve their scope and validity without running afoul of the requirements of Rule 56 . . . . To that end, in the summary judgment context we read the ‘deemed waiver’ provision of the local rules to extend only to waiver of objection to the moving party’s factual assertions.” NEPSK, Inc. v. Town of Houlton, 283 F.3d 1, 8 (1st Cir. 2002). (11) “[T]he citation ‘Affidavit of Jodine Adams’ in support of a numbered paragraph in a statement of materials facts without any further citation to a specific paragraph of the affidavit, is insufficient under this court’s Local Rule 56.” Woofhaus, Inc. v. Inhabitants of the Town of Old Orchard Beach, 2001 WL 501048, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. May 11, 2001), R.&R. adopted, No. CIV. 00-353-P-H (ECF No. 17) (D. Me. May 30, 2001). (11) It is not an appropriate response to say: “Plaintiff has no evidence upon which to contradict this statement at this time; nonetheless, Plaintiff reserves the right to call witnesses at trial to rebut this statement” and it is “deemed an admission.” Patterson v. Dolan, 2001 WL 1154592, at *3 n.2 (D. Me. Oct. 1, 2001). (12) Local Rule 56(f) (then 56(e)) supports declining to consider any facts not included in a statement of material facts. Thurston v. Henderson, 2000 WL 761897, at *4 n.2 (D. Me. Jan. 5, 2000), R.&R. adopted, id. at *1. (13) Local Rule 56(f) requires “pinpoint citations” to the record. Initiative & Referendum Institute v. Secretary of State, 1999 WL 33117172, at *3 n.5 (D. Me. Apr. 23, 1999). R.&R. adopted, No. CIV. 98-104-B-C (ECF No. 45) (D. Me. Sept. 27, 1999).

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Rule 56(h) (1) “The parties’ submissions in this case are the type that give summary judgment a bad name. To begin, the City’s reply statement of material fact contained over 30 objections and requests to strike the Plaintiff’s responses to the City’s initial statement of fact, in violation of this Court’s Local Rule 56(h) Order. This led the Plaintiff to file a motion for leave to file a surreply—which is DENIED—and led to an additional round of briefing. To make matters worse, the Defendant also requested to strike over 100 of the Plaintiff’s 112 additional facts, and many of these requests to strike are based on Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(f). Rule 12(f) is limited to challenges to pleadings, not to submissions made in pursuit or in opposition to summary judgment. For her part, the Plaintiff violated Local Rule 7(e) by filing an opposition to the Defendant’s motion that totaled 25 pages without first seeking leave to exceed the 20-page limit set by the local rules.” Norris v. City of Portland, 2017 WL 3613024, at *1 n.2 (D. Me. 2017) (internal

citations omitted). (2) “At the Local Rule 56(h) Pre-Filing Conference, the plaintiffs made clear that their federal claim in Count Four ‘asserted only an excessive force claim, and not an illegal search claim,’ and is ‘relevant only to the extent it provided grounds for the officers’ use of force.’ I therefore do not entertain that part of their current objection to the defendants’ motion for summary judgment that attempts to argue that [one defendant] used ‘false statements and a reckless disregard for the truth’ to obtain the search warrant, exceeded the scope of the warrant, or received inadequate training on the scope of a warrant. The plaintiffs have waived such arguments.” Manchester v. Cumberland County Sheriff’s Dep’t, 2017 WL 1954761, at *6 (D. Me. May 10, 2017). (3) “This court conducts . . . conferences under Local Rule 56(h) before summary judgment motions are filed in order to consider, among other things, ‘the issues to be addressed by a motion for summary judgment.’ Where an insurer has notified opposing counsel and the court that it has grounds to file a motion for summary judgment, it is reasonable to conclude that it has considered what is the governing law. At the conference in this case, the lawyers were discussing only Maine law on duty to defend, and it was I who raised the choice-of-law question in light of New Hampshire’s involvement. When I raised the issue, both parties agreed unequivocally, however, that Maine law applied. As a result, I issued a report that stated ‘[a]t the conference, the parties agreed that Maine law applies.’ After receiving the report, the insurance company filed a motion to amend that report and an affidavit by its attorney stating that ‘I have not yet researched the question’ whether Maine law applies and ‘would like the opportunity to research the question.’ The motion to amend the Report is DENIED. The Report correctly reports what the parties through counsel agreed at the conference, and the topic was reasonably to be anticipated as a topic for discussion. A party cannot contend that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law without examining what law applies.” Ted Berry Co. v. Excelsior Ins. Co., 997 F. Supp. 2d 66, 67 n.3 (D. Me. 2014) (internal citations omitted).

(4) “As a result of the Local Rule 56 pre-filing conference, the parties have simplified the record substantially with stipulations, for which the Court is grateful.” McIlvaine v.

Ford Motor Co., 2013 WL 588934, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Feb. 13, 2013).

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RULE 64 - ATTACHMENT AND TRUSTEE PROCESS

(Amended June 1, 2001)

A party to a civil action, other than an admiralty or maritime claim within

the meaning of Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(h), may move for approval of attachment of

property, including attachment on trustee process, or dissolution or modification of

attachment approved ex parte, within the District of Maine in accordance with state

law and procedure as would be applicable had the action been maintained in the

courts of the State of Maine, with the exception that the time periods provided in

Rule 7 of these rules shall apply to the filing of objections to motions. Upon

approval of attachment or trustee process by the Court, the appropriate writ shall

be prepared by the moving attorney and submitted to the Clerk for attestation.

Service shall be made in accordance with the applicable law and procedure of the

State of Maine.

*** Annotations

(1) “A party may move for attachment in this court ‘in accordance with state law and procedure as would be applicable had the action been maintained in the courts of the State of Maine[.]’ Local Rule 64. ‘An attachment of property shall be sought by filing with the complaint a motion for approval of the attachment. The motion shall be supported by affidavit . . . meeting the requirements set forth in subdivision (i) of this rule.” Me. R. Civ. P. 4A(c). Subdivision (i) requires the affidavit to “set forth specific facts sufficient to warrant the required findings[.]’ Id. (i). Under Maine law, attachment and attachment on trustee process are available only for a specified amount, as approved by order of court, and only upon a finding that it is more likely than not that the plaintiff will recover judgment, including interest and costs, in an amount equal to or greater than the aggregate sum of the attachment and any liability insurance, bond, or other security and attached property or credits shown by the defendant to be available to satisfy the judgment. Id. (c); Maine R. Civ. P. 4B(c).” Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC v. Davric Maine Corp., 2015 WL 4459012, at *1-2 (D. Me. July 21, 2015) (granting attachment in the larger amount supported by the plaintiff’s affidavit which “provides a more extensive, detailed basis for the amount . . . than does the . . . affidavit for the lesser amount advocated by the defendant” and where the defendant’s affidavit “does

not explain its differences with the component numbers included in the [plaintiff’s] affidavit, instead asserting merely that the numbers it lists” are the most that could be awarded). (2) DiPietro v. Clark, 2015 WL 8664222, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 11, 2015) (same statement of law and denying attachment where the “undisputed evidence does not establish that it is more likely than not that the plaintiff will recover against the defendant”).

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(3) Lynch v. Christie, 2012 WL 2367375, at *1, 3 (D. Me. June 21, 2012) (same statement of law and allowing smaller attachment than requested and not including punitive damages because the requested amount, $1 million, is an attachment amount “uncommon in personal injury cases in Maine”). (4) “In accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 64 and Local Rule 64, this court looks to Maine law and procedure in adjudicating a motion for attachment or trustee process.” Wiggin v. Ensworth, 2011 WL 3841819, at *1 (D. Me. Aug. 30, 2011). (5) The court’s authority to direct that additional or other security be furnished does not allow a winning defendant to seek attachment against a plaintiff’s funds for the defendant’s costs, because attachment is governed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 64. Both Rule 64 and Local Rule 64 in turn refer to state law. Maine allows attachment on behalf of a

plaintiff without any reference to attaching property to secure a defendant’s costs when the defendant wins. In re New Motor Vehicles Canadian Export Antitrust Litigation, 265 F.R.D. 12, 13-14 (D. Me. 2010). (6) “Local Rule 64 adopts the state procedural rules for attachments. See D. Me. Civ. R. 64; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 64. Under the state procedural rules, a party seeking to vacate an ex parte attachment must file an affidavit that attacks the findings of the judge who issued the attachment. See Me. R. Civ. P. 4A(h); see also Beesley v. Landmark Realty, Inc., 464 A.2d 936, 937 (Me. 1983) (‘By failing to challenge by affidavit the finding . . . in the ex parte order, defendant was thus precluded from challenging the finding at the hearing on its motion to dissolve . . . ’) (emphasis added). The moving parties have filed no such affidavit. Consequently, they are asking me to re-examine Justice Bradford's decision based solely upon the assertions made in their brief and by their lawyer at oral argument. That is both contrary to the Rule and inappropriate as a matter of judicial efficiency.” Bath Iron Works Corp. v. Tufts Health Plan of New England, Inc., 1999 WL 33117198, at *1 (D. Me. Dec. 22, 1999) (footnote omitted). (7) The time limits of Local Rule 7 apply to motions under Local Rule 64. Hancock Lumber Co. Inc. v. Carbary, 2012 WL 315645, at *1 n.1 (D. Me. Feb. 1, 2012).

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RULE 65.1 - BONDS AND SECURITY

(Amended December 1, 2018)

(a) Approval by Clerk

The Clerk is authorized to approve the form of, and the sureties on, all bonds

and undertakings required in any proceeding in this Court and approve any

other security offered in lieu of sureties as provided by law; but the Clerk's

action may be suspended or altered or rescinded by the Court upon cause shown.

(b) Court Officers as Sureties

No Clerk, Marshal, member of the bar, or other officer of this Court shall be

approved as surety on any bond or undertaking.

(c) Bond

A bond or other security staying execution of a money judgment shall be in the

amount of the judgment plus ten percent (10%) of the amount to cover interest

and any award of damages for delay plus Five Hundred Dollars ($500) to cover

costs, unless the Court directs otherwise.

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RULE 67 - DEPOSIT OF REGISTRY FUNDS IN

INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNTS (Amended December 1, 2016)

Whenever a party seeks a court order for money to be deposited by the Clerk

in an interest bearing account, the party shall deliver the proposed order specifying

the amount to be invested by the Clerk or financial administrator who shall review

the proposed order for compliance with this rule prior to signature by judicial

officer.

The following procedures apply to deposits into the registry of the Court.

(a) Receipt of Funds

(1) No money shall be sent to the Court or its officers for deposit in the

Court’s registry without a court order signed by the presiding judge in the

case or proceeding.

(2) The party making the deposit or transferring funds to the Court’s registry

must deliver a copy of the order permitting the deposit or transfer on the

Clerk of Court.

(3) Unless provided for elsewhere in the Order, all monies ordered to be paid

to the Court or received by its officers in any case pending or adjudicated

shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States in the name

and to the credit of this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2041 through

depositories designated by the Treasury to accept such deposit on its

behalf.

(b) Investment of Registry Funds

(1) Where, by order of the Court, funds on deposit with the Court are to be

placed in some form of interest-bearing account or invested in a court-

approved, interest-bearing instrument in accordance with Rule 67 of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court Registry Investment System

(“CRIS”), administered by the Administrative Office of the United States

Courts under 28 U.S.C. § 2045, shall be the only investment mechanism

authorized.

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(2) Interpleader funds deposited under 28 U.S.C. § 1335 meet the IRS

definition of a “Disputed Ownership Fund” (DOF), a taxable entity that

requires tax administration. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court,

interpleader funds shall be deposited in the DOF established within the

CRIS and administered by the Administrative Office of the United States

Courts, which shall be responsible for meeting all DOF tax administration

requirements.

(3) The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is

designated as custodian for all CRIS funds. The Director or the Director’s

designee shall perform the duties of custodian. Funds held in the CRIS

remain subject to the control and jurisdiction of the Court.

(4) Money from each case deposited in the CRIS shall be pooled together with

those on deposit with Treasury to the credit of other courts in the CRIS

and used to purchase Government Account Series securities through the

Bureau of Public Debt, which will be held at Treasury, in an account in

the name and to the credit of the Director of the Administrative Office of

the United States Courts. The pooled funds will be invested in accordance

with the principals of the CRIS Investment Policy as approved by the

Registry Monitoring Group.

(5) An account will be established in the CRIS Liquidity Fund titled in the

name of the case giving rise to the invested deposit in the fund. Income

generated from fund investments will be distributed to each case based on

the ratio each account’s principal and earnings has to the aggregate

principal and income total in the fund after the CRIS fee has been applied.

Reports showing the interest earned and the principal amounts

contributed in each case will be prepared and distributed to each court

participating in the CRIS and made available to litigants and/or their

counsel.

(6) For each interpleader case, an account shall be established by the CRIS

Disputed Ownership Fund, titled in the name of the case giving rise to the

deposit invested in the fund. Income generated from fund investments

will be distributed to each case after the DOF has been applied and tax

withholdings have been deducted from the fund. Reports showing the

interest earned and the principal amounts contributed in each case will be

available through the FedInvest/CMS application for each court

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participating in the CRIS and made available to litigants and/or their

counsel. On appointment of an administrator authorized to incur

expenses on behalf of the DOF in a case, the case DOF funds should be

transferred to another investment account as directed by court order.

(c) Fees and Taxes

(1) The custodian is authorized and directed by this rule to deduct the CRIS

fee of an annualized 10 basis points on assets on deposit for all CRIS

funds, excluding the case funds held in the DOF, for the management of

investments in the CRIS. According to the Court’s Miscellaneous Fee

Schedule, the CRIS fee is assessed from interest earnings to the pool

before a pro rata distribution of earnings is made to court cases.

(2) The custodian is authorized and directed by this rule to deduct the DOF

fee of an annualized 20 basis points on assets on deposit in the DOF for

management of investments and tax administration. According to the

Court’s Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, the DOF fee is assessed from interest

earnings to the pool before a pro rata distribution of earnings is made to

court cases. The custodian is further authorized and directed by this rule

to withhold and pay federal taxes due on behalf of the DOF.

(d) Withdrawal of Deposit

To withdraw money deposited with the Court under Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 67 and these rules, a party must file a motion for withdrawal of the

funds and simultaneously submit a proposed order and completed IRS Form

W-9.

(e) Transition from Former Investment Procedure

(1) This rule is effective on December 1, 2016, but the Disputed Ownership

Fund provisions will become effective on the date the DOF begins to

accept deposits. The Disputed Ownership Fund Pool is scheduled to be

established on April 1, 2017.

(2) Between December 1, 2016 and continuing up until establishment of the

DOF, interpleader funds received on or after December 1, 2016 will be

deposited in the CRIS Liquidity Fund and will be subject to the fees

specified in subsection (c)(1) of this rule. Existing interpleader deposits in

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the CRIS Liquidity Fund deposited prior to establishment of the DOF will

not be transferred to the DOF. Only new deposits pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1335 will be placed in the CRIS DOF when that fund has been

established.

(3) Upon establishment of the DOF, all new interpleader funds received by

the Clerk for deposit pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 1335, will be deposited in the

DOF pursuant to the provisions of this rule.

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RULE 72 – AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES

(Amended December 1, 2019)

(a) Authority of Magistrate Judges

Any Magistrate Judge is authorized to exercise all powers and perform all duties

conferred upon Magistrate Judges by 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b), (c) and (g); U.S.C.

§ 340(i); to exercise the powers enumerated in Rules 5, 8, 9 and 10; and Rules

Governing Section 2254 and 2255 Proceedings in accordance with the standards

and criteria established in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).

(b) Assignment of Social Security Act Cases and Prisoner Cases

All complaints filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and 42 U.S.C. § 1383(c)(3), for

benefits under Title II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act shall ordinarily

be referred for all further proceedings in accordance with Local Rule 16.3 to a

Magistrate Judge.

All applications for post-trial relief filed by individuals convicted of criminal

offenses and of prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement shall

ordinarily be referred to a Magistrate Judge in accordance with 28 U.S.C.

§ 636(b)(1)(B).

*** Annotations

(1) An objection to the magistrate judge’s jurisdiction to hear a motion to amend a complaint and designate expert witnesses “is unfounded” because Local Rule 72 “outlines the duties and authority of United States Magistrate Judges in the District of Maine.” Marcello v. Maine, 2007 WL 397128, at *1 (D. Me. Feb. 1, 2007) (the opinion refers to Rule 72(c), which is now in relevant part 72(a)).

