Judge Julie Spector

CIVIL CASE INFORMATION, FORMS, AND DOCUMENTS

• Contact the Clerk's Office for information regarding individual civil cases.  The main information desk can be reached by calling 206-296-9300.
• For civil calendar information, check the Civil Standby Calendar and the Clerk's Office Directory of Court Calendars.
• Civil Court Forms are available both online and from the Clerk's Office.
• Learn how and where to file your court documents and how to get copies of court documents.

RULES TO REVIEW BEFORE CALLING

COURT TRANSCRIPTS

Judge Spector operates a courtroom with a court reporter.  If prior to the hearing or trial you know that you want a copy of the transcript, notify the Bailiff and the Court Reporter, who will be able to provide the information needed at the end of the hearing.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Only motions with oral argument need to be confirmed prior to the hearing date (preferably two weeks prior).

Please do not contact the court to check the status of a ruling on a motion until 1 week past the date noted.  This provides adequate time for consideration by the judge and processing of the orders.

All working papers should be mailed or delivered directly to the judges' mailroom.  Please do not deliver to the courtroom as it disrupts court proceedings.

Requests for oral argument on motions without oral argument must be requested in the pleadings.  The judge will review the motion on the date noted, and if further argument is necessary, the bailiff will contact the parties to schedule a hearing.

Stipulated or agreed motions do not need to be noted for hearing.  They will be considered within 2 days of receipt.

Please email the bailiff to schedule motions requiring oral argument.

DO NOT confirm motions without oral argument; these motions may be set for any day which meets service requirements of the rule.

Please notify the bailiff by email to strike a motion; always provide case name and cause no. and the date for which the motion is noted.

Copies of orders WILL NOT be mailed if pre-addressed stamped envelopes are not provided pursuant to KCLR 7; copies of orders may be obtained through the clerk's office approximately 5 days after a ruling has been issued if no envelopes provided.

DO NOT call the bailiff regarding the status of a ruling within 48 hours of the day the motion is noted to allow receipt of a conformed copy of the order in envelopes that were provided.

Motions not in compliance with local rules will be stricken without prejudice.

Always provide case name, cause no., your name and phone number, and the nature of your inquiry when calling/emailing the bailiff; otherwise, you may not receive a response.

Email inquiries usually receive a more prompt response than phone messages.

Information for Individually Calendared Cases Assigned to Judge Spector

REQUESTING / SETTING ORAL ARGUMENT FOR MOTIONS

If you are setting a dispositive motion, you must email the bailiff and schedule time on Judge Spector’s calendar.  If you do not have access to email, please call the above number.  Dispositive motions are generally set on Friday mornings (at 45 minute intervals).  Please call to schedule your hearing at least 2 months prior to the hearing date you would like to request.  Other types of motions that are granted oral argument are motions for restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, revisions, and class certification hearings.

Most other motions do not require oral argument under the Civil Rules or Local Rules (see links above).  If a party would like to request oral argument, the motion should be noted pursuant to the applicable court rules, simply noting in the upper right hand corner "Oral Argument Requested".  After Judge Spector has considered all briefing (moving papers, responses, and replies) after the consideration date, if the Court determines oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for oral argument to be presented.

SUBMITTING PAPERS FOR MOTIONS WITH ORAL ARGUMENT

For all papers submitted, including caselaw provided to the Court, please provide the bench copy on three-hole punched paper.

NO DELIVERIES DIRECTLY TO THE COURTROOM

Unless arrangements have been made directly with Judge Spector’s bailiff, no deliveries are to be made directly to the courtroom.  All deliveries should be made to the judges' mailroom, Room C-203.

PRETRIAL REQUIREMENTS

Pursuant to KCLR 40(d)(2), all trial memoranda and other trial submissions are due not later than five court days prior to trial.  Please contact the clerk by email to obtain information on pre-numbering exhibits.  All submissions should be made to Judge Spector, care of Room C-203.  Exhibit List.

In addition, Judge Spector requires all parties and counsel to work together to complete the Witness Examination Time Form, and that form must be submitted together with other pretrial memoranda five court days prior to trial.

PRIOR TO APPEARING IN JUDGE SPECTOR’S COURT FOR HEARINGS OR TRIAL

Prior to appearing in Judge Spector’s court, please review the Rules for Conduct in her courtroom.

HEARING / TRIAL INFORMATION

General trial schedule is Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  However, Judge Spector requests all parties to plan accordingly so that trial may actually begin at 9:00 a.m.  Should any party require time to set up or prepare prior to beginning at 9:00 a.m., the courtroom is open not later than 8:30 a.m. every morning to accommodate preparation/set-up time requirements.  However, please contact the bailiff the day before to determine accessibility to accommodate preparation/set-up time requirements.

Judge Spector is currently in the Civil Department.  The court manages a heavy caseload of civil cases.  If you have a civil case which is assigned to Judge Spector, you may be assigned another judge at the time of trial.  The assignment will generally take place on Thursday morning prior to trial.  You are still required to comply with all court rules regarding pretrial submissions and deadlines.  All papers submitted will be provided to the trial judge at the time of assignment by Judge Spector’s bailiff.  To determine what judge you have been assigned to for trial, please check the Civil Calendar link above.  It will be updated on Thursday prior to trial, and is continuously updated.

Judge Spector requires all counsel and parties to be prepared at the end of each day to disclose all witnesses that party is intending to call the following day in trial.