UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF

NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

LOCAL RULES

JU LY 1, 2023

(September 2023 Supplement)

Including

September 2023 Supplement: Expedited Amendment to Appendix C

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. CIVIL ............................................................................................................................................................... 1

Rule 101. Counsel ........................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel ........................................ 1

2. Withdrawal of Appearance ............................................................................................................. 3

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements ................................................................................. 4

1. Signatures, Identifying Information, and Proof of Service ....................................................... 4

2. Format of Court Documents ......................................................................................................... 5

3. Issuance of Subpoenas in Self-Represented Cases ..................................................................... 6

4. Interdivisional Filing........................................................................................................................ 6

5. Electronic Orders and Documents ............................................................................................... 6

6. Filing When Represented by Counsel ........................................................................................... 6

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings ................................................................................................ 7

1. Civil Cover Sheet and Extra Copies of Complaint/Designation of Related Cases/Claim

for Relief/Limitations on Length ........................................................................................................... 7

2. Process ............................................................................................................................................... 8

3. Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest ........................................................................ 9

4. Security for Costs ........................................................................................................................... 10

5. Removal .......................................................................................................................................... 10

6. Amendments of Pleadings ............................................................................................................ 11

7. Third-Party Complaints ................................................................................................................ 11

8. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution ............................................................................................. 12

9. Scheduling Orders ......................................................................................................................... 12

Rule 104. Discovery ..................................................................................................................................... 13

1. Limitation on Number of Requests for Production and Requests for Admission .............. 13

2. Timely Written Discovery Requests Required .......................................................................... 13

3. Discovery to Proceed Despite Existence of Disputes ............................................................. 13

4. Conference of Counsel and Commencement of Discovery ................................................... 13

5. Discovery Materials Not to be Filed with Court....................................................................... 13

6. Format of Responses to Interrogatories and Requests for Production................................. 13

7. Conference of Counsel Required ................................................................................................ 14

8. Procedure Regarding Motions to Compel ................................................................................. 14

9. [Reserved for Future Use] ............................................................................................................ 15

10. Actions and Witnesses Exempted from Provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B) ............. 15

11. Fees and Costs................................................................................................................................ 16

12. Familiarity with Discovery Guidelines........................................................................................ 16

13. Proposed Confidentiality Orders ................................................................................................ 16

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda ............................................................................................. 17

1. Memoranda Required; Number of Copies; Proposed Order .................................................. 17

2. Filing Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 18

3. Limitations on Length ................................................................................................................... 18

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) ii

4. When Table of Contents Required ............................................................................................. 18

5. Exhibits ........................................................................................................................................... 19

6. Hearings .......................................................................................................................................... 19

7. Trial Briefs ...................................................................................................................................... 19

8. Motions for Sanctions ................................................................................................................... 19

9. Motions for Extension of Time .................................................................................................. 19

10. Motions to Reconsider .................................................................................................................. 19

11. Sealing .............................................................................................................................................. 20

12. Amicus Briefs ................................................................................................................................. 20

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 21

1. When Pretrial Order Required ..................................................................................................... 21

2. Contents of Pretrial Order ........................................................................................................... 21

3. Responsibility for Preparing Pretrial Order ............................................................................... 22

4. Submission of Pretrial Order ....................................................................................................... 23

5. Approval and Entry of Pretrial Order ........................................................................................ 23

6. Pretrial Conference ........................................................................................................................ 23

7. Pretrial Preparation of Exhibits ................................................................................................... 23

8. Jury Instructions, Voir Dire Questions, and Special Verdict Forms...................................... 24

Rule 107. Trial ............................................................................................................................................... 24

1. [Reserved for Future Use] ............................................................................................................ 24

2. Postponements – Client Consent Required ............................................................................... 24

3. Subpoenas – When Served by Marshal ...................................................................................... 24

4. Imposition of Jury Costs for Late Settlement ........................................................................... 25

5. Exhibits ........................................................................................................................................... 25

6. Obligation to Anticipate Evidentiary Objections ..................................................................... 25

7. Exclusion of Witnesses ................................................................................................................. 25

8. Time Limitations ............................................................................................................................ 26

9. Courtroom Etiquette ..................................................................................................................... 26

10. One Attorney Per Witness ........................................................................................................... 26

11. Examination of Witnesses ............................................................................................................ 27

12. [Reserved for Future Use] ............................................................................................................ 27

13. Witnesses Excused at Conclusion of Testimony ...................................................................... 27

14. Speaking with Witness on the Stand ........................................................................................... 27

15. Mistrial and Imposition of Costs for Unfair Conduct ............................................................. 27

16. Interviews of Jurors ....................................................................................................................... 27

Rule 108. Judgments .................................................................................................................................... 28

1. Judgment by Confession ............................................................................................................... 28

2. Default ............................................................................................................................................. 29

Rule 109. Post-Trial Proceedings ............................................................................................................... 30

1. Bill of Costs .................................................................................................................................... 30

2. Motions Requesting Attorneys’ Fees .......................................................................................... 30

Rule 110. Appeal........................................................................................................................................... 31

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) iii

1. Bonds ............................................................................................................................................... 31

Rule 111. Settlement Orders ....................................................................................................................... 32

Rule 112. Special Proceedings .................................................................................................................... 32

1. Habeas Corpus Petitions .............................................................................................................. 32

2. Prisoner Civil Rights Actions ....................................................................................................... 33

3. Multi-District Litigation ................................................................................................................ 34

4. Condemnation Cases – Request for Immediate Possession ................................................... 34

5. Review of Jeopardy Assessments ................................................................................................ 34

Rule 113. Disposition of Exhibits and Sealed Materials ......................................................................... 35

1. Trial and Hearing Exhibits ........................................................................................................... 35

2. Firearms, Contraband, and Currency .......................................................................................... 35

3. Sealed Materials Other Than Trial and Hearing Exhibits ........................................................ 35

4. Non-Electronically Submitted Administrative Records ........................................................... 35

II. CRIMINAL ................................................................................................................................................. 36

Rule 201. Counsel ......................................................................................................................................... 36

1. Who May Appear as Counsel....................................................................................................... 36

2. Appointment of Counsel .............................................................................................................. 36

3. Withdrawal of Appearance ........................................................................................................... 36

Rule 202. General Filing and Service Requirements ............................................................................... 36

1. Generally ......................................................................................................................................... 36

2. Superseding Charging Documents .............................................................................................. 36

Rule 203. Speedy Trial Plan ........................................................................................................................ 37

Rule 204. Release of Information by Attorneys....................................................................................... 37

1. Generally ......................................................................................................................................... 37

2. Investigations .................................................................................................................................. 37

3. Pretrial ............................................................................................................................................. 37

4. Trial .................................................................................................................................................. 38

5. Scope of Rule ................................................................................................................................. 38

6. Penalty ............................................................................................................................................. 39

Rule 206. Bail ................................................................................................................................................ 39

1. Grounds for Insufficiency ............................................................................................................ 39

2. Traffic Offenses ............................................................................................................................. 39

3. Forfeiture Procedure ..................................................................................................................... 40

4. Prepayment of Fees ....................................................................................................................... 40

Rule 207. Motions ........................................................................................................................................ 40

1. Generally ......................................................................................................................................... 40

2. Sealing .............................................................................................................................................. 40

Rule 208. Arrest to Arraignment ................................................................................................................ 40

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) iv

Rule 209. Discovery ..................................................................................................................................... 41

Rule 210. Pretrial Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 41

Rule 211. Trial ............................................................................................................................................... 41

Rule 212. Post-Trial Motions ...................................................................................................................... 41

Rule 213. Sentencing .................................................................................................................................... 41

1. Confidentiality of Presentence, Supervised Release, and Probation Records....................... 41

2. Entry of Scheduling Order ........................................................................................................... 42

3. Misdemeanor Cases ....................................................................................................................... 42

Rule 214. Disposition of Exhibits and Sealed Materials ......................................................................... 43

III. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES ................................................................................... 44

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges ........................................................................ 44

1. Geographical Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................. 44

2. Recording ........................................................................................................................................ 44

3. Criminal Cases ................................................................................................................................ 44

4. Civil Cases ....................................................................................................................................... 44

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) ........................................................................................... 44

6. Other Duties ................................................................................................................................... 46

7. Part-time Magistrate Judges ......................................................................................................... 50

Rule 302. Appeals from Decisions by Magistrate Judges ....................................................................... 50

1. Criminal Cases ................................................................................................................................ 50

2. Civil Cases ....................................................................................................................................... 50

Rule 303. Designation of Chief Magistrate Judge .................................................................................... 51

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral .............................................................................................................. 51

1. General Provisions ........................................................................................................................ 51

2. Schedule of Monetary Collateral and Mandatory Appearance Offenses ............................... 55

IV. BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS ...................................................................................................... 56

Rule 401. Rules in Bankruptcy Court Proceedings .................................................................................. 56

Rule 402. Referral of Bankruptcy Cases and Proceedings...................................................................... 56

Rule 403. Definition of Transmittal .......................................................................................................... 56

Rule 404. Appeals to the District Court .................................................................................................... 56

1. Manner of Appeal .......................................................................................................................... 56

2. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8009 .................................................. 56

3. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8018 .................................................. 57

4. Procedure Regarding Motion to Stay Pending Appeal ............................................................ 57

5. Bankruptcy Court Certification Regarding Interlocutory Appeal .......................................... 57

Rule 405. Rules of Procedure for Withdrawal of Reference .................................................................. 57

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) v

1. General Rule ................................................................................................................................... 57

2. Withdrawal of Reference of Bankruptcy Case or Proceeding................................................. 58

3. Filing of Pleadings after Reference Withdrawn ......................................................................... 58

4. Motions Concerning Venue in Bankruptcy Cases and Proceedings ...................................... 59

Rule 406. Jury Trial....................................................................................................................................... 59

1. Demand ........................................................................................................................................... 59

2. Specification of Issues ................................................................................................................... 60

3. Waiver .............................................................................................................................................. 60

4. Consent to Jury Trial before United States Bankruptcy Judge ............................................... 60

Rule 407. Removal ....................................................................................................................................... 60

V. COURT ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY ............................................................................. 61

Rule 501. Assignment of Cases .................................................................................................................. 61

1. In General ....................................................................................................................................... 61

2. Removals ......................................................................................................................................... 61

3. Prisoner Cases ................................................................................................................................ 61

4. Other Civil Cases ........................................................................................................................... 61

Rule 502. Jury Selection Plan ...................................................................................................................... 62

Rule 503. No Attorneys or Court Personnel as Sureties ........................................................................ 62

Rule 504. Hours of Clerk’s Office ............................................................................................................. 62

1. Hours of Actual Operation .......................................................................................................... 62

2. After Hours Box ............................................................................................................................ 63

3. Emergency Contact ....................................................................................................................... 63

Rule 505. Courthouse Security ................................................................................................................... 63

1. Inspection of Entering Persons ................................................................................................... 63

2. Confiscation of Weapons and Contraband................................................................................ 63

Rule 506. Photographing and Recording Court Proceedings and Courthouse Spaces ...................... 63

1. Photographing, Recording, and Transmitting Court Proceedings ......................................... 63

2. Photographing, Video Recording, and Televising Courthouse Spaces.................................. 64

3. Penalties .......................................................................................................................................... 64

Rule 507. Copying and Removal of Court Papers ................................................................................... 65

1. Copying ........................................................................................................................................... 65

2. Removal of Original Papers Prohibited ..................................................................................... 65

Rule 508. Investment of Registry Funds ................................................................................................... 65

Rule 509. Preservation of Records in Actions Involving Title to Realty ............................................. 65

Rule 510. Unclaimed Funds in the Registry ............................................................................................. 65

Rule 511. [Reserved for Future Use] ......................................................................................................... 65

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) vi

Rule 512. Lapse in Appropriations ............................................................................................................ 66

VI. MISCELLANEOUS ................................................................................................................................ 67

Rule 601. Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 67

1. The “Court” and the “Judge” ...................................................................................................... 67

2. Statutory References ...................................................................................................................... 67

3. “Affidavit” ...................................................................................................................................... 67

Rule 602. Fines .............................................................................................................................................. 67

Rule 603. Special Orders in Widely Publicized and Sensational Cases ................................................. 67

Rule 604. Suspension of Rules ................................................................................................................... 68

Rule 605. Amendment of Rules ................................................................................................................. 68

1. Regular Procedure ......................................................................................................................... 68

2. Expedited Procedure ..................................................................................................................... 68

Rule 606. Civility ........................................................................................................................................... 68

Rule 607. Alternative Dispute Resolution ................................................................................................ 69

1. Authorization of ADR .................................................................................................................. 69

2. Consideration of ADR .................................................................................................................. 69

3. Attendance at ADR Proceedings ................................................................................................ 69

4. Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................ 69

5. Arbitration ...................................................................................................................................... 69

VII. ATTORNEY ADMISSION, ASSISTANCE, AND DISCIPLINE .............................................. 70

Rule 701. Admission .................................................................................................................................... 70

1. Qualifications ................................................................................................................................. 70

2. Procedure ........................................................................................................................................ 71

3. Duty of Counsel to Notify the Clerk of Any Change in Address .......................................... 72

4. Confidentiality of Attorney Records ........................................................................................... 72

Rule 702. Student Practice .......................................................................................................................... 73

1. Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................... 73

2. Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 73

3. Petition to Practice ........................................................................................................................ 73

Rule 703. Attorneys Subject to Discipline ................................................................................................ 74

Rule 704. Rules of Professional Conduct ................................................................................................. 74

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings ........................................................................................................... 74

1. Attorney Misconduct..................................................................................................................... 74

2. Criminal Convictions .................................................................................................................... 79

3. Discipline Imposed by Other Courts ......................................................................................... 80

4. Reinstatement ................................................................................................................................. 81

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) vii

5. Dissemination of Information ..................................................................................................... 83

6. Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 83

Rule 706. Fee Agreements .......................................................................................................................... 84

VIII. PATENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 85

Rule 801. Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 85

Rule 802. Scheduling Conference .............................................................................................................. 85

Rule 803. Discovery ..................................................................................................................................... 86

1. Commencement ............................................................................................................................. 86

2. Objections ....................................................................................................................................... 86

Rule 804. Disclosures ................................................................................................................................... 87

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement .................................................................................... 87

2. Cases Seeking Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity ................................................................... 90

3. Cases Arising Under the Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355) ............................................ 90

4. Cases Seeking Correction of Inventors (35 U.S.C. § 256) ....................................................... 91

5. Cases Alleging False Marking (35 U.S.C. § 292) ....................................................................... 92

6. Amendment to Contentions ........................................................................................................ 93

7. Advice of Counsel ......................................................................................................................... 93

Rule 805. Claim Construction .................................................................................................................... 93

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement .................................................................................... 93

2. Cases Seeking Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity ................................................................... 97

3. Cases Arising Under the Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355) ............................................ 99

4. Cases Seeking Correction of Inventors (35 U.S.C. § 256) and Cases Alleging False

Marking (35 U.S.C. § 292)................................................................................................................... 102

Rule 806. Certification of Disclosures. ................................................................................................... 102

Rule 807. Motions for Stay Pending Reexamination ........................................................................... 102

IX. SUPPLEMENTAL ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME RULES .................................................. 103

Local Admiralty Rule (a): Scope, Citation, and Definitions ................................................................ 103

LAR(a)(1) Scope ............................................................................................................................... 103

LAR(a)(2) Citation ........................................................................................................................... 103

LAR(a)(3) Definitions...................................................................................................................... 103

Local Admiralty Rule (b): Maritime Attachment and Garnishment .................................................. 103

LAR(b)(1) “Found Within the District” ....................................................................................... 103

LAR(b)(2) Affidavit that Defendant is Not Found Within the District ................................... 104

LAR(b)(3) Use of State Procedure ................................................................................................. 104

LAR(b)(4) Notice to Defendant ..................................................................................................... 104

Local Admiralty Rule (c): Actions In Rem: Special Provisions .......................................................... 104

LAR(c)(1) Intangible Property ....................................................................................................... 104

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) viii

LAR(c)(2) Publication of Notice of Action and Arrest .............................................................. 104

LAR(c)(3) Notice Requirements .................................................................................................... 105

LAR(c)(4) Entry of Default and Default Judgment .................................................................... 106

Local Admiralty Rule (d): Possessory, Petitory, and Partition Actions ............................................. 106

LAR(d) Return Date ........................................................................................................................ 106

Local Admiralty Rule (e): Actions In Rem and Quasi In Rem: General Provisions ....................... 107

LAR(e)(1) Itemized Demand for Judgment ................................................................................. 107

LAR(e)(2) Salvage Action Complaints .......................................................................................... 107

LAR(e)(3) Verification of Pleadings .............................................................................................. 107

LAR(e)(4) Review by Judicial Officer ........................................................................................... 107

LAR(e)(5) Exigent Circumstances ................................................................................................. 107

LAR(e)(6) Instructions to the Marshal .......................................................................................... 108

LAR(e)(7) Property in Possession of United States Officer ...................................................... 108

LAR(e)(8) Adversary Hearing ........................................................................................................ 108

LAR(e)(9) Security Deposit for Seizure of Vessels ..................................................................... 108

LAR(e)(10) Intervenors’ Claims and Sharing of Marshal’s Fees and Expenses ................... 108

LAR(e)(11) Custody of Property ................................................................................................. 109

LAR(e)(12) Sale of Property......................................................................................................... 110

LAR(e)(13) Discharge of Stipulations for Value and Other Security .................................... 112

Local Admiralty Rule (f): Limitation of Liability .................................................................................. 112

LAR(f)(1) Security for Costs .......................................................................................................... 112

LAR(f)(2) Order of Proof at Trial ................................................................................................. 112

APPENDIX A .............................................................................................................................................. 113

DISCOVERY GUIDELINES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

DISTRICT OF MARYLAND ....................................................................................................... 113

Guideline 1: Conduct of Discovery .................................................................................................. 113

Guideline 2: Stipulations Setting Discovery Deadlines .................................................................. 115

Guideline 3: Expert Witnesses ........................................................................................................... 115

Guideline 4: Scheduling Depositions ................................................................................................ 116

Guideline 5: Designation by an Organization of Someone to Testify on Its Behalf ................. 117

Guideline 6: Deposition Questioning, Objections, and Procedure .............................................. 118

Guideline 7: Assertions of Privilege at Depositions ....................................................................... 119

Guideline 8: Making a Record of Improper Conduct During a Deposition............................... 120

Guideline 9: Delay in Responding to Discovery Requests ............................................................ 120

Guideline 10: Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, Answers to

Interrogatories, and Written Responses to Document Requests ................................................. 121

APPENDIX B .............................................................................................................................................. 124

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING ATTORNEYS’ FEES IN CERTAIN

CASES ................................................................................................................................................ 124

1. Mandatory Rules Regarding Billing Format, Time Recordation, and Submission of

Quarterly Statements ........................................................................................................................... 124

Table of Contents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) ix

2. Guidelines Regarding Compensable and Non-Compensable Time ................................... 125

3. Guidelines Regarding Hourly Rates ......................................................................................... 127

4. Reimbursable Expenses ............................................................................................................. 127

APPENDIX C .............................................................................................................................................. 128

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES IN PRO BONO

CASES IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF

MARYLAND .................................................................................................................................... 128

I. Eligibility for Reimbursement ................................................................................................... 128

II. Restrictions on Eligibility........................................................................................................... 128

III. Procedures for Petitioning for Reimbursement ..................................................................... 128

IV. Reimbursable Expenses ............................................................................................................. 129

V. Restrictions on Reimbursement ............................................................................................... 130

APPENDIX D .............................................................................................................................................. 131

STANDARD FORMS ............................................................................................................................. 131

Guidelines for Uniform Instructions and Definitions for Use in Discovery Requests ............. 131

Standard Interrogatories ..................................................................................................................... 132

Standard Requests for Production of Documents .......................................................................... 138

Stipulated Order Regarding Confidentiality of Discovery Material ............................................. 144

Stipulated Order Regarding Non-Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product

Protection .............................................................................................................................................. 149

Order Sealing Portions of the Court Record ................................................................................... 151

Rule 101. Counsel

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel

Rule 101. Counsel

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 1

I. CIVIL

RULE 101. COUNSEL

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel

a) Generally

Except as otherwise provided in this Rule and in L.R. 112.3 and 28 U.S.C. § 515, only

members of the Bar of this Court may appear as counsel in civil cases. Individuals who are

parties in civil cases may only represent themselves. Individuals representing themselves are

responsible for performing all duties imposed upon counsel by these Rules and all other

applicable federal rules of procedure. All parties other than individuals must be represented

by counsel.

b) Pro Hac Vice

i) Generally. Except as provided in subsection (v) of this Rule, the Court may permit

any attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar of any other United

States court or of the highest court of any state to appear and participate as counsel in a

particular civil case. Such permission shall not constitute formal admission to the Bar of

this Court. However, an attorney admitted pro hac vice is subject to the disciplinary

jurisdiction of this Court. Any party represented by an attorney who has been admitted pro

hac vice must also be represented by an attorney who is, and continuously remains, an active

member in good standing of the Bar of this Court who shall sign all documents and, unless

excused by the presiding judge, be present at any court proceedings.

ii) Certification Requirement. The Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice shall include a

certification as to the number of times the attorney has been admitted pro hac vice during

the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the filing of the motion and identify any

other active cases in this Court in which the attorney is admitted pro hac vice.

iii) Limitation. Admission pro hac vice is not a substitute for admission to the Bar of

this Court, but rather is intended to facilitate occasional appearances only. Unless otherwise

ordered for good cause shown, no attorney may be admitted pro hac vice in more than three

(3) unrelated cases in any twelve (12) month period, nor may any attorney be admitted pro

hac vice in more than three (3) active unrelated cases at any one time.

Rule 101. Counsel

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel

Rule 101. Counsel

1. Who May Appear as Counsel; Who May Appear Without Counsel

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 2

iv) Multi-District Litigation. Attorneys in multi-district litigation cases need not be

members of this Court’s Bar. Instead, an attorney may move for admission pro hac vice if

the attorney is a member in good standing of the bar of any United States District Court.

For purposes of this subsection only, attorneys requesting admission pro hac vice (1) are not

required to have their admissions moved by an active member of this Court’s Bar, (2) do not

need another member of this Court’s Bar to sign pleadings or enter appearances, and (3) are

limited to practice in this Court in only the multi-district litigation proceeding.

v) Limitation on Maryland Attorneys. An attorney, who is an active member of the

Maryland Bar or maintains any law office in Maryland, is ineligible for admission pro hac

vice. For the purposes of this subsection, an attorney shall be deemed to maintain an office

in Maryland if a Maryland address is used by that attorney on any document filed in this

Court for purposes of satisfying L.R. 102.1.b. However, if an attorney is a member of a law

firm having offices in multiple jurisdictions, an attorney who is a member of such a firm

shall not be deemed to maintain a law office in Maryland if that attorney does not maintain a

regular physical presence in the Maryland office of the firm. Failure of an attorney to satisfy

this continuing requirement may result in the revocation of the attorney’s pro hac vice

admission.

c) Appearance for Obtaining Deposition Subpoenas

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, it shall not be necessary for counsel to be

admitted to the Bar of this Court in order to participate in proceedings to enforce or to

quash any subpoena as provided by Fed. R. Civ. P. 45. However, an attorney exempted by

this Rule from the requirement of being admitted to the Bar of this Court is subject to the

disciplinary jurisdiction of this Court.

d) Duty to Avoid Scheduling Conflicts

Before entering an appearance in a case, counsel must inquire whether any hearing date

or a trial date has already been set in the case. If a date has been set and it conflicts with

counsel’s schedule in any respect, counsel shall not enter an appearance unless counsel first

resolves the conflict by obtaining a continuance of one of the conflicting proceedings or, if

counsel is a member of a firm, obtaining the client’s consent to have another member of the

firm appear on the client’s behalf. After entering an appearance, counsel has a continuing

duty to honor all scheduling commitments made to the Court.