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RULE 72.1 - OBJECTIONS TO PRETRIAL ORDERS (Amended July 1, 2018)

(a) Within 14 days after being served a copy of an order, report, proposed findings

or a recommended decision of a United States Magistrate Judge entered under 28

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), a party seeking review shall file an objection with an

incorporated memorandum of law to those specific portions for which review is

sought. Within 14 days of being served with an objection, a party opposing the

objection may file a response with an incorporated memorandum of law. Neither

the objection nor response shall exceed 10 pages in length for objections to

nondispositive orders or 20 pages for objections to recommended dispositive orders.

Except by prior order of the Court, no reply memorandum shall be filed.

(b) A party objecting, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72 and Local

Rule 72.1, to a decision of a Magistrate Judge regarding a discovery dispute, must

file with its objection a separate stipulated record containing only those discovery

materials relating to what the Magistrate Judge ordered in connection with the

dispute. To the extent that the stipulated record should be filed under seal, counsel

shall file a motion to seal together with the stipulated record in accordance with

Local Rule 7A.

*** Annotations

(1) The court does not consider a Reply to an objection, when filed without permission. Stile v. Somerset County, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18561, *6 (D. Me. Feb. 17, 2015). (2) “District of Maine Local Rule 72.1 does not permit a party objecting to the order of a Magistrate Judge to file a reply in response to the non-moving party's opposition brief. A party desiring to reply to an opposition brief must move the Court for leave to do so. D. Me. Loc. R. 72.1.” SurfCast, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., 2014 WL 1203244, at *1 n.2 (D.

Me. Mar. 24, 2014). (3) “The Court denies Ms. Daigle's motion for jurisdictional discovery. The Magistrate Judge previously ruled against the same request, but Ms. Daigle failed to object and she has waived the right to do so now. See Fed. R. Civ. R. 72; D. Me. Loc. R. 72.1.” Daigle v. Stulc, 694 F. Supp. 2d 30, 36 (D. Me. 2010).

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(4) There is no inconsistency between Local Rule 7(c), permitting a reply, and Local Rule 72.1, prohibiting a reply without prior leave of court. “Local Rule 7(c) allows a reply because the moving party has not had a chance to respond to the specific arguments being made by the non-movant. After the Recommended Decision, however, the situation is markedly different. . . . The Local Rules contemplate that for objections to recommended decisions, an objection should be sufficient and no reply warranted, since the parties are fully aware of what each other has contended and, more to the point, what the magistrate judge has recommended. Ordinarily, no new matters should arise that require a reply.” Shaw v. 500516 N.B. Ltd., 668 F. Supp. 2d 237, 248-49 (D. Me. 2009). (5) The court strikes a reply filed without leave of court and “will not consider the reply.” Millay v. Surry Sch. Dep’t, 584 F. Supp. 2d 219, 224 (D. Me. 2008).

(6) Failure to file an objection within the time permitted under Local Rule 72.1 results in forfeiture of the objection. United States v. Sayer, 450 F.3d 82, 89 (1st Cir. 2006) (dictum).

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RULE 73 - CONSENT TO ORDER OF REFERENCE

(Amended May 1, 1999)

Each full-time Magistrate Judge for the District of Maine is authorized to

conduct jury trials of issues triable of right by a jury where a jury trial has been

demanded.

At the time a civil action or notice of removal is filed, the Clerk shall deliver

to the filing party or counsel (i) a notice of the party's right to consent to the

exercise of a Magistrate Judge's jurisdiction to conduct any or all proceedings and

order the entry of judgment, and (ii) a consent form for execution by all the parties

or their counsel. The notice shall instruct the parties or their counsel that the

consent form is to be returned to the Clerk only if all parties or their counsel

consent to the exercise of such jurisdiction. If any party or counsel declines to

consent, neither the Clerk, nor any Magistrate Judge nor any Judge of the Court

shall be informed of the identity of the declining party. However, a Judge or a

Magistrate Judge may again advise the parties of the availability of the Magistrate

Judge, but in so doing, shall also advise the parties that they are free to withhold

consent without adverse substantive consequence. Upon the consent of the parties,

each full-time Magistrate Judge may conduct any and all proceedings in a jury or

non-jury civil matter, including determination of all pretrial, post-trial and

dispositive motions, and order the entry of judgment in the case without further

order of the Court.

*** Annotations

(1) “[T]he pleading does not comply with Local Rule 73, which establishes a procedure

by which the parties may consent to the exercise of Magistrate Judge jurisdiction. D.

Me. Loc. R. 73. Once a civil action is filed, the Clerk delivers to the filing party a notice

of the party’s right to consent and a consent form ‘for execution by all the parties.’ Id.

The Rule provides that the parties may return the form for filing ‘only if all parties or

counsel consent to the exercise of such jurisdiction.’ Id. If a party declines Magistrate

Judge jurisdiction, the Court is not to be informed ‘of the identity of the party.’ Id. The

plaintiff’s one-sided consent to the Magistrate Judge violates the Local Rule by filing the

consent without execution by all the parties and in so doing she has implicitly informed

the Court of the other party’s failure to consent.” Fickett v. Golden Eagle Rest., 2011

WL 666879, at *1 (D. Me. Feb. 11, 2011).

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RULE 77 - ORDERS BY THE CLERK OF COURT

(Amended December 1, 2018)

The Clerk and deputy clerks of this Court are authorized to issue the

following orders without further direction of the Court:

(1) orders granting assented-to nondispositive motions that do not alter any

previously established trial date;

(2) orders allowing extensions of not more than 5 pages of the page

limitations established in Local Rule 7.

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RULE 79 - CUSTODY OF PAPERS AND RECORDS

(Amended December 17, 2007)

Except upon order of Court, no paper or record on file with the Clerk shall be

removed from the Clerk's custody other than by authorized court personnel or for

transmission to an appellate court; but any person may inspect and copy such

matter unless otherwise provided by statute, rule or order of Court.

At the discretion of the Clerk of Court, persons whose copy requests are large

and/or burdensome to the Clerk’s Office may be allowed to bring portable copying or

scanning equipment to the Clerk’s Office to make copies of requested papers or

records.

Such arrangements must be made with the Clerk’s prior approval and all

copying by the requestor will be done under the supervision of the Clerk’s Office.

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RULE 81 - JURY DEMAND IN REMOVED ACTIONS

See Local Rule 38.

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RULE 83.1 - ATTORNEYS - ADMISSION

(Amended December 1, 2017)

(a) Eligibility for Admission

Any attorney who is of good personal and professional character, who is an

active member in good standing of the bar of the State of Maine, who is not

conditionally admitted to the bar of the State of Maine, and who is not currently

under any order of disbarment, suspension or any other discipline in any court of

record in the United States, is eligible for admission to the bar of this Court

upon compliance with the provisions of subsection (b).

(b) Procedure for Admission

Each applicant for admission to the bar of this Court shall file with the Clerk an

application on a form to be furnished by the Clerk. The application shall include

the applicant’s state bar number and a certification that the applicant has read

and will comply with the Local Rules of this Court. The Clerk shall cause to be

made such investigation of the applicant's eligibility under subsection (a) as

necessary.

If the Clerk is satisfied that the applicant is eligible under subsection (a), a

member of the bar of this Court shall move the applicant's admission. The Court

will grant the motion if it is satisfied that the applicant is eligible under

subsection (a), and the applicant shall take and subscribe to the following oath,

or affirmation in lieu thereof:

I solemnly [swear or affirm] that I will conduct and demean myself as an

attorney and counselor of this the United States District Court for the

District of Maine uprightly and according to law; that I will support the

Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Maine;

that I will maintain the respect due to Courts of Justice and judicial officers;

that I will never reject, for any personal considerations, the cause of the

defenseless or oppressed; and that I will strive at all times to uphold the

honor and maintain the dignity of the legal profession, and to serve justice,

[SO HELP ME GOD or and I do this under the pains and penalty of perjury].

The applicant shall then be a member of the bar of this Court.

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(c) Attorneys Who Are Not Members of the Bar of this Court

No person who is not a member in good standing of the bar of this Court shall

appear or practice before this Court on behalf of another person except in

accordance with the following:

(1) Visiting Lawyers. Leave of Court is granted to any attorney who is not a

member of the bar of this Court to appear and practice in this Court

provided that the attorney files with the Clerk a certificate for admission

to be admitted pro hac vice for each case in which the attorney will enter

an appearance on a form to be provided by the Clerk certifying that he/she

is admitted to practice in any other United States federal court or the

highest court of any State and is not currently under any order of

disbarment, suspension or any other discipline in any court of record in

the United States and that no proceedings that might lead to such

discipline are pending before a court, bar association, grievance committee

or any other administrative body. Visiting attorneys who will appear pro

hac vice in the District Court must also pay the Clerk a fee in the amount

of $100.00. Visiting attorneys who will appear pro hac vice in the

Bankruptcy Court are not required to pay a fee. The Clerk shall cause to

be made such an investigation of the requesting attorney’s eligibility as

necessary. Any such attorney shall have at all times associated with

him/her a member of the bar of this Court, upon whom all process, notices

and other papers may be served and who shall sign all papers filed with

the Court. Local counsel’s attendance at any proceeding before a judicial

officer is required unless excused by the Court, which should freely grant

such leave upon request. The Court may at any time for good cause and

without hearing revoke the right of a visiting lawyer to practice.

(2) Government Attorneys and Federal Public Defenders. Any member in

good standing of the bar of any court of the United States or of the highest

court of any State, who is employed by the United States or by the State of

Maine, or any department or agency thereof, and whose duties involve the

representation of the United States or of the State of Maine, or any

department or agency thereof, or indigent criminal defendants, in actions

in courts of the United States, is permitted to practice before this court in

any such action. The Court may at any time for good cause revoke such

permission without hearing.

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*** Annotations

(1) “[A] member of the California bar in good standing, would have been required to associate with local counsel in order to be admitted pro hac vice because he is not a member of the bar of this District. D. Me. Loc. R. 83.1(c)(1).” Treadwell v. Vescom Corp., 2018 WL 2142982, at *4 n.1 (D. Me. May 9, 2018). (2) “A primary purpose of the requirement of local counsel [in Local Rule 83.1] is so that local counsel will apprise the visiting lawyer of applicable local rules and the need to comply with them. The Court expects in the future that the visiting lawyer in this case will consult with the local lawyer and vice versa to assure compliance with the requirements of the local rules for the remainder of this case. Future violations of the local rules may subject the visiting and local lawyer to sanctions.” Mason v. Intercoast

Career Inst., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7305, *5 n.1 (D. Me. Jan. 19, 2017) (a case where several Local Rule violations occurred). (3) “Local Rule 83.1(c)(1) provides in relevant part: ‘Any [attorney admitted pro hac vice] shall have at all times associated with him/her a member of the bar of this Court, upon whom all process, notices and other papers may be served and who shall sign all papers filed with the Court.’ (emphasis added). Although the Court has considered the motion to amend, the Court reminds Plaintiff’s counsel of the requirements of the Rule and cautions that should Plaintiff file further pleadings that do not comply with the Rule, the Court could reject or disregard the pleadings and counsel’s ability to participate pro hac vice could be revoked. See Local Rule 83.1(c)(1) (‘The Court may at any time for good cause and without hearing revoke the right of a visiting lawyer to practice.’)” Lewis v. Kennebec County, 2017 WL 6549758, at *4 n.4 (D. Me. Dec. 22, 2017). (4) “An unlicensed individual, however, cannot represent other individuals in court. With few exceptions not applicable here, ‘[n]o person who is not a member in good standing of the bar of this Court shall appear or practice before this Court on behalf of another person . . . ’ D. Me. Local Rule 83.11(c). As a pro se litigant, Plaintiff cannot independently pursue an action on behalf of other individuals in this Court.” Johnson v. Maine, 2016 WL 7441618, at *3 (D. Me. Dec. 27, 2016); accord Gagnon v. Correct Care Solutions, 2016 WL 7391520, at *2 (D. Me. Dec. 21, 2016). (5) Out-of-District counsel who relied on the practices in the District from which counsel came rather than this District’s Local Rules “demonstrated an unacceptable nonchalance toward the procedures of a court in which he is a guest. See D. Me. Loc. R. 83.1(c). The Court does not condone an attorney's ‘lackadaisical attitude toward the rules of procedure. See Grover v. Commercial Ins. Co., 108 F.R.D. 366, 371 (D. Me. 1985).” Lucerne Farms v. Baling Techs., Inc., 208 F.R.D. 463, 465-66 (D. Me. 2002) (finding the default not willful, however). (6) Lack of local counsel’s signature on a pleading can be a reason to disregard it. Smith Barney, Inc. v. Ekinci, 937 F. Supp. 59, 61 (D. Me. 1996) (“neither the late answer nor the recent motion is signed by the lawyer representing it here in Maine”) (citing then-Local Rule 5(c)(1), now 83.1(c)(1)).

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RULE 83.2 - ATTORNEYS - APPEARANCES AND WITHDRAWALS

(Amended December 1, 2009)

(a) Appearances

An attorney's signature to a pleading shall constitute an appearance for the

party filing the pleading. Otherwise, an attorney who wishes to participate in

any manner in any action must file a formal written appearance identifying the

party represented. An appearance whether by pleading or formal written

appearance shall be signed by an attorney in his/her individual name and shall

state his/her office address.

(b) Prohibition on Limited Appearances

No appearance shall be allowed purporting to limit the attorney’s representation

to less than all issues and proceedings.

In any case removed from state court where a lawyer has entered a limited

appearance, the appearance shall be treated as a general appearance, but

counsel shall have 14 days in which to move to withdraw altogether on the basis

that his/her/its scope of representation was limited.

(c) Withdrawals

No attorney may withdraw an appearance in any action except by leave of Court.

*** Annotations

Rule 83.2(b) (1) Local Rule 83.2(b) “is intended to prohibit the appearance of an attorney ‘purporting to limit the attorney’s representation to less than all issues and proceedings,’ Local Rule 83.2(b), as when a party purports to appear pro se as to certain issues and to be

represented by an attorney as to other issues within the same action.” A limited appearance under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(5) to avoid waiving a claim of insufficient service of process under Rule 12(h) is not prohibited by the local rule. Lyman Morse Boatbuilding Co. v. Lee, 2011 WL 52509, at *2 (D. Me. Jan. 6, 2011).

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Rule 83.2(c)

(1) The court permitted withdrawal where the litigation had reached a “plateau,” and all that remained was an appeal of a hearing officer’s decision. The lawyers advised against the appeal and “invoke[d] the permissive withdrawal provisions of the Maine Bar Rules, which state that ‘a lawyer may not request permission to withdraw in matters pending before a tribunal, and the lawyer may not withdraw in other matters, unless . . . [t]he client insists that the lawyer engage in conduct that is contrary to the judgment and advice of the lawyer even though not prohibited by these rules. . . .’ Me. Bar. 3.5(c)(5).” The lawyers were from the Disability Rights Center with apparently limited resources and already were turning away cases. Mr. C ex rel. K.C. v. Maine School Admin. Dist. No. 6, 2008 WL 4656883, at *1 (D. Me. Oct. 15, 2008).

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RULE 83.3 - ATTORNEYS - RULES OF DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT

(Amended December 1, 2017)

(a) Appointment of Special Counsel

This Court may at any stage appoint special counsel to investigate and/or

prosecute proceedings undertaken under this Rule. Whenever special

counsel is to be appointed pursuant to these Rules, this Court shall have

discretion to appoint as special counsel Bar Counsel to the Board of

Overseers of the Bar of the State of Maine or such other attorney or attorneys

who are members of the bar of this Court. For good cause, the respondent-

attorney may move to disqualify special counsel so appointed. Special

counsel, once appointed, may not resign unless permission to do so is given by

this Court. The term special counsel refers to any attorney appointed by the

Court to perform the investigative and/or prosecutorial functions of this Rule.

(b) Attorneys Convicted of Crimes

(1) Upon receipt by this Court of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction

demonstrating that any attorney admitted to practice before the Court

has been convicted in any Court of the United States, or the District of

Columbia, or of any state, territory, commonwealth or possession of the

United States of a serious crime as hereinafter defined, the Court shall

enter an order immediately suspending that attorney, until final

disposition of a disciplinary proceeding to be commenced upon such

conviction, whether the conviction resulted from a plea of guilty or nolo

contendere or from a verdict, after trial or otherwise, and regardless of the

pendency of any appeal. A copy of such order shall immediately be served

upon the attorney as provided in Section (i) of this rule. Upon good cause

shown, the Court may set aside such order when it appears in the interest

of justice to do so.

(2) The term "serious crime" shall include any felony; and any lesser crime

that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness

as a lawyer in other respects, or any crime a necessary element of which,

as determined by the statutory or common law definition of such crime in

the jurisdiction where the judgment was entered, involves interference

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with the administration of justice, false swearing, misrepresentation,

fraud, deceit, bribery, extortion, misappropriation, theft; or an attempt,

conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit a “serious crime.”

