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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Arnold I. Klein

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs
Pretrial StatementCourt-wide
200 wds

Courtesy Copies

Motion, Brief

  • As Soon as Counsel Learns Case Is Assigned for Trial

Motion, Proposed Order

Exhibits

Court-wide

Motion

Court-wide
Filters:

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingImportant

Responses and any replies can also be emailed in PDF format.

File type
PDF
Applies to
  • Opposition
  • Reply brief
Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 5
|SectionCIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

Document Filing Requirements5 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatory

All motions and petitions shall contain a proposed court order.

Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 3
|SectionRequests for Relief
Filing RequirementsMandatory

please also include the date and time of presentation of your motion in the body of the email.

Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 5
|SectionCIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Please include in the subject line of the email CONTESTED with the case name and docket number

Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 5
|SectionCIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The filing party shall state in their motion whether any other party to the action is opposed to the motion for assignment to the construction judge.

Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 6
|SectionCONSTRUCTION CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Any party wishing to have a construction case specially assigned to Judge Klein should file a motion and proposed order with the Department of Court Records.

Document
Construction assignment motion

Should include

  • Proposed order
Klein-SOP-REVISED3-August-2025 · p. 6
|SectionCONSTRUCTION CASES

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Asbestos motions for summary judgment assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.

MSJs for cases assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate an argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.

Page 7 | ASBESTOS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

An uncontested general asbestos motion may be forwarded to either of Judge Klein's staff members for the judge's signature and filing with the Department of Court Records.

Uncontested General Asbestos Motions can be forwarded to either Judge Klein’s staff for Judge Klein’s signature and filing with the Department of Court Records.

Page 6 | GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

All parties must timely file and serve their respective pretrial statements before a scheduled conciliation.

Before any scheduled conciliation, all parties must timely file and serve their respective pretrial statements in compliance with the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Rules of Civil Procedure.

Page 3 | Pretrial Conciliations

The non-moving party may file a response no more than fourteen days after the moving party has filed its motion and brief.

The non-moving party may file a response no more than fourteen days after the moving party has filed its motion and brief.

Page 5 | Post-Trial Motions

The moving party must file a brief when filing its post-trial motion.

the moving party must file a brief at the time the party files its post-trial motion.

Page 5 | Post-Trial Motions

The email containing a contested general asbestos motion must be sent before the scheduled motion date.

Contested General Asbestos Motions signed up with Judge Klein are to be emailed to the Judges staff at motionsklein@alleghenycourts.us prior to the motion date.

Page 6 | GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

When required transcripts are needed to prepare the brief, the court will allow additional time for the brief to be filed after the moving party receives them.

If one or more transcripts are needed to prepare a brief, the court will allow the moving party time to file a brief after the party receives the required transcript(s).

Page 5 | Post-Trial Motions

The court may decide a post-trial motion with or without a hearing depending on the circumstances.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, the court may decide the motion with or without a hearing.

Page 5 | Post-Trial Motions

Contested general asbestos motions will be argued, and their orders will be signed and filed with the Department of Court Records.

Contested motions will be argued and the orders will be signed and filed with the Department of Court Records.

Page 6 | GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Motions and petitions must be filed with the Department of Court Records and served on all parties and the court under applicable Pennsylvania and Allegheny County rules.

Motions and petitions are to be filed with the Department of Court Records and served on all parties and the court consistent with applicable Pennsylvania and Allegheny County rules.

Page 3 | Requests for Relief

All parties must timely serve their respective pretrial statements before a scheduled conciliation.

Before any scheduled conciliation, all parties must timely file and serve their respective pretrial statements in compliance with the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Rules of Civil Procedure.

Page 3 | Pretrial Conciliations

The filing party must serve its post-trial motion on the opposing party.

The filing party must serve a copy of its post-trial motion on the opposing party and on the court.

Page 4 | Post-Trial Motions

Each email submitting a contested motion, response, or reply must copy the opposing parties.

Opposing parties must be copied on this email.

Page 5 | CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

The construction-assignment motion and proposed order must be served on every party, and a hard copy must be delivered to Judge Klein's chambers.

The motion and proposed order must be served on all parties, and a hard copy must be delivered to Judge Klein’s chambers.

Page 6 | CONSTRUCTION CASES

All responses and replies to MSJ arguments should be sent directly to the tipstaff, Alexander Simonetta, at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us at least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled argument date.

All responses and replies to MSJ arguments should be sent directly to the tipstaff, Alexander Simonetta, at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us at least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled argument date.

Page 7 | ASBESTOS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Courtesy Copy Requirements

As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned for trial, counsel must deliver hard copies of all pretrial motions and briefs to the court’s chambers.

As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned to this court for trial, counsel must deliver to the court’s chambers hard copies of all pretrial motions and briefs whether or not 3 ===== PAGE 4 ===== those motions and/or briefs were previously filed with the Department of Court Records.