Rule 101. Counsel

2. Withdrawal of Appearance

Rule 101. Counsel

2. Withdrawal of Appearance

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 3

2. Withdrawal of Appearance

a) Individuals

In the case of an individual, appearance of counsel may be withdrawn only with leave of

court and if (1) appearance of other counsel has been entered, or (2) withdrawing counsel

files a certificate stating (a) the name and last known address of the client, and (b) that a

written notice has been mailed to or otherwise served upon the client at least seven (7) days

previously advising the client of counsel’s proposed withdrawal and notifying the client

either to have new counsel enter an appearance or to advise the Clerk that the client will be

proceeding without counsel. If the withdrawal of counsel’s appearance is permitted, the

Clerk shall notify the party that the party will be deemed to be proceeding without counsel

unless and until new counsel enters an appearance on behalf of the party.

b) Parties Other Than Individuals

In the case of any party other than an individual, including corporations, partnerships,

unincorporated associations and government entities, appearance of counsel may be

withdrawn only with leave of court and if (1) appearance of other counsel has been entered,

or (2) withdrawing counsel files a certificate stating (a) the name and last known address of

the client, and (b) that the written notice has been mailed to or otherwise served upon the

client at least seven (7) days previously advising the client of counsel’s proposed withdrawal

and notifying it that it must have new counsel enter an appearance or be subject to the

dismissal of its claims and/or default judgment on claims against it. In the event that within

thirty (30) days of the filing of the motion to withdraw, new counsel has not entered an

appearance, the Court may take such action, if any, that it deems appropriate, including

granting the motion to withdraw and dismissing any affirmative claim for relief asserted by

the party and/or directing the party to show cause why a default should not be entered on

claims asserted against it.

c) Automatic Termination of Appearance

When no appeal has been taken from a final judgment, and upon the resolution of any

post-judgment motion or matter under L.R. 109, the appearance of an attorney is

automatically deemed terminated upon the expiration of the appeal period, unless otherwise

ordered by the Court. If an appeal is taken, the appearance of the attorney is automatically

deemed terminated ninety (90) days after the issuance of a mandate of the Court of

Appeals.

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

1. Signatures, Identifying Information, and Proof of Service

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

1. Signatures, Identifying Information, and Proof of Service

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 4

RULE 102. GENERAL FILING AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

1. Signatures, Identifying Information, and Proof of Service

a) Signatures

i) Parties Represented by Counsel. When a party is represented by counsel, the Clerk

shall accept for filing only documents signed by a member of the Bar of this Court whose

appearance is entered on behalf of that party. Use of any of the methods for signing an

electronic document established by the Court, including use of an attorney’s login and

password to electronically file a document, constitutes the attorney’s signature on the

document.

ii) Parties Appearing Without Counsel. When a party is appearing without counsel, the

Clerk will accept for filing only documents signed by that party. Attorneys who have

prepared any documents which are submitted for filing by a self-represented litigant must be

members of the Bar of this Court and must sign the document, state their name, address,

telephone number, and their bar number assigned by this Court. Upon inquiry, all parties

appearing without counsel must disclose the identity of any individual who has prepared, or

assisted in preparing, any documents filed in this Court. Any attorney who prepares any

document for filing in this Court by a person who is known by the attorney, or who is

reasonably expected by the attorney, to be appearing without counsel shall be deemed

thereby to have conferred disciplinary jurisdiction upon the Court for any alleged

misconduct of that attorney.

b) Identifying Information

i) Required on All Court Documents. At the bottom of all court documents, counsel

and self-represented litigants shall state their name, address, telephone number, email and fax

number. Counsel shall also state their bar number assigned by this Court. This is not a

substitute for compliance with L.R. 101.1.b.ii and 701.3.

ii) Duty of Counsel to Notify the Clerk of Any Change in Address. Counsel must

promptly notify the Clerk of any change of address, including email address, irrespective of

any changes noted on a pleading or other document. This obligation is continuing and if

counsel fails to comply, the Court may enter an order dismissing any affirmative claims for

relief and may enter a default judgment.

iii) Duty of Self-Represented Litigants to Keep Current Address on File. Self-

represented litigants must file with the Clerk in every case which they have pending a

statement of their current address where case-related papers may be served. This obligation

is continuing, and if any self-represented litigant fails to comply, the Court may enter an

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

1. Signatures, Identifying Information, and Proof of Service

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

2. Format of Court Documents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 5

order dismissing any affirmative claims for relief filed by that party and may enter a default

judgment on any claims asserted against that party.

c) Proof of Service

Except as provided for in L.R. 112.1 and 112.2, all court documents other than the

original complaint must bear a signed certificate signed by counsel stating that the service

required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(a) has been made. If a document is filed electronically, the

notice of electronic filing constitutes a certificate of service as to all parties to whom

electronic notice is sent.

d) Electronic Transmission

Electronic filing of documents is only permitted in accordance with the policies and

procedures established by the Court. Electronic filing includes submission by email or by

portable electronic media (e.g., disk, flash drive).

2. Format of Court Documents

a) Caption

The case caption on all court documents shall contain only a short title, consisting of the

names of the first plaintiff and the first defendant only, and the civil action number. This

Rule shall not apply to the original complaint (which shall contain the names and addresses

of all parties and the county of residence of any Maryland party) or any pleading seeking to

add a new party (which shall contain the short caption and the name and address of the

parties sought to be added and the county of residence of any Maryland party sought to be

added).

b) Margins, Spacing, and Numbering

All documents filed with the Court shall not exceed 8 1/2” x 11”, with a one-inch

margin on all sides. Lines of text for all documents, including correspondence, shall be

double-spaced except for quotations and footnotes. Pages shall be numbered at the bottom

of every page after the first page. Typed or printed material shall appear in at least 12-point

font size for text and at least 10-point font size for footnotes in Times New Roman or larger

typeface. Documents may not be handwritten unless the filer did not have the ability to

submit typed or printed material.

c) Legibility

No document shall be accepted for filing unless it is legible.

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

3. Issuance of Subpoenas in Self-Represented Cases

Rule 102. General Filing and Service Requirements

6. Filing When Represented by Counsel

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 6

3. Issuance of Subpoenas in Self-Represented Cases

The Clerk shall not issue any subpoena under Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(a)(3) to any self-

represented litigant without first obtaining an order from the Court authorizing the issuance

of the subpoena. Before entering any such order the Court may require the litigant to state

the reasons why the subpoena should be issued, and the Court may refuse to authorize

issuance of the subpoena if it concludes that the subpoena imposes undue burden or

expense on the person subject to the subpoena or upon the U.S. Marshal or other court

officer who would be required to serve it under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, or is otherwise inconsistent

with the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 and 45(d).

4. Interdivisional Filing

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any pleadings, motions, memoranda or other

documents may be filed in either division and, if such filing is made within any applicable

deadline, shall be deemed to be timely.

5. Electronic Orders and Documents

a) Entry

The electronic filing by a judge or the Clerk of any order, decree, judgment, proceeding,

or other documents shall constitute entry of that document on the docket maintained by the

Clerk as well as notice to and service upon registered parties in the case under the federal

rules of procedure. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 79 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 55, documents filed

under this method are deemed to be the official court record maintained by the Clerk.

b) Signatures

Orders and documents issued by either a judge or the Clerk may be signed either with an

original signature or an electronic signature. Any order or document filed electronically

without the original signature of the judge or the Clerk has the same force and effect as if

the judge or the Clerk had signed a paper copy of the order or document.

c) Paperless Orders

At the discretion of the presiding judge or the Clerk, an order may be entered by having

a text-only entry made on the docket. Such orders shall have the same force and effect as

any other order.

6. Filing When Represented by Counsel

Except for issues concerning the relationship between attorney and client, no document

shall be accepted for filing by a party represented by counsel unless it is filed by counsel.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

1. Civil Cover Sheet and Extra Copies of Complaint/Designation of

Related Cases/Claim for Relief/Limitations on Length

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

1. Civil Cover Sheet and Extra Copies of Complaint/Designation of

Related Cases/Claim for Relief/Limitations on Length

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 7

RULE 103. INSTITUTION OF SUIT AND PLEADINGS

1. Civil Cover Sheet and Extra Copies of Complaint/Designation of Related

Cases/Claim for Relief/Limitations on Length

a) Civil Cover Sheet and Extra Copies of Complaint

i) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. The complaint, civil cover sheet and any other

documents being filed should be submitted to the Clerk in accordance with the electronic

filing procedures adopted by the Court.

ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. When filing a complaint, counsel shall submit

to the Clerk a complete civil cover sheet and two (2) copies of the complaint.

b) Related Cases

i) Designation by Plaintiff. If counsel for a plaintiff in a civil action believes that the

action being filed and one (1) or more other civil actions or proceedings previously decided

or pending in this Court (1) arise from the same or identical transactions, happenings, or

events; (2) involve the identical parties or property; (3) involve the same patent or trademark;

or (4) for any other reason would entail substantial duplication of labor if heard by different

judges, counsel shall indicate that fact by designating the case as a “related case” on the civil

cover sheet. A copy of the cover sheet shall be served on all parties.

ii) Designation by Defendant. If counsel for a defendant believes that a case is related to

a prior case and that fact has not been noted on the civil cover sheet by plaintiff, counsel for

the defendant shall bring that information to the attention of all parties and the Clerk, and

the Clerk shall note it on the cover sheet and inform the judge to whom the new case has

been assigned.

iii) Resolution of Disputes. Any disputes regarding the designation of a case as being

related to another case shall be presented by motion to the judge to whom the new or later

case has been assigned.

c) Claim for Relief

Any pleading that states a claim for relief shall set forth each count separately and

provide a clear statement of the supporting facts for each count.

d) Limitations on Length

Pleadings should be no longer than necessary and, except in removals of a state action,

shall not exceed forty (40) pages in length. In extraordinary circumstances, parties may seek

leave of Court to amend or supplement the initial pleading with additional pages.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

2. Process

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

2. Process

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 8

2. Process

a) Number of Copies

i) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. In cases subject to electronic filing, counsel shall

submit to the Clerk the following number of copies when process is to be served; (a) one (1)

copy of any summons for each party to be served, except that in cases where the United

States, a federal agency or a federal employee in his official capacity is named as a defendant,

five (5) copies of the summons should be submitted; (b) four (4) copies of a warrant for

arrest or summons with process of maritime attachment and garnishment for tangible

property or two (2) copies of such documents for intangible property; and (c) two (2) copies

of all writs, including writs of possession, replevin, execution, garnishment, and attachment

before a judgment.

ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. In cases exempt from electronic filing, counsel

shall submit to the Clerk the following number of copies when process is to be served: (a)

two (2) copies of any summons for each party to be served, except that in cases where the

United States, a federal agency, or a federal employee in his official capacity is named as a

defendant, six (6) copies of the summons should be submitted; (b) five (5) copies of a

warrant for arrest or summons with process of maritime attachment and garnishment for

tangible property or two (2) copies of such documents for intangible property; and (c) three

(3) copies of all writs, including writs of possession, replevin, execution, garnishment, and

attachment before a judgment.

b) When Served by Marshal

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the United States Marshal shall not serve any

process or subpoenas except the following: (a) all process for a party proceeding in forma

pauperis without counsel; (b) warrants of arrests in rem or process of maritime attachment

and garnishment; (c) writs of possession, replevin, execution, garnishment, and attachment

before a judgment; (d) process served under 28 U.S.C. § 2361; and (e) when requested by the

plaintiff, process in suits where the plaintiff is authorized to proceed as a seaman under 28

U.S.C. § 1916. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, and except for a party who is

proceeding in forma pauperis or as a seaman under 28 U.S.C. § 1916, the Marshal may

require a party to pay or secure the fees and expenses before serving any process which this

Rule requires that the Marshal serve.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

2. Process

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

3. Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 9

c) Waiver Procedure

Whenever the waiver procedure under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) is invoked, counsel shall

submit to the Clerk a notice identifying the defendant(s) to whom the notice and request to

waive service of summons is being sent. The notice shall be filed upon the filing of the

complaint or such later date that counsel decides to invoke the waiver procedure. Plaintiff is

required to promptly file such notice, and failure to do so may result in the Court declining

to impose costs under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) absent a showing of good cause.

d) Issuance of Summons in Self-Represented Cases

To ensure a summons is “properly completed” under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(b), the Clerk shall

not issue a summons to any self-represented litigant without first obtaining an order from

the Court authorizing issuance of the summons.

3. Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest

When filing an initial pleading, including the removal of a state action, or promptly after

learning of the information to be disclosed, counsel shall file a statement (separate from any

pleading) containing the following information.

a) Corporate Affiliation

The identity of any parent or other affiliate of a corporate party and the description of

the relationship between the party and such affiliates. The identity of all members of any

party that is a business entity established under state law, other than a corporation; and in

cases based on diversity jurisdiction, the state of citizenship of each member.

b) Financial Interests in the Outcome of the Litigation

The identity of any corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, or other

business entity, not a party to the case, which may have any financial interest whatsoever in

the outcome of the litigation, and the nature of its financial interest. The term “financial

interest in the outcome of the litigation” includes a potential obligation of an insurance

company or other person to represent or to indemnify any party to the case. Any notice

given to the Clerk under this Rule shall not be considered as an admission by the insurance

company or other person that it does in fact have an obligation to defend the litigation or to

indemnify a party or as a waiver of any rights that it might have in connection with the

subject matter of the litigation.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

4. Security for Costs

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

5. Removal

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 10

4. Security for Costs

Any party against whom affirmative relief (other than a compulsory counterclaim) is

filed may file a motion requesting that the party seeking the affirmative relief give security

for costs if that party is not a resident of this District. Upon the filing of the motion, the

Court shall issue a show cause order to the party seeking affirmative relief. A party who

does not show cause why such security should not be required shall deposit with the Clerk

on the date that the show cause response is due, or on such later date as may be set by the

Court, the sum of $150 or such higher amount as the Court determines is appropriate. The

Court may dismiss the claim of a party who fails to deposit the required security. This Rule

shall not apply to any party proceeding in forma pauperis or as a seaman under 28 U.S.C.

§ 1916.

5. Removal

a) Certification of Filing of State Court Documents

Any party effecting removal shall file with the notice true and legible copies of all

process, pleadings, documents, and orders which have been served upon that party, along

with a copy of the current state court docket sheet. Within thirty (30) days thereafter the

party shall file true and legible copies of all other documents then on file in the state court,

together with a certification from counsel that all filings in the state court action have been

filed in the United States District Court. In cases subject to electronic filing, the copies shall

be filed in accordance with the electronic filing procedures adopted by the Court.

b) Filing Memoranda Regarding Pending Motions

If a motion is pending at the time of removal as to which a legal memorandum has not

been submitted, the moving party shall file a supporting memorandum within fourteen (14)

days of the date of removal. If at the time of removal a motion is pending as to which a

legal memorandum has been submitted, the party opposing the motion shall file an

opposition memorandum on the date that the opposition memorandum was due in the state

court or within fourteen (14) days of the date of removal, whichever is earlier.

c) Disclosure of Affiliations and Financial Interest

Within seven (7) days after the filing of a notice of removal, all parties shall make the

disclosures required by L.R. 103.3.

d) Cases Related to Bankruptcy Cases

Removals under 28 U.S.C. § 1452 or § 1441 in cases related to bankruptcy cases should

be filed with the Bankruptcy Clerk.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

6. Amendments of Pleadings

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

7. Third-Party Complaints

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 11

6. Amendments of Pleadings

a) Original of Proposed Amendment to Accompany Motion

Whenever a party files a motion requesting leave to file an amended pleading, the

original of the proposed amended pleading shall accompany the motion. If the motion is

granted, an additional copy of the amended pleading need not be filed. The amended

pleading shall be deemed to have been served, for the purpose of determining the time for

response under Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a), on the date that the Court grants leave for its filing.

b) Exhibits to Amended Pleadings

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, only newly added exhibits are to be attached to

an amended pleading. However, if the amended pleading adds a new party, counsel shall

serve all exhibits referred to in the amended pleading upon the new party.

c) Identification of Amendments

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, and except in cases in which the prior pleading

was filed by a self-represented party, the party filing an amended pleading shall file and serve

(1) a clean copy of the amended pleading and (2) a copy of the amended pleading in which

stricken material has been lined through or enclosed in brackets and new material has been

underlined or set forth in bold-faced type.

d) Requested Consent of Other Counsel

Before filing a motion requesting leave to file an amended pleading, counsel shall

attempt to obtain the consent of other counsel. Counsel shall state in the motion whether

the consent of other counsel has been obtained.

7. Third-Party Complaints

a) Filing

A third-party plaintiff shall file with the Clerk only the third-party complaint itself and

not all the prior pleadings attached thereto.

b) Service

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a third-party plaintiff shall serve upon a third-

party defendant copies of all documents (other than notices of previously held depositions)

which the parties have previously served upon one another and shall make all previously-

conducted discovery materials available for review by the third-party defendant.

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

8. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution

Rule 103. Institution of Suit and Pleadings

9. Scheduling Orders

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 12

8. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution

a) Failure to Effect Service

If a party demanding affirmative relief has not effected service of process within ninety

(90) days of filing the pleading seeking the affirmative relief, the Court may enter an order

asking the party to show cause why the claim should not be dismissed. If the party fails to

show good cause within fourteen (14) days of the entry of the order or such other time as

may be set by the Court, the claim shall be dismissed without prejudice.

b) Dormancy of Action for Nine Months

If no document has been filed in court in any action for more than nine (9) months, the

Court may enter an order asking the parties to show cause why the case should not be

dismissed. If good cause is not shown within fourteen (14) days of the entry of the show

cause order or such other time as may be set by the Court, the case shall be dismissed

without prejudice.

9. Scheduling Orders

a) Categories of Actions Generally Exempted from Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)

All categories of actions in which ordinarily discovery is not conducted and additional

parties are not added are exempted from Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). These categories of actions

include petitions filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, motions filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, social

security appeals, bankruptcy appeals, appeals on the record from administrative agencies,

motions to enforce arbitration awards, forfeiture actions, actions seeking enforcement of

judgments, and mortgage or deed of trust foreclosures. In all actions in which a scheduling

order is not entered under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b), the presiding judge will enter such orders as

are necessary to assure the prompt and expeditious resolution of the litigation.

b) Actions Exempted from the Consultation Requirement of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)

All actions except ones which the presiding judge notifies the parties that he or she

designates to be complex, e.g., antitrust, mass tort, patent infringement, RICO, and securities

fraud actions in which all parties are represented by counsel, are exempted from the

requirement of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) that the Court consult with counsel (or unrepresented

parties) or await a report from the parties under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) before entering a

scheduling order. All scheduling orders, however, shall provide that any party who believes

that any deadline set in the scheduling order is unreasonable may request in writing a

modification of the order or that a conference be held for the purpose of seeking a

modification of the order.

Rule 104. Discovery

1. Limitation on Number of Requests for Production and Requests

for Admission

Rule 104. Discovery

6. Format of Responses to Interrogatories and Requests for

Production

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 13

RULE 104. DISCOVERY

1. Limitation on Number of Requests for Production and Requests for

Admission

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, or agreed upon by the parties, no party shall

serve upon any other party, at one (1) time or cumulatively, more than thirty (30) requests for

production, or more than thirty (30) requests for admission (other than requests propounded

for the purpose of establishing the authenticity of documents or the fact that documents

constitute business records), including all parts and sub-parts.

2. Timely Written Discovery Requests Required

Interrogatories, requests for production, motions for physical and mental examination,

and written deposition questions must be made at a sufficiently early time to assure that they

are answered before the expiration of the discovery deadline set by the Court. Unless

otherwise ordered by the Court, no discovery deadline will be extended because written

discovery requests remain unanswered at its expiration.

3. Discovery to Proceed Despite Existence of Disputes

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the existence of a discovery dispute as to one (1)

matter does not justify delay in taking any other discovery.

4. Conference of Counsel and Commencement of Discovery

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court or agreed upon by the parties, the conference of

counsel required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) need not take place and discovery shall not

commence and disclosures need not be made until a scheduling order is entered.

5. Discovery Materials Not to be Filed with Court

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, written discovery requests, responses thereto,

notices of service of discovery requests or responses, depositions, and disclosures under

Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) and (2) shall not be filed with the Court. The party propounding

written discovery or taking a deposition shall be responsible for retaining the original copies

of the discovery materials (including the certificates of service) and shall make them

available for inspection by any other party.

6. Format of Responses to Interrogatories and Requests for Production

Responses to interrogatories and requests for production shall set forth each

interrogatory or request followed by the answer and/or a brief statement of the grounds for

objection, including a citation of the main applicable authorities (if any).

Rule 104. Discovery

7. Conference of Counsel Required

Rule 104. Discovery

8. Procedure Regarding Motions to Compel

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 14

7. Conference of Counsel Required

Counsel shall confer with one another concerning a discovery dispute and make a

reasonable effort to resolve the differences between them. The Court will not consider any

discovery motion unless the moving party has filed a certificate reciting (a) the date, time,

and place of the discovery conference, and the names of all persons participating therein, or

(b) counsel’s attempts to hold such a conference without success; and (c) an itemization of

the issues requiring resolution by the Court. A “reasonable effort” means more than

sending an email or letter to the opposing party. It requires that the parties meet in person

or by video or telephonic means for a reasonable period of time in a good faith effort to

resolve the disputed matter.

8. Procedure Regarding Motions to Compel

The following procedure shall be followed in litigating motions to compel answers to

interrogatories and requests for production or entry upon land as to which a response has

been served. This procedure shall not govern motions to compel (a) answers to

interrogatories or to requests for production or entry upon land where no responses at all

have been served; (b) answers to deposition questions; or (c) responses to discovery requests

directed to a non-party. Such latter motions shall be filed with the Court and treated as any

non-discovery motion, except that, as to disputes concerning discovery directed to a non-

party, unless otherwise directed by the Court, the Court will not consider the motion until a

conference has been held under L.R. 104.8.b and a certificate has been filed under L.R.

104.8.c.

a) Service of Motions and Memoranda

If a party who has propounded interrogatories or requests for production is dissatisfied

with the response to them and has been unable to resolve informally (by oral or written

communications) any disputes with the responding party, that party shall serve a motion to

compel within thirty (30) days of the party’s receipt of the response. The memorandum in

support of the motion shall set forth, as to each response to which the motion is directed,

the discovery request, the response thereto, and the asserted basis for the insufficiency of

the response. The memorandum shall be succinct and need not include citation to legal

authorities unless such citation is necessary in order to understand the issues presented. The

opposing party shall serve a memorandum in opposition to the motion within fourteen (14)

days thereafter. The moving party shall serve any reply memorandum within fourteen (14)

days thereafter. The parties shall serve motions and memoranda under L.R. 104.8 in

accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(a) and shall not serve them through the Court’s electronic

filing system nor file with the Court notices of service of the motion and memoranda.

Extensions of time given by the parties to one another to serve any document hereunder

need not be approved by the Court, provided, however, that no extension of time limits set

Rule 104. Discovery

8. Procedure Regarding Motions to Compel

Rule 104. Discovery

10. Actions and Witnesses Exempted from Provisions of Fed. R.

Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 15

in any scheduling order entered by the Court shall be made without the Court’s prior

approval.

b) Conference of Counsel

Counsel are encouraged to confer with one another before or immediately after a motion

to compel is served. If they are unable to resolve their disputes, counsel must hold the

conference required by L.R. 104.7 after serving upon one another all of the documents

relating to the motion to compel.

c) Filing of Certificate of Conference and Motions and Memoranda

i) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. If counsel fail to resolve their differences during

their conference, the party seeking to compel discovery shall file the certificate required by

L.R. 104.7, and shall append thereto a copy of the motion and memoranda previously

served by the parties under L.R. 104.8.a.

ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. If counsel fail to resolve their differences

during their conference, the party seeking to compel discovery shall file (i) the certificate

required by L.R. 104.7 and (ii) the original and two (2) copies of its motion and

memorandum concerning the motion to compel and three (3) copies of all other

memoranda concerning the motion.

9. [Reserved for Future Use]

10. Actions and Witnesses Exempted from Provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P.

26(a)(2)(B)

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a party must provide the disclosures required by

Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B) only as to experts retained or specially employed by a party to

provide expert testimony. The disclosures need not be provided as to hybrid fact/expert

witnesses such as treating physicians. The party must disclose the existence of any hybrid

fact/expert witness pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(A), and disclose the subject matter on

which the witness is expected to present evidence under Fed. R. Evid. 702, 703, or 705, as

well as a summary of the facts and opinions to which the hybrid fact/expert witness is

expected to testify, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(C). In addition, an adverse party may

obtain the opinions of such witnesses (to the extent appropriate) through interrogatories,

document production requests, and depositions.

Rule 104. Discovery

11. Fees and Costs

Rule 104. Discovery

13. Proposed Confidentiality Orders

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 16

11. Fees and Costs

a) Interpretation of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(4)(E)

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any reasonable fee charged by an expert for the

time spent in a discovery deposition and in traveling to and from the deposition shall be paid

by the party taking the deposition. The fee charged by the expert for time spent preparing

for the deposition shall be paid by the party designating the expert. The expert may not

charge an opposing party for a discovery deposition a fee at any hourly rate higher than the

rate that he or she charges for the preparation of his or her report.

b) Limitation on the Amount of Fees of Treating Physician

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a treating physician shall not charge a fee higher

than the hourly fee that he or she customarily charges for in-office patient consultation or

$325 per hour, whichever is lower, for any work that he or she performs in connection with

any discovery matter or for the taking of a de bene esse deposition. Any party noticing a

deposition of a treating physician shall (after conferring with opposing counsel) advise the

physician of the number of hours that will be required for the deposition (both on direct

and cross examination). The treating physician may not charge for any hours exceeding this

estimate, provided that the deposition is completed within the estimate, and may terminate

the deposition when the estimated time has elapsed.

c) Limitation on Cost of Photocopying

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the amount that a party or third-party witness

may charge as a photocopying expense when producing documents in response to a

discovery request or subpoena shall not exceed the rate established by the Court for taxation

of costs.

12. Familiarity with Discovery Guidelines

Counsel should be familiar with the Discovery Guidelines that are an appendix to these

Rules.

13. Proposed Confidentiality Orders

Any proposed confidentiality order shall include (a) a definition of confidentiality

consistent with Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c); (b) a method for challenging particular designations of

confidentiality with the burden remaining on the party seeking confidentiality to justify it

under Rule 26(c); (c) a provision that whenever materials subject to the confidentiality order

(or any pleading, motion or memorandum referring to them) are proposed to be filed in the

Court record under seal, the party making such filing must simultaneously submit a motion

Rule 104. Discovery

13. Proposed Confidentiality Orders

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

1. Memoranda Required; Number of Copies; Proposed Order

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 17

and accompanying order pursuant to L.R. 105.11; and (d) a provision permitting the Clerk to

return to counsel or destroy any sealed material at the end of the litigation.

14. Stipulated Order Regarding Non-Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege and

Work Product Protection

Counsel should be familiar with, and should consider the applicability and propriety of

entering into and submitting for the Court’s approval and entry, the Stipulated Order

Regarding Non-Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Protection that is

included in Appendix D.

RULE 105. MOTIONS, BRIEFS, AND MEMORANDA

1. Memoranda Required; Number of Copies; Proposed Order

Any motion and opposition to a motion shall be filed with the Clerk and be

accompanied by a memorandum setting forth the reasoning and authorities in support of it

and a proposed order.

a) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing

The motion and any opposition or reply, memorandum, and any exhibits or attachments

must be filed electronically in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Court. When

the number of pages for the main document plus attachments total 15 pages or more, one

courtesy paper copy of these documents must be submitted to the Clerk. This courtesy

copy should be received by the Clerk within 48 hours of the electronic filing of the

document, excluding weekends, legal holidays, and days the Court is closed. A paper copy

of the notice of electronic filing should also be attached to the front of the courtesy copy.

Any document which, because of its length or any other reason, is not filed electronically

must be accompanied by the number of copies required by L.R. 105.1.b.

b) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing

The original and one (1) copy of all motions and memoranda shall be filed, except that

two (2) copies of discovery motions and memoranda shall be filed. If, however, counsel

considers it impractical to file a copy of voluminous exhibits appended to a motion or

memorandum, counsel may contact the judge to whom the case is assigned to ask

permission not to file such a copy.

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

2. Filing Schedule

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

4. When Table of Contents Required

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 18

2. Filing Schedule

a) General

All motions must be filed within deadlines set by the Court. Unless otherwise ordered

by the Court, all memoranda in opposition to a motion shall be filed within fourteen (14)

days of the service of the motion and any reply memoranda within fourteen (14) days after

service of the opposition memoranda. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, surreply

memoranda are not permitted to be filed.

b) Last-minute Filing Prohibited

In no event, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, is any memorandum to be filed after

4:00 p.m. on the afternoon before the last business day preceding the day on which the

proceeding to which the memorandum relates is to be held. For example, a memorandum

relating to a proceeding to be held on a Monday must be filed by 4:00 p.m. the previous

Thursday.

c) Where More Than One Party Plans to File Summary Judgment Motions

In a two-party case, if both parties intend to file summary judgment motions, counsel

are to agree among themselves which party is to file the initial motion. After that motion

has been filed, the other party shall file a cross-motion accompanied by a single

memorandum (both opposing the first party’s motion and in support of its own cross-

motion), the first party shall then file an opposition/reply, and the second party may then file

a reply. If more than two (2) parties intend to file motions in a multi-party case, counsel

shall submit a proposed briefing schedule when submitting their status report.

3. Limitations on Length

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, memoranda in support of a motion or in

opposition thereto and trial briefs shall not exceed thirty (30) pages, and reply memoranda

shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages, inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of (a) affidavits and

exhibits, (b) tables of contents and citations, and (c) addenda containing statutes, rules,

regulations, and similar material.

4. When Table of Contents Required

A table of contents shall be included in any memorandum or brief exceeding fifteen (15)

pages in length.

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

5. Exhibits

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

10. Motions to Reconsider

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 19

5. Exhibits

Parties are responsible for ensuring all exhibits are clear and well organized. When

appropriate, parties should facilitate the Court’s review of exhibits to include, for example,

highlighting key language. If any motion, memorandum, or brief is accompanied by more

than five (5) exhibits, the exhibits shall be tabbed and indexed, with cross-references to the

page numbers that relate to each exhibit.

6. Hearings

Counsel may (but need not) file a request for hearing. Unless otherwise ordered by the

Court, however, all motions shall be decided on the memoranda without a hearing.

7. Trial Briefs

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, counsel may (but need not) submit trial briefs.

8. Motions for Sanctions

a) Not to be Filed as a Matter of Course

The Court expects that motions for sanctions will not be filed as a matter of course.

The Court will consider in appropriate cases imposing sanctions upon parties who file

unjustified sanctions motions.

b) Responses Required Only Upon Court Order

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a party need not respond to any motion filed

under Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 or 28 U.S.C. § 1927. The Court shall not grant any motion without

requesting a response.

9. Motions for Extension of Time

Before filing a motion to postpone any proceeding or to extend the time for the filing of

any document or the taking of any other required action, counsel shall attempt to obtain the

consent of other counsel and shall give notice of the motion to other counsel a reasonable

time before presentation of the motion to the Court. Counsel shall state in the motion

whether the consent of other counsel has been obtained. Where counsel deems it

reasonably practicable, counsel also shall try to obtain the consent of an unrepresented party.

10. Motions to Reconsider

Except as otherwise provided in Fed. R. Civ. P. 50, 52, 59, or 60, any motion to

reconsider any order issued by the Court shall be filed with the Clerk not later than fourteen

(14) days after entry of the order.

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

11. Sealing

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

12. Amicus Briefs

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 20

11. Sealing

Any motion seeking the sealing of pleadings, motions, exhibits, or other documents to

be filed in the Court record shall include (a) proposed reasons supported by specific factual

representations to justify the sealing and (b) an explanation why alternatives to sealing would

not provide sufficient protection. The Court will not rule upon the motion until at least

fourteen (14) days after it is entered on the public docket to permit the filing of objections

by interested parties. Materials that are the subject of the motion shall remain temporarily

sealed pending a ruling by the Court. If the motion is denied, the party making the filing

will be given an opportunity to withdraw the materials. Upon termination of the action,

sealed materials will be disposed of in accordance with L.R. 113.

12. Amicus Briefs

a) When Permitted

The United States or its officer or agency or a state may file an amicus brief without the

consent of the parties or leave of court. Any other amicus curiae may file a brief only by

submitting a motion to obtain leave of court.

b) Motion for Leave to File

The motion must be accompanied by the proposed brief and state: (1) the movant’s

interest; (2) the reason why an amicus brief is desirable and why the matters asserted are

relevant to the disposition of the case; (3) which party’s filing the brief supports, if any; (4)

whether a party’s counsel authored the brief in whole or part; and (5) whether a party or its

counsel contributed money to fund the preparation and/or submission of the brief.

c) Contents and Form

The brief shall be no more than 15 pages and otherwise comply with L.R. 102.2, 105.1,

105.4, and 105.5.

d) Requested Relief

The Court will not consider amici requests for relief that are different from or in

addition to the relief, if any, requested by the party whose brief the amici supports.

e) Time for Filing

The motion and accompanying proposed brief must be filed, except with permission of

the Court, no later than seven days after the filing of the principal brief of the party being

supported, or, if it is not filed in support of a party’s filing, then within seven days of the

filing of the opening brief.

Rule 105. Motions, Briefs, and Memoranda

12. Amicus Briefs

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

2. Contents of Pretrial Order

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 21

f) Reply Brief

Amici will not file a reply unless requested by the Court.

g) Proceedings

Amici may not participate in oral argument, hearings, or conference calls unless

requested by the Court.

h) Disclosure of Corporate Affiliation

If the amicus curiae is a corporation, it must file a disclosure statement like that required

of parties by L.R. 103.3.a.

RULE 106. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE

1. When Pretrial Order Required

A pretrial order must be submitted in all cases except the following: (a) prisoner habeas

corpus petitions, (b) prisoner civil rights cases, (c) collection cases brought by the United

States, (d) land condemnation cases, (e) in rem forfeiture actions brought by the United

States, (f) administrative appeals brought against the Secretary of the Department of Health

and Human Services, (g) foreclosure actions, (h) petitions brought by the United States to

enforce a summons of the Internal Revenue Service, (i) appeals from rulings of the

Bankruptcy Court, and (j) suits to enforce or quash subpoenas.

2. Contents of Pretrial Order

A proposed pretrial order shall contain the following:

a. A brief statement of facts that each plaintiff proposes to prove in support

of that plaintiff ’s claims, together with a listing of the separate legal

theories relied upon in support of each claim.

b. A brief statement of facts that each defendant proposes to prove or rely

upon as a defense thereto, together with a listing of the separate legal

theories relied upon in support of each affirmative defense.

c. Similar statements as to any counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim.

d. Any amendments required of the pleadings.

e. Any issue in the pleadings that is to be abandoned.

f. Stipulations of fact or, if the parties are unable to agree, requested

stipulations of fact.

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

2. Contents of Pretrial Order

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

3. Responsibility for Preparing Pretrial Order

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 22

g. The details of the damages claimed or any other relief sought as of the

date of the pretrial conference.

h. A listing of each document or other exhibit, including summaries of other

evidence, other than those expected to be used solely for impeachment,

separately identifying those which each party expects to offer and those

which each party may offer if the need arises. The listing shall indicate

which exhibits the parties agree may be offered in evidence without the

usual authentication. This requirement may be met by attaching an exhibit

list to the pretrial order.

i. A list for each party of the name, address, and telephone number of each

witness, other than those expected to be called solely for impeachment,

separately identifying those whom the party expects to present and those

whom the party may call if the need arises.

j. A list for each party of the name and specialties of experts the party

proposes to call as witnesses including hybrid fact/expert witnesses such as

treating physicians.

k. A list of the pages and/or lines of any portion of a deposition to be

offered in a party’s case in chief or any counter-designations under Fed. R.

Civ. P. 32(a)(4).

l. Any other pretrial relief, including a reference to pending motions, which is

requested.

m. Any other matters added by the Court.

3. Responsibility for Preparing Pretrial Order

The plaintiff shall prepare the first draft of the pretrial order covering all matters which

the plaintiff proposes to include in the pretrial order. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court

or agreed upon by counsel, the plaintiff shall serve a copy of a draft upon opposing counsel

fourteen (14) days before the proposed pretrial order is due to be filed. Unless otherwise

ordered by the Court or agreed upon by counsel, opposing counsel shall serve any proposed

revisions and additions upon plaintiff ’s counsel at least seven (7) days before the order is due

to be filed. If counsel are unable to agree upon any particular provision of the proposed

order, counsel for each party shall submit to the judge by the filing date a draft proposal on

the provision in dispute.

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

4. Submission of Pretrial Order

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

7. Pretrial Preparation of Exhibits

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 23

4. Submission of Pretrial Order

a) Time

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the pretrial order shall be submitted to the judge

seven (7) days before the pretrial conference is to be held.

b) Submission Procedure

i) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. The proposed pretrial order should be filed in

accordance with the Court’s electronic filing procedures.

ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. The original and one (1) copy of the pretrial

order shall be submitted.

c) Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(3) Disclosures

Submission of a pretrial order containing the information required by L.R. 106.2 within

the time limits prescribed by L.R. 106.3 and L.R. 106.4 shall be deemed to constitute

compliance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(3).

5. Approval and Entry of Pretrial Order

After approving the pretrial order, the judge shall have the approval entered on the

docket.

6. Pretrial Conference

The pretrial conference shall be attended by at least one (1) of the attorneys for each of

the parties who will actually participate in the trial. Attorneys attending the conference shall

be familiar with all aspects of the case and shall confer with their clients before the

conference to obtain authority from them to enter into stipulations. If the case involves

numerous exhibits, counsel shall be prepared to discuss proposals for the orderly

presentation of the exhibits at trial.

7. Pretrial Preparation of Exhibits

a) Pretrial Numbering

Prior to trial, counsel shall attach tags to all exhibits clearly identifying their proponent

and number. Tags may be obtained from the Clerk. Counsel shall file with the Clerk and

serve upon opposing counsel at least one (1) business day prior to the scheduled trial date an

exhibit list. Counsel shall retain the exhibits until they are presented at trial. This Rule does

not apply to exhibits to be used solely for impeachment.

Rule 106. Pretrial Procedure

7. Pretrial Preparation of Exhibits

Rule 107. Trial

3. Subpoenas – When Served by Marshal

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 24

b) Pretrial Review of Exhibits

Prior to trial, counsel shall meet for the purpose of reviewing and making available for

copying one another’s proposed exhibits, except those to be used solely for impeachment.

All exhibits which are proffered at trial shall be precisely the same in form and substance as

the exhibits which were made available for review and copying prior to trial unless counsel

otherwise indicates to opposing counsel.

8. Jury Instructions, Voir Dire Questions, and Special Verdict Forms

a) Submission Procedure

i) Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. Unless otherwise ordered, proposed jury

instructions, voir dire questions, and special verdict forms should be filed electronically.

ii) Cases Exempt from Electronic Filing. Unless otherwise ordered, the original and

two (2) copies of proposed instructions, voir dire questions, and special verdict forms shall

be filed with the Clerk.

b) Contents of Proposed Instructions

Proposed instructions shall be numbered and shall set forth in a separate paragraph or

on a separate page a citation to any authorities upon which they are based. Counsel may

submit any proposed instructions which they deem appropriate, but unless otherwise

ordered by the Court, counsel need not submit proposed instructions on general matters not

particular to the case. Upon request, the Court shall provide to counsel a copy of its

customary general instructions prior to the instructions submission deadline.

RULE 107. TRIAL

1. [Reserved for Future Use]

2. Postponements – Client Consent Required

No motion seeking the postponement of any trial shall be made by any counsel without

the knowledge and consent of the client whom that counsel represents.

3. Subpoenas – When Served by Marshal

As provided in L.R. 103.2.b, unless ordered by the Court, the United States Marshal shall

not serve trial subpoenas except for a party who is proceeding in forma pauperis without

counsel.

Rule 107. Trial

4. Imposition of Jury Costs for Late Settlement

Rule 107. Trial

7. Exclusion of Witnesses

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 25

4. Imposition of Jury Costs for Late Settlement

Except for good cause shown, whenever the settlement of an action tried by a jury

causes a trial to be postponed, canceled, or terminated before a verdict, all juror costs shall

be imposed upon the parties unless counsel has notified the Court and the Clerk’s Office of

the settlement at least one (1) full business day prior to the day on which the trial is

scheduled to begin. The costs shall be assessed equally against the parties and their counsel

unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

5. Exhibits

a) Pretrial Numbering and Exchange of Exhibits

Counsel are to number exhibits prior to trial in accordance with L.R. 106.7.a. At trial,

counsel need not hand to other counsel for review any exhibit which prior to trial was made

available for review and copying in accordance with L.R. 106.7.b.

b) Admission into Evidence

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, or unless counsel requests that a particular

exhibit be marked for identification only, whenever an exhibit number is first mentioned by

counsel during the examination of a witness at trial, the exhibit shall be deemed to be

admitted into evidence unless opposing counsel then asserts an objection to it.

c) Circulation to Jury

The Court may permit counsel to circulate exhibits among the jurors at trial. However,

if such permission is granted, counsel shall be expected to continue with questioning of the

witness while the exhibit is being circulated unless the Court otherwise orders. Counsel shall

not abuse this procedure by seeking to circulate exhibits at the conclusion of the

examination.

d) Disposition

[See L.R. 113]

6. Obligation to Anticipate Evidentiary Objections

Counsel are under an obligation to anticipate evidentiary objections and, whenever

possible, bring them to the attention of the Court before they are formally asserted so that

they can be resolved when the jurors are not present.

7. Exclusion of Witnesses

Witnesses need not be excluded unless a party invokes the exclusion of witness rule.

“Exclusion of witness rule” means that only parties (or the designated representatives of

Rule 107. Trial

7. Exclusion of Witnesses

Rule 107. Trial

10. One Attorney Per Witness

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 26

parties), their counsel, and expert witnesses approved by the Court may be present in the

courtroom during the course of trial and that no person may directly or indirectly advise a

witness (other than a party or expert witness) of what the testimony of another witness has

been. Subject to this constraint, counsel may prepare their witnesses for trial during the

course of trial.

8. Time Limitations

a) Presentations to Jury

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no opening statement or closing argument

(including rebuttal argument) shall exceed one (1) hour.

b) Presentation of Evidence

In cases which it deems exceptional, the Court may, after consultation with counsel and

giving respect to their views, impose in advance, reasonable time limitations on presentation

of evidence.

9. Courtroom Etiquette

a) Counsel to Stand When Addressing Court

Unless otherwise permitted by the Court, counsel shall stand whenever addressing the

Court except in stating brief evidentiary objections.

b) Movement in the Courtroom

i) Generally. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, counsel may conduct their

examination of witnesses from any reasonable location in the well of the Court.

ii) Approaching Witnesses. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, counsel may

approach a witness to show an exhibit without prior approval of the Court but may not do

so for any other reason.

c) Persons to be Referred to by Surname

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, counsel shall refer by surname to all parties,

witnesses or other persons whose names may be mentioned during the course of trial

(except persons under the age of 18).

10. One Attorney Per Witness

Only one (1) attorney for each party may conduct the examination of any witness. Only

that attorney may object to questions asked by opposing counsel during the examination of

that witness.

Rule 107. Trial

11. Examination of Witnesses

Rule 107. Trial

16. Interviews of Jurors

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 27

11. Examination of Witnesses

a) Order of Questioning and Argument

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, co-parties represented by different counsel will

examine witnesses and present argument in the order in which they are named in the

complaint, and third-party defendants will examine witnesses after defendants have done so.

b) Limitation on Redundant Cross-Examination

In cases involving parties who share common interests, the judge may order that counsel

for those parties designate one (1) of themselves as “lead counsel” for each witness. The

counsel so designated shall be the only counsel authorized to conduct cross-examination

concerning matters which relate to the common interests shared by the parties.

12. [Reserved for Future Use]

13. Witnesses Excused at Conclusion of Testimony

Unless counsel otherwise so indicate, a witness shall be excused at the conclusion of the

witness’s testimony.

14. Speaking with Witness on the Stand

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, during all breaks and recesses counsel may speak

with a witness while conducting a direct examination of the witness but (with the exceptions

noted below) may not discuss testimony with the witness, including a party, while the witness

is on cross, re-direct, or re-cross examination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless

otherwise ordered by the Court, counsel representing a defendant in a criminal case may

confer with the defendant during breaks and recesses, and a non-party witness may confer

with the witness’s own counsel at any time.

15. Mistrial and Imposition of Costs for Unfair Conduct

If any witness volunteers unfairly prejudicial testimony not fairly responsive to the

question asked, or if counsel commits any prejudicial error during the course of trial

(including failing to advise a witness of evidence which the Court has ruled is inadmissible

with the result that the witness refers to such evidence), the Court may order a mistrial and

impose upon the responsible person all jury costs thus far incurred.

16. Interviews of Jurors

Unless permitted by the presiding judge, no attorney or party shall directly or through an

agent interview or question any juror, alternate juror, or prospective juror with respect to

that juror’s jury service.

Rule 108. Judgments

1. Judgment by Confession

Rule 108. Judgments

1. Judgment by Confession

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 28

RULE 108. JUDGMENTS

1. Judgment by Confession

a) Complaint, Related Documents, and Attachments

A complaint requesting the entry of judgment by confession shall be filed by the

plaintiff accompanied by the written instrument authorizing the confession of judgment and

entitling the plaintiff to a claim for liquidated damages and supported by an affidavit made

by the plaintiff or someone on that party’s behalf stating the specific circumstances of the

defendant’s execution of said instrument and including, where known, the age and education

of the defendant, and further including the amount due thereunder, and the post office

address (including street address if needed to effect mail delivery) of the defendant.

b) Review by Court Regarding Entry of Judgment

Upon review of the aforesaid documents, the Court may direct the entry of judgment

upon a finding that the aforesaid documents prima facie establish (1) a voluntary, knowing,

and intelligent waiver by the defendant of the right to notice and a prejudgment hearing on

the merits of the claim of the plaintiff for liquidated damages and (2) a meritorious claim of

the plaintiff for liquidated damages against the defendant.

c) Notice to Defendants

Immediately upon the entry of a judgment pursuant to paragraph (b) above, the Clerk

shall issue a notice for the defendant notifying said party of the entry of the judgment and

requiring defendant to appear in the cause wherein it is entered within thirty (30) days or

such other time as may be required by statute or rule after the service of the notice and

show, if such be the case, that said party did not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently

waive the right to notice and a prejudgment hearing on the merits of the claim, or otherwise

show cause why the judgment should be vacated, opened, or modified.

d) Application to Vacate Judgment

Application to vacate, open, or modify the judgment must be made by motion within

thirty (30) days after service of the notice, or such other time as may be required by statute

or rule. The motion shall be made on the ground that the defendant has a meritorious

defense to the cause of action. It shall set forth fully the facts relied on for such defense. A

copy of the motion shall be served on the plaintiff or his attorney. If no application is

made within the time allowed, the judgment shall be final.

Pursuant to Maryland law, “unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices” include “use of a contract related to

a consumer transaction which contains a confessed judgment clause that waives the consumer’s right to assert

a legal defense to an action.” MD Code, Commercial Law, § 13-301(12).

Rule 108. Judgments

1. Judgment by Confession

Rule 108. Judgments

2. Default

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 29

e) Determination of Motion

The motion shall be considered and determined as promptly as possible by the Court.