(3) A certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney for any crime

shall be conclusive evidence of the commission of that crime in any

disciplinary proceeding instituted against that attorney based upon the

conviction.

(4) Upon receipt of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney

for a serious crime, the Court shall in addition to suspending that

attorney in accordance with the provisions of this Rule, also refer the

matter to special counsel for the institution of a disciplinary proceeding

before one or more Judges of the Court in which the sole issue to be

determined shall be the extent of the final discipline to be imposed as a

result of the conduct resulting in the conviction, provided that a

disciplinary proceeding so instituted will not be brought to final hearing

until all appeals from the conviction are concluded.

(5) Upon receipt of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney

for a crime not constituting a “serious crime,” the Court may refer the

matter to special counsel for whatever action special counsel may deem

warranted, including the institution of a disciplinary proceeding before

the Court; provided, however, that the Court may in its discretion make

no reference with respect to convictions for minor offenses.

(6) An attorney suspended under the provisions of this Rule will be reinstated

immediately upon the filing of a certificate demonstrating that the

underlying conviction of a serious crime has been reversed, but the

reinstatement will not terminate any disciplinary proceeding then

pending against the attorney, the disposition of which shall be determined

by the Court on the basis of all available evidence pertaining to both guilt

and the extent of discipline to be imposed.

(7) Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court shall promptly, upon

being convicted of a serious crime, as defined herein, in any court of the

United States, the District of Columbia, or of any state, territory,

commonwealth, possession of the United States, or any foreign tribunal,

inform the Clerk of this Court in writing of such conviction.

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(c) Action Taken by Other Courts or Tribunals

(1) Attorney Duty to Inform of Suspension/Disbarment. Any attorney

admitted to practice before this Court shall promptly inform the Clerk of

this Court in writing upon being subjected to suspension or disbarment, or

upon being found incapacitated from continuing practice by reason of

mental infirmity or addiction to drugs or intoxicants by any other Court of

the United States or the District of Columbia, or by a court of any state,

territory, commonwealth or possession of the United States, or by any

other duly authorized tribunal.

(2) Immediate Disciplinary Suspension. Upon receipt of a certified or

exemplified copy of a judgment or order demonstrating that any attorney

admitted to practice before this Court has been disbarred or suspended

from the practice of law by any other court of the United States or the

District of Columbia, or by a court of any state, territory, commonwealth

or possession of the United States, or by any other duly authorized

tribunal, this Court, in its discretion, may enter an order immediately

suspending that attorney from practice in this Court.

Upon suspension, the Court shall forthwith issue a notice directed to the

attorney containing:

a copy of any order entered by this Court suspending the attorney

from practice;

a copy of the judgment or order from the other court or tribunal;

and

an order to show cause directing that the attorney inform this

Court within 14 days after service of that order upon the attorney,

personally or by mail, of any claim by the attorney predicated upon

the grounds set forth in Subsection (c)(6) hereof that the imposition

of the identical discipline or finding of incapacity by the Court

would be unwarranted and the reasons therefor.

(3) Other than Immediate Disciplinary Suspension. In cases other than

an immediate suspension under Subsection (c)(2), upon the receipt of a

certified or exemplified copy of a judgment or order demonstrating that

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any attorney admitted to practice before this Court who has been

disciplined other than by suspension or disbarment, or has been found to

be incapacitated by another court, or by any other duly authorized

tribunal, this Court may forthwith issue a notice directed to the attorney

containing:

a copy of the judgment or order from the other court or tribunal;

and

an order to show cause directing that the attorney inform this

Court within 14 days after service of that order upon the attorney,

personally or by mail, of any claim by the attorney predicated upon

the grounds set forth in Subsection (c)6 hereof that the imposition

of the identical discipline or finding of incapacity by the Court

would be unwarranted and the reasons therefor.

(4) Administrative Suspension. Any attorney admitted to practice before

this Court who has been administratively suspended by the Maine Board

of Overseers of the Bar pursuant to the Maine Bar Rules shall be

immediately and administratively suspended from practice in this Court

in reciprocal fashion for 14 days. The Court shall immediately issue a

notice directed to the attorney of the following:

that the attorney has been administratively suspended for a period

of 14 days;

that the attorney is to provide proof of reinstatement by the Maine

Board of Overseers of the Bar, or assert an additional basis to

practice in this Court as permitted by Local Rule 83.1(c)(2) within

those 14 days; and

that, if no reply is made within 14 days, the Court will suspend the

attorney from practice in this Court.

If the Court receives notice during the 14-day suspension period from the

Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar that the attorney has been

reinstated, the Court shall immediately reinstate the attorney to the bar

of this Court.

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(5) Stay of Action. In the event the action imposed in the other jurisdiction

has been stayed there, any reciprocal action taken by this Court shall be

deferred until such stay expires.

(6) Identical Discipline Absent a Claim. Upon the expiration of 14 days

from service of the notice issued pursuant to the provisions of Subsections

(c)(2) and (c)(3) above, this Court shall impose the identical discipline or

make the identical finding of incapacity unless the respondent-attorney

demonstrates, or this Court finds, that the record in the other jurisdiction

clearly shows:

that the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be

heard as to constitute a deprivation of due process; or

that there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the

misconduct or incapacity as to give rise to the clear conviction that

this Court could not, consistent with its duty, accept as final the

conclusion on that subject; or

that the imposition of the same discipline or the making of the

same finding by this Court would result in grave injustice; or

that the conduct at issue is deemed by this Court to warrant

substantially different action.

Where this Court determines that any of said elements exist, it shall enter

such other order as it deems appropriate.

(7) Establishing Misconduct/Incapacity. In all other respects, a final

adjudication in another jurisdiction that an attorney has been guilty of

misconduct or found incapacitated shall establish conclusively the

misconduct or incapacity for purposes of any proceeding under this Rule

in this Court.

(d) Disbarment on Consent or Resignation in Other Courts

(1) Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court who shall be

disbarred on consent or resign from the bar of any other Court of the

United States or the District of Columbia, or from the bar of any state,

territory, commonwealth or possession of the United States while an

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investigation into allegations of misconduct or incapacity is pending, shall,

upon receipt by this Court of a certified or exemplified copy of the

judgment or order accepting such disbarment on consent or resignation,

cease to be permitted to practice before this Court.

(2) Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court shall, upon being

disbarred on consent or having resigned from the bar of any other Court of

the United States or the District of Columbia, or from the bar of any state,

territory, commonwealth or possession of the United States while an

investigation into allegations of misconduct or incapacity is pending,

promptly inform the Clerk of this Court in writing of such disbarment on

consent or resignation.

(e) Standards for Professional Conduct

(1) This Court adopts as its standard for professional conduct the Maine

Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Supreme Judicial Court of

Maine, as amended from time to time by that Court.

(f) Disciplinary and Other Proceedings

(1) When misconduct or allegations of misconduct or incapacity which, if

substantiated, would warrant discipline or other corrective action against

an attorney admitted to practice before this Court shall come to the

attention of a Judge of this Court, whether by complaint or otherwise, and

the applicable procedure is not otherwise mandated by these Rules, the

Judge may in his or her discretion, refer the matter to special counsel for

investigation and the prosecution of a formal proceeding or the

formulation of such other recommendation as may be appropriate,

including proceedings pursuant to Maine Bar Rule 13 – Disciplinary Rules

of Procedure, which may include proceedings before the Grievance

Commission, or proceedings before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, or

other proceedings under the Maine Bar Rules.

(2) Should special counsel conclude after investigation and review pursuant

to this Rule that a formal proceeding should not be initiated against the

respondent-attorney because sufficient evidence is not present, or because

there is pending another proceeding against the respondent-attorney, the

disposition of which in the judgment of the special counsel should be

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awaited before further action by this Court is considered or for any other

valid reason, special counsel shall file with the Court a recommendation

for disposition of the matter, whether by dismissal, admonition, deferral,

or otherwise, setting forth the reasons therefore.

(3) To initiate formal proceedings, a complaint shall be promptly filed

pursuant to Section (i) of this Rule.

(4) The respondent-attorney shall file an answer to the complaint within 20

days of service. If any issue of fact is raised in the answer or if the

respondent-attorney wishes to be heard in mitigation, this Court shall set

the matter for prompt hearing before one or more Judges of this Court,

provided however, that if the proceeding is predicated upon the complaint

of a Judge of this Court, the hearing shall be conducted before another

Judge of this Court, or, if there is no Judge of this Court eligible to serve,

before a District Judge of this Circuit appointed by the Chief Judge of the

Court of Appeals.

(5) Nothing in this Rule prohibits the Court from taking other appropriate

action as it deems appropriate, including without limitation referring any

matter to another Judge of this Court for making determinations in

accordance with these Rules.

(g) Discipline by Consent

(1) Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court who is the subject of

an investigation into, or a pending proceeding involving, allegations of

misconduct or incapacity may tender to the Court a conditional admission

to the misconduct or incapacity alleged in exchange for a stated form of

discipline, such as disbarment, suspension or surrender of the right to

practice in this Court.

(2) The Court may approve or reject the tendered admission and proceed with

a disciplinary hearing if the Court rejects the stated form of discipline as

specified in Subsection (f)(1). If rejected, the tendered admission shall be

withdrawn and not used against the respondent attorney in subsequent

hearings.

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(3) A lawyer who wishes to tender a conditional admission to misconduct or

incapacity shall deliver an affidavit stating that the attorney desires to

consent to discipline and that:

the attorney's consent is freely and voluntarily rendered; the

attorney is not being subjected to coercion or duress; the attorney is

fully aware of the implications of so consenting;

the attorney is aware that there is a presently pending

investigation or proceeding involving allegations that there exist

grounds for the attorney's discipline or for the finding of incapacity,

the nature of which the attorney shall specifically set forth;

the attorney acknowledges that the material facts so alleged are

true or could be proven;

the attorney so consents because the attorney knows that if formal

proceedings were held the attorney could not successfully contest

the allegations; and

The attorney acknowledges that sufficient evidence exists to

support a finding of misconduct and the imposition of the stated

discipline.

(4) Upon receipt of the required affidavit and approval of the stated

discipline, this Court shall enter an order disciplining the attorney.

(5) The order imposing the stated discipline on consent shall be a matter of

public record. However, the affidavit required under the provisions of this

Rule shall not be publicly disclosed or made available for use in any other

proceeding except upon order of this Court.

(h) Reinstatement

(1) After Disbarment, Surrender, or Suspension. An attorney

suspended for six months or less shall be automatically reinstated at the

end of the period of suspension upon the filing with the Court of an

affidavit of compliance with the provisions of the order of suspension and

after retaking the attorney’s oath. An attorney suspended for more than

six months, or who has been disbarred or surrendered the right to

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practice, may not resume practice until reinstated by order of this Court,

which shall require the retaking of the attorney’s oath.

(2) Time of Application Following Disbarment/Surrender. A person

who has been disbarred after hearing or by consent, or surrendered the

right to practice in this Court, may not apply for reinstatement until the

expiration of at least five years from the effective date of the disbarment

or surrender.

(3) Hearing on Application. Petitions for reinstatement by an attorney

who has been suspended for more than six months, disbarred, or has

surrendered the right to practice in this Court shall be filed with the Chief

Judge of the Court. The Chief Judge shall screen the petition to

determine, whether in the discretion of the Chief Judge, its contents

justify a hearing. For those petitions where the Chief Judge determines

that no further information is required, the Chief Judge may rule on the

merits of the petition based on its contents or such further information as

the Chief Judge may order produced. For those petitions where the Chief

Judge has ordered a hearing, the Chief Judge shall refer the petition to

special counsel and assign the matter for hearing before one or more

Judges of this Court, provided however, that if the disciplinary or other

proceeding that led to the suspension, disbarment or surrender was

predicated upon the complaint of a Judge of this Court, the hearing shall

be conducted before one or more other Judges of this Court, or, if there are

not Judges of this Court eligible to serve, before a District Judge of this

Circuit appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Within 30

days after referral, the Judge or Judges assigned to the matter shall

schedule a hearing at which the petitioner shall have the burden of

demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that petitioner no longer

has any incapacity and possesses the moral qualifications, competency

and learning in the law required for admission to practice law before this

Court and that petitioner’s resumption of the practice of law will not be

detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or to the

administration of justice, or subversive of the public interest.

(4) Duty of Special Counsel. In all proceedings upon a petition for

reinstatement, cross-examination of the witnesses of the respondent-

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attorney and the submission of evidence, if any, in opposition to the

petition shall be conducted by special counsel.

(5) Conditions of Reinstatement. If the petitioner is found unfit to resume

the practice of law, the petition shall be dismissed and the Court may

impose the costs of the proceedings, or a portion thereof. If the petitioner

is found fit to resume the practice of law, a judgment of reinstatement

shall enter, provided that the judgment may include such conditions as

the Court deems necessary to protect the public interest as well as making

reinstatement conditional upon the payment of all or part of the costs of

the proceedings and upon the making of partial or complete restitution to

parties harmed by the petitioner whose conduct led to the suspension or

disbarment.

(6) Successive Petitions. No petition for reinstatement under this Rule

shall be filed within one year following an adverse judgment upon a

petition for reinstatement filed by or on behalf of the same person.

(i) Attorneys Specially Admitted

Whenever an attorney applies to be admitted or is admitted to this Court for

purposes of a particular proceeding (pro hac vice), the attorney shall be deemed

thereby to have conferred disciplinary jurisdiction upon this Court for any

alleged misconduct of that attorney arising in the course of or in the

preparation for such proceeding.

(j) Service of Complaint, Papers and Other Notices

Upon the filing of a complaint instituting a disciplinary proceeding, the Clerk

shall forthwith issue a summons and deliver the summons and a copy of the

complaint to the U. S. Marshal for service in the manner provided in Fed. R.

Civ. P. 4(c)(3) or, if such service cannot be made, by registered or certified mail

addressed to the respondent-attorney at the attorney's last-known address.

The summons shall direct the respondent-attorney to serve an answer within

21 days after service. An order of suspension shall be served in the same

manner as a summons and complaint instituting a disciplinary proceeding.

Service of any other papers or notices required by these Rules shall be deemed

to have been made if such paper or notice is addressed to the respondent-

attorney at the attorney's last known address; or to counsel or the respondent's

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attorney at the address indicated in the most recent pleading or other

document filed by them in the course of any proceeding.

(k) Duties of the Clerk

(1) Upon being informed that an attorney admitted to practice before this

Court has been convicted of any crime, the Clerk of this Court shall

determine whether the clerk of the court in which such conviction

occurred has forwarded a certificate of such conviction to this Court. If a

certificate has not been so forwarded, the Clerk of this Court shall

promptly obtain a certificate and file it with this Court.

(2) Upon being informed that an attorney admitted to practice before this

Court has been subjected to discipline or found incapacitated by another

court, the Clerk of this Court shall determine whether a certified or

exemplified copy of the disciplinary judgment or order has been filed with

this Court, and, if not, the Clerk shall promptly obtain a certified or

exemplified copy of the disciplinary judgment or order and file it with this

Court.

(3) Whenever any person who is a member of the bar of any other court is

convicted of any crime or disbarred or suspended or censured or disbarred

on consent by this Court, the Clerk of this Court shall transmit to the

other court, a certificate of the conviction or a certified exemplified copy of

the judgment or order of disbarment, suspension, censure, or disbarment

on consent, as well as the last known office and residence addresses of the

defendant or respondent.

(4) The Clerk of this Court shall, likewise, promptly notify the National

Discipline Data Bank operated by the American Bar Association of any

order imposing public discipline upon any attorney admitted to practice

before this Court.

(l) Jurisdiction

Nothing contained in these Rules shall be construed to deny to this Court such

powers as are necessary for the Court to maintain control over proceedings

conducted before it, such as proceedings for contempt under Title 18 United

States Code or under Rule 42 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

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(m) Applicability of Rules

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Rule, the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure do not apply to attorney disciplinary proceedings. In addition, the

Federal Rules of Evidence, do not apply to disciplinary proceedings, except that

Fed. R. Evid. 501 and 502 pertaining to privileges do apply to attorney

disciplinary proceedings.

*** Annotations

Rule 83.3(d) (1) “Under Local Rule 83.3(d)(2), acts or omissions by an attorney admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Maine that violate the Maine Code of Professional Responsibility constitute misconduct and are grounds for discipline. D. ME. R. 83.3. At issue in this case is Maine Bar Rule 3.6(f), which states:

(f) Communicating With Adverse Party. During the course of representation of a client, a lawyer shall not communicate or cause another to communicate on the subject of the representation with a party the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in that matter unless the lawyer has the prior consent of the lawyer representing such other party or is authorized by law to do so.

