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Court Rules
Judge Christian A. Jenkins
Judge

Judge Christian A. Jenkins

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Jury Instructions

  • Email

Motion, Brief

Sentencing Memorandum

  • Email

Adjournments

  • The discovery deadline in the case management order may not be extended without prior Court approval.
  • A trial date may be continued only by the Court and only in exceptional circumstances.
  • Extension, case-management-order modification, and continuance requests must be written; counsel should consult opposing counsel beforehand, and extension or continuance requests should propose a specific date, preferably agreed with opposing counsel.

Request must include

Proposed Rescheduled Date

Communication

Phone
Scheduling
Filters:

Document Format Requirements4 rules

FormattingMandatory

Exhibits shall be bound and marked before trial and submitted to the Court prior to trial.

FormattingMandatory

Exhibits shall be bound and marked before trial and submitted to the Court at one week prior to trial.

FormattingMandatory

In addition to filing proposed jury instructions and interrogatories, the parties shall submit the same to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format.

FormattingImportant

A proposed entry should be provided to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format via email at the time of filing of a civil motion.

Document Filing Requirements11 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatory

The parties are directed to confer to identify agreed and disputed jury instructions and to identify proposed instructions as such in their filings.

Oh Hamilton:db8eb47913ee19cae99175f1
|SectionJury Instructions
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Each party must file a pretrial statement no less than one week prior to the final pretrial. The final pretrial statement should provide the Court with a brief synopsis of the case, the status of any settlement negotiations, the expected length of trial including the number of potential witnesses, and any special issues or trial needs anticipated.

Oh Hamilton:db8eb47913ee19cae99175f1
|SectionFinal Pretrial Conference
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Parties shall submit trial briefs and motions in limine no later than fourteen (14) days before trial.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

Counsel must confer to seek agreement on jury instructions, interrogatories, and the proposed introductory statement; filings should identify agreed and disputed instructions and interrogatories and provide authority for disputed proposals.

Court's wording

Counsel are directed to confer about proposed jury instructions and interrogatories, as well as a proposed introductory statement under Civ.R. 47(A), to reach agreement thereon to the extent possible.  The parties’ filings should indicate which instructions and interrogatories are agreed and which are disputed, and provide supporting authority for proposed instructions and interrogatories that are disputed.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

Each party shall include as one of their exhibits the curriculum vitae of any expert(s) that may be called to present evidence or testimony at trial for the use of the Court.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

Trial briefs are to include:  a statement of the facts; a discussion of the controlling law; any stipulations; witness list along with a brief description of the subject matter of the testimony of each witness; exhibit list containing a brief description of each exhibit.

Document
Trial brief

Include

  • Exhibit list
  • Statement of facts
Filing RequirementsMandatory

If any testimony is to be presented by videotape or deposition, objections shall be presented at least one week before trial. All deposition and video testimony shall be reviewed and edited prior to trial.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

The parties shall file any proposed stipulations no later than 14 days prior to trial.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

Parties shall file trial briefs and proposed jury instructions and interrogatories no later than 14 days before trial.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

Pursuant to Civ.R. 26, counsel are required to meet 21 days prior to the initial case management conference to develop a discovery plan. The Court’s suggested proposed discovery plan form is available here. If the parties cannot agree on an element of the proposed discovery plan, they should indicate their respective positions thereon. The proposed discovery plan should be filed 7 days prior to the initial case management conference.

Oh Hamilton:db8eb47913ee19cae99175f1
|SectionInitial Case Management Conferences
Filing RequirementsImportant

A proposed entry should be provided to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format via email at the time of filing of a civil motion.

Filing & Service rules

Courtesy Copy Requirements

The parties must file all proposed jury instructions at least 14 days before trial and email Word-format courtesy copies to the Court’s staff attorney.

The parties shall file all proposed jury instructions no later than 14 days prior to trial with courtesy copies to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format via email.

Page 1 | Jury Instructions

A file-stamped courtesy copy of each civil motion and brief should be provided to the Court.

A file-stamped courtesy copy of motions and briefs filed in civil cases should be provided to the Court.

Page 1 | Motion Practice

Sentencing memoranda are highly encouraged and should be filed at least 3 days before sentencing, with courtesy copies emailed to the Court and provided to opposing counsel.

Sentencing Memoranda are highly encouraged and should be filed with the Court no later than 3 days before the sentencing hearing.  A courtesy copy should be provided to the court via email and to opposing counsel.