If the evidence presented establishes that there are substantial and sufficient grounds for an

actual controversy as to the merits of the case, the Court shall order the judgment by

confession vacated, opened, or modified, with leave to the defendant to file a pleading, and

the case shall stand for trial. If the evidence does not establish that there are substantial and

sufficient grounds for actual controversy as to the merits of the case, the judgment shall

stand to the same extent as a final judgment.

f) Failure to Effect Service

If the notice issued under section (c) is not served despite reasonable efforts to effect

service, the Court, upon petition of the plaintiff setting forth an account of the efforts

made to effect service, shall provide for notice to the defendant in the manner provided by

statute or rule.

g) Address of Defendant Unknown

Where the affidavit indicates that the address of the defendant is unknown, a judgment

shall not be entered except upon order of Court, and the Court shall provide notice to the

defendant pursuant to statute or rule.

h) Entry of Judgment by Confession

Except as authorized by this Rule, judgment by confession shall be entered only upon

order of Court, after such notice and upon such terms as the Court may direct.

i) Sale on Execution upon Judgment by Confession

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a sale on execution upon a judgment by

confession shall not be made until after judgment has become final under sections (c), (d),

and (e) of this Rule.

2. Default

a) Entry of Default

To obtain an entry of default pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a), the plaintiff must file a

written request with the Court. This request shall contain the last known address of the

defendant. Promptly upon the entry of default, the Clerk shall mail the entry of default to

the defendant at the address stated in the request and to the defendant’s attorney of record,

if any, together with a notice informing the defendant that default has been entered and that

the defendant may move to vacate the entry of default within 30 days.

Rule 108. Judgments

2. Default

Rule 109. Post-Trial Proceedings

2. Motions Requesting Attorneys’ Fees

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 30

b) Default Judgment

To obtain a default judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b), the plaintiff must file a

written request with the Court supported by an affidavit stating whether the defendant is a

minor, an incompetent person, or in military service, with supporting facts pursuant to 50

U.S.C. § 3931(b)(1). If it appears that the defendant is a minor or an incompetent person,

the Court shall not enter a default judgment unless a general guardian, conservator, or other

fiduciary has appeared on behalf of the defendant. If it appears that the defendant is in

military service, the Court shall not enter a default judgment until after it appoints an

attorney to represent the defendant pursuant to 50 U.S.C. § 3931(b)(2).

RULE 109. POST-TRIAL PROCEEDINGS

1. Bill of Costs

a) Time for Filing

Unless provided by L.R. 109.2.c or otherwise ordered by the Court, a bill of costs shall

be filed within fourteen (14) days of the expiration of time allowed for appeal of a final

judgment or, if a notice of appeal is filed, within fourteen (14) days of the issuance of the

mandate by the Court of Appeals. A bill for additional costs incurred on review by the

Supreme Court taxable in this Court shall be filed within fourteen (14) days of the entry of

judgment by the Supreme Court. Non-compliance with these time limits shall be deemed a

waiver of costs.

b) Contents

In any case where any costs other than the fee for filing the action are being requested,

the bill of costs shall be supported by affidavit and accompanied by a memorandum setting

forth the grounds and authorities supporting the request. Any vouchers or bills supporting

the cost being requested shall be attached as exhibits.

c) Objections

A party objecting to any requested costs shall submit a memorandum in opposition to

the request within the time permitted by L.R. 105.2. If no such memorandum is filed within

the required time, the Clerk may, without notice or hearing, tax all of the requested costs.

2. Motions Requesting Attorneys’ Fees

a) Time for Filing

Unless otherwise provided by statute, L.R. 109.2.c, or otherwise ordered by the Court,

any motion requesting the award of attorneys’ fees must be filed within fourteen (14) days

of the entry of judgment. The memorandum required by L.R. 109.2.b must be filed within

Rule 109. Post-Trial Proceedings

2. Motions Requesting Attorneys’ Fees

Rule 110. Appeal

1. Bonds

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 31

thirty-five (35) days from the date the motion is filed, or (unless otherwise ordered by the

Court) in the event an appeal is taken from the underlying judgment, within fourteen (14)

days of the issuance of the mandate of the Court of Appeals. Any opposition to the

motion shall be filed within fourteen (14) days of service of the memorandum. Non-

compliance with these time limits shall be deemed to be a waiver of any claim for attorneys’

fees.

b) Contents

Any motion requesting the award of attorneys’ fees must be supported by a

memorandum setting forth the nature of the case, the claims as to which the party prevailed,

the claims as to which the party did not prevail, a detailed description of the work

performed broken down by hours or fractions thereof expended on each task, the attorney’s

customary fee for such like work, the customary fee for like work prevailing in the attorney’s

community, a listing of any expenditures for which reimbursement is sought, any additional

factors which are required by the case law, and any additional factors that the attorney wishes

to bring to the Court’s attention. If the Rules and Guidelines for Determining Attorneys’

Fees in Certain Cases contained in Appendix B to these Rules are applicable, any motion for

attorneys’ fees also shall be prepared in accordance with such Rules and Guidelines.

c) Social Security Cases

The provisions of L.R. 109.2.a and 109.2.b shall apply to motions requesting an award

of attorneys’ fees with the following exception and additions: (i) the motion must be filed

within thirty (30) days of the date of the Notice of Award letter sent to the claimant and the

attorney at the conclusion of the Social Security Administration’s past-due benefit

calculation and (ii) the motion may not seek any award of fees for representation of the

claimant in administrative proceedings.

RULE 110. APPEAL

1. Bonds

a) Amount

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the amount of any supersedeas bond filed to

stay execution of a money judgment pending appeal shall be 120% of the amount of the

judgment plus an additional $500 to cover costs on appeal.

b) Waiver for State and Municipal Agencies

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the state of Maryland, any of its political

subdivisions, and any agents thereof shall not be required to post a supersedeas or appeal

bond.

Rule 111. Settlement Orders

Rule 112. Special Proceedings

1. Habeas Corpus Petitions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 32

RULE 111. SETTLEMENT ORDERS

When the Court has been notified by counsel that a case has been settled, the Court may

enter an order dismissing the case and providing for the payment of costs. Such an order of

dismissal shall be without prejudice to the right of a party to move for good cause to reopen

the case within a time set by the Court if the settlement is not consummated. Alternatively,

the Court, upon being notified by counsel that a case has been settled, may require counsel

to submit within sixty (60) days a proposed order providing for settlement, in default of

which the Court may enter such judgment or other order as may be deemed appropriate. An

order entered pursuant to this Rule means that the entire case, including all claims, counter-

claims, cross-claims, third-party claims, and claims for attorneys’ fees and costs has been

settled, unless otherwise stated in the order.

RULE 112. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

1. Habeas Corpus Petitions

a) Applicability of General Rules

Petitions for habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and motions filed pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 shall be governed, respectively, by the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases in

the United States District Courts and the Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings in the United

States District Courts.

b) Return of Insufficient Petitions

The Clerk of the Court may, upon court order, return petitions that do not comply with

Rules 2 and 3 of the above Rules but shall retain a copy of them as required by said Rules.

c) Form

Petitions shall be filed on forms as they are approved from time to time by order of the

Court.

d) Filing Fee for § 2254 Actions

A filing fee of $5.00 shall be required for 28 U.S.C. § 2254 actions unless the Court

authorizes the petitioner to proceed in forma pauperis. The Court generally will not

authorize a petitioner who has $25.00 or more available after payment of the fee to proceed

in forma pauperis.

e) No Responses to § 2255 Motions Required Without Court Order

The Government need not respond to a motion filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 unless

requested by the Court.

Rule 112. Special Proceedings

1. Habeas Corpus Petitions

Rule 112. Special Proceedings

2. Prisoner Civil Rights Actions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 33

f) Filing

All communications shall be directed to and filed with the Clerk. At the time of filing a

petition or motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, 28 U.S.C. § 2254, or 28 U.S.C. § 2255, self-

represented prisoners must provide the Clerk’s Office with one service copy of the petition

or motion.

g) Service

All court documents—other than the original petition or motion—filed by self-

represented prisoners under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, 28 U.S.C. § 2254, or 28 U.S.C. § 2255 are

deemed “filed electronically” for L.R. 102.1.c purposes at the time the documents are

electronically docketed by the Clerk’s Office. For any response to a document filed

electronically under this paragraph, any deadline for filing a response will be calculated from

the date the document is electronically docketed by the Clerk’s Office.

2. Prisoner Civil Rights Actions

a) Forms

All self-represented civil rights actions brought by inmates of penal institutions shall be

filed on forms approved from time to time by order of the Court. Petitions to proceed in

forma pauperis shall likewise be filed on forms approved from time to time by the Court.

The Court may authorize penal institutions to produce, stock, or distribute such approved

forms.

b) Filing and Service

All communications shall be directed to and filed with the Clerk. At the time of filing

the complaint, self-represented prisoners must provide the Clerk’s Office with a service copy

of the complaint as to each defendant.

c) Service

i) As to all defendants represented by counsel, all court documents—other than the

original complaint—filed by self-represented prisoners in civil rights actions are deemed

“filed electronically” for L.R. 102.1.c purposes at the time the documents are electronically

docketed by the Clerk’s Office. For any response to a document filed electronically under

this paragraph, any deadline for filing a response will be calculated from the date the

document is electronically docketed by the Clerk’s Office.

ii) As to all defendants not represented by counsel, self-represented prisoners are

responsible for serving a copy of all documents filed with the Court upon a defendant in

accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5. Self-represented prisoners are solely responsible both for

Rule 112. Special Proceedings

2. Prisoner Civil Rights Actions

Rule 112. Special Proceedings

5. Review of Jeopardy Assessments

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 34

determining which defendants are represented and for ensuring unrepresented defendants

are served with a copy of any document filed with the Court.

3. Multi-District Litigation

a) Numbering and Docketing

A group of actions transferred to this District under 28 U.S.C. § 1407 shall be given the

composite number previously assigned by the Multi-District Panel. Individual actions within

the group shall be given specific civil action numbers.

b) Counsel Need Not be a Member of the Bar of This Court

Counsel representing a party in a transferred action need not be a member of the Bar of

this Court but shall follow L.R. 101.b.iv for moving for admission pro hac vice. Parties in

multi-district litigation cases need not have counsel who have been admitted to the Bar of

this Court.

c) Notification of Address

Upon receipt of an order of transfer, all counsel in the transferred action shall notify the

Clerk of their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.

4. Condemnation Cases – Request for Immediate Possession

A plaintiff in a condemnation case seeking immediate possession of land shall submit a

statement reciting (a) whether or not the land is improved and, if so, a specific description

of the improvements; (b) whether or not the land is occupied and, if so, the name and

address of the occupant; and (c) whether the owner and the occupant consent to plaintiff ’s

taking immediate possession.

5. Review of Jeopardy Assessments

All actions arising under 26 U.S.C. § 7429 shall bear the designation “Review of Jeopardy

Assessment” on the complaint next to the style of the case. A proposed show cause order

shall be submitted with the complaint, and the Clerk shall immediately bring the action to

the attention of the Court. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in dismissal of the

action.

Rule 113. Disposition of Exhibits and Sealed Materials

1. Trial and Hearing Exhibits

Rule 113. Disposition of Exhibits and Sealed Materials

4. Non-Electronically Submitted Administrative Records

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 35

RULE 113. DISPOSITION OF EXHIBITS AND SEALED MATERIALS

1. Trial and Hearing Exhibits

a) Pending Appeal

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, at the conclusion of a trial or a hearing, the

Clerk shall return all exhibits to counsel who submitted them. It is the responsibility of

counsel to maintain the exhibits until the time for filing a notice of appeal has expired, or, in

the event an appeal is taken, until the appeal is concluded. Upon request by counsel for

another party or the Court, counsel having custody of the exhibits must make them available

for inspection. Upon request, counsel must transmit the exhibits to the appellate court.

b) Upon Final Termination of Action

Within thirty (30) days of the final termination of an action, counsel may request the

return of any trial and hearing exhibits which are in the custody of the Clerk. If any counsel

fails to request the return of exhibits, the Court may direct the return, destruction, or other

disposition of the exhibits.

2. Firearms, Contraband, and Currency

In any action to which the United States is a party, the United States shall maintain

custody throughout the proceedings of any firearms, contraband, or currency which have

been presented as exhibits and shall be responsible for their safekeeping.

3. Sealed Materials Other Than Trial and Hearing Exhibits

Within thirty (30) days of the final termination of an action, counsel may request the

return of any sealed materials other than trial and hearing exhibits or request that the

materials be unsealed. If counsel fails to request the return or unsealing of any sealed

materials, the Court may direct the return, destruction, or other disposition of the materials.

4. Non-Electronically Submitted Administrative Records

After thirty (30) days’ notice, the Clerk may destroy or otherwise dispose of any non-

electronically submitted administrative records offered by any party, whether or not received

into evidence, when the time for appeal expires or the mandate on appeal issues, unless

otherwise ordered by the Court.

Rule 201. Counsel

1. Who May Appear as Counsel

Rule 202. General Filing and Service Requirements

2. Superseding Charging Documents

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 36

II. CRIMINAL

RULE 201. COUNSEL

1. Who May Appear as Counsel

a) Generally

Except as otherwise provided in this Rule, a defendant in a criminal case may only be

represented by a member of the Bar of this Court or counsel appointed for that defendant

by any United States court.

b) Pro Hac Vice

The Court may permit any attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar

of any other United States court or of the highest court of any state to appear and participate

as counsel in a particular criminal case. Such permission shall not constitute formal

admission to the Bar of this Court. However, an attorney admitted pro hac vice is subject to

the disciplinary jurisdiction of this Court. Any party represented by an attorney who has

been admitted pro hac vice must also be represented by an attorney who is, and continuously

remains, an active member in good standing of the Bar of this Court who shall sign all

documents and, unless excused by the presiding judge, be present at any court proceedings.

2. Appointment of Counsel

Counsel for indigent defendants shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures

established by the plan as adopted and amended by the Court from time to time pursuant to

18 U.S.C. § 3006A. The plan is available for public inspection through the Clerk’s Office.

3. Withdrawal of Appearance

Counsel for a defendant may withdraw their appearance only with leave of court, except

as provided by L.R. 101.2.c.

RULE 202. GENERAL FILING AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

1. Generally

The provisions of L.R. 102 (other than the requirement of L.R. 102.1.a.i that where a

party is represented by counsel, all papers filed with the Clerk must be signed by a member

of the Bar of this Court) apply to criminal proceedings.

2. Superseding Charging Documents

The provisions of L.R. 103.6.c apply to any superseding charging documents.

Rule 203. Speedy Trial Plan

Rule 204. Release of Information by Attorneys

3. Pretrial

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 37

RULE 203. SPEEDY TRIAL PLAN

The order establishing time limits and procedures to assure the prompt disposition of

criminal cases and certain juvenile proceedings as adopted and amended from time to time

by court order is available for public inspection through the Clerk’s Office.

RULE 204. RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY ATTORNEYS

1. Generally

An attorney shall not directly or indirectly release or authorize the public release of any

information or opinion concerning any imminent or pending criminal litigation if there is a

reasonable likelihood that the release of the information or opinion will interfere with a fair

trial or otherwise prejudice the due administration of justice.

2. Investigations

Any attorney participating in any grand jury or other investigation shall not make any

extra-judicial public statement which goes beyond the public record or which is not

necessary to inform the public that the investigation is underway, to describe the general

scope of the investigation, to obtain assistance in the apprehension of a suspect, to warn the

public of any danger, or otherwise to aid in the progress of the investigation.

3. Pretrial

From the time of arrest; issuance of an arrest warrant or the filing of a complaint;

information, or indictment in any criminal matter until the commencement of trial or

disposition without trial, a lawyer associated with the prosecution or defense shall not release

or authorize the release, for dissemination by any means of public communication, of any

extra-judicial statement concerning:

a. The prior criminal record (including arrests, indictments, or other charges

of crime), or the character or reputation of the accused, except that the

lawyer may make a factual statement of the accused’s name, age, residence,

occupation, and family status, and if the accused has not been

apprehended, a lawyer associated with the prosecution may release any

information necessary to aid in the apprehension or to warn the public of

any dangers that person may present;

b. The existence or contents of any confession, admission, or statement given

by the accused, or the refusal or failure of the accused to make any

statement;

Rule 204. Release of Information by Attorneys

3. Pretrial

Rule 204. Release of Information by Attorneys

5. Scope of Rule

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 38

c. The performance of any examinations or tests or the accused’s refusal or

failure to submit to an examination or test;

d. The identity, testimony, or credibility of prospective witnesses, except that

the lawyer may announce the identity of the victim if the announcement is

not otherwise prohibited by law;

e. The possibility of a plea of guilty to the offense charged or a lesser

offense;

f. Any opinion as to the accused’s guilt or innocence or as to the merits of

the case or the evidence in the case.

The foregoing shall not be construed to preclude the lawyer, in the proper discharge of

official or professional obligations, from announcing the fact and circumstances of arrest

(including time and place of arrest, resistance, pursuit, and use of weapons), the identity of

the investigating and arresting officer or agency, and the length of the investigation; from

making an announcement, at the time of seizure of any physical evidence other than a

confession, admission, or statement, which is limited to a description of the evidence seized;

from disclosing the nature, substance, or text of the charge, including a brief description of

the offense charged; from quoting or referring without comment to public court records in

the case; from announcing the scheduling or result of any stage in the judicial process; from

requesting assistance in obtaining evidence; or from announcing without further comment

that the accused denies the charges which have been made.

4. Trial

During a jury trial, including the period of selection of the jury, no lawyer associated

with the prosecution or defense shall give or authorize any extra-judicial statement or

interview, relating to the trial or the parties or issues in the trial, for dissemination by any

means of public communication, except that the lawyer may quote from or refer without

comment to public court records in the case.

5. Scope of Rule

Nothing in this Rule is intended to preclude the formulation or application of more

restrictive rules relating to the release of information about juvenile or other offenders; to

preclude the holding of hearings or the lawful issuance of reports by legislative,

administrative, or investigative bodies; or to preclude any lawyer from replying to any public

charges of misconduct that are made.

Rule 204. Release of Information by Attorneys

6. Penalty

Rule 206. Bail

2. Traffic Offenses

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 39

6. Penalty

Any violation of this Rule may be treated as a contempt of court and may subject the

violator to the disciplinary action of the Court.

RULE 205. RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY COURT PERSONNEL

No person associated with the Court, including any member of the Clerk’s Office, of

the U.S. Marshals Service, the staff of any judge or magistrate judge, and any court reporter

shall directly or indirectly disclose to any person, without prior authorization by the Court,

any information relating to a pending investigation or case which is not part of the public

court records. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, no court personnel shall

divulge any information concerning arguments and hearings held in chambers or otherwise

outside the presence of the public.

RULE 206. BAIL

1. Grounds for Insufficiency

a) Property Otherwise Pledged

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, property serving as security for bail pledged in

any other court shall not be accepted as security for bail ordered in this Court.

b) Person Acting Under Power of Attorney

Bail shall not be taken from a person under a power of attorney or other written

instrument, save in cases of corporate surety where the power of attorney or written

instrument has first been filed with and approved by the Clerk.

2. Traffic Offenses

If any person taken into custody for violation of any traffic law or regulation triable

before a United States Magistrate Judge is a member of a travel club, automobile association,

or other organization providing its members with guaranteed appearance bond service, and

if the terms and conditions of such service are set forth on the defendant’s membership

card, the membership card may be accepted, in accordance with its terms and conditions and

subject to its monetary limits, in lieu of cash or corporate undertaking. The card shall be

retained by the judicial officer setting bail and shall be transmitted forthwith to the

organization issuing it, according to its established procedures, in exchange for other security

to be furnished to the Court.

Rule 206. Bail

3. Forfeiture Procedure

Rule 208. Arrest to Arraignment

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 40

3. Forfeiture Procedure

a) General

When a bail is forfeited by order of the Court, the Clerk shall send to the defendant,

defense counsel, and the surety a copy of the forfeiture order by regular mail. Within

fourteen (14) days of the date of the order, the surety shall either produce the defendant in

court or shall deposit in the registry of the Court the sum forfeited. A surety who fails to

comply with this requirement within the fourteen (14) day period shall be prohibited from

writing any other bails in this Court until compliance has been accomplished. In the case of

a corporate surety, this provision shall apply both to the bondsman and the corporate surety.

b) Judgment by Default

Judgment by default upon any forfeiture shall be entered in accordance with the

provisions of Fed. R. Crim. P. 46(e)(3).

4. Prepayment of Fees

The Marshal may require any party (other than one whom the Court has found to be

indigent) to pay or secure fees and expenses before serving any writ.

RULE 207. MOTIONS

1. Generally

The provisions of L.R. 105 (except L.R. 105.2.c, 105.11, and 105.12) apply to criminal

proceedings.

2. Sealing

Any post-arrest motion seeking the sealing of filings other than charging documents

shall include (a) proposed reasons supported by specific factual representations to justify the

sealing and (b) an explanation why alternatives to sealing would not provide sufficient

protection. The Court will rule on such motion after sufficient time has passed to permit

the filing of objections. Materials that are the subject of the motion shall remain

temporarily sealed pending a ruling by the Court. If the motion is denied, the party making

the filing will be given an opportunity to withdraw or redact the materials.

RULE 208. ARREST TO ARRAIGNMENT

[Reserved for Future Use]

Rule 209. Discovery

Rule 213. Sentencing

1. Confidentiality of Presentence, Supervised Release, and

Probation Records

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 41

RULE 209. DISCOVERY

[Reserved for Future Use]

RULE 210. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE

The provisions of L.R. 106.7 (to the extent that under otherwise applicable law exhibits

must be disclosed prior to trial) and L.R. 106.8 apply to criminal proceedings.

RULE 211. TRIAL

The provisions of L.R. 107.2, 107.5.a, and 107.5.b (to the extent that under otherwise

applicable law exhibits must be disclosed prior to trial), 107.5.c, 107.6, 107.7, 107.8, 107.9,

107.10, 107.11, 107.13, 107.14, and 107.16 apply to criminal proceedings.

RULE 212. POST-TRIAL MOTIONS

[Reserved for Future Use]

RULE 213. SENTENCING

1. Confidentiality of Presentence, Supervised Release, and Probation Records

a) Generally

Unless the Court orders that a presentence report, supervised release report, violation

report, probation record, or portion thereof be placed in the public record, such report or

record is a confidential internal court document to which the public has no right of access.

Except as otherwise authorized by Fed. R. Crim. P. 32, by this Rule, or otherwise by law, the

probation department shall not, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, disclose to any

person any such report or record.

b) Procedure Upon Demand by Judicial Process

When the production of a presentence report, supervised release report, violation

report, probation record, or portion thereof, or the testimony of a probation officer

concerning information learned during the performance of official duty is commanded by

subpoena or other judicial process, the probation officer shall notify the Chief Probation

Officer. The Chief Probation Officer will seek instruction from the Court and request that

the Court issue an appropriate order. Except in the most unusual circumstances, and in

accordance with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 20, Ch. 8, § 850(a), the Court shall order

that the probation officer be excused from honoring the subpoena or other judicial process

and that the requested disclosure not be made.

Rule 213. Sentencing

1. Confidentiality of Presentence, Supervised Release, and

Probation Records

Rule 213. Sentencing

3. Misdemeanor Cases

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 42

c) Limited Disclosure by Direction of the Chief Probation Officer

The Chief Probation Officer may authorize the disclosure of a presentence report,

supervised release report, violation report, probation record, or portion thereof, to law

enforcement agencies, rehabilitation agencies, and bona fide research agencies for use in the

normal course of their duties. If authorizing such a disclosure, the Chief U.S. Probation

Officer shall promulgate written guidelines to assure the security and confidentiality of the

disclosed information.

d) [Reserved for Future Use]

e) Disclosure of Probation Officer’s Recommendations

Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, the probation officer shall disclose any

recommendations on sentence to the defendant, the defendant’s counsel, and the counsel for

the United States. Any disclosures under this subsection shall not be placed in the public

record, shall remain confidential internal court documents, and shall not be disclosed outside

of the Court except as provided by L.R. 213.