Me. Bar R. 3.6(f). Although Defendant’s brief implies that the rule is aimed at ensuring the presence of opposing counsel at interviews with witnesses whose conduct is at issue in the litigation, the plain language of the rule makes it clear that the rule is intended to ensure notice to the witness’s attorney, if any. Where a witness is not represented by an attorney, a party is under no obligation whatsoever to inform anyone of contact with the witness. Thus, in order for Defendant to succeed in its Motion for Sanctions, it must demonstrate that Mark Allen, a former employee of L.L. Bean at the time of the interview, was somehow within the scope of Defense Counsel’s representation of its client, L.L. Bean. They cannot make such a showing.” Frank v. L.L. Bean Inc., 377 F. Supp. 2d 233, 235 (D. Me. 2005). Rule 83.3(e) (1) Because Local Rule 83.3(e)(1) states that the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine set the standard for professional conduct, the conflict-of-interest rules of the Maine Code of Professional Responsibility apply in federal court. In re Compact Disc Minimum Advertised Price Antitrust Litig., 2001 WL 243494, at *2 n.4 (D. Me. Mar. 12, 2001).

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Rule 83.3(g) (1) “Unlike the Maine Bar Rules which allow a more-or-less automatic reinstatement for suspensions of six months or less, see Me. Bar. Rule 28, the Local Rules for the District of Maine require, for suspensions of more than three months, that the Court hold a hearing to determine whether a petitioner seeking reinstatement has demonstrated ‘by clear and convincing evidence that [he] no longer has any incapacity and possesses the moral qualifications, competency and learning in the law required for admission to practice law before this Court and that [his] resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or to the administration of justice, or subversive of the public interest.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 83.3(g)(3).” In re Campbell, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 166380, *3-4 (D. Me. Dec. 1, 2016). Rule 83.3(h)

(1) Under a prior version of the subsection (now subsection (h)), the court held that “[t]he Court has the inherent and express authority to relax its own rules ‘when justice requires,’ D. Me. Loc. R. 1(a),” and thus that it was not required to refer the petition for reinstatement to counsel and assign the matter for hearing before a judge, because it was apparent from the face of the petition that the petitioner was not a member of the Maine bar, and the chief judge had authority to screen the petition and assign it to himself; further, no hearing was necessary in light of the record generated in the state court proceeding. In re Williams, 775 F. Supp. 2d 210, 225-26 (D. Me. 2011).

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RULE 83.4 - LEGAL ASSISTANCE BY CERTIFIED LAW STUDENTS

(Amended July 1, 2010)

(a) In General

A law student certified pursuant to subsection (b) may, with the permission of

the Court and subject to the requirements of subsection (c), engage in the

activities specified in subsections (d), (e) and (f).

(b) Certification

The Dean of any ABA accredited school of law may certify a law student who

meets the following requirements:

(1) Has completed legal studies amounting to at least 4 semesters;

(2) Is of good character and competent legal ability and is adequately trained

to perform as a legal intern;

(3) Promises to neither ask for nor receive any compensation or remuneration

of any kind for his/her services from the person on whose behalf service is

rendered, but this shall not prevent a legal aid bureau, law school, or

government from paying compensation to the eligible law student, nor

shall it prevent any agency from making such charges for its services as it

may otherwise properly require; and

(4) Certifies in writing that the law student has read and is familiar with the

Maine Code of Professional Responsibility (Maine Bar Rule 3), the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the

Federal Rules of Evidence and the Rules of this Court.

The certification:

(1) Shall be filed with the Clerk of this Court;

(2) May be withdrawn by the Dean at any time by mailing notice to that

effect to the Clerk of Court. It is not necessary that the notice state the

cause for withdrawal; and

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(3) May be terminated by the Court without notice or hearing and without

any showing of cause. Notice of such termination shall be filed with the

Clerk of Court.

(c) Supervision

A member of the Bar of this Court shall appear in court with any certified law

student who appears in court pursuant to subsections (d) or (e) of this Rule. The

member of the Bar shall file in the record of the case a written approval of the

certified law student's appearance.

A member of the Bar of this Court shall supervise a certified law student in

connection with any activities permitted by this Rule and shall:

(1) Assume personal professional responsibility for the student's guidance in

any work undertaken and shall supervise the quality of the student's

work; and

(2) Assist the student in preparation to the extent necessary.

(d) Court Appearance on Behalf of Indigent Person

A certified law student may appear in court in any civil or criminal proceeding

on behalf of an indigent person receiving legal assistance from a law school

clinical practice program, if the person on whose behalf the student is appearing

consents in writing to that appearance. The written consent shall be filed in the

record of the case.

(e) Court Appearance on Behalf of Local, State, or Federal Government

A certified law student may appear in court in any criminal or civil proceeding

on behalf of any local, state or federal governmental agency with the written

approval of the supervising government lawyer. The written approval shall be

filed in the record of the case.

(f) Other Activities

A certified law student may prepare pleadings, briefs, and other documents to be

filed in the Court in any matter in which the student is eligible to appear

pursuant to subsections (d) or (e). The document must be signed by the

supervising lawyer.

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Each pleading, brief, or other document must contain the name of the certified

law student who participated in drafting it. If the student has participated in

drafting only a portion of it, that fact may be mentioned.

(g) Limitation

Nothing contained in this rule shall affect the right of any person who is not

admitted to practice law to do anything that might otherwise lawfully be done.

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RULE 83.5 - ASSIGNMENT OF REMANDED CASES

A case remanded from the First Circuit Court of Appeals for further

proceedings shall be assigned as follows, unless the judge originally assigned finds

that the interests of justice or the appearance of justice warrant assignment of the

case to another judge, after giving due consideration to the rights and convenience

of the parties, the conservation of litigant and judicial resources, and the fair and

expeditious administration of justice:

(1) Further Proceedings. A case remanded for further proceedings following a

vacation of any pretrial order or judgment shall be assigned to the judge

who acted in the matter.

(2) Nonjury Trial. Unless the parties otherwise agree, a case remanded for a

new nonjury trial shall be assigned to a judge other than the judge who

conducted the earlier nonjury trial unless remand was predicated solely

on errors of law.

(3) Jury Trial. A case remanded for a new jury trial shall be assigned to the

judge who conducted the earlier jury trial.

(4) Resentencing. A case remanded for resentencing shall be assigned to the

judge who imposed the vacated sentence.

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RULE 83.6 - BANKRUPTCY

(Amended December 1, 2017)

(a) Reference to Bankruptcy Court

All cases under Title 11 and all civil proceedings arising under Title 11 or arising

in or related to cases under Title 11 are referred to the bankruptcy judges of this

district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(a).

(b) Jury Trial

Each bankruptcy judge for the District of Maine is specially designated to

conduct jury trials pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(e).

(c) Bankruptcy Appellate Panel

The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit is hereby authorized to

hear and determine the bankruptcy appeals originating in the District of Maine

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(b)(6).

(d) Statement of Interested Parties

Statement Regarding Interested Parties. Any party, other than governmental

parties, filing in either the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of

Maine or the United States District Court for the District of Maine, as the case

may be, a notice of appeal, a motion for leave to appeal, an election to the United

States District Court for the District of Maine, or an appellate brief, under

Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure Rules 8003, 8004, 8005, or 8014, must

file along with the first such filing a Statement indicating whether it knows of

any Interested Party who is not listed in the notice of appeal, or motion for leave

to appeal if no such notice of appeal has been filed. An “Interested Party”

includes all persons, associations of persons, firms, guarantors, partnerships,

insurers, affiliates, limited liability companies, joint ventures, corporations

(including parent or affiliated corporations, clearly identified as such), or any

similar entity owning 10% or more of any corporate party to the appeal, that are

financially interested in the outcome of the appeal. Parties shall be under a

continuing obligation to file an amended Statement of Interested Parties if any

material change occurs in the status of an Interested Party, such as through

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merger, acquisition, or a new/additional membership. The Statement of

Interested Parties must include the names of attorneys who have previously

appeared for a party in the case or proceeding below, but who have not entered

an appearance in the appeal to this Court.

*** Annotations

(1) Most cases that mention this provision do so briefly in connection with “jurisdiction and venue.” See, e.g., In re Getchell Agency, 2017 WL 2703522, at *1 (Bankr. D. Me. June 22, 2017) (noting that the court had jurisdiction over the subject matter and the

parties pursuant to, among other things, District of Maine Local Rule 83.6(a)); see also In re Oak Knoll Associates, L.P., 525 B.R. 175, 178 (Bankr. D. Me. 2015); In re Foster, 574 B.R. 19, 21 (Bankr. D. Me. 2017); In re Kirby, 589 B.R. 456, 458 (Bankr. D. Me. 2018); TD Bank, N.A. v. Sewall, 419 B.R. 103, 105 n.13 (D. Me. 2009) (reiterating the text of Local Rule 83.6(a)). (2) “Pursuant to Local Rule 83.6(a), ‘[a]ll cases under Title 11 and all civil proceedings arising under Title 11 or arising in or related to cases under Title 11 are’ automatically referred to the Bankruptcy Court. D. Me. Loc. R. 83.6(a); see 28 U.S.C. § 157(a).” In re Parco Merged Media Corp., 489 B.R. 323, 324 (D. Me. 2013); In re Montreal Maine & Atlantic Ry Ltd., 2015 WL 3604335, at *2-3 (D. Me. Jun. 8, 2015) (same). (3) “District courts have jurisdiction over bankruptcy actions under 28 U.S.C. § 1334(b). Section 157(a) of Title 28 permits referral to the Bankruptcy Court, and by local rule, all cases and civil proceedings under Title 11 filed in Maine are automatically referred to the bankruptcy judges for the District of Maine. See D. Me. Loc. R. 83.6(a).” Howison v. Milo Enters., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70308, *14 (D. Me. 2012).

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RULE 83.7 - CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

(Amended December 19, 2002)

Inasmuch as Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1, governing the filing of corporate disclosure

statements, took effect on December 1, 2002, Local Rule 83.7 is hereby abrogated

effective December 19, 2002.

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RULE 83.8 - SECURITY

(Amended December 23, 2008)

(a) Courthouse Security

(1) Screening and Search. All persons entering federal courthouse facilities

in this District and all items carried by them are subject to appropriate

screening and search by a deputy U.S. Marshal, or any other designated

law enforcement officer. Persons may be requested to provide

identification and to state the nature of their business in the courthouse.

Anyone refusing to cooperate with these security measures may be denied

entrance to the courthouse.

(2) Deposit Firearms. All persons, including all law enforcement personnel

not employed by the United States Marshals Service, shall deposit any

firearm or other weapon with a deputy U. S. Marshal or any other law

enforcement officer designated by the U. S. Marshal, directly upon

entering federal courthouse facilities, unless otherwise specifically

authorized by the United States Marshal.

(3) Cellular Telephones, Photographs, Recording and Transmission. In the

Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse in Portland, including its courtyard,

and in those parts of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building

occupied or used by the United States District Court and in any other

space occupied or used by the United States District Court, the

Bankruptcy Court, the Probation Office or the U.S. Marshal, the

possession and use of cellular telephones or other wireless communication

devices, computers and recording devices, the creation of photographs,

including digital or video images, the recording or transmission of

information, sound or images by any means, or the possession and use of

radio, television or broadcasting equipment is prohibited without prior

approval of the Court. Without prior approval of the Court, parties may

not use electronic devices to access the internet or electronic mail. Nothing

in this rule restricts the Court’s inherent power to prohibit or restrict the

use of any such devices at any time.

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(4) Cellular Phones, Computers, Other Wireless Communication Devices and

Recording Devices for Use by Members of the Bar. Subject to the Court’s

inherent power to prohibit or to restrict the use of such devices, members

of the bar of this Court are permitted to use and possess cellular

telephones, other wireless communication devices, computers and

recording devices in the court facilities identified in subdivision (a)(3),

provided that such use is silent or otherwise does not interfere with the

proceedings and provided that no photographic, digital, video or audio

transmission or recording of any court proceeding or facility occurs in

violation of subdivision (a)(3). A member of the bar may authorize a

person providing services to that member of the bar in connection with a

case to use a cellular telephone, wireless communication device, computer

or recording device in the court facilities on the same basis as a member of

the bar. The member of the bar authorizing such use is responsible for

that person’s compliance with the rules of this Court. No voice telephone

or audible electronic communications are permitted in any courtroom at

any time or in any location where a Court proceeding or conference is

being held.

(b) Courtroom Security

Weapons Prohibited. No weapons are permitted in any courtroom, except in

the following circumstances:

(1) when carried by U. S. Marshals Service personnel;

(2) when used as exhibits. Upon entering the courthouse, the custodian of

the weapon must submit it to the United States Marshal’s office for a

determination that the weapon is inoperative to the Marshal’s

satisfaction.

(c) Grand Jury Security

In order to maintain the secrecy of the Grand Jury proceedings and to assure

that those witnesses who come before the Grand Jury have a right to have

their appearances before the Grand Jury kept secret and that they be protected

from any unwanted interference with regard to their coming and going to the

Grand Jury, the only persons permitted on the second floor of the U. S.

Courthouse in Bangor and on the third floor of the U. S. Courthouse in

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Portland while the Grand Jury is in session are law enforcement officers,

attorneys for the government, witnesses called by the Grand Jury, attorneys

for witnesses, employees and invitees of government agencies located on the

premises, and other persons with business with those government agencies.

(d) Other Security Measures

This rule sets out established security procedures. It does not preclude either

the Court or a security officer from imposing additional security restrictions in

particular cases.

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RULE 83.9 - COMPLAINTS OF JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT OR DISABILITY

Complaints alleging judicial misconduct or disability are governed by the

Judicial Conduct and Disability Act, 28 U.S.C. § 372 and by the Rules of the

Judicial Council of the First Circuit Governing Complaints of Judicial Misconduct

or Disability. Any such complaint shall be filed with the Clerk of the First Circuit

Court of Appeals.

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RULE 83.10 - CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY

(Amended January 1, 2014)

A petitioner wishing to appeal from the denial of a § 2254 or § 2255 petition

should promptly apply to the district judge for a certificate of appealability. The

application will be directed in the first instance to the district court judge who

refused the writ. A timely notice of appeal must be taken thereafter from the final

order entered by the Court.

*** Annotations

(1) “Local Rule 83.10 provides that ‘[a] petitioner wishing to appeal from the denial of a . . . § 2255 petition must file a timely notice of appeal and should promptly apply to the district judge for a certificate of appealability.’ D. Me. Loc. R. 83.10.” Stone v. U.S., 2013 WL 183708, at *41 (D. Me. Jan. 17, 2013).

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RULE 83.11 - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)

(Adopted April 4, 2000)

(a) In General

Litigants are authorized and encouraged to employ, at their own expense, any

available ADR process on which they can agree, including early neutral

evaluation, settlement conferences, mediation, non-binding summary jury trial,

corporate mini-trial, and arbitration proceedings.

(b) Consideration of ADR

Litigants in civil cases shall consider the use of ADR as follows:

(1) Standard Track Cases. In accordance with the requirements of the

scheduling order issued in all standard track cases, counsel shall consult

with each other and their clients concerning all available ADR processes

and shall consider all ADR options.

(2) Complex Track Cases. In accordance with the provisions of Local Rule

16.3(c), prior to the initial scheduling conference in all complex track

cases, counsel shall consult with each other and with their clients

concerning all available ADR processes and shall be prepared to fully

discuss all such options with the presiding judicial officer at the initial

scheduling conference.

(3) Exempted Actions. Exempted from the requirement are actions assigned,

in accordance with Local Rule 16.1, to the Administrative Track, Toxic

Tort Track, Prisoner Civil Rights Tract, and the State of Maine/Pine Tree

Legal Protocol Track.

(c) Court-Annexed ADR

To implement section 652(a) of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998,

28 U.S.C. § 651 et seq., the Court provides the following forms of ADR: the

district and magistrate judges of the Court shall be available throughout the

pretrial phase of all civil litigation to conduct early neutral evaluation and

settlement conferences with counsel and the parties. To the extent their dockets

permit, bankruptcy judges shall also be available. This court-annexed ADR is

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voluntary and nonbinding, unless the parties agree otherwise. The neutrals

recognized under this rule for court-annexed ADR are the judicial officers of the

Court. They are subject to disqualification in accordance with federal statutes

such as 28 U.S.C. § 455 and the Canons of Judicial Ethics.