Page 1 | Sentencing

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Before filing a motion to compel, counsel must confer in good faith and, if the dispute remains unresolved, contact the staff attorney to arrange an informal court conference.

In the event of a discovery dispute, counsel are expected to comply with Rule 37(A)(1) by conferring in good faith to attempt to resolve the dispute. The Court expects all counsel to cooperate in such efforts through actual discussion. If a dispute cannot be resolved, counsel are expected to contact the Court’s staff attorney to arrange an informal conference with the Court. No motions to compel should be filed without first following this process.

Page 1 | Discovery Issues

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

The discovery deadline in the case management order may not be extended without prior Court approval.

The case management order will set forth a discovery deadline. The parties cannot extend this deadline without prior Court approval.

Page 1 | Discovery Issues

A trial date may be continued only by the Court and only in exceptional circumstances.

Trial dates are continued only in exceptional circumstances and only by the Court.

Page 1 | Calendaring and Continuances

Extension, case-management-order modification, and continuance requests must be written; counsel should consult opposing counsel beforehand, and extension or continuance requests should propose a specific date, preferably agreed with opposing counsel.

All requests for extensions of time, modifications of case management orders and continuances must be made in writing. Counsel should contact opposing counsel prior to filing such a motion to determine whether the motion will be opposed. When requesting an extension or continuance, parties should provide the Court with a specific date for the continuance, preferably with the concurrence of opposing counsel.

Page 1 | Calendaring and Continuances

Chambers Communication Rules

Civil oral argument is scheduled only on request or by Court direction, and counsel must contact opposing counsel before asking the staff attorney to schedule it.

Oral argument in a civil case is set only upon request or at the direction of the Court. Contact opposing counsel prior to contacting the Court’s staff attorney to request oral argument on a civil motion.

Page 1 | Motion Practice

To schedule a hearing on a civil motion to withdraw as counsel, counsel must follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the staff attorney.

For motions to withdraw as counsel in civil cases, follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the Court’s staff attorney to schedule a hearing.

Page 1 | Motion Practice

An attorney who expects to be late must telephone the Bailiff in criminal matters or the Staff Attorney in civil matters in advance.

If an attorney is going to be late for a scheduled proceeding, the attorney is expected to telephone the Bailiff (criminal matters) or Staff Attorney (civil matters) in advance.

Page 1 | Punctuality

Remote-appearance requests may be accommodated to the extent possible, and the staff attorney should be contacted sufficiently in advance to arrange them.

The Court will reasonably accommodate requests to appear by telephone or zoom to the extent possible.  Contact the Court’s staff attorney sufficiently in advance to make needed arrangements if remote appearance is requested.

Page 1 | Remote Appearance

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 1 rules apply across Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 1
  • Applies to
    Mental health docket assessment order

    The Mental Health Docket Assessment Order must allow at least 30 days for the assessment to be completed.

About Judge Christian A. Jenkins
  • Elected to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas for a six-year term commencing January 2, 2021.
  • Practiced privately for more than 25 years before taking the bench.
  • Began legal practice in the labor and employment and litigation departments of a large Milwaukee law firm.
  • Undergraduate degree from Penn State University.
  • Attended Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Wisconsin Law School, receiving his degree with high honors.
  • Courtroom: Room 540
  • Location: Hamilton County Courthouse
  • Phone (bailiff): 513-946-5961
  • Phone (staff attorney): 513-946-5962
  • Phone (staff attorney): 513-946-5855
  • Fax (staff attorney): 513-946-5964
  • Email (bailiff): AEiser@hamiltoncountycourtsoh.gov
  • Email (staff attorney): JenkinsStaffAttorney@hamiltoncountycourtsoh.gov
  • Email (staff attorney): CommercialDocket@cms.hamilton-co.org
  • Bailiff: Adam Eiser
  • Staff attorney: Caroline Hyatt
Common questions about Judge Christian A. Jenkins's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Christian A. Jenkins?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for jury instructions. Details: by email. The parties must file all proposed jury instructions at least 14 days before trial and email Word-format courtesy copies to the Court’s staff attorney.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Instructions

Does Judge Christian A. Jenkins require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Before filing a motion to compel, counsel must confer in good faith and, if the dispute remains unresolved, contact the staff attorney to arrange an informal court conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Discovery Issues

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Christian A. Jenkins?