2. Entry of Scheduling Order

In any case governed by the Sentencing Guidelines promulgated by the United States

Sentencing Commission, the Court shall enter an order relating to the sentencing process, in

a form prescribed by the Court en banc, at the time of entry of a plea of nolo contendere or

guilty or after a verdict of guilty after trial. The form of order is available for public

inspection in the Clerk’s Office.

3. Misdemeanor Cases

Pursuant to § 6A1.2(d) of the Sentencing Guidelines and Policy Statements of the

United States Sentencing Commission, in any case for which there has been no conviction

above the level of a Class A misdemeanor (which includes all misdemeanors and

infractions), the judicial officer may permit the parties to make oral statements at or before

sentencing of the sentencing factors to be relied upon at sentencing in lieu of a written

statement.

Pursuant to § 6B1.4 (c) of the Sentencing Guidelines and Policy Statements of the

United States Sentencing Commission, a judicial officer taking a plea of guilty or nolo

contendere pursuant to a plea agreement, for any offense or offenses not above the level of

a Class A misdemeanor (which includes all misdemeanors and infractions), may permit the

parties to make any required stipulation of facts relative to sentencing orally, on the record,

at the time the plea agreement is offered, in lieu of a written stipulation.

Rule 214. Disposition of Exhibits and Sealed Materials

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 43

RULE 214. DISPOSITION OF EXHIBITS AND SEALED MATERIALS

The provisions of L.R. 113 apply to criminal proceedings.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

1. Geographical Jurisdiction

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 44

III. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES

RULE 301. AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES

1. Geographical Jurisdiction

All magistrate judges have jurisdiction to try, hear, and determine cases within their

original and referred jurisdiction throughout the entire District of Maryland and in such

cases arising in adjoining districts pursuant to separate authorizations.

2. Recording

All court proceedings before magistrate judges shall be recorded either electronically or

by a court reporter.

3. Criminal Cases

All magistrate judges are specially designated to conduct criminal cases with the consent

of the defendant, including trial, judgment, sentence, and revocation of probation or

supervised release, in conformity with and subject to the limitations of 18 U.S.C. § 3401,

Fed. R. Crim. P. 58, and any other applicable law of the United States. All full-time

magistrate judges may conduct a jury trial in any misdemeanor case when the defendant so

requests and is entitled to trial by jury under the Constitution and laws of the United States.

4. Civil Cases

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), with the consent of the parties, a district judge may

designate a full-time magistrate judge to conduct any or all proceedings, including trial, in a

jury or non-jury civil matter, and to order the entry of final judgment in the case. Cases

referred to a magistrate judge shall be randomly assigned.

Upon the filing of any civil case, the Clerk of Court shall notify the parties of their right

to proceed by consent before a magistrate judge.

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

a) Nondispositive Matters

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), a district judge may designate a full-time magistrate judge

to hear and determine (including the passage of final orders as to all or any part of) any

pretrial matter pending before the Court except those listed in L.R. 301.5.b below.

Nondispositive pretrial matters include, but are not limited to, discovery disputes and pretrial

orders under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 45

Any objection to a magistrate judge’s order must be served and filed within fourteen (14)

days after service of the order. Unless otherwise ordered by the magistrate judge who issued

the order or the district judge who designated the magistrate judge to hear and determine the

matter, the filing of objections to the magistrate judge’s order shall not operate as a stay of

any obligation or deadline imposed by the order. A district judge may reconsider, modify, or

set aside any portion of the magistrate judge’s order found to be clearly erroneous or

contrary to law.

b) Dispositive Matters

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), a district judge may designate a full-time magistrate judge

to conduct hearings, if necessary, including evidentiary hearings, and to submit to the district

judge proposed findings of fact and recommendations for action to be taken by the district

judge as to any of the following:

i. a motion for injunctive relief;

ii. a motion for judgment on the pleadings;

iii. a motion for summary judgment;

iv. a motion by a defendant to dismiss or quash an indictment or information;

v. a motion to suppress evidence in a criminal case;

vi. a motion to dismiss or permit maintenance of a class action;

vii. a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be

granted;

viii. a motion to involuntarily dismiss an action;

ix. a motion to review an administrative determination as to Social Security or

related benefits, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g);

x. prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement; and

xi. applications for post-trial relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and § 2255 made by

individuals convicted of criminal offenses.

Any objections must be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after a copy of the

proposed findings and recommendations is served on the party wishing to object, pursuant

to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). When the proceedings before the magistrate judge have been

electronically recorded, transcription of the record shall not be necessary unless otherwise

directed by the Court.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

5. Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 46

The district judge shall make a de novo determination as to those portions of the

proposed findings and recommendations to which specific objections are made. The district

judge may accept, reject, or modify the recommended decision; may receive further

evidence; or may recommit the matter to the magistrate judge with instructions.

c) Designation as Special Master

A district judge may designate a magistrate judge to serve as a special master pursuant to

and in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 53. With consent of the parties, such designation may

be made without regard to the limitations of Fed. R. Civ. P. 53(b). Appeals from the

decision of a magistrate judge designated as a special master pursuant to this Rule shall be

taken in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 53(e).

6. Other Duties

All magistrate judges are specially designated to exercise all powers heretofore held by

United States Commissioners, to exercise all other powers authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 636(a)

and (g), or any other applicable law, and to perform such additional duties as are not

inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States. These powers and duties

include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Consideration of criminal complaints and affidavits and issuance of arrest

warrants or summonses pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 3, 4, and 9.

b. Conduct of initial appearance proceedings for defendants pursuant to Fed.

R. Crim. P. 5.

c. Conduct of preliminary examinations pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 5.1 and

18 U.S.C. § 3060.

d. Receipt of grand jury returns pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(f) and issuance

of bench warrants on indictments pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 9.

e. Acceptance of waivers of indictment pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b).

f. Conduct of preliminary hearings in probation or supervised release

revocation proceedings pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.1.

g. Conduct of initial proceedings pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(c) for

defendants charged in other districts.

h. Issuance of search and seizure warrants pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 41.

i. Appointment of attorneys pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A and Fed. R.

Crim. P. 44.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 47

j. Issuance of orders concerning release or detention of defendants and

material witnesses and forfeiture or exoneration of bond pursuant to 18

U.S.C. § 3141 et seq., and Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.1, 40, and 46.

k. Direction of the payment of basic transportation and subsistence expenses

for released persons financially unable to bear such costs, pursuant to 18

U.S.C. §§ 4282 and 4285.

l. Issuance of orders permitting dismissals, on the government’s motion, of

violation notices, complaints, information, and indictments in criminal

cases pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 48(a).

m. Handling of arraignments in criminal cases pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 10,

including acceptance of not guilty pleas, scheduling of motions, scheduling

of pretrial conferences and trials, and issuance of bench warrants for the

arrest of a defendant who fails to appear for arraignment before the

magistrate judge.

n. Conduct of initial proceedings upon the appearance of an individual

accused of an act of juvenile delinquency pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 5034.

o. Appointment of interpreters pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1827 and 1828 in

cases initiated by the United States.

p. Under appropriate conditions and when an order is required, issuance of

orders for lineups; photographs; fingerprinting; palmprinting; voice

identification; mental or physical examination; the taking of blood, urine,

fingernail, hair, or bodily secretion samples (with appropriate medical

safeguards required by due process considerations); and handwriting

exemplars.

q. Upon the request of the United States Attorney, (1) authorization of the

installation of pen registers and trap and trace devices, and execution of

orders directing the telephone company to assist the Government in such

installation; (2) authorization of the installation of beeper devices

(“transponders”), Global Positioning Satellite (“GPS”) tracking devices,

other tracking devices; and (3) authorization of the installation of devices

(“clone beepers”) which duplicate signals received on a contact beeper or

similar device, and execution of orders directing the company or other

person furnishing the contact beeper to assist the Government in such

installation.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 48

r. Issuance of orders (1) under the provisions of § 356 of the Tax Equity and

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-248) authorizing, pursuant to 26

U.S.C. § 6103 (as amended by P.L. 97-248), the disclosure of tax returns

and return information for use in criminal proceedings, and (2) directing

banks not to notify their customers of the issuance of subpoenas for

financial records pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § 3409 or 12 U.S.C. § 3413(i).

s. Issuance of writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum and ad

prosequendum.

t. Upon request of the United States Attorney, a magistrate judge shall have

the authority to consider and approve an agreement between the

Government and a defendant to defer prosecution in any petty offense or

misdemeanor case for a period not to exceed one year from the date said

agreement is approved by the magistrate judge.

u. Use of the services of the United States Probation Office for preparation

of presentence investigations and other reports and recommendations.

v. Conduct of international extradition proceedings pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

§ 3184.

w. Appointment of counsel and performance of the verification functions set

forth in 18 U.S.C. §§ 4107, 4108, and 4109 relating to proceedings for the

transfer of offenders between the United States and foreign countries.

x. Issuance of warrants or orders permitting entry into and inspection of

premises and/or seizure of property, as authorized by law, when properly

requested by a government agency.

y. Issuance of show cause orders to enforce administrative summons or

subpoenas.

z. Issuance of attachments, conduct of hearings, including evidentiary

hearings, and submission to the district judge of proposed findings of fact

and recommendations with respect to the disposition of a petition to

enforce compliance with a summons issued by the Internal Revenue

Service.

aa. Consideration and granting or denial of motions of litigants to proceed in

forma pauperis, with appeal to a district judge.

ab. Appointment of counsel for indigent litigants pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(e)(1) and other statutes.

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 49

ac. Making special appointments to serve process pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P.

4(c)(2).

ad. Organization of petit and grand juries.

ae. Conduct of voir dire and receipt of jury verdicts in civil and criminal cases

being tried by a district judge, on consent of the parties.

af. Supervision of proceedings on requests for letters rogatory in civil and

criminal cases pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782.

ag. Execution of exemplifications of court records.

ah. Issuance of orders in mortgage foreclosure proceedings prior to

ratification of sale.

ai. Ordering and conducting prejudgment remedy proceedings in accordance

with 28 U.S.C. §§ 3101-3105.

aj. Ordering and conducting supplementary proceedings in accordance with

Md. R. Proc. 2-633, upon the filing of an appropriate affidavit.

ak. Review and issuance of orders concerning confessed judgments pursuant

to L.R. 108.1.b supra.

al. Review of default judgments and recommendations concerning damages.

am. Review of matters and issuance of orders under Local Admiralty Rule

(LAR)(e)(4).

an. Issuance of orders for the deposit and withdrawal of registry funds in

conjunction with matters over which magistrate judges exercise jurisdiction.

ao. Conduct of naturalization ceremonies.

ap. Admission of attorneys to the Bar of this Court.

aq. Any full-time magistrate judge is authorized to conduct proceedings for

initial commitment of narcotics addicts under Title III of the Narcotics

Addicts Rehabilitation Act.

The magistrate judge, after conducting such proceedings, shall recommend

to the district judge the commitment of the addict or shall state his reasons

for recommending against commitment. In a case where the magistrate

Rule 301. Authority of United States Magistrate Judges

6. Other Duties

Rule 302. Appeals from Decisions by Magistrate Judges

2. Civil Cases

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 50

judge recommends against commitment, the addict shall have a right to a

hearing de novo before a district judge.

The magistrate judge’s recommendation shall be transmitted forthwith to

the chambers judge for appropriate action.

ar. All magistrate judges for the District of Maryland are specially designated

to commit persons to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, D.C., in

accordance with the provisions of the District of Columbia Code, § 21-

902.

as. Issue orders for contempt of court as authorized by the Federal Courts

Improvement Act of 2000, 28 U.S.C. § 636(e).

7. Part-time Magistrate Judges

Nothing in these Local Rules shall be deemed an assignment to part-time magistrate

judges of additional duties under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) other than those permitted by Rule 7 of

the Conflict of Interest Rules for Part-Time Magistrate Judges adopted by the Judicial

Conference pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 632(b).

RULE 302. APPEALS FROM DECISIONS BY MAGISTRATE JUDGES

1. Criminal Cases

Appeals in criminal cases shall be made to the District Court within fourteen (14) days

from entry of the decision, order, judgment of conviction, or sentence in accordance with

Fed. R. Crim. P. 58(g)(2) and other applicable statutes and rules.

Within thirty (30) days of the docketing of the appeal, the appellant shall file with the

Clerk of Court and serve on the appellee a memorandum stating the exact points of law,

facts, and authorities on which the appeal is based. The appellee shall file an answering

memorandum within thirty (30) days thereafter. The Court may extend these times upon a

showing of good cause. If an appellant fails to file a memorandum within the time

provided, the Court may dismiss the appeal. All appeals shall be decided on the record and

the parties’ memoranda, unless the Court, in its discretion, orders oral argument.

2. Civil Cases

Appeals in civil cases referred by consent shall be governed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 73.

Rule 303. Designation of Chief Magistrate Judge

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 51

RULE 303. DESIGNATION OF CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE

The Chief District Judge shall have the authority to designate one (1) of the full-time

magistrate judges as Chief United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Maryland. The

Chief Magistrate Judge shall perform such duties in connection with the administration of

the magistrate judges’ system within this District as the Chief District Judge may, from time

to time, assign. The Chief Magistrate Judge, or a person designated by the Chief Magistrate

Judge, is authorized to reassign from one magistrate judge to another matters originally

assigned by a district judge to a magistrate judge pursuant to L.R. 301 and 28 U.S.C. § 636.

RULE 304. FORFEITURE OF COLLATERAL

1. General Provisions

a) The provisions of this Rule do not create or otherwise define an offense. This Rule

applies to petty offenses which have otherwise been created and/or defined by federal

statutes, regulations, or applicable state statutes lawfully assimilated by virtue of the

Assimilative Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 13) which petty offenses are committed within the

jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

b) When an asterisk (*) is inserted next to a listed violation, no forfeiture of collateral

will be permitted. Forfeiture of collateral will not be permitted unless same is specifically

authorized by the collateral schedule hereinafter provided, except as authorized by paragraph

(d) below. For any offense not specifically listed, a mandatory appearance will be required

except as may be authorized by paragraph (d) below.

c) In the event any non-mandatory offense is one (1) of a number of multiple offenses,

and any one (1) of such multiple offenses is a mandatory appearance offense, the arresting

officer or officer issuing a violation notice shall treat all offenses which otherwise would

have been non-mandatory as a mandatory appearance offense. In the event any non-

mandatory offense is deemed by the arresting officer or officer issuing a violation notice to

be of an aggravated nature, the officer may treat the offense as a mandatory appearance

offense. The arresting officer or officer issuing a violation notice may, within his discretion,

always treat any offense as a mandatory appearance offense notwithstanding the fact that

forfeiture of collateral may otherwise be permitted pursuant to this Rule.

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 52

d) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Rule, at the request or

recommendation of, or with the consent of the prosecuting authority, the United States

Magistrate Judge may set or authorize the setting of collateral for any petty offense.

Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Rule, at the request or

recommendation of, or with the consent of the prosecuting authority, the United States

Magistrate Judge may increase or decrease any collateral which may otherwise be authorized

or set pursuant to this Rule. The United States Magistrate Judge may require a mandatory

appearance for any petty offense so long as any collateral which may have been previously

authorized and set pursuant to this Rule has not been received prior to the magistrate judge’s

issuance of a notice of mandatory appearance.

e) At no time may collateral be set in an amount greater than the maximum fine

authorized for the offense charged, nor may collateral be less than any mandatory minimum

fine which may be required as a penalty for the offense charged. Should any collateral

erroneously be set higher than the authorized maximum fine then the collateral shall

automatically be reduced to said authorized maximum fine. Should any collateral

erroneously be set in an amount less than a required mandatory minimum fine, the amount

of collateral shall automatically be increased to said mandatory minimum.

f) A collateral offense shall be processed by giving an alleged offender a violation

notice or citation with mail-in envelope (comparable to DD Form 1805 in use on military

installations or in such other form as may otherwise be approved by the Court), the notice or

citation setting forth the offense; the date and location thereof; name of the issuing officer;

the full name, address, date of birth, and any other identifying data, which may include social

security number, concerning the offender, and the amount of collateral which can be

forfeited. It shall further contain instructions to pay the collateral to the Clerk of the Court,

or if the offender wishes to contest the charge, to indicate the option to appear before a

United States Magistrate Judge for trial or other appropriate proceedings, in either event by

mailing the form to the Clerk of the Court within seven (7) days of receipt of the violation

notice or citation. The violation notice or citation shall also set forth the date and time upon

which the matter will be heard before a United States Magistrate Judge or otherwise indicate

that the defendant will be notified when to appear in the future.

g) The Clerk shall establish a Central Violations Bureau for the processing of violation

notices, citations, and collateral. The address of the Central Violations Bureau shall be U.S.

Courts – CVB, P.O. Box 780549, San Antonio, TX 78278-0549, or such other address as may

be subsequently approved by the Court. All violation notices and citations issued to alleged

offenders shall show the appropriate address for the receipt of collateral or notice that a

defendant desires a hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge.

h) For any petty offense in which collateral is not set, the defendant shall be issued a

violation notice or citation containing the information required in paragraphs (f) and (g)

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 53

above, except that in the space provided for the amount of collateral there shall be inserted

the letters “M.A.” which letters shall indicate mandatory appearance required, directing the

defendant to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge at a specified date and time or

otherwise indicating that the defendant will be notified when to appear in the future.

However, if the arresting officer has reason to believe that the person charged with an

offense may not appear as required, the officer may take the alleged offender before a United

States Magistrate Judge or other judicial officer as set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3041 without

unnecessary delay for the purpose of setting appropriate conditions of release in accordance

with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3146.

i) Except in exceptional circumstances, a violation notice or citation shall charge only

one (1) offense. If an alleged offender is deemed to have committed more than one (1)

offense, each offense shall be charged on a separate violation notice or citation. Nothing

contained in this Rule shall be deemed to prohibit the prosecution of a petty offense by

means of a criminal complaint, criminal information, or indictment.

j) The payment of collateral for any offense in which collateral is set as authorized by

this Rule, shall cause said collateral to be forfeited to the United States and payment and

forfeiture of said collateral shall signify that the defendant does not contest the charge nor

requires a hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge. If collateral is paid and forfeited,

such action shall be tantamount to a finding of guilty, and the defendant shall be deemed

convicted of any offense for which collateral is paid and forfeited. Upon conviction, the

Clerk or United States Magistrate Judge shall certify the record of any conviction of a traffic

violation, but not to include parking offenses, to the appropriate state Motor Vehicle

Administration.

k) Whenever a check is returned to the Clerk as uncollectible for any reason within the

control of the payor, the offense for which the collateral was posted shall be referred

promptly to the appropriate United States Magistrate Judge for the scheduling of a

mandatory appearance or such other action as may be deemed appropriate by the United

States Magistrate Judge.

l) When any alleged offender fails to pay any collateral set pursuant to this Rule and

fails to appear in response to a Notice to Appear or Summons, the United States Magistrate

Judge may consider and treat the offense as a mandatory appearance offense, and thereafter

refuse any tender of the payment of collateral and set the case for hearing, or in the

magistrate judge’s discretion, increase the amount of collateral. A United States Magistrate

Judge may also issue a warrant for the arrest of the alleged offender as authorized by Fed. R.

Crim. P. 58(d)(3) and/or set the case for hearing.

m) For offenses designated as “Hunting and Fishing,” “Wildlife,” or “Migratory Bird

Treaty Act,” in the case of an aggravated offense, multiple offenses, an offense involving a

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 54

defendant who has previously been convicted of an offense in the above categories, or for

any other reason deemed appropriate by the Office of the United States Attorney for the

District of Maryland or any other attorney acting under the authority of the United States

Attorney to represent the Government in proceedings before United States Magistrate

Judges, the arresting officer or officer issuing a violation notice shall have the discretion to

set collateral within the minimum and maximum limits hereinafter specified, subject to prior

authorization from the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland or

any other attorney acting under the authority of the United States Attorney for the District

of Maryland. Otherwise, the collateral shall be the minimum amount provided for in the

collateral schedule.

n) In the event the payment is received by the Clerk before the Violation Notice is

forwarded to a magistrate judge for collection, the Clerk shall retain and process it. Should it

be necessary for the Court or United States Magistrate Judge to issue an arrest warrant as a

result of any alleged violator’s failure to appear, the amount of collateral shall automatically

triple from the amount originally set on the violation notice or citation. For good cause

shown, the Court and/or United State Magistrate Judge may reduce the collateral. Nothing

contained herein shall prevent the United States Magistrate Judge from requiring a

mandatory appearance.

o) In any mandatory appearance case or in the event that any authorized collateral is

not forfeited, should any alleged violator fail to appear in response to a Notice to Appear or

Summons, the United States Magistrate Judge, Clerk of the Court, Central Violations Bureau

and/or the United States Marshal may, in coordination with the Maryland Department of

Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, utilize the Motor Vehicle Administration

violation and flagging procedures so as to prohibit an alleged violator who fails to appear in

connection with any parking or traffic offense from obtaining a current motor vehicle

registration from the State of Maryland until such time as any outstanding offenses are

disposed of according to law. The Clerk or United States Magistrate Judge shall not

authorize the release of any flag upon the vehicle registration of an alleged violator until

such time as all collateral is paid by cash, certified check, or money order, and forfeited,

except that in the event a trial is requested, no hearing or trial shall be held until such time as

the total collateral is deposited with the Clerk or United States Magistrate Judge. Upon the

deposit of said collateral, any flag upon the vehicle registration of the alleged violator shall

be released. For good cause shown, in the interest of justice or in otherwise exceptional

circumstances, the United States Magistrate Judge may reduce the amount of collateral to be

paid and forfeited or deposited under this paragraph and authorize the release of any flag

upon the vehicle registration of the alleged violator upon the payment or deposit of such

reduced amount, unless it is determined by the United States Magistrate that no payment or

deposit shall be required.

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

1. General Provisions

Rule 304. Forfeiture of Collateral

2. Schedule of Monetary Collateral and Mandatory Appearance

Offenses

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 55

p) The provisions of this Rule shall apply to petty offenses alleged to have been

committed by a juvenile prior to the filing of the Attorney General’s certification referred to

in 18 U.S.C. § 5032 and 18 U.S.C. § 3401(g). After the filing of such certification, the

provisions of this Rule shall apply only in the event that the juvenile, with the advice of

counsel, files a written request to be prosecuted as an adult.

q) Nothing contained in this Rule shall prevent the issuance of a Warrant of Arrest in

accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 58(d)(3) or any other lawful authority.

2. Schedule of Monetary Collateral and Mandatory Appearance Offenses

The Court shall approve a schedule of monetary collateral and mandatory appearance

offenses which shall be filed with the Clerk as a public document. The Court may amend

the schedule from time to time.

Rule 401. Rules in Bankruptcy Court Proceedings

Rule 404. Appeals to the District Court

2. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8009

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 56

IV. BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

RULE 401. RULES IN BANKRUPTCY COURT PROCEEDINGS

Proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court shall be governed by Local Bankruptcy Rules as

adopted from time to time by order of the Court.

RULE 402. REFERRAL OF BANKRUPTCY CASES AND PROCEEDINGS

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(a), all cases under Title 11 of the United States Code and

proceedings arising under Title 11 or arising in or related to cases under Title 11 shall be

deemed to be referred to the bankruptcy judges of this District.

RULE 403. DEFINITION OF TRANSMITTAL

As used in this chapter, transmittal of a document includes the forwarding of a paper

document or copy, or providing access to an electronic document in accordance with the

procedures adopted by the Court.

RULE 404. APPEALS TO THE DISTRICT COURT

1. Manner of Appeal

a) Generally

Appeals to the District Court from the Bankruptcy Court shall be taken in the manner

prescribed in Part VIII of the Bankruptcy Rules, Rules 8001 et seq.

b) Bankruptcy Court Opinion and Order

Appellant shall provide with the opening brief a copy of the Bankruptcy Court opinion

and order from which the appeal is being taken.

2. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8009

Whenever the appellant fails to designate the contents of the record on appeal or to file

a statement of the issues to be presented on appeal within the time required by Bankruptcy

Rule 8009, the Bankruptcy Clerk shall transmit forthwith to the Clerk of the District Court a

partial record consisting of a copy of the order or judgment appealed from, the notice of

appeal, a copy of the docket entries, and such other documents as the Bankruptcy Clerk

deems relevant to the appeal. (The District Court may, thereafter, order the Bankruptcy

Clerk to transmit any other relevant documents to the Clerk of the District Court.) When

the partial record has been filed in the District Court, the Court may, upon motion of the

appellee (which is to be filed in the District Court) or upon its own initiative, dismiss the

appeal for non-compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8009 after giving the appellant an

Rule 404. Appeals to the District Court

2. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8009

Rule 405. Rules of Procedure for Withdrawal of Reference

1. General Rule

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 57

opportunity to explain the non-compliance and upon considering whether the non-

compliance had prejudicial effect on the other parties.

3. Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 8018

Whenever the appellant fails to serve and file a brief within the time required by

Bankruptcy Rule 8018, the District Court may, upon motion of the appellee (to be filed in

the District Court) or upon its own initiative, dismiss the appeal after giving the appellant an

opportunity to explain the non-compliance and upon considering whether the non-

compliance had prejudicial effect on the other parties.

4. Procedure Regarding Motion to Stay Pending Appeal

After seeking appropriate relief under Bankruptcy Rule 8007, an appellant seeking a stay

pending appeal by the District Court of an order entered by the Bankruptcy Court shall file

with the Clerk of the District Court a motion to stay and copies of all documents in the

record of the Bankruptcy Court relevant to the appeal. Upon the filing of these documents,

the Clerk of the District Court shall immediately open a civil file and the District Court shall

give immediate consideration to the motion to stay. If the underlying appeal is ultimately

perfected, it will be assigned the same civil action number as was assigned to the motion to

stay.

5. Bankruptcy Court Certification Regarding Interlocutory Appeal

Whenever there has been filed in the District Court an application for leave to appeal an

interlocutory order of the Bankruptcy Court, the Bankruptcy Court shall, upon request of

the District Court, submit to the District Court a written certification stating whether, in its

opinion, the interlocutory order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is

substantial ground for difference of opinion and whether an immediate appeal of it may

materially advance the ultimate termination of the case. The District Court shall, thereafter,

determine whether to grant or deny the application for leave to appeal.

RULE 405. RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF REFERENCE

1. General Rule

When a case or proceeding has been referred by this Court to the Bankruptcy Court, all

documents and pleadings in or related to such case or proceeding shall be filed with the

Clerk in the Bankruptcy Court.

Rule 405. Rules of Procedure for Withdrawal of Reference

2. Withdrawal of Reference of Bankruptcy Case or Proceeding

Rule 405. Rules of Procedure for Withdrawal of Reference

3. Filing of Pleadings after Reference Withdrawn

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 58

2. Withdrawal of Reference of Bankruptcy Case or Proceeding

a) Filing of Motion for Withdrawal of Reference with Bankruptcy Clerk

A motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(d) and Bankruptcy Rule 5011 to withdraw the

reference of any bankruptcy case, contested matter, or adversary proceeding referred to the

Bankruptcy Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(a) and L.R. 402 shall be filed with the Clerk in

the Bankruptcy Court. If the motion requests withdrawal of only a portion of the case, a

contested matter, or a portion of an adversary proceeding, the motion shall be accompanied

by the filing of a designation of the documents and pleadings filed in the case or proceeding

to which the motion relates.

b) Withdrawal of Reference of Bankruptcy Cases

A motion to withdraw the reference of a case to the Bankruptcy Court must be timely

filed, and in any event, before the case is closed.

c) Withdrawal of Reference of Adversary Proceeding or Contested Matter

A motion to withdraw an adversary proceeding or a contested matter in a case which has

been referred to the Bankruptcy Court must be filed by the earlier of fourteen (14) days

before the date scheduled for the first hearing on the merits and,

i) in the case of an adversary proceeding, within twenty-one (21) days after

the last pleading is permitted to be filed pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7012;

ii) in the case of a contested matter, within twenty-one (21) days after the last

responsive pleading or memorandum in opposition is permitted to be filed

pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 9013-1(b)(3).

3. Filing of Pleadings after Reference Withdrawn

a) If the reference of an entire case has been withdrawn from the Bankruptcy Court to

the District Court, all pleadings and documents in or related to such case shall be thereafter

filed with the Clerk in the District Court.

b) Where the reference of only a portion of an entire case has been withdrawn,

pleadings and documents with respect to the case (including any parts thereof that have

been withdrawn or transferred) shall continue to be filed with the Clerk in the Bankruptcy

Court. Any pleadings and documents which relate to any parts of the case which have been

withdrawn or transferred to the District Court shall also be filed with the Clerk of the

District Court.

Rule 405. Rules of Procedure for Withdrawal of Reference

3. Filing of Pleadings after Reference Withdrawn

Rule 406. Jury Trial

1. Demand

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 59

c) Upon withdrawal or transfer of any complaint to the District Court, the plaintiff may

forward to the defendant a notice and request to waive service of summons or the Clerk

shall issue a District Court summons pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) unless either of the

aforementioned has already occurred pursuant to the Bankruptcy Rules.

d) This subsection (d) governs personal injury tort and wrongful death claims which

must be tried in the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(5). Except for the

procedures contained within this subsection, personal injury tort and wrongful death

proceedings shall be filed with the Clerk in the Bankruptcy Court. However, beneath the

bankruptcy number, the pleading or other document shall designate the pleading or

document as a “SECTION 157(b)(5) MATTER.” When filing a complaint, a completed

District Court civil cover sheet (AO Form JS-44) should be submitted beneath the

Bankruptcy Court cover sheet required by Local Bankruptcy Rule 7003-1. No summons

shall be issued until the proceeding is transferred to the District Court. Upon filing the

complaint, the Clerk in the Bankruptcy Court shall immediately transfer the proceeding to

the District Court and plaintiff may send to the defendant(s) a notice and request to waive

service of summons pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) or the Clerk of the District Court shall

issue a summons.

4. Motions Concerning Venue in Bankruptcy Cases and Proceedings

All motions concerning venue in cases arising under Title 11 or arising in or related to

cases under Title 11 shall be determined by the Bankruptcy Court, except in those cases to

be tried in the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(5).

RULE 406. JURY TRIAL

1. Demand

In any bankruptcy proceeding any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable

of right by jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any

time after the commencement of the action and not later than fourteen (14) days after the

service of the last pleading directed to such issue and (2) filing the demand as required by

Bankruptcy Rule 9015. Such demand may be indorsed upon a pleading of the party. If the

adversary proceeding is one that has been removed from another court, any demand

previously made under the rules of that court shall constitute a demand for trial by jury

under this Rule.

Rule 406. Jury Trial

2. Specification of Issues

Rule 407. Removal

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 60

2. Specification of Issues

In the demand, a party may specify the issues which the party wishes so tried; otherwise

the party shall be deemed to have demanded trial by jury for all the issues so triable. If the

party has demanded trial by jury for only some of the issues, any other party within fourteen

(14) days after service of the demand or such lesser time as the Court may order, may serve

a demand for trial by jury of any other or all of the issues of fact in the action.

3. Waiver

The failure of a party to serve and file a demand as required by this Rule constitutes a

waiver by the party of trial by jury. A demand for trial by jury made as herein provided may

not be withdrawn without the consent of the parties.

4. Consent to Jury Trial before United States Bankruptcy Judge

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(e), with the consent of the parties, a district judge may

designate a bankruptcy judge to conduct a jury trial.

RULE 407. REMOVAL

Removals under 28 U.S.C. § 1452 or § 1441 in cases related to bankruptcy cases should

be filed with the Bankruptcy Clerk.

Rule 501. Assignment of Cases

1. In General

Rule 501. Assignment of Cases

4. Other Civil Cases

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 61

V. COURT ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY

RULE 501. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES

1. In General

This Rule governs the assignment of cases to judges of the Court and among the two (2)

divisions of the Court. It is a rule of administrative convenience, and it is not intended to,

nor does it, confer any rights upon any litigant. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Rule,

the Court may assign a case to a judge in a division other than the one specified in this Rule.

All cases will be assigned to one (1) of the judges of the Court. With the exception of

cases referred to magistrate judges, all proceedings in a particular case will usually be held

before the judge to whom that case is assigned.

2. Removals

A case removed from a state tribunal shall be assigned to one (1) of the judges sitting in

the division of the Court in which the state tribunal is located.

3. Prisoner Cases

All district judges shall be assigned a pro-rata share of all (i) habeas corpus cases and (ii)

civil rights cases filed by prisoners.

4. Other Civil Cases

Other civil cases shall be assigned in accordance with the provisions set forth in this

paragraph, with priority accorded to the first provision that may be applicable. Any

questions about a particular assignment shall be decided by the Court.

a) Cases Involving Government Agencies

i) A case in which a Maryland local government or agency is a party shall be assigned to a

judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the principal office of the local

government or agency is located.

ii) A case in which the United States, the State of Maryland, or one of their agencies and

a non-governmental entity or individual residing in Maryland are opposing parties shall be

assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the non-governmental party

resides.

Rule 501. Assignment of Cases

4. Other Civil Cases

Rule 504. Hours of Clerk’s Office

1. Hours of Actual Operation

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 62

b) Cases Involving Maryland Residents

i) A case in which all of the Maryland parties reside in the same division (a corporation’s

residence shall be its principal place of business in Maryland) shall be assigned to a judge

sitting in that division.

ii) A case in which the Maryland parties reside in different divisions of the Court shall be

assigned to a judge sitting in the division where a majority of the Maryland parties reside,

but if there is not a majority resident in either division, then the case shall be assigned to a

judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the events described in the Complaint

took place.

iii) A class action shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court where a

majority of the named plaintiffs reside, but if there is not a majority resident in either

division, then the case shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in

which the events described in the Complaint took place.

c) Cases in Which No Party Resides in Maryland

A case in which no party is a resident of Maryland shall be assigned to a judge sitting in

the division in which the events described in the Complaint took place.

RULE 502. JURY SELECTION PLAN

The Jury Selection Plan as adopted and amended from time to time by court order shall

be available for public inspection in the Clerk’s Office.

RULE 503. NO ATTORNEYS OR COURT PERSONNEL AS SURETIES

No member of the Bar, of the Clerk’s Office, of the U.S. Marshals Service, or of the

staff of any judge or magistrate judge shall act as surety on any bond or undertaking in any

action or proceeding in the Court.

RULE 504. HOURS OF CLERK’S OFFICE

1. Hours of Actual Operation

The Clerk’s Office shall be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on all days except Saturdays,

Sundays, the legal holidays specified in Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(c), and the day after Thanksgiving.

Rule 504. Hours of Clerk’s Office

2. After Hours Box

Rule 506. Photographing and Recording Court Proceedings and

Courthouse Spaces

1. Photographing, Recording, and Transmitting Court Proceedings

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 63

2. After Hours Box

For the convenience of litigants and counsel, an “after hours” or “night” box in which

filings can be made outside of normal business hours is located on the first floor of each

courthouse. The hours during which each box is accessible are posted on the Court’s

website and at the entrance to each courthouse.

3. Emergency Contact

A representative of the Clerk’s Office may be contacted in an emergency to arrange to

accept filings. The appropriate telephone number(s) may be obtained by contacting the

Clerk’s Office during normal business hours or by consulting the website. The emergency

contact number(s) are also posted at the entrance to each courthouse.

RULE 505. COURTHOUSE SECURITY

1. Inspection of Entering Persons

All persons entering any federal court facility in this District and all items carried by

them shall be subject to appropriate screening and checking by any United States Marshal or

any security officer or any law enforcement officer on duty. Any person who refuses fully to

cooperate in such screening or checking may be denied entrance to the courthouse.

2. Confiscation of Weapons and Contraband

Any weapons (unless carried by law enforcement officers on their official duties) shall be

impounded by the person conducting inspection. Property thus impounded may be retained

for use as evidence and may be forfeited, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance

with law. Any person unlawfully carrying such property is subject to criminal prosecution.

RULE 506. PHOTOGRAPHING AND RECORDING COURT PROCEEDINGS

AND

COURTHOUSE SPACES

1. Photographing, Recording, and Transmitting Court Proceedings

Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, no court proceeding may be

photographed, video recorded, audio recorded, broadcast, televised, or otherwise transmitted

except as follows:

a. Persons presiding over naturalization proceedings may authorize the use of

cameras or video recorders during the proceedings.

b. Judges presiding over ceremonial proceedings may authorize the use of

cameras and video recorders during the proceedings.

Rule 506. Photographing and Recording Court Proceedings and

Courthouse Spaces

1. Photographing, Recording, and Transmitting Court Proceedings

Rule 506. Photographing and Recording Court Proceedings and

Courthouse Spaces

3. Penalties

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 64

c. Official court reporters and official electronic recorders employed by the

Clerk’s Office shall record court proceedings, provided, however, that no

court reporter or electronic recorder shall use or permit to be used any

official recording of a court proceeding in connection with any radio or

television broadcast.

d. Any judge may authorize a court reporter privately retained by one or more

parties to record a court proceeding if any official court reporter or official

electronic recorder is unavailable or unable to perform the necessary

recording.

2. Photographing, Video Recording, and Televising Courthouse Spaces

a) Courtrooms and Other Public Spaces

Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, no courtroom or other public space in the

courthouse may be photographed, video recorded, or televised except as follows:

i. On the day of naturalization proceedings, persons being naturalized and

their families and friends may use cameras in the public spaces on the first

floor;

ii. On the day of receptions or other social events, persons attending the

event may use cameras in the space where the event is being held; and

iii. Employees of the General Services Administration and GSA architects and

contractors may use cameras in the courtrooms and other public spaces

when court is not in session.

b) Office Spaces

Cameras may not be used in any office within the courthouse except with the approval

of the person in charge of the office.

3. Penalties

Any camera, recording device, or other equipment used in violation of this Rule may be

impounded. Any violation of this Rule may be treated as a contempt of court and any

violator who is a member of the Bar may be subjected to the disciplinary action of the

Court.

Rule 507. Copying and Removal of Court Papers

1. Copying

Rule 511. [Reserved for Future Use]

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 65

RULE 507. COPYING AND REMOVAL OF COURT PAPERS

1. Copying

Requests for copies of documents which are part of the public record may be processed

by either the Clerk’s Office or the copy service designated by the Court.

2. Removal of Original Papers Prohibited

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no court paper or any paper connected with the

business of the Clerk shall be taken out of the Clerk’s Office, provided, however, that

authorized court personnel may remove such papers for the purpose of carrying them to a

courtroom or the chambers of a district judge or magistrate judge.

RULE 508. INVESTMENT OF REGISTRY FUNDS

The Court shall, by standing order, set the amount of funds deposited in the Court

Registry which shall be invested at interest. These funds shall be placed in an interest

bearing account or such other investment as is ordered by the Court. Funds in any one (1)

case will be divided as necessary to assure full F.D.I.C. coverage of principal and interest. All

funds invested at interest will be assessed a charge pursuant to the fee schedule set by the

Judicial Conference of the United States.

In the event the Clerk is not present for service of the order required by Fed. R. Civ. P.

67, such service shall be made upon the Chief Deputy Clerk or the Finance Clerk, only.

RULE 509. PRESERVATION OF RECORDS IN ACTIONS INVOLVING TITLE

REALTY

The official file in any case involving title to realty shall be deemed to be a permanent

record of the Court and shall not be destroyed.

RULE 510. UNCLAIMED FUNDS IN THE REGISTRY

Funds in the registry unclaimed for more than five (5) years, or six (6) years if the funds

represent the unclaimed wages or proceeds from the sale of the unclaimed effects of a

deceased seaman, shall be transferred, with the approval of the Court, to the Treasury. They

may be withdrawn from the Treasury by the claimant pursuant to the procedure set forth in

28 U.S.C. § 2042.

RULE 511. [RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE]

Rule 512. Lapse in Appropriations

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 66

RULE 512. LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS

This Rule shall become effective only when Congress fails to enact legislation to fund

operations of the United States Courts. The Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1342 limits

permissible government activities in the event of such a failure to those otherwise

“authorized by law” or those needed to meet “cases of emergency involving the safety of

human life or the protection of property.”

This Court is directly involved in the judicial process, and under the Constitution and

laws of the United States, it is always open to exercise the judicial power of the United

States. Thus, the Court must continue, even in the absence of funding by Congress, to

receive new cases, and hear and dispose of pending cases. Activities will, however, be

limited as nearly as practical to those functions necessary and essential to continue the

resolution of pending cases. The Court shall advise the United States Marshal and the

General Services Administration of the level of building and security services necessary to

maintain such court operations.

The Court finds that district judges’ staff, magistrate judges’ staff, the Clerk’s Office, the

CJA Supervising Attorney, the staff attorneys, the Probation Department, the Pretrial

Services Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Criminal Justice Act attorneys, official

court reporters, and jurors are all excepted employees essential to the continuation of court

operations. Work of all personnel shall be limited to those excepted functions set forth

above. In the event any personnel are not engaged in those services, they shall be

furloughed for the period of lapsed appropriations.

The Court will recognize that the United States Attorney, as an officer of the

Department of Justice, may have to restrict the role of the staff of the United States

Attorney’s Office to cases “essential to protect life and property.”

Rule 601. Definitions

1. The “Court” and the “Judge”

Rule 603. Special Orders in Widely Publicized and Sensational Cases

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 67

VI. MISCELLANEOUS

RULE 601. DEFINITIONS

1. The “Court” and the “Judge”

Except in the Supplemental Admiralty and Maritime Rules (see LAR(a)(3)), the terms the

“Court” and the “Judge” mean “United States Magistrate Judge” as to all proceedings

pending before a United States Magistrate Judge.

2. Statutory References

All references in these Local Rules to specific statutes or rules of procedure shall be

deemed to apply to any amended or renumbered versions of such statutes or rules as may be

promulgated in the future.

3. “Affidavit”

For purposes of these Rules, “affidavit” means either (1) a sworn statement the contents

of which are affirmed under the penalties of perjury to be true or (2) an unsworn

declaration as provided under 28 U.S.C. § 1746. Unless the applicable rule expressly requires

the affidavit to be made on personal knowledge, the statement may be made to the best of

the affiant’s knowledge, information, and belief.

RULE 602. FINES

Any attorney who fails to appear at or who is late for a proceeding scheduled by the

Court or who shall fail to submit a timely status report to the Court may be fined by the

Court up to $250.00. The Clerk shall maintain a record of fines imposed under this Rule

and shall refer to the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee of the Court for appropriate

action the name of any attorney against whom more than two (2) fines have been imposed

within five (5) years. Nothing contained in this Rule shall be construed as limiting the power

of a judge of this Court, in addition to imposing a fine hereunder, to assess costs against an

attorney for a non-appearance or lateness, or to punish any such offending attorney in any

other way for contempt of court.

RULE 603. SPECIAL ORDERS IN WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND

SENSATIONAL CASES

In a widely publicized or sensational criminal or civil case, the Court, on motion of

either party or on its own motion, in the exercise of its general powers, may issue a special

order governing such matters as extrajudicial statements by parties and witnesses likely to

interfere with the rights of the accused to a fair trial by an impartial jury, the seating and

conduct in the courtroom of spectators and news media representatives, the management

Rule 603. Special Orders in Widely Publicized and Sensational Cases

Rule 606. Civility

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 68

and sequestration of jurors and witnesses, and any other matters which the Court may deem

appropriate for inclusion in such an order.

RULE 604. SUSPENSION OF RULES

For good cause shown, the Court may, in a particular case, suspend the provisions of any

of these Rules upon application of a party or upon its own motion and may order

proceedings in accordance with its direction.

ULE 605. AMENDMENT OF RULES

1. Regular Procedure

The Court shall consider proposed amendments to these Rules at least every three (3)

years. Any person may submit proposed amendments to the Chief Judge. Any such

proposals will be reviewed by the Rules and Forms Committee of the Court which will

recommend to the Court as a whole any amendments which it believes should be adopted.

At least ninety (90) days prior to the proposed effective date, the Court will cause to be

published on the Court’s website notice of the substance of any amendment (subject to

public notice and comment) which a majority of the members of the Court have agreed

should be adopted. The Clerk shall maintain for public inspection copies of any proposed

amendments. Any member of the public may submit comments on a proposed amendment

to the Chief Judge within thirty (30) days of the first public notice of the proposed

amendment or such later date as may be set by the Court. The Court will take final action

upon the proposed amendments after giving consideration to any such comments which

have been submitted. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the effective date of any

amendment shall be July 1st of the year in which it is adopted.

2. Expedited Procedure

When the Court determines that there is an immediate need to implement either a new

rule or an amendment to an existing rule, including a technical, clarifying, or conforming

amendment, the Court may adopt the rule or amendment without complying with the

procedure set forth in L.R. 605.1. If such a rule or amendment is adopted, public notice of

it shall be given promptly after its adoption, and it shall be submitted for public

consideration in accordance with L.R. 605.1 during the next regular amendment cycle.

RULE 606. CIVILITY

The Court expects all of its judges and all counsel to conduct themselves in a

professional and courteous manner in connection with all matters pending before the Court.

Rule 607. Alternative Dispute Resolution

1. Authorization of ADR

Rule 607. Alternative Dispute Resolution

5. Arbitration

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 69

RULE 607. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

1. Authorization of ADR

The Court authorizes the use of all alternative dispute resolution processes in civil

actions, including adversary proceedings in bankruptcy. The magistrate judges of the Court

shall constitute the panel of neutrals made available by the Court for use by the parties. The

provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 455 shall govern the disqualification of a magistrate judge from

serving as a neutral. The parties may agree to the use of a neutral other than a magistrate

judge.

2. Consideration of ADR

Litigants in all civil cases shall consider using the ADR process provided by the Court at

an appropriate stage in the litigation.

3. Attendance at ADR Proceedings

Trial counsel for each party, as well as a party representative having full settlement

authority, shall attend each settlement conference held by the Court. If insurance coverage

may be applicable, a representative of the insurer, having full settlement authority, shall

attend.

4. Confidentiality

The Court’s ADR process is confidential. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties and the

Court, no disclosure shall be made to anyone, including the judicial officer to whom the case

is assigned, of any dispute resolution communication that in any respect reveals the dispute

resolution positions of the parties or advice or opinions of neutrals. No such

communication shall be admissible in any subsequent proceeding except as permitted by the

Federal Rules of Evidence.

5. Arbitration

Actions may be referred to arbitration only in accordance with the provisions of 28

U.S.C. § 654. Consent to arbitration must be freely and knowingly given. No party or

attorney shall be prejudiced in any way for refusing to participate in arbitration.

Rule 701. Admission

1. Qualifications

Rule 701. Admission

1. Qualifications

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 70

VII. ATTORNEY ADMISSION, ASSISTANCE,

AND DISCIPLINE

RULE 701. ADMISSION

1. Qualifications

a) General

Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Rule, an attorney is qualified for admission

to the Bar of this District if the attorney is, and continuously remains, an active member in

good standing of the Supreme Court of Maryland, or if the attorney is not a member of the

Supreme Court of Maryland, an active member in good standing of the highest court of any

state (or the District of Columbia) and also an active member in good standing of any

United States District Court; is of good private and professional character; is familiar with

the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and

these Local Rules; is (to the extent relevant to his or her area(s) of practice) familiar with the

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Local

Bankruptcy Rules, and substantive Maryland statutory and common law; and is willing,

available and competent to accept appointments by the Court to represent indigent parties in

civil cases in this District unless the acceptance of such appointments is inconsistent with an

attorney’s professional employment obligations as, for example, a government attorney.