(d) Confidentiality

All ADR processes are confidential. Thus, no disclosure shall be made to anyone,

including any judicial officer not serving as a neutral in the matter, of any

confidential dispute resolution communication that in any respect reveals the

dispute resolution positions of the parties or advice or opinions of neutrals, and

no such communication shall be admissible in any subsequent proceeding,

including trial of the matter, except as the Federal Rules of Evidence may

permit otherwise.

*** Annotations

(1) “I do not accept the plaintiff’s contention that the District of Maine’s local rules are adequate to replicate the state mediation program (I have no authority to order the parties to mediate in a similar fashion with a mediator of my choosing who would have such specialized knowledge, see Local Rule 83.11). . . . I recognize that the state justices of Maine may well be more competent at mediating and settling these cases and that the Foreclosure Diversion Program is undoubtedly far more sophisticated than any that this federal court can offer, but that difference does not justify denying an out-of-state plaintiff its right to a federal forum.” Residential Mortg. Loan Tr. 2013-TT2 v. Lloyd, 183 F. Supp. 3d 189, 195 (D. Me. 2016).

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RULE 83.12 - PROCEDURES GOVERNING CASES REFERRED

TO OR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE OR RHODE ISLAND

(Amended January 10, 2007)

When, due to recusal of the judges of this District, a case is referred to a judge in

either the District of New Hampshire or the District of Rhode Island, or when a

judge of this District is assigned to preside over a case filed in the District of New

Hampshire or the District of Rhode Island, the following procedures shall apply:

a) The originating court shall retain jurisdiction over the case and enter final

judgment. Local rules of the originating court shall govern the case unless

otherwise ordered by the judge who is presiding by designation.

b) Conferences and hearings may be held in either district. Jury trials will be

held in the district of the originating court.

c) Parties must make original filings with the clerk’s office in the originating

court.

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RULE 83.13 - RESTRICTIONS UPON LAW PRACTICE AFTER

TERMINATION OF A CLERKSHIP

(Adopted April 11, 2002)

No one serving as a law clerk to a member of this Court shall engage in the

practice of law while continuing in such position. Nor, for a period of six months

after separating from that position, shall a former law clerk appear as counsel

before the judicial officer for whom the attorney previously clerked. A former law

clerk shall not practice as an attorney in connection with any case the judicial

officer acted on during the law clerk’s tenure, even if the clerk did not actually have

any involvement with the case.

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APPENDIX I - MODEL COMPLAINT IN SOCIAL SECURITY

APPEAL

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MAINE

____________________________ )

Plaintiff )

v. ) Complaint

____________________________ ) Civil Action No. _____________

Commissioner, Social Security )

Administration, )

Defendant )

The above-named plaintiff, [name] makes the following representations to

this Court for the purpose of obtaining judicial review of a decision of the defendant

adverse to the plaintiff:

1. The plaintiff (whose Social Security account number is ***-**-[4-digits]) is a

resident of [city/town], Maine.

2. The plaintiff complains of a decision which adversely affects the plaintiff in

whole or in part. The decision has become the final decision of the

Commissioner for purposes of judicial review and bears the following caption:

In the Case of: Claim for:

(Claimant)

(Wage Earner)

3. The plaintiff has exhausted administrative remedies in this matter and this

Court has jurisdiction for judicial review pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

WHEREFORE plaintiff seeks judicial review by this Court and the entry of a

judgment for such relief as may be proper, including costs.

Dated: (Attorney for Plaintiff)__________

_(Address)______________________

_(Telephone)____________________

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APPENDIX II - FORM CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER

(Amended January 1, 2013)

[This Form Confidentiality Order shall be submitted under L.R. 26 (d). The

form is available on the Court’s website under “Forms” at

http://www.med.uscourts.gov]

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MAINE

____________________________ )

Plaintiff )

v. ) Civil Action No. __________

) [Consent]1 Confidentiality Order

____________________________ )

Defendant )

[if by consent] The parties to this Consent Confidentiality Order have agreed

to the terms of this Order; accordingly, it is ORDERED:

[if not fully by consent] A party to this action has moved that the Court enter

a confidentiality order. The Court has determined that the terms set forth herein

are appropriate to protect the respective interests of the parties, the public, and the

Court. Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. Scope. All documents produced in the course of discovery, including initial

disclosures, all responses to discovery requests, all deposition testimony and

exhibits, other materials which may be subject to restrictions on disclosure for good

cause and information derived directly therefrom (hereinafter collectively

“documents”), shall be subject to this Order concerning confidential information as

set forth below. This Order is subject to the Local Rules of this District and of the

1 Counsel should include or delete language in brackets as necessary to the specific case.

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Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on matters of procedure and calculation of time

periods.

2. Form and Timing of Designation. A party may designate documents as

confidential and restricted in disclosure under this Order by placing or affixing the

words “CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” on the document

in a manner that will not interfere with the legibility of the document and that will

permit complete removal of the CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER designation. Documents shall be designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT

TO PROTECTIVE ORDER prior to or at the time of the production or disclosure of

the documents [optional: except for documents produced for inspection under the

“Reading Room” provisions set forth in paragraph 4 below]. The designation

“CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” does not mean that the

document has any status or protection by statute or otherwise except to the extent

and for the purposes of this Order.

3. Documents Which May be Designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT

TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. Any party may designate documents as

CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER but only after review of

the documents by an attorney2 or a party appearing pro se who has in good faith

determined that the documents contain information protected from disclosure by

statute or that should be protected from disclosure as confidential personal

information, trade secrets, personnel records, or commercial information. The

designation shall be made subject to the standards of Rule 11 and the sanctions of

Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Information or documents that are

2 An attorney who reviews the documents and designates them as CONFIDENTIAL – SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER must be admitted to the Bar of at least one state but not be admitted to

practice in the District of Maine and need not file the certification required of visiting lawyers by

Local Rule 83.1(c) unless he/she is appearing generally in the case on behalf of a party. By

designating documents confidential pursuant to this Order, counsel submits the jurisdiction and

sanctions of this Court on the subject matter of the designation.

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available in the public sector may not be designated as CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER.

4. [This Reading Room paragraph may be appropriate only in cases

involving extensive documents] Reading Room. In order to facilitate timely

disclosure of a large number of documents that may contain confidential documents,

but that have not yet been reviewed and designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT

TO PROTECTIVE ORDER, the following “Reading Room” procedure may be used at

the election of the producing party.

(a) Reading Room Review. Documents may be produced for review at a

party’s facility or other physical or electronic controlled location (“Reading

Room”) prior to designation as CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER. After review of the documents, the party seeking

discovery may specify those for which copies are requested. If the producing

party elects to designate any documents CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER, the copies shall be so marked prior to further

production.

(b) No Waiver of Confidentiality. The production of documents for review

within the Reading Room shall not be deemed a waiver of any claim of

confidentiality, so long as the reviewing parties are advised that pursuant to

this Order the Reading Room may contain confidential documents that have

not yet been designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER.

(c) Treatment of Produced Documents as CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. The reviewing party shall treat all

documents reviewed in the Reading Room as designated CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER at the time reviewed. Documents

copied and produced from the Reading Room that are not designated

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CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER are not subject to

this Order.

(d) Production of Documents. Unless otherwise agreed or ordered, copies

of Reading Room documents shall be produced within thirty days after the

request for copies is made. Production may be made by providing electronic

copies of the documents so long as copies reasonably as legible as the

originals may be produced therefrom.

5. Depositions. Deposition testimony shall be deemed CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER only if designated as such. Such designation

shall be specific as to the portions to be designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT

TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. Depositions, in whole or in part, shall be designated on

the record as CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER at the time

of the deposition. Deposition testimony so designated shall remain

CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER until seven days after

delivery of the transcript by the court reporter. Within seven days after delivery of

the transcript, a designating party may serve a Notice of Designation to all parties

of record as to specific portions of the transcript to be designated CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. Thereafter, those portions so designated

shall be protected as CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

pending objection under the terms of this Order. The failure to serve a Notice of

Designation shall waive the CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER designation made on the record of the deposition. If deposition excerpts

have not been designated as confidential pursuant to this order, they are not to be

treated as sealed documents when filed with the court.

6. Protection of Confidential Material.

(a) General Protections. Documents designated CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER under this Order shall not be used or

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disclosed by the parties, counsel for the parties or any other persons

identified in ¶ 6(b) for any purpose whatsoever other than to prepare for and

to conduct discovery and trial in this action [adversary proceeding], including

any appeal thereof. [INCLUDE IN PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION CASE:

The parties shall not disclose documents designated as confidential to

putative class members not named as plaintiffs in putative class litigation

unless and until one or more classes have been certified.]

(b) Limited Third-Party Disclosures. The parties and counsel for the

parties shall not disclose or permit the disclosure of any CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER documents to any third person or

entity except as set forth in subparagraphs (1)-(6). Subject to these

requirements, the following categories of persons may be allowed to review

documents that have been designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER:

(1) Counsel. Counsel for the parties and employees of counsel who

have responsibility for the preparation and trial of the action;

(2) Parties. Parties and employees of a party to this Order

[OPTIONAL: If the CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER documents contain trade secrets or other competitive,

personnel or confidential information and disclosure to another party

could be harmful to the disclosing party, then add language: but only

to the extent counsel determines that the specifically named individual

party or employee’s assistance is reasonably necessary to the conduct

of the litigation in which the information is disclosed].

(3) Court Reporters and Recorders. Court reporters and recorders

engaged for depositions;

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(4) Contractors. Those persons specifically engaged for the limited

purpose of making copies of documents or organizing or processing

documents but only after each such person has completed the

certification contained in Attachment A, Acknowledgment of

Understanding and Agreement to Be Bound.

(5) Consultants and Experts. Consultants, investigators, or experts

(hereinafter referred to collectively as “experts”) employed by the

parties or counsel for the parties to assist in the preparation and trial

of this action [adversary proceeding] but only after such persons have

completed the certification contained in Attachment A,

Acknowledgment of Understanding and Agreement to Be Bound; and

(6) Others by Consent. Other persons only by written consent of the

producing party or upon order of the Court and on such conditions as

may be agreed or ordered. All such persons shall execute the

certification contained in Attachment A, Acknowledgment of

Understanding and Agreement to Be Bound.

(c) Control of Documents. Counsel for the parties shall make reasonable

efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosure of documents designated as

CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER pursuant to the

terms of this Order. Counsel shall maintain the originals of the forms signed

by persons acknowledging their obligations under this Order for a period of

six years from the date of signing.

(d) Copies. Prior to production to another party, all copies, electronic

images, duplicates, extracts, summaries or descriptions (hereinafter referred

to collectively as “copies”) of documents designated as CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER under this Order, or any individual

portion of such a document, shall be affixed with the designation

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“CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” if the word does

not already appear on the copy. All such copies shall thereafter be entitled to

the protection of this Order. The term “copies” shall not include indices,

electronic databases or lists of documents provided these indices, electronic

databases or lists do not contain substantial portions or images of the text of

confidential documents or otherwise disclose the substance of the confidential

information contained in those documents.

7. Filing of CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

Documents. Before any document marked as CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER is filed with the Clerk the party filing the document shall

make reasonable efforts to ensure that the document is protected from public

disclosure or has been redacted to remove nonessential confidential information.

The filing party shall first consult with the party which originally designated the

document as CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER to determine

whether, with the consent of that party, a redacted document may be filed with the

Court not under seal. Where agreement is not possible or adequate, a confidential

document may be electronically filed under seal only in accordance with Local Rule

7A. Other than motions to seal and memoranda governed by Local Rule 7A, if the

contents of CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER documents

are incorporated into memoranda or other pleadings filed with the court, counsel

shall prepare two versions of the pleadings, a public and a confidential version. The

public version shall contain a redaction of references to CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER documents and shall be filed with the Clerk.

The confidential version shall be a full and complete version of the pleading,

including any exhibits which the party maintains should be under seal and shall be

filed with the Clerk attached to a motion to seal filed in accordance with Local Rule

7A. The public version shall plainly indicate the exhibits (both by number and

description of the exhibit) that have been filed under seal with the confidential

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version. In the event the confidential exhibit must be filed under seal because the

parties cannot reach agreement on redaction, the filing party, if not the party

seeking to maintain confidentiality status, shall describe the document and give it

an Exhibit Number, indicating that it will be filed separately under seal by the

opposing party. The party seeking to maintain confidential status shall file a

motion to seal in accordance with Local Rule 7A within 3 business days of the filing

of the opposing party’s pleading. Failure to file a timely motion to seal could result

in the pleading/exhibit being unsealed by the court without further notice or

hearing.

8. No Greater Protection of Specific Documents. No party may

withhold information from discovery on the ground that it requires protection

greater than that afforded by this Order unless the party moves for an order

providing such special protection.

9. Challenges by a Party to Designation as Confidential. Any

CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER designation is subject to

challenge by any party or non-party (hereafter “party”). The following procedure

shall apply to any such challenge.

(a) Objection to Confidentiality. Within 30 days of the receipt of any

document designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER or of the refusal to produce a document on the ground of such

designation, a party may serve upon the designating party an objection to the

designation. The objection shall specify the documents to which the objection

is directed and shall set forth the reasons for the objection as to each

document or category of documents. CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER documents to which an objection has been made shall

remain CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER until

designated otherwise by waiver, agreement or order of the Court.

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(b) Obligation to Meet and Confer. The objecting party and the party

which designated the documents to which objection has been made shall have

fifteen (15) days from service of the objection to meet and confer in a good

faith effort to resolve the objection by agreement. If agreement is reached

confirming or waiving the CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER designation as to any documents subject to the objection, the

designating party shall serve on all parties a notice specifying the documents

and the nature of the agreement.

(c) Obligation to File Motion. If the parties cannot reach agreement as to

any documents designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE

ORDER, for the purpose of discovery, the designating party shall file within

30 days of the service of the objection a motion to retain the CONFIDENTIAL

- SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER designation. The moving party has

the burden to show good cause for the CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO

PROTECTIVE ORDER designation. The failure to file the motion waives the

CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER designation of

documents to which an objection was made, but the fact that the parties have

agreed that the document will remain confidential for all purposes other than

use in court does not mean that the item will necessarily be ordered sealed by

the Court, even in the absence of objection by the opposing party.

10. Action by the Court. Applications to the Court for an order relating to

documents designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

shall be by motion under Local Rule 7. Nothing in this Order or any action or

agreement of a party under this Order limits the Court’s power to make orders

concerning the disclosure of documents produced in discovery or at trial.

11. Use of Confidential Documents or Information at Trial. A party

which intends to present or which anticipates that another party may present at

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trial CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER documents or

information derived therefrom shall identify the issue, not the information, in the

pretrial memorandum. The Court may thereafter make such orders as are

necessary to govern the use of such documents or information at trial.

12. Obligations on Conclusion of Litigation.

(a) Order Remains in Effect. Unless otherwise agreed or ordered, this

Order shall remain in force after dismissal or entry of final judgment not

subject to further appeal.

(b) Return of CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

Documents. Within thirty days after dismissal or entry of final judgment

not subject to further appeal, all documents treated as CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER under this Order, including copies as

defined in ¶ 6(d), shall be returned to the producing party unless: (1) the

document has been offered into evidence or filed without restriction as to

disclosure; (2) the parties agree to destruction in lieu of return; or (3) as to

documents bearing the notations, summations, or other mental impressions

of the receiving party, that party elects to destroy the documents and certifies

to the producing party that it has done so. Notwithstanding the above

requirements to return or destroy documents, counsel may retain attorney

work product, including an index which refers or relates to information

designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER, so long

as that work product does not duplicate verbatim substantial portions of the

text or images of confidential documents. This work product shall continue to

be CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER under this

Order. An attorney may use his or her work product in a subsequent

litigation provided that its use does not disclose or use CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER documents.

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(c) Deletion of Documents Filed under Seal from ECF System. Filings

under seal shall be deleted from the ECF system only upon order of the

Court.

13. Order Subject to Modification. This Order shall be subject to

modification by the Court on its own motion or on motion of a party or any other

person with standing concerning the subject matter. Motions to modify this Order

shall be served and filed under Local Rule 7.

14. No Prior Judicial Determination. This Order is entered based on the

representations and agreements of the parties and for the purpose of facilitating

discovery. Nothing herein shall be construed or presented as a judicial

determination that any documents or information designated CONFIDENTIAL -

SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER by counsel or the parties is subject to

protection under Rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or otherwise

until such time as the Court may rule on a specific document or issue.

15. Persons Bound. This Order shall take effect when entered and shall be

binding upon all counsel and their law firms, the parties, and persons made subject

to this Order by its terms.

So Ordered.

