Honorable Edward Sosnick

In order to better serve the attorneys and litigants appearing in Judge Sosnick's courtroom, we have adopted the following guidelines. Please advise your clients and staff so that there are no misunderstandings.

Location

Scheduling/Conference

Motion Practice

TRO/Injunction

Discovery

Pretrials

Trials

General

Location

Second Floor - Oakland County Courthouse
Telephone: 248-858-0340
Fax:       248-975-9789

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Scheduling/Conference

Does not hold scheduling conference. Scheduling orders are computer-generated by Case Management Office. Holds status conference on request. Holds settlement conference on request; all parties must attend. Holds pretrial conference on parties' request. Will hold telephone conference if parties outside tri-county area; parties make arrangements. Criminal sentence and arraignments held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. Will accept Cobbs pleas at arraignment at bench. Adjournments allowed by motion; stipulation considered on good cause.

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Motion Practice

Motions heard at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday; check in with clerk. Add-on policy at Court's discretion. Does not allow oral argument on all motions. Moving party sets hearing date for motion. Hearing held seven days after motion is filed. Court has deadline for timing of responses and responsive briefs and length. In limine due one week prior to trial but can be heard on day of trial. Research attorney reviews all dispositive and criminal motions and all appeals. Court sometimes permits oral bond motions.  Judicial secretary schedules motions for summary disposition.

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TRO/Injunction

Court uses MCR 3.310 and grants ex parte relief as per court rules. Court will accelerate briefing schedule.

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Discovery

Discovery time allowed is six to nine months. Extension for discovery before or after cutoff is by motion only. Will appoint discovery master on request of parties.

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Pretrials

Will occasionally use telephone pretrials. Settlement discussions emphasized at final pretrial conference; all parties must attend. Court routinely becomes involved in settlement negotiations in jury trials.

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Trials

Docket scheduled by Case Management Office. Adjournment by motion or stipulation for good cause. Exhibits marked by attorney prior to trial; Plaintiff - numbers; Defendant - letters. Trial briefs required for bench trials one week prior to start of trial. Does not use benchbook. Trial hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Court requires proposed findings; can be amended after trial to conform to evidence. Court conducts voir dire and counsel may participate. Specific voir dire requests allowed at day of trial in writing. Proposed jury instructions are required and allowed on plain paper (double spaced and all caps) one week prior to trial.  Jury charged after final argument and may take instructions into deliberations in complex cases.

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General

Court uses mediation and arbitration. Drivers license restoration requires medical report. District court appeals scheduled by judicial secretary.

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