Page 3 | Jury Trials

A hard copy of the construction-assignment motion and proposed order must be delivered to Judge Klein's chambers.

The motion and proposed order must be served on all parties, and a hard copy must be delivered to Judge Klein’s chambers.

Page 6 | CONSTRUCTION CASES

Filing Bundling Requirements

Uncontested general asbestos motions do not require a presentation.

No need for presentation.

Page 6 | GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

Chambers Communication Rules

Case-related emails to the Court must include all parties, with other parties’ email addresses visible in the To or CC field and no BCC copies.

When communicating with the Court via email about a particular case, ALL parties must be included on the email unless directed otherwise. The email address of the other parties/ opposing counsel must be included either in the “To” or the “CC” boxes so that they are visible to the Court. Do NOT “BCC” any clients/parties/ opposing counsel on your communications.

Page 2 | GENERAL INFORMATION

Do not copy the Court on party disagreements or other communications unless the Court specifically authorizes transmission; unauthorized communications are treated as ex parte and not considered.

Please do not copy the court on other forms of communication, such as disagreements amongst the parties/counsels. Unless the Court has specifically authorized transmission of the communication, it shall be treated as exparte and will not be considered.

Page 2 | GENERAL INFORMATION

Court email addresses may be used only for filed submissions and administrative scheduling inquiries.

Please note that communications through the Court’s email addresses shall be limited to transmission of petitions/ motions/ other filed submissions and inquiry regarding administrative (scheduling) matters.

Page 2 | GENERAL INFORMATION

The motion must be emailed to Judge Klein's chambers as a PDF, with the proposed order emailed as a separate Word document.

To do this please email your motion as a PDF document and your proposed order as a separate WORD document to kleinchambers@alleghenycourts.us.

Page 5 | CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

The moving party must give Judge Klein advance notice of all contested motions when the judge is sitting as General Motions Judge and argument is scheduled.

the moving party is required to provide Judge Klein with notice of all CONTESTED Motions in advance of a scheduled argument when Judge Klein is sitting as the General Motions Judge.

Page 5 | CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

A contested general asbestos motion signed up with Judge Klein must be emailed to the judge's staff before the motion date.

Contested General Asbestos Motions signed up with Judge Klein are to be emailed to the Judges staff at motionsklein@alleghenycourts.us prior to the motion date.

Page 6 | GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

Responses and replies for contested motions may be emailed in PDF format.

Responses and any replies can also be emailed in PDF format.

Page 5 | CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

Paul DaChille, the law clerk, may be contacted by email at pd22law@gmail.com.

Paul DaChille – Law Clerk – pd22law@gmail.com

Page 8 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Monica Dawkins, the judicial assistant, may be contacted by email at mdawkins@alleghenycourts.us.

Monica Dawkins – Judicial Assistant – mdawkins@alleghenycourts.us

Page 8 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Alexander Simonetta, the tipstaff, may be contacted by email at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us.

Alexander Simonetta – Tipstaff – asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us

Page 8 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Chambers may be contacted by email using the listed judicial staff contact information.

You may contact Chambers through the following contact information for judicial staff:

Page 8 | CONTACT INFORMATION

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 499 rules apply across Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 193
  • Applies to
    Index of exhibits

    Custodians filing exhibits must include an index identifying each exhibit by the proponent’s number or letter, whether admitted or rejected, and by description or identification.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The cover sheet must list the complete names of all parties in capital letters, although an appropriate shortened caption may be used when the filing party previously appeared.

  • Applies to
    Pleading
    Must include
    case number

    Every pleading must include both the assigned judge’s suffix and the case docket number.

Service

All 118
  • Applies to
    Writ of certiorari
    Service
    Mail

    The Department of Court Records must mail the writ of certiorari by first-class mail to every party other than the filing party and to the Magisterial District Judge.

  • Service
    Publication

    When notice must be published in a newspaper, an affidavit by the owner, publisher, or designated agent proving publication must be filed before entry of a final order, decree, or judgment.

  • Service
    Publication

    All newspaper-advertised legal notices must also be published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal.

Filing Timing

All 71
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    After court proceedings conclude, the custodian must file documentary exhibits and specified photographs with the Department of Court Records within five business days unless the court directs otherwise.

  • The custody confirmation complaint is deemed filed when notice of its presentation is given.

  • Deadline
    7 calendar days

    A respondent’s brief must be filed with the Hearing Officer’s Secretary at least seven calendar days before argument.

E-Filing

All 36
  • Applies to
    Motion for judgment on the pleadings

    Local Rule 1034(a)'s judgment-on-the-pleadings procedures do not govern asbestos or special-management cases, class actions, complex cases, or other cases specially assigned to one judge.