Dated: ____________________ _________________________________

U.S. District Judge

U.S. Magistrate Judge

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge

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[Delete signature blocks if not wholly by consent]

WE SO MOVE/CONSENT and agree to abide by the terms of this Order.

________________________________ __________________________________

Signature Signature

________________________________ __________________________________

Printed Name Printed Name

Counsel for: ____________________ Counsel for: ______________________

Dated: ________________ Dated: ________________

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ATTACHMENT A

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MAINE

____________________________ )

Plaintiff )

v. ) Civil Action No. __________

)

____________________________ )

Defendant )

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that he/she has read the Confidentiality

Order dated ____________________________ in the above-captioned action and

attached hereto, understands the terms thereof, and agrees to be bound by its

terms. The undersigned submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District

Court for the District of Maine in matters relating to the Confidentiality Order and

understands that the terms of the Confidentiality Order obligate him/her to use

documents designated CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER in

accordance with the Order solely for the purposes of the above-captioned action, and

not to disclose any such documents or information derived directly therefrom to any

other person, firm or concern.

The undersigned acknowledges that violation of the Confidentiality Order may

result in penalties for contempt of court.

Dated: ___________________________

Signature: ___________________________

Name: ___________________________

Job Title: ___________________________

Employer: ___________________________

Business Address: ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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APPENDIX III - AGREEMENT ON ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE

To facilitate and assure timely service of process and to provide adequate

time to answer civil complaints filed by in forma pauperis litigants and habeas

corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, the Clerk of Court of the United States

District Court for the District of Maine and the Attorney General of the State of

Maine agree to the following procedures. This agreement addresses cases in which

the United States District Judge or Magistrate Judge determines that service

documents are to issue when a plaintiff has been granted in forma pauperis status

in a civil action involving the State of Maine or its employees and in all cases where

a petitioner has filed a habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, regardless of

whether or not the filing fee has been paid.

1. General Provisions

A. At case opening, the case manager will add an appropriate entity specified by

the Attorney General as a “Notice Only Party” to the court’s Case

Management and Electronic Case Filing System (CM/ECF). The Attorney

General’s Office will thereby receive electronic notice of all case filings and

activity, including the case initiating documents, to any e-mail accounts

specified by that office in their “Notice Only” designation. If the Attorney

General ultimately enters an appearance on behalf of one or more defendants

in the case, the “Notice Only Party” will be terminated and the attorney/(s)

who enters his/her appearance will be designated as the counsel to whom

notice is sent.

B. These procedures shall take effect for any case filed after May 1, 2009, and

remain in effect until terminated by the Attorney General or the Clerk.

2. Habeas Corpus Petitions

Pursuant to the Rules 4 and 5 Governing § 2254 Cases, following preliminary

review by the Court, the respondent is only required to answer or otherwise

respond to the petition if ordered to do so by the court. In its order the Court

will fix the time by which response must be made, normally allowing 60 days.

The Attorney General agrees that entry of the order to respond on the docket by

the clerk complies with the requirement of service of the petition on the

respondent, the Attorney General, or other appropriate officer and will accept

service of the same.

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3. Prisoner IFP Complaints wherein Maine Employees and/or the

Department of Corrections are Defendants

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A all prisoner complaints will be subject to

mandatory screening before the Court will order service of complaint. The

Attorney General shall file no pleadings in the case until after the Court

completes its preliminary review. If the Court determines that the complaint

should be served, the clerk will enter the following notice on the docket:

NOTICE: The court has completed its preliminary review and ordered the

complaint to be served. Pursuant to the Agreement on Service between the

Clerk of Court and the Maine Attorney General, this Notice constitutes service

as directed by the court. The Maine Attorney General shall file notice of

acceptance or declination of acceptance of service within thirty (30) days.

A. If service is accepted, it shall constitute both proof of service and acceptance

of service under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, and the clerk shall

commence the 60 day answer period from the date the Notice was entered on

the docket, as though service had been made by mailing a request for a

waiver to the defendant pursuant to the provisions of Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 4(d)(3).

B. If service is declined, the Attorney General, shall to the extent able, explain

the reason for declination, e.g., the defendant is no longer employed by the

State of Maine, there is a conflict of interest, or the defendant has declined

representation by the Attorney General. A notice of acceptance or declination

of service shall be filed in every case where the Attorney General has been

listed as a “Notice Only Party.”

C. In those cases where service is declined, the Court shall immediately order

in-hand service by the United States Marshals Service on behalf of any

indigent prisoner and shall further order the Attorney General to provide the

last known address of the defendant to the United States Marshals Service to

be used only for the purpose of attempting to effectuate in-hand service.

D. If the Court determines that a shortened response time is required because

the plaintiff has filed a preliminary motion for injunctive relief, or for any

other reason requiring an expedited response, it shall notify the Attorney

General of any shortened response date by a specific order.

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4. Nonprisoner IFP cases wherein Maine Employees and/or Maine

Agencies or Departments are Defendants

A. The Attorney General shall file no pleadings in a non-prisoner IFP case until

after the Court issues an order on the plaintiff’s IFP status. If the plaintiff is

granted IFP status and service documents are to issue, the clerk will enter

the following notice on the docket:

NOTICE: The court has granted IFP status and ordered the complaint to be

served. Pursuant to the Agreement on Service between the Clerk of Court

and Maine Attorney General, this Notice constitutes service as directed by

the court. The Maine Attorney General shall file notice of acceptance or

declination of acceptance of service within thirty (30) days.

B. Following entry of the Notice, the procedures applicable to prisoner IFP

cases, outlined above, shall apply.

DATE: 4/27/2009

/s/_______________

Janet Mills

Attorney General

State of Maine

DATE: 4/27/2009

/s/_______________

Linda L. Jacobson

Clerk of Court

District of Maine

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APPENDIX IV - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES GOVERNING

THE FILING AND SERVICE BY ELECTRONIC MEANS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MAINE

(Revised December 1, 2018)

ELECTRONIC FILING and PDF

Electronic Filing is the process of uploading a document from the registered

user’s computer, using the Court’s Internet-based Electronic Case Files (ECF)

system, to file the document in the Court’s case file. The ECF system only accepts

documents in a portable document format (PDF). Although there are two types of

PDF documents - electronically converted PDF’s and scanned PDF’s - only

electronically converted PDF’s may be filed with the Court using the ECF System,

unless otherwise authorized by local rule or order.

Electronically converted PDF’s are created from word processing documents (MS

Word, WordPerfect, etc.) using Adobe Acrobat or similar software. They are text

searchable and their file size is small.

Scanned PDF’s are created from paper documents run through an optical

scanner. Scanned PDF’s are not searchable and have a large file size.

Software used to electronically convert documents to PDF which includes

proprietary or advertisement information within the PDF document is prohibited.

---------------

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

(a) General Information

(1) All documents submitted for filing in civil and criminal cases, regardless of

case commencement date, except those documents specifically exempted in

subsection (g) of these procedures, shall be filed electronically using the

Electronic Case Filing System (ECF).

(2) The official Court record in ECF cases shall be the electronic file maintained

on the Court's servers together with any disks, DVDs, other media, and paper

attachments and exhibits filed in accordance with these procedures.

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(3) All documents filed by electronic means must comply with technical

standards, if any, established by the Judicial Conference of the United States

or by this Court.

(4) Documents filed with the Clerk’s Office will normally be reviewed no later

than the close of the next business day. It is the responsibility of the filing

party to promptly notify the Clerk’s Office via telephone of a matter that

requires the immediate attention of a judicial officer.

(5) An attorney may apply to the Court for permission to file paper documents.

(b) Registration

(1) Attorneys admitted to the bar of this Court, including visiting attorneys,

shall register as filing users of the Court's ECF system prior to filing any

pleadings. Registration shall be on an Attorney Registration Form, a copy of

which is on the Court’s web page (www.med.uscourts.gov).

(2) A non-prisoner who is a party to a civil action and who is not represented by

an attorney may register to receive service electronically and to electronically

transmit their documents to the Court for filing in the ECF system. If during

the course of the action the person retains an attorney who appears on the

person’s behalf, the Clerk shall terminate the person’s registration upon the

attorney’s appearance.

(3) A registered user shall not allow another person to file a document using the

user’s log-in and password, except for an authorized agent of the filing user.

Use of a user’s log-in and password by a staff member shall be deemed to be

the act of the registered user.

(4) Registration constitutes consent to service of all documents by electronic

means as provided in these procedures.

(c) Filing and Service of Civil Case Opening Documents

(1) Civil case opening documents, such as a complaint, petition, or notice of

removal, together with a properly completed summons and civil cover sheet,

shall be filed by e-mail in PDF, so that the documents can be added to ECF.

(2) The Clerk’s Office will imprint the seal of the Court and the Clerk’s signature

on the summons and issue the summons electronically to counsel. A party

may not electronically serve a civil complaint but shall print the embossed

summons and effect service in the manner in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P.4.

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(d) Electronic Filing

(1) Electronic transmission of a document to the ECF system, together with the

transmission of a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) from the Court,

constitutes filing of the document for all purposes of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure and constitutes entry of the document on the docket

maintained by the Clerk pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.58, Fed.R.Civ.P.79,

Fed.R.Crim.P.49 and Fed.R.Crim.P.55).

(2) A document filed electronically shall be deemed filed at the time and date

stated on the Notice of Electronic Filing received from the Court.

(3) All pleadings filed electronically shall be titled in accordance with the

approved dictionary of civil or criminal events of the ECF system of this

Court.

(e) Service of Electronically Filed Documents

(1) Whenever a non-sealed pleading is filed electronically, the ECF system will

automatically generate and send a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) to the

filing user and registered users of record. The user filing the document

should retain a paper or digital copy of the NEF, which shall serve as the

Court's date-stamp and proof of filing.

(2) Although the filing of sealed documents in civil cases produces an NEF, the

document itself cannot be accessed and counsel shall be responsible for

making service of the sealed documents.

(3) Attorneys who have not yet registered as users with ECF and pro se litigants

who have not registered with ECF shall be served a paper copy of any

electronically filed pleading or other document in accordance with the

provisions of Fed.R.Civ.P.5.

(f) Deadlines

Filing documents electronically does not in any way alter any filing deadlines.

All electronic transmissions of documents must be completed prior to midnight,

Eastern Time, in order to be considered timely filed that day. Where a specific

time of day deadline is set by Court order or stipulation, the electronic filing

must be completed by that time.

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(g) Special Filing Requirements and Exceptions

(1) Generally, all documents are filed electronically in civil cases, to include the

following:

(A) Motions to file documents under seal and sealed documents;

(B) Ex parte motions and applications;

(C) Unredacted documents;

(D) The state court record and other Rule 5 materials in habeas corpus

cases filed in 28 U.S.C. §2254 proceedings may be filed electronically

or in paper; and

(E) Administrative records in Social Security Disability cases.

(2) The following documents may be filed in paper:

(A) Administrative review proceeding records other than administrative

records in Social Security Disability cases.

(3) The following documents shall be filed in paper with the Clerk’s Office,

which will also be scanned and uploaded into ECF (Note that sealed

documents in criminal cases will not generate an NEF and the docket entry

and documents will not be accessible):

(A) Motions to file documents under seal and documents filed under seal

in criminal cases;

(B) Ex parte motions and applications filed in criminal cases;

(C) Pleadings and documents filed in sealed cases, both civil and criminal;

(D) The charging document in a criminal case, such as the complaint,

indictment, or information;

(E) Any pleading or document in a criminal case containing the signature

of a defendant, such as a waiver of indictment, or plea agreement; and

(F) Affidavits for search and arrest warrants.

(4) The following documents shall be filed in paper, which may also be

scanned into ECF by the Clerk’s Office:

(A) All handwritten pleadings; and

(B) All pleadings and documents filed by pro se litigants who are

incarcerated or who are not registered filing users in ECF.

(5) The following documents must be scanned by counsel and filed using ECF:

(A) Rule 4 executed service of process documents; and

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(B) The state court record filed in 28 U.S.C. § 1446 removal proceedings.

(6) Attachments to filings (See subsection (j))

(7) The following documents may be received by the Clerk’s Office, but are not

filed, electronically or otherwise, unless ordered by the Court:

(A) Presentence reports, character letters and general documents in

support of sentencing (excluding Sentencing Memoranda);

(B) Hearing and trial exhibits; and

(C) Letters in support of Downward Departure Motions.

(8) Any document or exhibit to be filed or submitted to the Court shall not be

password-protected or encrypted.

(h) Signature

(1) Attorneys. The user log-in and password together with a user’s name on the

signature block constitutes the attorney’s signature pursuant to the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of this Court. All electronically

filed documents must include a signature block and must set forth the

attorney's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. The name

of the ECF user under whose log-in and password the document is submitted

must be preceded by a "/s/" in the space where the signature would otherwise

appear.

(2) Multiple Signatures. The filer of any document requiring more than one

signature (e.g., pleadings filed by visiting lawyers, stipulations, joint status

reports) must list thereon all the names of other signatories, preceded by a

"/s/" in the space where the signatures would otherwise appear. By

submitting such a document, the filing attorney certifies that each of the

other signatories has expressly agreed to the form and substance of the

document and that the filing attorney has their actual authority to submit

the document electronically. The filing attorney shall retain any records

evidencing this concurrence for future production, if necessary, until two (2)

years after the expiration of the time for filing a timely appeal. A non-filing

signatory or party who disputes the authenticity of an electronically filed

document containing multiple signatures must file an objection to the

document within ten days of the date on the Notice of Electronic Filing.

(3) Affidavits. Except as provided in subsection (g)(3)(F), affidavits shall be filed

electronically; however, the electronically filed version must contain the

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typed name of the signatory, preceded by a "/s/" in the space where the

signature would otherwise appear indicating that the paper document bears

an original signature. The filing attorney shall retain the original for future

production, if necessary, for two (2) years after the expiration of the time for

filing a timely appeal.

(i) Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court

The Clerk is not required to review documents filed with the court for

compliance with Rule 5.2 of the Rules of Civil Procedure or Rule 49.1 of the

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The responsibility to redact filings rests

with counsel and the party or nonparty making the filing.

(j) Attachments

Attachments to filings and exhibits must be filed in accordance with the Court’s

ECF User Manual, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

(1) When there are 50 or fewer attachments to a pleading, the attachments must

be filed by counsel electronically using ECF.

(2) When there are more than 50 attachments, the attachments must be filed in

one of the following ways:

(A) Using ECF, simply attach them to the pleading being filed;

(B) Using ECF, use the “Additional Attachments” menu item;

(C) On paper; or

(D) On a properly labeled 3.5” floppy disk, CD or DVD.

Attachments filed on paper or on disk must contain a comprehensive index

that clearly describes each document.

(3) A filing user must submit as attachments only those excerpts of the

referenced documents that are directly germane to the matter under

consideration by the Court. Excerpted material must be clearly and

prominently identified as such. Users who file excerpts of documents do so

without prejudice to their right to timely file additional excerpts or the

complete document, as may be allowed by the Court. Responding parties may

timely file additional excerpts or the complete document that they believe are

directly germane.

(4) Filers shall not attach as an exhibit any pleading or other paper already on

file with the Court in that case, but shall merely refer to that document.

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(k) Orders and Judgments

Proposed orders shall not be filed unless requested by the Court. When

requested by the Court, proposed orders shall be filed by e-mail in word

processing format.

A judge, or any authorized member of the Court staff, may grant routine

orders by a text-only entry upon the docket. In such cases, no PDF document

will issue; the text-only entry shall constitute the Court's only order on the

matter and counsel will receive a system generated NEF.

Any order or other court-issued document filed electronically without the

original signature of a judge or clerk has the same force and effect as if the

judge or clerk had signed a paper copy of the order and it had been entered on

the docket in a conventional manner.

(l) Transcripts

Proceedings of this Court.

(A) A transcript of a proceeding of this Court shall be filed

electronically using ECF. The transcript shall be available at the

Clerk’s Office, for inspection only, for a period of 90 days after it is

filed. During this 90 day period, a copy of the transcript may be

obtained from the court reporter or transcriber at the rate

established by the Judicial Conference. The transcript will be

available at the public terminal at the courthouse and remotely

electronically available to any attorneys of record who have

purchased a copy from the court reporter or transcriber.

(B) In compliance with the policy of the Judicial Conference of the

United States and to address privacy concerns outlined in Section

(i) of this order:

i. Parties must file a Notice of Intent to Redact within

seven (7) calendar days of the filing of the official court

transcript;

ii. If redaction is requested, parties must submit to the

court reporter a Redaction Request within 21 days from

the filing of the official court transcript;

iii. Parties must move the Court for any additional

redactions beyond those identified in section (i) of this

order;

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iv. Any redacted transcript shall be filed electronically

using ECF within 31 days from the filing of the official

court transcript;

v. After the 90-day inspection-only period has ended, the

original transcript, or redacted transcript, if so filed,

will be publicly available through PACER.