Although not required, an attorney admitted to the Bar of this Court who is not also a

member of the Maryland Bar is strongly urged to consider retaining local counsel when

appearing on matters involving Maryland law.

b) Federal Government Attorneys

An attorney who is a member of a Federal Public Defender’s Office, the Office of the

United States Attorney for this District, or other federal government lawyer, is qualified for

admission to the Bar of this District for purposes relating to her or his employment if the

attorney is an active member in good standing of the highest court of any state (or the

District of Columbia); is of good private and professional character; is familiar with the

Code of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Criminal

Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and

these Local Rules.

c) Non-Maryland Lawyers Maintaining Any Law Office in Maryland

An attorney who is not a member of the Maryland Bar is not qualified for admission to

the Bar of this District if the attorney maintains any law office in Maryland. For the

purposes of this subsection, an attorney shall be deemed to maintain an office in Maryland

Rule 701. Admission

1. Qualifications

Rule 701. Admission

2. Procedure

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 71

if a Maryland address is used by that attorney on any document filed in this Court for

purposes of satisfying L.R. 102.1.b. However, if an attorney is a member of a law firm

having offices in multiple jurisdictions, an attorney who is a member of such a firm shall not

be deemed to maintain a law office in Maryland if that attorney does not maintain a regular

physical presence in the Maryland office of the firm. Failure of an attorney to satisfy this

continuing requirement may result in the attorney either being moved to ineligible status or

subjected to expedited remedial action as provided for in L.R. 705.1.i.

2. Procedure

a) Original Applications

Each applicant for admission to the Bar shall file an application, accompanied by a

motion filed by the applicant’s sponsor. The application and motion shall be on forms

prescribed by the Court and shall be made available by the Clerk to applicants upon request.

The applicant’s sponsor must be a member of the Bar of this Court and must have known

the applicant for at least one (1) year. The latter requirement may be waived if the sponsor

sets forth sufficient grounds in the motion for admission to satisfy the Court that the

sponsor has reason to know that the applicant is qualified for admission. Each applicant for

admission shall also pay any original admission fee set by the Court.

b) Renewal Applications

Each member of the Bar of this Court shall submit an application to renew her or his

membership periodically as directed by the Court. The application shall be on a form

prescribed by the Court. Notice shall be sent by the Clerk to each member of the Bar of the

Court at least thirty (30) days prior to the date on which the application is due. The

applicant for renewal shall also pay any renewal fee set by the Court. A timely renewal

application shall be granted if the applicant meets all of the qualifications for admission to

the Bar of this Court and if she or he pays the renewal fee. Failure to submit a timely

renewal application or to pay the renewal fee will cause the attorney’s membership in the Bar

of this Court to be changed to inactive status.

c) Request to Resign or Withdraw an Application for Admission

i) Request. A request to resign from, or to withdraw an initial or renewal application for

admission to, the practice of law in this Court shall be submitted in writing under oath. The

request shall state that the resignation or request to withdraw an original or renewal

application is not being offered to avoid disciplinary action and that the attorney has no

knowledge of any pending investigation, action, or proceedings in any jurisdiction involving

allegations of professional misconduct by the attorney or the commission of a crime.

Rule 701. Admission

2. Procedure

Rule 701. Admission

4. Confidentiality of Attorney Records

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 72

ii) When Attorney May Not Resign or Withdraw an Application for Admission. An

attorney may not resign or withdraw an original or renewal application for admission while

the attorney is the subject of a disciplinary investigation, action, or proceeding involving

allegations of professional misconduct or the commission of a crime. A request to resign or

to withdraw an original or renewal application does not prevent or stay any disciplinary

action or proceeding against the attorney.

iii) Procedure. Upon receiving a copy of the request submitted in accordance with

section (c)(i) of this Rule, the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee shall investigate the

request and submit a recommendation to the full bench of the Court.

iv) Order of the Court. After considering the recommendation of the Disciplinary and

Admissions Committee, the Court shall enter an order accepting or denying the resignation

or request to withdraw an application. A resignation or withdrawal of an application is

effective only upon entry of an order approving it.

v) Duty of Clerk. When the Court enters an order accepting an attorney’s resignation or

permitting the withdrawal of an application, the Clerk of the Court shall strike the name of

the attorney from the register of attorneys in this Court.

vi) Effect of Resignation or Withdrawal of Application for Admission. An attorney may

not practice law in this Court after entry of an order accepting the attorney’s resignation or

permitting the withdrawal of an application.

vii) Motion to Vacate. After notice and opportunity to be heard, the Court may, at any

time, vacate or modify the order in case of intrinsic or extrinsic fraud.

3. Duty of Counsel to Notify the Clerk of Any Change in Address

Counsel must promptly notify the Clerk of any change of address, including email

address, irrespective of any changes noted on a pleading or other document.

4. Confidentiality of Attorney Records

No information contained in any bar admission application, renewal application, or an

attorney’s administrative or disciplinary record may be released by the Clerk of this Court

except by the order of the Chair of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee of the

Court or the presiding judge in a pending case, in consultation with the Committee Chair for

requests for administrative records and in consultation with the full bench in cases of

disciplinary files. However, the Clerk of Court may provide an attorney with a copy of that

attorney’s previously submitted bar admission or renewal application upon request, including

confirming the contents of these documents.

Rule 702. Student Practice

1. Eligibility

Rule 702. Student Practice

3. Petition to Practice

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 73

RULE 702. STUDENT PRACTICE

1. Eligibility

Any eligible law student in a law school accredited by the American Bar Association may,

under the conditions stated below, represent a party and appear before any bankruptcy

judge, magistrate judge, or district court judge in this District.

2. Requirements

For a student to be eligible to practice, the following requirements must be met:

a. The conduct of the case must be under the supervision of a member of

the Bar of this District and that supervisor must be present with and

prepared to assist the student at any court appearances; assume full

professional responsibility for the student’s work; and read, approve, and

co-sign all documents filed with the Court.

b. The student must be in his or her final two (2) years of law school.

c. The student must be enrolled for credit in a law school clinical program.

d. The program must maintain professional liability insurance for its activities

and those of its supervisors and participating students.

e. The student may not accept personal compensation from a client or other

source, although the supervisor or the law school clinical program may

accept compensation.

3. Petition to Practice

Before a student shall be eligible under this Rule, the dean of the student’s law school

shall file with the Clerk of this Court a petition listing the names of the enrolled students,

the names of the supervisors and the address of an office to which the Court may send all

notices in connection with this Rule. The petition shall include a certification that, in the

opinion of the dean and the faculty, the students have adequate knowledge of the procedural

rules and substantive law, and that the activities of the students will be adequately supervised

as required by this Rule. Upon written approval by the Chief Judge or a designated judge, of

this District, to be filed with the Clerk of this Court, the listed students shall be authorized

to practice pursuant to this Rule and subject to the further order of this Court. The written

approval of the said judge as to both students and supervisors shall remain in effect for

twelve (12) months from the date of approval, unless withdrawn or unless, by further

petition by the dean, the said judge shall extend the privilege.

Rule 703. Attorneys Subject to Discipline

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 74

RULE 703. ATTORNEYS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE

Any attorney practicing before this Court or who has practiced before this Court in any

way shall be deemed thereby to have conferred disciplinary jurisdiction upon the Court for

any alleged misconduct of that attorney. To the extent appropriate, all Rules set forth herein

as applicable to attorneys admitted to practice before the Court shall also be deemed

applicable to and enforceable against any attorney participating in any manner in any

proceeding in this Court, whether or not admitted to practice before the Court.

RULE 704. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

This Court shall apply the Rules of Professional Conduct as they have been adopted by

the Supreme Court of Maryland.

RULE 705. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

1. Attorney Misconduct

a) Allegations of Misconduct

If allegations of misconduct which, if substantiated, would warrant discipline of an

attorney, come to the attention of a judge of this Court, the judge may refer the matter to

the Court’s Disciplinary and Admissions Committee. Upon referral, the Disciplinary and

Admissions Committee may either (1) conduct its own investigation or (2) it may decline to

take action and instead refer the matter to either the Maryland Attorney Grievance

Commission, or the state bar authority serving as the basis for the attorney-respondent’s

membership in this Court’s Bar. If after its initial review, the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee finds that further investigation is necessary, it may recommend to the Court the

appointment of an attorney-investigator as provided for in L.R. 705.1.b. If the Disciplinary

and Admissions Committee finds no reasonable basis for additional investigation, it may

recommend to the Court either (1) the initiation of formal proceedings under L.R. 705.1.c

or (2) the imposition of a warning, conditional diversion agreement, or additional conditions

as permitted by L.R. 705.1.h. If the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee finds no basis

for discipline, it may dismiss the matter and advise the attorney-respondent by letter.

b) Appointment of Attorney-Investigator

The Court, upon the recommendation of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee,

may appoint one or more members of the Bar of the Court as attorney-investigators to

conduct the investigation. Notice of any such appointment shall be given to the attorney-

respondent, and the attorney-respondent may move to disqualify any appointed attorney-

investigator within fourteen (14) days of mailing the notice of appointment to the attorney-

respondent’s address on file with the Clerk’s Office. After the conclusion of the

investigation, the attorney-investigator(s) shall submit to the Disciplinary and Admissions

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 75

Committee a report and recommendation that a formal proceeding be held or that the

matter be disposed of by dismissal, warning, deferral, or otherwise. Upon review of the

attorney-investigator’s report and recommendation, the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee shall recommend to the Court whether to (1) initiate formal proceedings under

L.R. 705.1.c; (2) impose a warning, conditional diversion agreement, or additional conditions

as permitted by L.R. 705.1.h.; or (3) dismiss the matter and advise the attorney-respondent

and attorney-investigator by letter.

c) Initiation of Formal Proceedings

If formal disciplinary proceedings are to be initiated, the Court shall issue an order

requiring the attorney-respondent to show cause within thirty (30) days after service of the

order why the attorney-respondent should not be disciplined. A copy of the attorney-

investigator’s report and recommendation shall accompany the show cause order. A copy of

any exhibits to the report and recommendation shall be made available to the attorney-

respondent upon request.

d) Disciplinary Hearing

If the attorney-respondent’s answer to the show cause order raises any issue of material

fact to which the attorney-respondent wishes to be heard or if the attorney-respondent

wishes to be heard in mitigation, a disciplinary hearing shall be held and, insofar as possible

and necessary, the attorney-investigator may be assigned to prosecute the case. If no

attorney-investigator has been previously appointed in this matter, and an attorney-

investigator is necessary in this case, the Court will appoint an attorney-investigator as

provided by L.R. 705.1.b.

e) Recommendation and Final Action

i) Following the disciplinary hearing, the presiding judge or panel of judges shall prepare

a report and recommendation of appropriate remedy and/or sanction as provided in L.R.

705.1.h for consideration by the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee. The Disciplinary

and Admissions Committee shall then recommend final action on the disciplinary matter for

consideration by the Court. The Court will determine final action in the matter, and the

Chief Judge will issue an appropriate order on behalf of the Court.

ii) If no hearing is held, the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee shall recommend

an appropriate remedy and/or sanction to the Court, as provided in L.R. 705.1.h. The Court

will review the Committee’s recommendation and determine final action in the matter. The

Chief Judge will then issue an appropriate order on behalf of the Court.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 76

f) Confidentiality

Proceedings under L.R. 705.1 shall be confidential unless otherwise ordered in a final

order in a disciplinary proceeding, except that any opinion and order entered by the Court

disbarring, suspending, or publicly reprimanding an attorney-respondent shall be placed on

the public record, along with any panel’s report and recommendation and exhibits, but only

if said exhibits are expressly incorporated into the final order. An attorney-investigator’s

report and supporting materials shall not be publicly disclosed without prior approval by the

Disciplinary and Admissions Committee.

g) Disbarment by Consent While Under Disciplinary Investigation or Prosecution

i) An attorney-respondent may consent to disbarment while a disciplinary investigation

or proceeding is pending against that attorney by delivering to the Clerk an affidavit stating

that the attorney-respondent desires to consent to disbarment and that: (1) the attorney-

respondent’s consent is freely and voluntarily rendered; (2) the attorney-respondent is not

being subjected to coercion or duress; (3) the attorney-respondent is fully aware of the

implications of so consenting; (4) the attorney-respondent is aware that there is presently

pending an investigation or proceeding involving allegations that there exists grounds for the

attorney-respondent’s discipline, the nature of which the attorney-respondent shall

specifically set forth; (5) the attorney-respondent acknowledges that the material facts so

alleged are true, unless such acknowledgment would involve the admission of a crime; and

(6) the attorney-respondent so consents because the attorney-respondent knows that if

charges were predicated upon the matters under investigation, or if the proceeding were

prosecuted, the attorney-respondent could not provide a sufficient defense.

ii) Upon receipt of the required affidavit, the Clerk shall promptly refer the affidavit to

the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee to review the petition and to determine if a

hearing is necessary. If the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee finds good cause that

disbarment by consent is appropriate without a hearing, the Court shall enter an order

disbarring the attorney-respondent.

iii) The order disbarring the attorney-respondent by consent, and the required affidavit,

shall be a matter of public record.

h) Available Sanctions and Remedies for Misconduct

i) Regardless of an attorney-respondent’s consent to the sanction, the Court may impose

upon the attorney-respondent the following sanctions: disbarment, suspension, or public or

private reprimand for professional conduct.

ii) At any point in a disciplinary proceeding, the Court may, upon recommendation of

the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee, choose to terminate the disciplinary proceeding

and either issue a warning or authorize entering into a conditional diversion agreement with

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 77

the attorney-respondent. Neither a warning nor a conditional diversion agreement

constitutes discipline by this Court.

iii) Regardless of an attorney-respondent’s consent, the Court may impose one or more

of the following conditions on an attorney-respondent in lieu of, or in addition to, either

disciplinary sanctions, a warning, or a conditional diversion agreement: (1) demonstration

through the report of a health care professional or other proper evidence that the attorney-

respondent is mentally and physically competent to resume the practice of law; (2)

engagement of an attorney who is satisfactory to the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee to monitor an attorney-respondent’s legal practice; (3) proof that former clients

have been reimbursed for any part of fees paid in advance for legal services not completed;

(4) satisfaction of any judgment providing reimbursement for any claim that arose out of the

attorney-respondent’s practice of law; (5) restitution to any client of any sum found to be

due to the client; (6) limitations on the nature or extent of the attorney-respondent’s future

practice of law in this Court; (7) payment of costs assessed by the Court; (8) issuance of an

apology; or (9) participation in a program tailored to individual circumstances that provides

the attorney-respondent with law office management assistance, lawyer assistance, treatment

for alcohol or substance abuse, psychological counseling, or specified courses in legal ethics,

professional responsibility, or continuing education. For good cause shown, the Court may

impose additional reasonable conditions not explicitly provided for in this paragraph.

iv) The Court retains the authority to require an attorney-respondent to perform

conditions, even if the attorney-respondent has not been formally disciplined, if it appears

that the conditions would benefit the attorney-respondent’s practice and possibly prevent

foreseeable acts that may warrant discipline.

v) Any conditions this Court imposes on an attorney-respondent shall not constitute

reportable disciplinary sanctions unless ordered by the Court or accompanied by a sanction

of disbarment, suspension, or public reprimand.

i) Expedited Disciplinary or Remedial Action

i) Upon receipt of information that an active member of the Bar is engaging in

professional misconduct and poses an immediate threat of causing (1) death or substantial

bodily harm to another; (2) substantial injury to the financial interest or property of another;

or (3) substantial harm to the administration of justice, including a failure to respond to

disciplinary investigation-related inquiries or court orders, the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee may recommend the Court immediately suspend the attorney-respondent

pending a disciplinary investigation under L.R. 705.1.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

1. Attorney Misconduct

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 78

ii) If the Court accepts the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee’s recommendation,

then the Court shall issue an order (1) immediately suspending the attorney-respondent’s

membership in the Bar pending an investigation under L.R. 705.1 and (2) giving the

attorney-respondent thirty (30) days to show cause why the suspension should not continue

until the Court issues a final order in the disciplinary proceeding.

iii) If the attorney-respondent does not file a timely response to the initial suspension

order, then the suspension shall continue until the Court issues a final order in the

disciplinary proceeding.

iv) If the attorney-respondent files a timely response, the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee shall recommend to the Court whether the suspension shall continue through

the end of the disciplinary proceeding. The Court shall then issue an order either

terminating the suspension or reinstating or continuing the suspension of the attorney-

respondent pending completion of the disciplinary proceeding.

j) Referrals and Complaints from Outside the Court

i) Upon receipt of a complaint from the public, a current or former litigant, or Maryland

Bar Counsel (or a similar state bar authority if located outside of the District) concerning

alleged incapacity or professional misconduct in this Court by an active member of this

Court’s Bar, the Chair of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee shall make an initial

investigation and ensure that the complaint is not facially frivolous or unfounded. In

evaluating the complaint, the Chair of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee may

contact the attorney-respondent and obtain an informal response to the allegations, as well

as contact the complainant for additional information.

ii) If the Chair of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee concludes that the

complaint is either frivolous, unfounded, or fails to allege facts which, if true, would

demonstrate either professional misconduct or incapacity, the Chair may dismiss the

complaint and notify the complainant, the attorney named in the complaint, state bar

authority, and the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee of the dismissal. Otherwise, the

Chair shall refer the complaint to the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee for further

review and investigation as provided under L.R. 705.1.a. The Chair shall also advise the

referring state bar authority of the referral to the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee.

iii) Nothing in this subsection shall permit the Chair of the Disciplinary and Admissions

Committee to dismiss a Committee referral by a judge of this Court without the referring

judge’s consent. Any referral by a judge of this Court shall be referred for investigation as

provided under L.R. 705.1.a.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

2. Criminal Convictions

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

2. Criminal Convictions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 79

2. Criminal Convictions

a) Serious Crimes

i) Definition. For purposes of this Rule, the term “serious crime” shall include any

felony and any lesser crime a necessary element of which, as determined by the statutory or

common law definition of such crime in the jurisdiction where the finding of guilt or

judgment was entered, involved false swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, willful failure to file

income tax returns, deceit, bribery, extortion, misappropriation, theft, or an attempt or a

conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit any of the above.

ii) Suspension. Upon receipt of a finding of guilt or certified copy of a judgment of

conviction demonstrating that any attorney admitted to practice before the Court has been

found guilty or convicted of a serious crime in any court of the United States, or the District

of Columbia, or of any state, territory, commonwealth or possession of the United States,

the Court shall enter an order immediately suspending the attorney, whether the finding of

guilt or conviction resulted from a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or from a verdict after

trial or otherwise, and regardless of the pendency of any appeal. Such order shall direct the

attorney-respondent to show cause within thirty (30) days why disbarment or some lesser

punishment should not be imposed. A copy of such order shall immediately be served upon

the attorney-respondent.

iii) Imposition of Discipline. After the show cause period has ended, the Court’s

Disciplinary and Admissions Committee will review the finding of guilt or conviction, as

well as any response. If the attorney-respondent’s response includes a request for a hearing,

the matter shall be assigned for a prompt hearing as provided for in L.R. 705.1.d. Absent

such a request, the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee may (a) appoint an attorney-

investigator pursuant to L.R. 705.1.b; (b) conduct a disciplinary hearing pursuant to L.R.

705.1.d; or (c) recommend final action to the full bench, which may include any disciplinary

sanction or condition available under L.R. 705.1.h.

iv) Lifting of Discipline. In the event that an attorney-respondent’s underlying finding

of guilt or conviction is reversed or vacated and that attorney-respondent has had imposed

disciplinary sanction or condition imposed under the provisions of this Rule, the attorney-

respondent will not be reinstated immediately but must apply for reinstatement under L.R.

705.4.

v) Attorney’s Duty to Disclose. Upon a finding of guilt or conviction of a serious crime

in any court of the United States or the District of Columbia, or in a court of any state,

territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States, any attorney admitted to

practice before this Court shall promptly inform the Clerk of such finding of guilt or

conviction and provide a copy of the finding, conviction, or order within thirty (30) days

after the entry thereof.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

2. Criminal Convictions

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

3. Discipline Imposed by Other Courts

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 80

b) Other Crimes

The Disciplinary and Admissions Committee may, pursuant to L.R. 705.1, initiate a

disciplinary proceeding against any attorney who has been convicted of any crime other than

a serious crime.

3. Discipline Imposed by Other Courts

a) Attorney’s Duty to Disclose

Upon being subjected to public discipline or being enjoined from the practice of law by

any other court of the United States or the District of Columbia, or by a court of any state,

territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States, any attorney admitted to

practice before this Court shall promptly inform the Clerk of such action and provide a

copy of the order or document imposing discipline within thirty days (30) after the

imposition of discipline.

b) Notification to Attorney

Upon the receipt of a copy of a judgment or order demonstrating that an attorney

admitted to practice before this Court has been disbarred, suspended, publicly reprimanded,

or enjoined from the practice of law by another court, this Court shall forthwith issue a

notice directed to the attorney-respondent containing:

i. a copy of the judgment or order from the other court;

ii. an order immediately suspending the attorney-respondent, in the event the

discipline imposed by the other court consists of suspension or

disbarment, or an order enjoining the attorney-respondent from the

practice before this Court, in the event the attorney-respondent has been

enjoined from the practice of law; and

iii. an order directing the attorney-respondent to show cause within thirty (30)

days after service of the order why identical action by this Court would be

unwarranted.

c) Stay

In the event the discipline or injunction imposed in the other jurisdiction has been

stayed, any reciprocal action imposed by this Court shall be deferred until such stay expires.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

3. Discipline Imposed by Other Courts

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

4. Reinstatement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 81

d) Imposition of Identical Discipline

This Court shall impose identical discipline to that imposed by the other court unless the

attorney-respondent demonstrates, or this Court finds, upon the face of the record upon

which the discipline or injunction in another jurisdiction is predicated, it clearly appears:

i. the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to

constitute a deprivation of due process; or

ii. there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct as to give

rise to the clear conviction that this Court could not, consistent with its

duty, accept as final the conclusion of the other court on that subject; or

iii. the imposition of the same discipline by this Court would result in grave

injustice; or

iv. the misconduct established is deemed by this Court to warrant substantially

different discipline or injunctive action.

Where this Court determines any of the above elements exist, it shall enter such other

order as it deems appropriate.

e) Treatment of Disciplinary Sanctions in Other Jurisdictions

For the purposes of this subsection, this Court shall treat public censures imposed by

another bar authority as identical to a public reprimand imposed by this Court. This Court

shall not impose reciprocal discipline for another bar authority’s imposition of any level of

discipline other than disbarment, suspension, or public reprimand.

4. Reinstatement

a) When Court Order Required

An attorney suspended for ninety (90) days or less shall be automatically reinstated at the

end of the period of suspension upon the filing with the Court of an affidavit of

compliance with the provisions of the order. An attorney suspended for more than ninety

(90) days or disbarred may not resume practice until reinstated by order of this Court,

pursuant to a petition for reinstatement filed by the suspended attorney.

b) Time of Application Following Disbarment or Suspension for an Indefinite Period

An attorney who has been disbarred after hearing or by consent may not apply for

reinstatement until the expiration of at least five (5) years from the effective date of the

disbarment. In the case of reciprocal discipline, an attorney who has been indefinitely

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

4. Reinstatement

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

4. Reinstatement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 82

suspended may only apply for reinstatement upon proof that the attorney has been

reinstated by the court in which the attorney was disciplined.

c) Hearing on Application

i) Petitions for reinstatement by a disbarred or suspended attorney shall be

filed with the Clerk. Upon receipt of the petition, the Clerk shall promptly

refer the petition to the Court’s Disciplinary and Admissions Committee

for review and determination whether a hearing is necessary. If the

Disciplinary and Admissions Committee finds good cause that

reinstatement is appropriate without a hearing, then the Court, if in

agreement, may grant the petition for reinstatement. If the Disciplinary

and Admissions Committee determines on the basis of the papers filed

that reinstatement is not appropriate and a hearing is not necessary, then

the Court, if in agreement, may deny the petition for reinstatement.

ii) Otherwise, the Chief Judge shall assign the matter for prompt hearing.