  • All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

  • Applies to
    Petition to strike or open default judgment

    All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

About Judge Arnold I. Klein

Arnold I. Klein is listed as a current judicial officer of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division. The court's chambers directory records this officer as Civil Division.

Current assignment

Division or department: Civil Division Chambers: 708 City-County Building Phone: 412.350.4373

Official sources

Common questions about Judge Arnold I. Klein's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Arnold I. Klein?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions and briefs. Details: delivery as soon as counsel learns case is assigned for trial. As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned for trial, counsel must deliver hard copies of all pretrial motions and briefs to the court’s chambers.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Jury Trials

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

Judge Arnold I. Klein's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Responses and any replies can also be emailed in PDF format.

View ruleSource: page 5, section CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

What must be included with contested motion email filings before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

The email body must state the date and time when the motion will be presented.

View ruleSource: page 5, section CIVIL CONTESTED MOTIONS

What must be included with construction assignment motion filings before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

The rule requires proposed order. A party requesting special assignment of a construction case to Judge Klein must file both a motion and a proposed order with the Department of Court Records.

View ruleSource: page 6, section CONSTRUCTION CASES

How may parties contact Judge Arnold I. Klein's chambers?

Case-related emails to the Court must include all parties, with other parties’ email addresses visible in the To or CC field and no BCC copies.

View ruleSource: page 2, section GENERAL INFORMATION

Does Judge Arnold I. Klein require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is optional for covered papers before Judge Arnold I. Klein. Uncontested general asbestos motions do not require a presentation.

View ruleSource: page 6, section GENERAL ASBESTOS MOTIONS

Is electronic filing required before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Asbestos motions for summary judgment assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.

View ruleSource: page 7, section ASBESTOS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

What filing deadlines apply to pretrial statement filings before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

All parties must timely file and serve their respective pretrial statements before a scheduled conciliation.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Pretrial Conciliations

What rule applies to serving all parties before Judge Arnold I. Klein?

Details: recipient: all parties. Motions and petitions must be filed with the Department of Court Records and served on all parties and the court under applicable Pennsylvania and Allegheny County rules.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Requests for Relief
Complete rules summary for Judge Arnold I. Klein

The email body must state the date and time when the motion will be presented.

A party requesting special assignment of a construction case to Judge Klein must file both a motion and a proposed order with the Department of Court Records.

Case-related emails to the Court must include all parties, with other parties’ email addresses visible in the To or CC field and no BCC copies.

Do not copy the Court on party disagreements or other communications unless the Court specifically authorizes transmission; unauthorized communications are treated as ex parte and not considered.

Motions and petitions must be filed with the Department of Court Records and served on all parties and the court under applicable Pennsylvania and Allegheny County rules.

Every motion and petition must contain a proposed court order.

Court email addresses may be used only for filed submissions and administrative scheduling inquiries.

All parties must timely file and serve their respective pretrial statements before a scheduled conciliation.

As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned for trial, counsel must deliver hard copies of all pretrial motions and briefs to the court’s chambers.

The filing party must serve its post-trial motion on the opposing party.

The moving party must file a brief when filing its post-trial motion.

When required transcripts are needed to prepare the brief, the court will allow additional time for the brief to be filed after the moving party receives them.

All parties must timely serve their respective pretrial statements before a scheduled conciliation.

The motion must be emailed to Judge Klein's chambers as a PDF, with the proposed order emailed as a separate Word document.

Responses and any replies can also be emailed in PDF format.

The court may decide a post-trial motion with or without a hearing depending on the circumstances.

The email subject line must include “CONTESTED,” the case name, and the docket number.

Responses and replies for contested motions may be emailed in PDF format.

The moving party must give Judge Klein advance notice of all contested motions when the judge is sitting as General Motions Judge and argument is scheduled.

The filing party must state in the motion whether any other party opposes assignment to the construction judge.

A contested general asbestos motion signed up with Judge Klein must be emailed to the judge's staff before the motion date.

The email containing a contested general asbestos motion must be sent before the scheduled motion date.

A hard copy of the construction-assignment motion and proposed order must be delivered to Judge Klein's chambers.

The construction-assignment motion and proposed order must be served on every party, and a hard copy must be delivered to Judge Klein's chambers.

An uncontested general asbestos motion may be forwarded to either of Judge Klein's staff members for the judge's signature and filing with the Department of Court Records.

Chambers may be contacted by email using the listed judicial staff contact information.

Monica Dawkins, the judicial assistant, may be contacted by email at mdawkins@alleghenycourts.us.

Alexander Simonetta, the tipstaff, may be contacted by email at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us.

All responses and replies to MSJ arguments should be sent directly to the tipstaff, Alexander Simonetta, at asimonetta@alleghenycourts.us at least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled argument date.

Asbestos motions for summary judgment assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.

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