(C) The Judicial Conference of the United States Policy on Privacy and

Public Access to Electronic Case Files states that documents in

criminal cases containing identifying information about jurors or

potential jurors shall not be included in the public case file and

shall not be made available to the public at the courthouse or via

remote electronic access. Transcripts of proceedings may become

public record; therefore, counsel are advised to use juror numbers

instead of juror names during court hearings.

Transcripts from other Courts. A transcript of a proceeding of another court

shall be filed electronically in PDF if possible and otherwise in paper.

Depositions. Excerpts of depositions in support of or in opposition to a motion

shall be filed electronically using ECF, unless otherwise permitted by the

Court. Full transcripts of depositions to be used at trial should be filed in

paper.

(m) Facsimile Transmissions

No pleadings or other documents shall be submitted to the Court for filing by

facsimile transmission without prior leave of Court.

(n) Technical Failures

A filing user whose filing is made untimely as the result of a technical failure

may seek appropriate relief from the Court.

A technical failure of the Court’s ECF system is deemed to have occurred

when the Court’s ECF site cannot accept filings continuously or

intermittently over the course of any period of time greater than one

hour. Known system outages will be posted on the Court’s website along with

guidance on how to proceed, if applicable.

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(o) Pro Se Litigation

Non-prisoner pro se litigants in civil actions may register with ECF or may

file (and serve) all pleadings and other documents in paper. The Clerk’s

Office will scan into ECF any pleadings and documents filed on paper in

accordance with subsection (g) of these procedures.

(p) Access to Documents

(1) Electronically Stored Documents. The public may review at the

Clerk’s Office all filings that have not been sealed. Except for Social

Security cases, the public may access civil filings made after January 1,

2003 and criminal filings made after November 1, 2004 in ECF at the

Court’s Internet site (www.med.uscourts.gov) by obtaining a PACER log-

in and password. Access to documents filed in Social Security cases shall

be restricted to the attorneys of record. However, the public may access

judgments, opinions and orders filed on or after December 1, 2007 in

Social Security cases.

(2) Sealed Cases and Documents

(A) In General: In both civil and criminal actions, cases may be sealed

in their entirety, or only as to certain documents. Sealing may be

required when a case is initiated or at various times during the

proceedings. Cases and documents can only be sealed by statute,

local rule, or an order of the Court. A sealed case or document

cannot be examined except by order of the Court, or by certain

judicial employees.*

(B) Criminal: In a criminal case which is not sealed in its entirety,

when an individual document is sealed, neither the docket entry

nor the document is available to be examined by the public without

a Court order, unless the Local Rules provide otherwise.

(C) Civil: In a civil case which is not sealed in its entirety, when an

individual document is sealed, the docket entry remains publicly

available, unless the Local Rules provide otherwise. However, the

sealed document itself is not available to be examined by the public

except by Court order.

(D) Judicial Employees with access to sealed documents include the

Clerk of Court, Chief Deputy, Information Systems Analysts, Case

Managers, Chambers Staff and Probation Office employees.

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(q) Synopsis of Revisions

Date Description of Revision

5/19/08 Added Paragraph 4 to ELECTRONIC FILING and PDF

5/19/08 Section (i)(5) added text “in criminal cases only”

5/19/08 Added list of redaction requirement exemptions

5/19/08 Modifications and additions to Section (l)(1)

7/1/08 Paragraph (e)(4) added

4/1/09 Section (g)(6) “Appearance bonds” removed; and

Section (g)(6) “Letters from defendants” removed

12/1/09 Section (b)(2) non-prisoner pro se language updated

Section (e)(7) removed language re: adding 3 days for service by

mail

Section (g)(2)(D) moved to Section (g)(1)(D)

Section (n) 2nd paragraph added

4/1/10 Section (g)(1)(E) added

Section (g)(2)(C) modified

Section (g)(3)(C) removed language re: criminal synopsis form

Section (g)(3) removed item re: Fed.R.Crim.P.20 and 5 papers

language; Section (g)(3)(F) renumbered to (g)(3)(E)

Section (p) (2) added

3/11/11 Section (a)(4) was renumbered to (a)(5) and a new (a)(4) was

added.

12/13/11 Section (d)(1) – added citation for Fed.R.Crim.P. 49

Section (g)(1) – added clarifying language

Section (g)(2) and (g)(3) – moved subsections from one into the

other for clarification and reworded (g)(3) to say “will also be

scanned…” and added parenthetical note regarding sealed

criminal documents

Section (g)(4) [previously(g)(3)]–moved subsections (C) and (D)

to section (g)(3)

Section (g)(7) [previously (g)(6)] – added two subsections for

categories of documents and clarified language

Section (j)(2)(A) & (B) – revised for clarity

Section (k)(3) – this is new section, added to explain court-

issued orders

1/1/15 Sections (A)&(B) of (g)(7) were deleted, as PTS reports and

Psych reports are filed under seal now

12/1/15 Section (g)(2) – “shall” changed to “may,” and “only” deleted, as

these may now be filed electronically.

Section (g)(8) added

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CRIMINAL RULES

RULE 110 - TRIAL DATE

A trial date shall ordinarily be set at the arraignment.

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RULE 111 - PLEA AGREEMENTS

(Amended July 1, 2014)

(a) Time Limits

Counsel shall file with the Clerk’s Office any plea agreement at least two (2)

business days prior to a scheduled change of plea.

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RULE 117 - FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

At the discretion of the Court, a pretrial conference may be held pursuant to

Fed. R. Crim. P. 17.1.

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RULE 123 - COURTROOM PRACTICE

(Amended December 1, 2009)

(a) Opening Statements

Opening statements shall not be argumentative, and shall not exceed thirty

minutes in length, except by leave of Court.

(b) Closing Arguments

The length of closing arguments shall be fixed by the Court. Only one attorney

shall argue for each party, except by leave of Court. The Government shall

argue first and may reserve for rebuttal such time as shall be fixed by the

Court.

(c) Examination of Witnesses

(1) The examination of a particular witness, and objections relating to that

examination, shall be made by one attorney for each party, except by leave

of Court.

(2) Upon oral motion of a party or on its own motion, the Court may order on

such terms as it may prescribe, that a witness under examination in court

shall not discuss the witness’s testimony, including during any recess

taken during the examination or before the witness is finally excused.

(d) Attorneys as Witnesses

No attorney shall without leave of Court conduct the trial of a jury action in

which the attorney is a witness for the party represented at trial.

(e) Trial Day

The presiding judge shall establish the limits of the trial day.

(f) Exhibits

(1) Custody and Marking. All exhibits shall be marked for identification

prior to trial in accordance with the final pretrial order. Unless otherwise

ordered by the Court, all exhibits offered in evidence, whether admitted or

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excluded, shall be held in the custody of the Clerk during the pendency of

the proceedings, except that exhibits which because of their size or nature

require special handling shall remain in the possession of the party

introducing them. Exhibits retained by counsel shall be preserved in the

form in which they were offered until the proceeding is finally concluded.

(2) Return. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, at the conclusion of the

proceeding, all nondocumentary exhibits shall be returned to the

submitting parties who shall keep them in the form in which they had

been offered and who shall make them available for the use of other

parties, the Court, or an appellate court until the expiration of any appeal.

Any documentary exhibits shall be withdrawn by counsel who offered

them within 30 days after the final determination of the action by this or

any appellate court. Upon counsel's failure to timely remove any exhibits,

the Clerk may, after due notice to counsel, dispose of them as necessary.

(3) Valuable or Bulky Exhibits. A party who offers valuable exhibits shall be

responsible for their insurance and protection.

(4) Photographs of Chalks. Counsel may photograph or otherwise copy any

chalk in order to make a record of it.

(5) Firearms. A party intending to offer a firearm must first deliver it to the

Marshal who will ensure that it is not loaded and that it is rendered safe

for presentation in court. During the course of the proceedings, the

firearm shall remain in the custody and control of a custodian approved in

advance by the Court and Marshal. A firearm shall be examined by a

deliberating jury only while in the custody of a Court Security Officer, who

shall remain, without comment, in the jury room during the examination.

(g) Official Record

The only official record of any court proceeding shall be a record prepared by an

authorized court reporter or an electronic sound recording made by court

personnel or a transcript prepared therefrom by professional transcription

services, when properly certified in each case.

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*** Annotations

Rule 123(a), (b) (1) On (a) and (b), Openings and Closings, this District’s Summary of Principles Regarding Opening Statements and Closing Arguments from First Circuit Authority and Local Rules, available at https://www.med.uscourts.gov/pdf/OpeningAndClosing.pdf (last visited Feb. 13, 2019), summarizes the cases from this District and the First Circuit that regulate opening statements and closing arguments in criminal cases. Rule 123(f) (1) It is not ineffective assistance for counsel to fail to offer all defense exhibits marked

for identification: “[The] fact that exhibits were marked ‘Defense Exhibit,’ does not establish that counsel definitively intended to offer each exhibit in evidence.” Jones v. United States, 2015 WL 413816, at *7 (D. Me. Jan. 30, 2015) (involving a § 2255 motion).

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RULE 124.1 - PROPOSED QUESTIONS FOR JURY VOIR DIRE

(Amended December 1, 2009)

Proposed questions for jury voir dire shall be served and submitted to the

Court at least 3 days prior to jury impanelment.

*** Annotations

(1) The voir dire checklist for criminal trials is available on the District of Maine website, and provides useful, District-specific context. See United States District Court, District of Maine, Voir Dire Checklist for Criminal Trials, available at https://www.med.uscourts.gov/pdf/Voir_Dire_Checklist.pdf (last visited Feb. 22, 2019). It lists the questions that judges ordinarily will ask without a specific request and those the judges will not ask because the information is otherwise available.

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RULE 124.2 - TRIAL JURY

(a) Number of Jurors

In all criminal jury trial cases, the jury shall consist of twelve (12) members.

(b) Examination of Jurors

The Court will itself conduct the examination of prospective jurors. At the close

of such examination, the Court will afford counsel an opportunity, at the bench,

to request that the Court ask additional questions.

(c) Challenges for Cause

Challenges for cause of individual prospective jurors shall be made at the bench,

at the conclusion of the Court's examination.

(d) Peremptory Challenges

(1) Manner of Exercise. Peremptory challenges shall be exercised by striking

out the name of the juror challenged on the list of the drawn venire

prepared by the Clerk. Any party may waive the exercise of any of his

peremptory challenges without thereby relinquishing his right to exercise

any remaining peremptory challenge or challenges to which he is entitled.

If all peremptory challenges are not exercised, the Court will strike from

the bottom of the list sufficient names to reduce the number of jurors

remaining to twelve (12).

(2) Order of Exercise. In a criminal case in which the government is entitled

to 6 peremptory challenges and the defendant or defendants jointly to 10

peremptory challenges, they shall be exercised as follows:

Government 1

Defendant(s) 2

Government 1

Defendant(s) 2

Government 1

Defendant(s) 2

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Government 1

Defendant(s) 2

Government 1

Defendant(s) 1

Government 1

Defendant(s) 1

In any action in which the Court allows several defendants additional

peremptory challenges, the order of challenges shall be determined by the

Court.

(3) Alternate Jurors in Criminal Cases. Peremptory challenges to alternate

jurors in a criminal case shall be exercised one by one, alternately, the

government exercising the first challenge.

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RULE 130 - REQUESTS FOR JURY INSTRUCTIONS

(As amended December 1, 2009)

Written requests for jury instructions pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 30 shall

be served and submitted to the Court at least 3 days prior to jury impanelment,

subject to the right of the parties to submit at the close of the evidence any

additional requests the need for which might not reasonably have been foreseen.

No requests need be submitted for usual and common instructions. Requests for

instructions shall be numbered and shall include supporting citations.

*** Annotations

(1) For pattern jury instructions used in this District, see United States District Court, District of Maine, 2018 Revisions to Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions for the District Courts of the First Circuit, available at https://www.med.uscourts.gov/pdf/crpjilinks.pdf (last visited June 4, 2019).

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RULE 132 - SENTENCING

(Amended December 1, 2019)

(a) Time for Filing Objections to Presentence Report

The United States Probation Office will make initial disclosure of the

presentence report (PSR) to both counsel and to the defendant. Any objections

either counsel or the defendant may have as to any material information,

sentencing classification, sentencing guideline ranges or policy statements

contained in or omitted from the report shall be made in writing to the

probation officer within 14 days after receipt of the report.

(b) Submission of Revised Presentence Report

The probation officer shall conduct any further investigation and make any

revisions to the PSR that may be necessary and shall submit the PSR to the

sentencing judge and to counsel for both parties and the defendant no more

than 77 days after the verdict or finding of guilt. The PSR shall include an

addendum setting forth any objections counsel may have, together with the

submission of the officer’s comments thereon.

(c) Presentence Conference

Upon receipt of the PSR the Court may schedule a presentence conference with

all counsel and the probation officer present and with the defendant if

proceeding pro se. Any such conference shall be conducted upon the record but

not transcribed except on specific request of counsel, for discussion of the

application of the Guidelines to the case and for identification of all remaining

contested issues.

(d) Disputed Issues

Except with regard to any unresolved objection made under subsection (a), the

PSR may be accepted by the Court as accurate. The Court, however, for good

cause shown, may allow objections to be raised at any time before the imposition

of sentence.

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(e) Modification of Time Limits

The times set forth in this rule may be modified by the Court for good cause

shown, except that the 14 day period set forth in subsection (a) may be

diminished only with consent of the defendant.

(f) Disclosure

Nothing in this rule requires the disclosure of any portions of the PSR that are

not disclosable under Fed. R. Crim. Proc. 32. The recommendations of the

probation officer as to the sentence to be imposed shall not be disclosed without

the Court’s permission.

The PSR shall be deemed to have been disclosed to counsel and the defendant

(1) when a copy of the report is physically delivered, (2) one day after oral

communication of the availability of the report for inspection, or (3) three days

after a copy of the report or written notice of its availability is mailed,

whichever is earlier.

(g) Sentencing Exhibits and Documents (formerly Local Rule 159)

Unless ordered otherwise by the assigned judge, sentencing exhibits and

documents shall be submitted as follows:

1. Motions for Cooperation Departures or Cooperation Variances:

These documents shall be filed with the Court as sealed docket entries and

sealed documents five (5) business days prior to the sentencing hearing. They

must be accompanied by a motion to seal, which shall specify the duration of

sealing in accordance with Local Rule 157.6.

2. Documents in Support of Motions for Cooperation Departures or

Cooperation Variances: These documents shall be submitted to the U.S.

Probation Office which shall, in turn, provide them to the assigned judge five (5)

business days prior to the sentencing hearing. The documents shall be returned

to the Probation Office after the sentencing hearing.

3. Sentencing Exhibits: Courtesy copies of exhibits that will be referenced to

or moved into evidence at the sentencing hearing shall be submitted to the

Court five (5) business days prior to the sentencing hearing either by e-mail to

[email protected] in PDF format or in hard copy with an

index as directed by the assigned judge in the presentence conference order to

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allow the Court time to review the proposed exhibits. When transmitting

courtesy copies of exhibits to the Court, counsel shall include the U.S. Probation

Office and opposing counsel in the e-mail. Courtesy copies of exhibits will not be

docketed or treated as the official Court exhibit. It is the responsibility of

counsel to provide the Court with marked paper exhibits at the sentencing

hearing.

In cases in which a presentence conference will not be held, the docket entry

reflecting the scheduling of the sentencing hearing shall reflect that courtesy

copies of sentencing exhibits to be used at sentencing be submitted to the Court

in accordance with this Rule five (5) business days prior to the sentencing

hearing.

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RULE 132.1 - REVOCATION OF PROBATION OR SUPERVISED RELEASE

(Adopted July 1, 2011)

(a) Time for Filing Revocation Report

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the probation officer shall file a

revocation report with the Court not more than 10 calendar days after either (1)

a finding of or waiver of probable cause that a violation of supervised release or

probation has been committed, in the case of an arrested defendant; or (2) an

initial appearance by a defendant who has been summonsed. When filed, the

revocation report shall be disclosed to counsel for both parties and the

defendant.

(b) Contents of the Revocation Report

The revocation report disclosed to counsel for both parties and the defendant

shall contain information about the defendant’s compliance while on

supervision, sentencing options, and a dispositional recommendation. The

probation officer’s justification for the recommended disposition shall be

disclosed to the Court only. Objections to the revocation report will be addressed

orally at the time of the revocation hearing.

