Protocol and Practice of Persons Appearing in the Court of Judge Paula Williams

Specific Comments or Advice for Litigants

Specific Requirements or Preferences

1. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS  
• Proceedings begin promptly at the scheduled time.  
• All remarks must be directed to the Court. Do not interrupt each other.  
• Parties and counsel shall appear on camera during virtual hearings.  
• A proposed order must accompany every motion.  
• Parties shall not file combination pleadings. All petitions, objections, applications, and motions are to be filed separately and designated as such. No filing will be accepted if filed in combination with another. Additionally, all filings shall be fully self-contained and shall not “incorporate by reference” other separate filings for review and consideration as part of the pending filing.  
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2. EXTENSIONS AND CONTINUANCES  
When requesting to extend or continue deadlines or vacate hearings, parties must include:  
• the current deadline,  
• the proposed new deadline,  
• whether the opposing party agrees,  
• specific good cause supporting the request, and  
• the position of all parties.  
• requests made after a deadline has passed must explain the untimeliness.  
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3. DISCOVERY & DISCLOSURE MOTIONS  
• Parties must meet and confer before filing any discovery motion.  
• Motions must include a certification specifying:  
o the date of the meet and confer,  
o how it took place (telephone, video, or in-person), and  
o the specific issues that remain unresolved.  
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4. HEARINGS & ORAL ARGUMENT  
• Witness lists, exhibit lists, and any pre hearing memoranda must be filed and exchanged at least five business days before an evidentiary hearing, unless otherwise ordered.  
• Technology for video, recorded exhibits, or remote testimony must be tested in advance.  
• If an evidentiary hearing or trial is virtual or if a specific witness is testifying virtually, self-represented parties and counsel must ensure that the witnesses testifying virtually have access to the exhibits.  
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5. REMOTE APPEARANCES (If Authorized)  
• Participants must appear on camera unless excused.  
• No driving or walking during remote appearances.  
• Background noise must be minimized.  
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6. COMMUNICATION WITH JUDGE’S DIVISION/CHAMBERS  
• All emails to the Judge’s Division/chambers must copy opposing counsel and self represented parties.  
• Scheduling issues must first be discussed among the parties before involving the Court.  
• Chambers will not calculate deadlines for parties; inquiries must include your own calculation.  
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7. USE OF AI GENERATED FILINGS AND LEGAL RESEARCH  
Parties and counsel may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in drafting pleadings or conducting legal research. However, any filing that relies on AI generated content must meet the same standards of accuracy, relevance, and professionalism required of all submissions to the Court.  
The following directives apply:  
1. Verification Required:  
Parties and counsel are responsible for independently verifying the accuracy of any AI generated text, legal citation, factual assertion, or argument. The Court will not accept pleadings that contain fabricated authorities, non existent citations, false facts, or misrepresentations.  
2. No Hallucinated Content:  
AI systems sometimes generate inaccurate or fictional material (“hallucinations”). It is the duty of the filing party to ensure that no hallucinated cases, statutes, regulations, facts, or procedural assertions appear in the document.  
3. Relevance and Tailoring:  
Filings must be narrowly tailored to the facts, issues, and procedural posture of the specific case. AI generated boilerplate, generic discussions, or irrelevant legal standards are not acceptable.  
4. Accountability:  
Regardless of the drafting method, the attorney or self represented litigant remains fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and compliance of all filings. Improper reliance on AI will not excuse rule violations.  
5. Potential Sanctions:  
Filings that contain hallucinations, fabricated citations, or irrelevant AI generated material may result in sanctions, including striking the filing, monetary sanctions, or other relief the Court deems appropriate.