Judge Christian A. Jenkins' formatting rule includes in addition to filing, submit proposed jury instructions and interrogatories to the court’s staff attorney in word format.. Civil jury-trial proposed instructions and interrogatories must also be submitted to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Trials

What must be included with discovery plan filings before Judge Christian A. Jenkins?

Pursuant to Civ.R. 26, counsel are required to meet 21 days prior to the initial case management conference to develop a discovery plan. The Court’s suggested proposed discovery plan form is available here. If the parties cannot agree on an element of the proposed discovery plan, they should indicate their respective positions thereon. The proposed discovery plan should be filed 7 days prior to the initial case management conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Initial Case Management Conferences

What must be included with trial brief filings before Judge Christian A. Jenkins?

In civil jury trials, parties must file trial briefs, proposed jury instructions, and interrogatories at least 14 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Trials

How may parties contact Judge Christian A. Jenkins' chambers?

Civil oral argument is scheduled only on request or by Court direction, and counsel must contact opposing counsel before asking the staff attorney to schedule it.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Practice

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Christian A. Jenkins?

The discovery deadline in the case management order may not be extended without prior Court approval.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Discovery Issues
Complete rules summary for Judge Christian A. Jenkins

Pursuant to Civ.R. 26, counsel are required to meet 21 days prior to the initial case management conference to develop a discovery plan. The Court’s suggested proposed discovery plan form is available here. If the parties cannot agree on an element of the proposed discovery plan, they should indicate their respective positions thereon. The proposed discovery plan should be filed 7 days prior to the initial case management conference.

Civil oral argument is scheduled only on request or by Court direction, and counsel must contact opposing counsel before asking the staff attorney to schedule it.

To schedule a hearing on a civil motion to withdraw as counsel, counsel must follow Local Rule 10(D) and call the staff attorney.

Before filing a motion to compel, counsel must confer in good faith and, if the dispute remains unresolved, contact the staff attorney to arrange an informal court conference.

In civil jury trials, parties must file trial briefs, proposed jury instructions, and interrogatories at least 14 days before trial.

The discovery deadline in the case management order may not be extended without prior Court approval.

A proposed entry should be emailed to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format when a civil motion is filed.

A proposed entry should be emailed to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format when a civil motion is filed.

A trial date may be continued only by the Court and only in exceptional circumstances.

Each party must file a pretrial statement at least one week before the final pretrial, addressing the case synopsis, settlement status, expected trial length and potential witnesses, and anticipated special issues or trial needs.

A file-stamped courtesy copy of each civil motion and brief should be provided to the Court.

Civil jury-trial exhibits must be bound and marked before trial and submitted to the Court before trial.

Counsel must confer to seek agreement on jury instructions, interrogatories, and the proposed introductory statement; filings should identify agreed and disputed instructions and interrogatories and provide authority for disputed proposals.

Civil jury-trial proposed instructions and interrogatories must also be submitted to the Court’s staff attorney in Word format.

Each party must include as an exhibit the curriculum vitae of every expert who may testify at trial.

Sentencing memoranda are highly encouraged and should be filed at least 3 days before sentencing, with courtesy copies emailed to the Court and provided to opposing counsel.

Civil jury-trial briefs must include a statement of facts, controlling law, stipulations, a witness list with brief subject descriptions, and an exhibit list with brief descriptions.

The parties must file all proposed jury instructions at least 14 days before trial and email Word-format courtesy copies to the Court’s staff attorney.

The parties must confer to identify agreed and disputed jury instructions and label proposed instructions as such in their filings.

The parties must file any proposed stipulations no later than 14 days prior to trial.

Exhibits shall be bound and marked before trial and submitted to the Court at one week prior to trial.

Remote-appearance requests may be accommodated to the extent possible, and the staff attorney should be contacted sufficiently in advance to arrange them.

Objections to videotaped or deposition testimony must be presented at least one week before trial, and all such testimony must be reviewed and edited before trial.

In civil bench trials, parties must submit trial briefs and motions in limine no later than 14 days before trial.

An attorney who expects to be late must telephone the Bailiff in criminal matters or the Staff Attorney in civil matters in advance.

Extension, case-management-order modification, and continuance requests must be written; counsel should consult opposing counsel beforehand, and extension or continuance requests should propose a specific date, preferably agreed with opposing counsel.

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