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RULE 145 – TIME

(Adopted December 1, 2017)

(a) Computation of Time

Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 45 applies when computing any period of time

stated in these rules.

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RULE 147 - MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA OF LAW

(Amended December 1, 2019)

(a) Submissions of Motions and Supporting Memoranda

Every motion shall incorporate a memorandum of law, including citations and

supporting authorities. Any affidavits and other documents setting forth or

evidencing facts on which the motion is based must be filed with the motion.

(b) Objections to Motions

Unless within 21 days after the filing of a motion the opposing party files

written objection thereto, incorporating a memorandum of law, the opposing

party shall be deemed to have waived objection.

Any objections shall be filed in duplicate and shall include citations and

supporting authorities and affidavits and other documents setting forth or

evidencing facts on which the objection is based. The deemed waiver imposed

herein shall not apply to motions filed during trial.

(c) Reply Memorandum

Within 14 days of the filing of any objection to a motion, the moving party may

file a reply memorandum, which shall not exceed 7 pages in length and which

shall be strictly confined to replying to new matter raised in the objection or

opposing memorandum.

(d) Form and Length

All memoranda shall be typed, double-spaced on 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper or

printed. All pages shall be numbered at the bottom. Except by prior leave of

Court, memorandum of law in support of or in opposition to a dispositive motion

or a motion to suppress evidence shall not exceed 20 pages. Memoranda in

support and in opposition to all other motions shall not exceed 10 pages.

(e) Written Submissions and Oral Argument

All motions shall be decided by the Court without oral argument unless

otherwise ordered by the Court on its own motion or, in its discretion, upon

request of counsel.

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*** Annotations

(1) “[T]he provisions of the Local Rule must bend to [the defendant’s] Fifth Amendment right to remain silent,” and the government’s objection to any consideration of a motion to suppress without an affidavit is rejected. United States v. Ocean, 2015 WL 9272856, at *5 (D. Me. Dec. 18, 2015). (2) “Local Rule 147’s document requirement has limited applicability to a sentencing hearing. Local Rule 147 addresses motion practice, establishing the time periods for objection and reply, the form and length of the memoranda, and rules for oral argument. D. Me. Loc. R. 147(a-f). . . . Sentencing is different.” United States v. McCormick, 2013 WL 4483060, at *2 (D. Me. Aug. 20, 2013).

(3) Local Rule 147(d) requires all pages of memoranda of law to be numbered at the bottom. United States v. Pulk, 2007 WL 268711, at *3 n.3 (D. Me. Jan. 24, 2007), R.&R. adopted, 2007 WL 869599 (D. Me. Mar. 20, 2007) (reminding counsel that all memoranda pages must be numbered at the bottom under then Local Rule 147(e), now (d)). (4) Any memorandum that is to be filed must be filed with the motion. United States v. Nelsen, 2006 WL 752778, at *3 (D. Me. Mar. 22, 2006) (but overlooking the lapse there because government counsel took the position that a late memorandum properly put in dispute the factual issues), R.&R. adopted, 2006 WL 980752 (D. Me. Apr. 11, 2006). (5) The reference in Local Rule 147(a) to affidavits “does not require that affidavits be filed with every motion, but rather directs that if they are filed, they must be filed with the motion. Compare id. with D. Me. Loc. R. 7(a).” United States v. Stroman, 2006 WL 83404, at *8 (D. Me. Jan. 9, 2006), R.&R. adopted, 2006 WL 348321 (D. Me. Feb. 14, 2006). (6) “The Government complied with Local Rule 147(b) by formally objecting within the court-imposed deadline (as extended). Local Rule 147(b) mandates a response, but does not dictate its contents.” United States v. Daigle, 2005 WL 2371963, at * 2 n.2 (D. Me. Sept. 27, 2005). (7) “[G]eneral and conclusory allegations, without evidentiary support, are not sufficient to entitle [a defendant] to an evidentiary hearing,” “deficiencies [that] may be attributable to his failure to comply with Local Rule 147(a).” United States v. Clifford, 297 F. Supp. 2d 308, 311, 311 n.4 (D. Me. 2003).

(8) The Criminal Local Rules do not have a separate provision for motions to reconsider. Before the Local Rules were divided and renumbered, so as to track the respective sets of Federal Rules, a single Local Rule 19 in this District set time limits for both. In United States v. Roberts, 978 F.2d 17, 20 (1st Cir. 1992), the First Circuit found an abuse of discretion in this court’s denying under Local Rule 19 the government’s motion to reconsider an order that had granted a motion to suppress for lack of timely opposition. The First Circuit Court of Appeals said that “[o]rdinarily, a district court faced with a

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motion to reconsider must apply an interests-of-justice test,” that “[e]xcusable neglect is a flexible concept,” and that “it would have helped had the district court examined the following seven factors: (1) the nature of the case, (2) the degree of tardiness, (3) the reasons underlying the tardiness, (4) the character of the omission, (5) the existence vel non of cognizable prejudice to the nonmovant in consequence of the omission, (6) the effect of granting (or denying) the motion on the administration of justice, and (7) whether the belated filing would, in any event, be more than an empty exercise.” The court also said that “[t]he list is merely illustrative. We do not say that courts must necessarily look at each and all of the factors in every case, or that courts cannot, in a proper case, examine other factors.” Id. at 21-22. The fact that it was a serious criminal case was important in the court's ruling. In United States v. Siciliano, 578 F.3d 61, 72-73 (1st Cir. 2009), the First Circuit reiterated that “an interests-of-justice test” applies and that the seven Roberts factors “are neither necessary to determining the interests of justice in every evaluation of a motion for reconsideration, nor are they particularly

appropriate in this case.”

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RULE 157.1 – AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES

(Amended December 1, 2019)

Any Magistrate Judge is authorized to exercise all powers and perform all duties

conferred upon Magistrate Judges by 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b), (c) and (g); 18 U.S.C.

§ 3401(i); and to exercise the powers enumerated in Rules 5, 8, 9 and 10, Rules

Governing Section 2254 and 2255 Proceedings in accordance with the standards and

criteria established in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).

*** Annotations

(1) “Local Rule 157.1 gives the Magistrate Judges in this District the authority allowed by federal statutes. Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) (and other provisions of law), [the Magistrate Judge] is authorized to conduct all the proceedings he has conducted in this case, without the consent of the defendant.” United States v. Friel, 436 F. Supp. 2d 187, 188-89 (D. Me. 2006) (emphasis in original).

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RULE 157.2 - TRIAL BRIEFS

At least 3 days prior to the date set for trial, unless otherwise ordered by the

Court, each party shall serve and file a trial brief identifying, with citation to

appropriate authorities, the legal basis of the claims and defenses to be asserted at

trial. All pages shall be numbered at the bottom. Except by prior leave of Court, a

trial brief shall not exceed 20 pages in length.

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RULE 157.3 - SPECIAL ORDERS FOR THE PROTECTION OF

THE ACCUSED IN WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND SENSATIONAL

CRIMINAL CASES

In a widely publicized or sensational criminal case, the Court, on motion of

either party or on its own motion, may issue a special order governing such matters

as extra-judicial statements by parties and witnesses likely to interfere with the

rights of the accused to a fair trial by an impartial jury, the seating and conduct in

the courtroom of spectators and news media representatives, the management and

sequestration of jurors and witnesses, and any other matters which the Court may

deem appropriate for inclusion in such an order.

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RULE 157.4 - RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY ATTORNEYS

AND COURTHOUSE PERSONNEL IN CRIMINAL CASES

(a) Attorneys

(1) It is the duty of the lawyer or law firm not to release or authorize the

release of information or opinion which a reasonable person would expect

to be disseminated by means of public communication, in connection with

pending or imminent criminal litigation with which the lawyer or the firm

is associated, if there is a reasonable likelihood that such dissemination

will seriously interfere with a fair trial.

(2) With respect to a grand jury or other pending investigation of any

criminal matter, a lawyer participating in or associated with the

investigation shall refrain from making any extra-judicial statement

which a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of

public communication, that goes beyond the public record or that is not

necessary to inform the public that the investigation is underway, to

describe the general scope of the investigation, to obtain assistance in the

apprehension of a suspect, to warn the public of any dangers, or otherwise

aid in the investigation.

(3) From the time of arrest, issuance of an arrest warrant, or the filing of a

complaint, information or indictment in any criminal matter until the

commencement of trial or disposition without trial, a lawyer or law firm

associated with the prosecution or defense shall not release or authorize

the release of any extra-judicial statement, relating to that matter and

concerning the areas enumerated below, which a reasonable person would

expect to be disseminated by means of public communication, if there is a

reasonable likelihood that such dissemination will seriously interfere with

a fair trial:

(A) the prior criminal record (including arrests, indictments or other

charges of crime), or the character or reputation of the accused,

except that the lawyer or law firm may make a factual statement

of the accused's name, age, residence, occupation, and family

status, and if the accused has not been apprehended, a lawyer

associated with the prosecution may release any information

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necessary to aid in the accused's apprehension or to warn the

public of any dangers the accused may present;

(B) the existence or contents of any confession, admission, or

statement given by the accused, or the refusal or failure of the

accused to make any statement;

(C) the performance of any examinations or tests or the accused's

refusal or failure to submit to an examination or test;

(D) the identity, testimony, or credibility of prospective witnesses,

except that the lawyer or law firm may announce the identity of

the victim if the announcement is not otherwise prohibited by

law;

(E) the possibility of a plea of guilty to the offense charged or a lesser

offense; and

(F) any opinion as to the accused's guilt or innocence or as to the

merits of the case or the evidence in the case.

The foregoing shall not be construed to preclude the lawyer or law firm

during this period, in the proper discharge of the lawyer's or firm's official

or professional obligations, from announcing the fact and circumstances

of arrest (including time and place of arrest, resistance, pursuit, and use

of weapons), the identity of the investigating and arresting officer or

agency, and the length of the investigation; from making an

announcement, at the time of seizure of any physical evidence other than

a confession, admission or statement, which is limited to a description of

the evidence seized; from disclosing the nature, substance, or text of the

charge, including a brief description of the offense charged; from quoting

or referring without comment to public records of the Court in the case;

from announcing the scheduling or result of any stage in the judicial

process; from requesting assistance in obtaining evidence; or from

announcing without further comment that the accused denies the

pending charges.

(4) During a jury trial of any criminal matter, including the period of

selection of the jury, no lawyer or law firm associated with the prosecution

or defense shall give or authorize any extra-judicial statement or

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interview, relating to the trial or the parties or issues in the trial, which a

reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of public

communication, if there is a reasonable likelihood that such dissemination

will seriously interfere with a fair trial, except that the lawyer or law firm

may quote from or refer without comment to public records of the Court in

the case.

(5) Nothing in this rule is intended to preclude the formulation or application

of more restrictive rules relating to the release of information about

juvenile or other offenders, to preclude the holding of hearings or the

lawful issuance of reports by legislative, administrative, or investigative

bodies, or to preclude any lawyer from replying to charges of misconduct

that are publicly made against him/her.

(b) Courthouse Personnel

All court supporting personnel, including among others, marshals, deputy

marshals, court clerks, court security officers, court reporters, and employees or

subcontractors retained by the court reporters, are prohibited from disclosing to

any person, without authorization by the Court, information relating to a

pending grand jury proceeding or criminal case that is not part of the public

records of the Court. The divulgence of information concerning grand jury

proceedings, in camera arguments and hearings held in chambers or otherwise

outside the presence of the public is also forbidden.

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RULE 157.5 - ATTORNEYS - APPEARANCES AND WITHDRAWALS

(Amended December 5, 2000)

(a) Appearances

An attorney's signature to a pleading shall constitute an appearance.

Otherwise, an attorney who wishes to participate in any manner in any action

must file a formal written appearance. An appearance whether by pleading or

formal written appearance shall be signed by an attorney in his/her individual

name and shall state his/her office address and telephone number.

(b) Withdrawals in General

No attorney may withdraw an appearance in any action except by leave of

Court. A defense attorney in any criminal case shall continue the representation

until relieved by order of this Court or the Court of Appeals. A motion to

withdraw shall be accompanied by a notice of appearance of substitute counsel.

In the absence of the appearance of substitute counsel, a motion to withdraw

shall set forth sufficient information to enable the Court to rule. Such

information may be filed under seal, submitted to the Court in camera, and

shall not be made part of the public record, except by order of the Court. After

sentencing, the Court will grant leave to withdraw only upon the appearance of

substitute counsel.

After a notice of appeal has been filed, a motion to withdraw must be directed to

the Court of Appeals. See First Circuit Local Rules 12 and 46.6.

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RULE 157.6 - SEALED DOCUMENTS AND PLEADINGS

(Amended July 1, 2014)

A pleading or document listed in subsection (a) that is designated in the caption

of the document or pleading as being filed pursuant to Local Rule 157.6(a) (Sealed

Document) shall be accepted as filed under seal without prior approval from the

Court. Otherwise, parties seeking to seal a pleading or document shall file a motion

to seal in accordance with subsection (b).

(a) Automatic Sealing

The following pleadings and documents shall be sealed upon filing. They shall

remain sealed until further order of the Court, unless otherwise provided below.

(1) search warrant and tracking warrant applications, supporting affidavits

and resulting warrants, which shall be sealed until the warrant is

executed and returned to the Court;

(2) arrest warrants, which shall be sealed until the warrant is executed;

(3) motions, orders, and notices concerning matters occurring before the

grand jury;

(4) applications and orders for pen/trap devices, or wire, oral or electronic

communication interceptions;

(5) applications and orders for the disclosure of tax information;

(6) motions and orders involving the Classified Information Procedures Act;

(7) requests for authorization of investigative, expert or other services

pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, and resulting orders, which shall be

sealed until 30 days after final determination of the action by this or any

appellate court;

(8) all ex parte requests; and

(9) motions, orders or any other pleadings and documents involving the

Juvenile Delinquency Act.

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(b) Motions to Seal

A party seeking to obtain an order sealing any pleading or document not listed

in subsection (a) of this Rule, or seeking to continue the sealing of any pleading

or document already sealed shall file a motion pursuant to this subparagraph

(b). The motion shall state the basis for sealing, the period of time during which

the document(s) are to be sealed, and shall set forth specific findings as to the

need for sealing and the duration thereof. The motion itself shall be filed under

seal, and remain sealed pending order of the Court pursuant to subsection (e) of

this Rule. The documents or pleadings for which sealing is sought will be

accepted provisionally under seal. Unless the motion is filed ex parte, the

motion shall include a statement whether there is agreement of the parties to

the sealing.

(c) Objections

Any objection to a motion to seal pursuant to subparagraph (b), and any reply

thereto, shall be filed under seal. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the

objection and reply shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule 147.

(d) Captions and Attachments to Motions

The caption for a motion to seal, and any objections thereto, shall clearly

identify the pleading as relating to sealed matters. Any documents submitted

along with the motion to seal shall bear the proper case number and contain the

words “Filed Under Seal” in the caption.

(e) Orders

(1) If the Court grants a motion to seal filed under subsection (b), it shall

state its findings supporting the issuance of an order to seal, and shall

specify the duration of sealing. In making specific findings as to the need

for sealing and the duration the document(s) shall be sealed, the Court

may incorporate by reference the proposed findings in the motion to seal.

(2) If the Court denies a motion to seal filed under subsection (b), the motion

to seal and any proposed paper documents tendered under provisional

seal with that motion to seal shall be returned to the moving party. Any

electronic versions of the proposed pleadings or documents shall remain in

the ECF system, sealed indefinitely, unless otherwise ordered by the

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Court. The denied motion to seal shall remain sealed indefinitely, unless

otherwise ordered by the Court.

(f) Form of Filing

Filings under seal, and motions to seal and objections and replies thereto, shall

be in paper, unless otherwise directed by the Clerk.

*** Annotations

(1) United States v. Kilmartin, 2018 WL 1702403 (D. Me. April 6, 2018), extensively discusses sealing practices in light of the First Circuit’s decision in United States v. Kravetz, 706 F.3d 47 (1st Cir. 2013). Although the opinion does not cite the Local Rule, it should be considered in any interpretation of the Rule.

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RULE 158 - PETTY OFFENSES

(Adopted July 1, 2010)

a) A person who is charged with a petty offense as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 19, or

with violating any regulation promulgated by any department or agency of

the United States government, may, in lieu of appearance, waive appearance

and pay the fine amount indicated in the summons and as identified by the

fee schedules promulgated by the Chief Judge of this Court and made

publicly available on the Court’s website.

b) For all other petty offenses the person charged must appear before a

magistrate judge.

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RULE 159 – SENTENCING EXHIBITS AND DOCUMENTS

(See Local Rule 132)