The judge or judges assigned to the matter shall, within thirty (30) days

after referral, schedule a hearing at which the petitioner shall have the

burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence the petitioner

has the moral qualifications, competency, and learning in the law required

for admission to practice law before this Court and the petitioner’s

resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the integrity

and standing of the Bar or to the administration of justice, or subversive

of the public interest.

d) Appointment of Attorney-Investigator

The Court may, pursuant to L.R. 705.1.b, appoint an attorney-investigator to investigate

whether the petition for reinstatement should be granted and to participate in the

reinstatement hearing.

e) Conditions of Reinstatement

If the petitioner is found unfit to resume the practice of law, the petition shall be

dismissed. If the petitioner is found fit to resume the practice of law, the Court may enter

an order of reinstatement, provided the order may make reinstatement conditional upon the

payment of all or part of the costs of the proceedings, upon the making of partial or

complete restitution to parties harmed by the petitioner whose conduct led to the

suspension or disbarment, or upon any of the conditions identified in L.R. 705.1.h. If the

petitioner has been suspended or disbarred for five (5) years or more, reinstatement may be

conditioned upon the furnishing of proof of competency and learning in the law, which

proof may include certification by the bar examiners of a state or other jurisdiction of the

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

4. Reinstatement

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

6. Definitions

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 83

petitioner’s successful completion of an examination for admission to practice subsequent to

the date of suspension or disbarment.

f) Successive Petitions

No petition for reinstatement shall be filed within one (1) year following an adverse

judgment upon a petition for reinstatement filed by or on behalf of the same person.

5. Dissemination of Information

a) To Other Courts

Whenever this Court has either criminally convicted, disbarred, suspended, or publicly

reprimanded an active member of this Court’s Bar, and the attorney is an active member of

the bar of any other jurisdiction or court, the Clerk shall, within fourteen (14) days of the

conviction, disbarment, suspension, or public reprimand, transmit to the disciplinary

authority in such other jurisdiction or court, a certificate of the conviction or a certified copy

of the judgment or order of disbarment, suspension, or public reprimand, as well as to the

last known office and residence addresses of the defendant or respondent. This provision

shall not apply to discipline imposed under L.R. 705.3 when this Court only imposes

discipline identical to the discipline imposed by another court or bar authority.

b) To the American Bar Association

Unless otherwise directed in a final order of the Court, the Clerk shall promptly notify

the National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank operated by the American Bar Association of

any order disbarring, suspending, or publicly reprimanding any attorney-respondent

admitted to practice before this Court.

6. Definitions

a) “Court”

For purposes of L.R. 705, whenever an action or order is issued or taken by “the Court,”

the action or order shall first be reviewed and approved by a majority of the district judges,

present and voting, sitting en banc. Any subsequent order shall be signed by the Chief Judge

on behalf of the Court.

b) “Judge” and “Clerk”

For purposes of L.R. 705, “judge” includes district judges, magistrate judges, and

bankruptcy judges of this Court, and “Clerk” includes the Clerk of Court and any deputy

clerk of the District Court.

Rule 705. Disciplinary Proceedings

6. Definitions

Rule 706. Fee Agreements

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 84

c) “Hearing”

Whenever a hearing is required under L.R. 705 or otherwise authorized by the Court in

connection with an attorney’s application for membership or continued membership in this

Court’s Bar, the hearing shall be before one (1) or more judges of the Court. If the hearing

is predicated upon the complaint of a judge of this Court, the hearing shall be conducted

before a panel of three (3) other judges of this Court appointed by the Chief Judge or, if

there are less than three (3) judges eligible to serve or the Chief Judge is the complainant,

the panel shall be appointed by the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. At

least one district judge shall serve on each panel.

d) “Attorney-Respondent”

For purposes of L.R. 705, the term “attorney-respondent” shall refer to any attorney

referred to the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee or otherwise subject to a pending

investigation or disciplinary sanction.

e) Service of Papers on Attorney-Respondent

Unless otherwise ordered, the Clerk shall serve all orders initiating a case under L.R. 705

to an attorney-respondent by certified mail at the attorney-respondent’s last known address

on file with the Clerk’s Office. All subsequent orders and papers shall be served by regular

mail either to the attorney-respondent’s address most recently stated in a document filed by

the attorney-respondent in the case, or to the attorney-respondent’s last known address on

file with the Clerk’s Office. Service in all cases is complete upon mailing consistent with this

subsection. In the event counsel represents an attorney-respondent, service will be made on

the attorney-respondent as well as counsel.

RULE 706. FEE AGREEMENTS

In any civil case, other than cases governed by the Prison Litigation Reform Act, where

counsel is appointed by the Court to represent a party, counsel may request that the party to

be represented enter into a contingent fee agreement. The agreement shall not require the

payment of attorneys’ fees in an amount greater than 25% of any recovery if the case is

settled, nor greater than 33

% of any amount awarded after a trial. The agreement may not

require the plaintiff to pay litigation expenses unless such payment is approved by the Court.

In cases where there is a statutory provision for attorneys’ fees, the contingent fee shall be

reduced by any statutory fees.

Rule 801. Scope

Rule 802. Scheduling Conference

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 85

VIII. PATENTS

RULE 801. SCOPE

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, these Rules apply to all civil actions filed in or

transferred to this Court in which one or more parties (a) assert claims of patent

infringement; (b) seek a declaratory judgment that a patent is not infringed, is invalid, or is

unenforceable; (c) seek an order pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 256 directing the Director of

Patents of the United States Patent Office to issue a certificate to correct an error regarding

the identity of inventors; or (d) assert a claim pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 292 for false marking.

Section I of the Local Rules of this Court shall also apply to such actions, except to the

extent that they are inconsistent with the Local Rules in this Section VIII.

RULE 802. SCHEDULING CONFERENCE

Within seven (7) days after an Answer has been filed or, with respect to a case that has

been transferred to this District, within seven (7) days after the case has been docketed,

Plaintiff’s counsel shall contact all counsel and Chambers to arrange a telephone conference

between counsel for the parties and Chambers for the purpose of scheduling a Scheduling

Conference. Counsel should be prepared to address the following issues during the

Scheduling Conference:

a. Proposed modification of the obligations or deadlines set forth in Section

VIII of the Local Rules;

b. The scope and timing of discovery, including expert witness disclosures

and expert witness depositions, and limits on the total number of hours of

fact witness depositions;

c. The scope and timing of dispositive motions;

d. Limits on the number of patent claims that can be construed by each party;

e. The format of the Claim Construction Hearing, including whether the

Court will hear live testimony, the order of presentation, and the estimated

length of the hearing;

f. How the parties intend to educate the Court on the patent(s) at issue;

g. The need for any Confidentiality Order in accordance with L.R. 104.13;

Rule 802. Scheduling Conference

Rule 803. Discovery

2. Objections

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 86

h. Whether any party intends to seek discovery of electronically stored

information and whether the parties have reached an agreement on such

discovery. (The Court will expect that counsel will have reviewed the

Principles for the Discovery of Electronically Stored Information in Civil

Cases, published on the Court’s website.);

i. Whether the parties unanimously consent to proceed before a United

States Magistrate Judge;

j. Whether the parties jointly request an early settlement or ADR conference;

and

k. The applicability and propriety of the form of Stipulated Order referenced

in L.R. 104.13.

Unless justice requires otherwise, the Court will approve reasonable adjustments to the

deadlines set forth in Section VIII of the Local Rules when (1) all parties agree to the

adjustments; (2) a case involves particularly complex technologies or a large number of

patents; (3) the parties include non-U.S. entities or individuals; or (4) a substantial portion of

the testimonial or documentary evidence will require translation to English.

RULE 803. DISCOVERY

1. Commencement

Subject to L.R. 803.2, discovery shall be conducted in accordance with L.R. 104 and shall

not commence until the issuance of a Scheduling Order.

2. Objections

Except as provided in this Rule or as otherwise ordered, it shall not be a ground for

objecting to an opposing party’s discovery request (e.g., interrogatory, document request,

request for admission, deposition question) that the discovery request or disclosure

requirement is premature in light of, or otherwise conflicts with, Section VIII of the Local

Rules. A party may object, however, to responding to the following categories of discovery

requests on the ground that they are premature in light of the timetable provided in Section

VIII of the Local Rules:

a. Requests seeking to elicit a party’s claim construction position;

b. Requests seeking to elicit from the patent claimant a comparison of the

asserted claims and the accused apparatus, product, device, process,

method, act, or other instrumentality;

Rule 803. Discovery

2. Objections

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 87

c. Requests seeking to elicit from an accused infringer a comparison of the

asserted claims and the prior art; and

d. Requests seeking to elicit from an accused infringer the identification of

any advice of counsel, and related documents.

Where a party properly objects to a discovery request as set forth above, that party shall

provide the requested information on the date on which it is required to be provided to an

opposing party under Section VIII of the Local Rules or as set by the Court, unless there are

other legitimate grounds for objection.

RULE 804. DISCLOSURES

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases other than those arising under the

Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355), in which a party has asserted a claim of patent

infringement, the parties shall make the following disclosures.

a) Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions

Thirty (30) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, any party claiming patent

infringement shall serve on all parties an Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions,

separately setting forth for each allegedly infringing party, the following information:

i. Each claim of each patent in suit that is allegedly infringed by each

allegedly infringing party, including for each claim the applicable statutory

subsections of 35 U.S.C. § 271 asserted;

ii. Separately for each allegedly infringed claim, each accused apparatus,

product, device, process, method, act, or other instrumentality (“Accused

Instrumentality”) of each allegedly infringing party of which the party is

aware. This identification shall be as specific as possible. Each product,

device, and apparatus shall be identified by name or model number, if

known. Each method or process shall be identified by name, if known, or

by any product, device, or apparatus which, when used, allegedly results in

the practice of the claimed method or process;

iii. A chart identifying specifically where each limitation of each asserted claim

is found within each Accused Instrumentality, including for each limitation

that such party contends is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶(6), the identity

of the structure(s), act(s), or material(s) in the Accused Instrumentality that

performs the claimed function;

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 88

iv. For each claim which is alleged to have been indirectly infringed, an

identification of any direct infringement and a description of the acts of

the alleged indirect infringer that contribute to or are inducing that direct

infringement. Insofar as alleged direct infringement is based on joint acts

of multiple parties, the role of each such party in the direct infringement

must be described;

v. Whether each limitation of each asserted claim is alleged to be literally

present or present under the doctrine of equivalents in the Accused

Instrumentality;

vi. For any patent that claims priority to an earlier application, the priority date

to which each asserted claim allegedly is entitled;

vii. The date of conception and the date of reduction to practice of each

asserted claim;

viii. If a party claiming patent infringement wishes to preserve the right to rely,

for any purpose, on the assertion that its own apparatus, product, device,

process, method, act, or other instrumentality practices the claimed

invention, the party shall identify, separately for each asserted claim, each

such apparatus, product, device, process, method, act, or other

instrumentality that incorporates or reflects that particular claim; and

ix. If a party claiming patent infringement alleges willful infringement, the

basis for such allegation.

b) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosure of Infringement

Contentions

With the Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions, the party claiming patent

infringement shall produce to each allegedly infringing party or make available for inspection

and copying all documents relating to:

i. Any offers to sell or efforts to market each claimed invention prior to the

date of the application for the patent (A party’s production of a document

as required herein shall not constitute an admission that such document

evidences or is prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102);

ii. The standing of the party alleging infringement with respect to each patent

upon which such allegations are based; and

iii. A copy of the file history for each patent in suit.

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 89

c) Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions in Defense of Infringement Claims

Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, each party opposing a claim of

patent infringement shall serve on all parties its Invalidity Contentions, which shall contain

the following information:

i. The identity of each item of prior art that allegedly anticipates each

asserted claim or renders it obvious. Each prior art patent shall be

identified by its number, country of origin, and date of issue. Each prior

art publication shall be identified by its title, date of publication, and where

feasible, author and publisher. Prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) shall be

identified by specifying the item offered for sale or publicly used or known,

the date the offer or use took place or the information became known, and

the identity of the person or entity which made the use or which made and

received the offer, or the person or entity which made the information

known or to whom it was made known. Prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(f)

shall be identified by providing the name of the person(s) from whom and

the circumstances under which the invention or any part of it was derived.

Prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(g) shall be identified by providing the

identities of the person(s) or entities involved in and the circumstances

surrounding the making of the invention before the patent applicant(s);

ii. Whether each item of prior art anticipates each asserted claim or renders it

obvious. If obviousness is alleged, an explanation of why the prior art

renders the asserted claim obvious, including an identification of any

combinations of prior art showing obviousness;

iii. A chart identifying where specifically in each alleged item of prior art each

limitation of each asserted claim is found, including for each limitation that

such party contends is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶(6), the identity of the

structure(s), act(s), or material(s) in each item of prior art that performs the

claimed function; and

iv. Any grounds of invalidity based on 35 U.S.C. § 101, indefiniteness under

35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶(2), or enablement or written description under 35 U.S.C.

§ 112 ¶(1) of any of the asserted claims.

Rule 804. Disclosures

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 804. Disclosures

3. Cases Arising Under the Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 90

d) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions

With the Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions, the party opposing a claim of

patent infringement shall produce or make available for inspection and copying a copy of

any prior art identified in the Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions that does not

appear in the file history of the patent(s) at issue. To the extent any such item is not in

English, an English translation of the portion(s) relied upon shall be produced.

2. Cases Seeking Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases in which a party files a complaint or

other pleading seeking a declaratory judgment that a patent is invalid, and there are no claims

for patent infringement asserted by any party, the parties shall make the following

disclosures.

a) Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions

Thirty (30) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the party seeking a declaratory

judgment of invalidity shall serve upon each opposing party its Initial Disclosure of

Invalidity Contentions that conform to L.R. 804.1.c.

b) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions

With the Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions, the party seeking a declaratory

judgment that a patent is invalid shall produce or make available for inspection and copying

the documents described in L.R. 804.1.d.

3. Cases Arising Under the Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355)

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases alleging patent infringement based

upon a Paragraph IV certification under 21 U.S.C. § 355, the parties shall make the following

disclosures.

a) Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions

Thirty (30) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the Defendant shall serve upon

the Plaintiff its Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions that conform to L.R. 804.1.c.

b) Initial Disclosure of Non-Infringement Contentions

With the Initial Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions, the Defendant shall serve upon the

Plaintiff its Initial Disclosure of Non-Infringement Contentions for any patents referred to

in Defendants Paragraph IV Certification which shall include a claim chart identifying each

claim in the patent at issue in the case and each limitation of each claim and shall specifically

Rule 804. Disclosures

3. Cases Arising Under the Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355)

Rule 804. Disclosures

4. Cases Seeking Correction of Inventors (35 U.S.C. § 256)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 91

identify for each claim which claim limitation(s) are literally absent from the Defendants

allegedly infringing Abbreviated New Drug Application or New Drug Application.

c) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosures of Invalidity and Non-

Infringement Contentions

With the Initial Disclosures of Invalidity and Non-Infringement Contentions, the

Defendant shall produce or make available for inspection and copying and produce to the

Plaintiff or make available for inspection and copying the documents described in L.R.

804.1.d, as well as a complete copy of the entire Abbreviated New Drug Application or New

Drug Application that is the basis of the case in question and any document or thing that

the Defendant intends to rely on in defense against any infringement contentions by

Plaintiff.

d) Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions

Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, Plaintiff shall serve Defendant

with an Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions for all patents referred to in

Defendants Paragraph IV Certification, which shall contain all disclosures required by L.R.

804.1.a.

e) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosure of Infringement

Contentions

Plaintiffs Initial Disclosure of Infringement Contentions shall be accompanied by the

production of documents required under L.R. 804.1.b.

4. Cases Seeking Correction of Inventors (35 U.S.C. § 256)

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases in which a party seeks an order

directing the Director of Patents to correct the inventors on a certificate of patent pursuant

to 35 U.S.C. § 256, the parties shall make the following disclosures.

a) Initial Disclosure of Contribution Contentions

Thirty (30) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, any party seeking an order

directing the Director of Patents to correct a certificate of patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C.

§ 256 by adding to or replacing the inventors identified on the certificate shall serve the

opposing parties a claim chart identifying each claim in the patent(s) at issue in the case to

which the party alleges a person or persons, not named as inventor or joint inventor on

certificate(s) of patent, made a significant contribution in conception and/or reduction to

practice, describing the contribution made by the alleged inventor or joint inventor(s), and

identifying the date each such contribution was made.

Rule 804. Disclosures

4. Cases Seeking Correction of Inventors (35 U.S.C. § 256)

Rule 804. Disclosures

5. Cases Alleging False Marking (35 U.S.C. § 292)

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 92

b) Document Production Accompanying Initial Disclosure of Contribution

Contentions.

With the Initial Disclosure of Contribution Contentions, the party seeking correction of

a certificate of patent shall produce or make available for inspection and copying and

produce to opposing parties or make available for inspection and copying:

i. All documents upon which the party asserts its standing to bring the

claim(s) pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 256; and

ii. All documents reflecting the alleged inventor or joint inventor(s)

contribution to the conception and/or reduction to practice of the

inventions described in the claims identified in the Initial Disclosure of

Contribution Contentions.

c) Documents Reflecting Conception and Reduction to Practice

Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the opposing parties shall serve

upon the disclosing party all documents reflecting or pertaining to the conception and

reduction to practice of the inventions described in the claims identified in the Initial

Disclosure of Contribution Contentions.

5. Cases Alleging False Marking (35 U.S.C. § 292)

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases in which a party alleges false marking

pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 292, the parties shall make the following disclosures.

a) Initial Disclosure of False Marking Contentions

Thirty (30) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, any party asserting a claim of

false marking pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 292 shall serve the opposing parties a chart identifying

each item or article that the party claims has been falsely marked, the patent numbers with

which the item or article was allegedly marked, the alleged expiration date of each such

patent, and, to the extent that the party contends that the item or article is not within the

inventions claimed in each such patent, the basis for each such contention.

b) Response to Initial Disclosure of False Marking Contentions.

Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the opposing parties shall serve

upon the disclosing party a chart listing each item or article identified in the Initial

Disclosure of False Marking, identifying all patent numbers with which those items and

articles were marked and the periods of time during which they were so marked, the number

of units of each item and article that were sold during each such period, and the basis for

the opposing party’s contention that the items and articles were within the inventions

claimed in each such patent.

Rule 804. Disclosures

6. Amendment to Contentions

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 93

6. Amendment to Contentions

A party may amend Contentions described in L.R. 804.1 through 804.5 upon written

consent of all parties or, for good cause shown, upon leave of the Court.

7. Advice of Counsel

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, not later than thirty (30) days after entry of the

Court’s claim construction order, each party relying upon advice of counsel as part of a

patent-related claim or defense for any reason shall:

a. Produce or make available for inspection and copying any written advice

and documents related thereto for which the attorney-client and work

product protection have been waived;

b. Provide a written summary of any oral advice and produce or make

available for inspection and copying that summary and documents related

thereto for which the attorney-client and work product protection have

been waived; and

c. Serve a privilege log identifying any documents other than those identified

in L.R. 804.7.a above, except those authored by counsel acting solely as trial

counsel, relating to the subject matter of the advice which the party is

withholding on the grounds of attorney-client privilege or work product

protection.

d. A party who does not comply with the requirements of this L.R. 804.7

shall not be permitted to rely on advice of counsel for any purpose absent

a stipulation of all parties or by order of the Court.

RULE 805. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases other than those arising under the

Hatch-Waxman Act (21 U.S.C. § 355), in which a party has asserted a claim of patent

infringement:

a) Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the party asserting

infringement shall serve on each alleged infringing party a Claim Chart

containing the following information:

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 94

i. Each claim of any patent in suit which the party alleges was infringed;

ii. Separately for each allegedly infringed claim, the identity of each

accused apparatus, product, device, process, method, act, or other

instrumentality (“Accused Instrumentality”) of each allegedly infringing

party;

iii. Whether such infringement is claimed to be literal or under the

doctrine of equivalents;

iv. Where each element of each infringed claim is found within each

Accused Instrumentality; and

v. If the party alleging infringement wishes to preserve the right to rely

on that party’s own apparatus, product, device, process, method, act, or

other instrumentality as evidence of commercial success, the party

must identify, separately for each claim, each such apparatus, product,

device, process, method, act, or other instrumentality that incorporates

or reflects that particular claim.

b) Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the party asserting

infringement shall also serve on each alleged infringing party a Proposed

Claim Construction Statement containing the following information for

each claim in issue:

i. Identification of any special or uncommon meanings of words or

phrases in the claim;

ii. All references from the specification that support, describe, or explain

each element of the claim;

iii. All material in the prosecution history that describes or explains each

element of the claim; and

iv. Any extrinsic evidence that supports the proposed construction of the

claim, including, but not limited to, expert testimony, inventor

testimony, dictionary definitions, and citations to learned treatises, as

permitted by law.

c) Ninety (90) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the alleged

infringing parties shall serve upon the party claiming infringement a

Responsive Claim Chart containing the following:

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 95

i. The identity of each item of prior art that allegedly anticipates each

asserted claim or renders it obvious. Each prior art patent shall be

identified by its number, country of origin, and date of issue. Each

prior art publication shall be identified by its title; date of publication;

and where feasible, author and publisher. Prior art under 35 U.S.C.

§ 102(b) shall be identified by specifying the item offered for sale or

publicly used or known, the date the offer or use took place or the

information became known, and the identity of the person or entity

which made the use or which made and received the offer, or the

person or entity which made the information known or to whom it was

made known. Prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(f) shall be identified by

providing the name of the person(s) from whom and the

circumstances under which the invention or any part of it was derived.

Prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(g) shall be identified by providing the

identities of the person(s) or entities involved in and the circumstances

surrounding the making of the invention before the patent applicant(s);

ii. Whether the prior art anticipates the claim or renders it obvious. If a

combination of prior art references makes a claim obvious, that

combination must be identified;

iii. Where, specifically, within each item of prior art each element of the

claim is found;

iv. All grounds of invalidity other than anticipation or obviousness of any

of the claims listed in the Claim Chart. This identification must be as

specific as possible. For example, each party asserting an enablement

defense must set forth with particularity what is lacking in the

specification to enable one skilled in the art to make or use the

invention, specifically citing information or materials obtained in

discovery to the extent feasible. Each party asserting an enablement

defense must set forth with particularity what is lacking in the

specification to enable one skilled in the art to make or use the

invention; and

v. If the claimant has alleged willful infringement, the date and a

document reference number for each opinion of counsel upon which

the party relies to support a defense to the willfulness allegation,

including, but not limited to, issues of validity and infringement of any

patent in suit.

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 96

d) Ninety (90) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the alleged

infringing parties shall serve upon the party claiming infringement a

Responsive Claim Construction Statement containing the following:

i. Identification of any special or uncommon meanings of words or

phrases in the claim in addition to those disclosed in the Proposed

Claim Construction Statement;

ii. All references from the specification that support, describe, or explain

each element of the claim in addition to or contrary to those described

in the Proposed Claim Construction Statement;

iii. All material in the prosecution history that describes or explains each

element of the claim in addition to or contrary to those described in

the Proposed Claim Construction Statement; and

iv. Any extrinsic evidence that supports the proposed construction of the

claim, including, but not limited to, expert testimony, inventor

testimony, dictionary definitions, and citations to learned treatises, as

permitted by law.

e) Amendment of a Claims Chart or a Responsive Claims Chart may be made

only on stipulation of all parties or by Order of the Court, which shall be

entered only upon a showing of excusable subsequent discovery of new

information or extraordinary good cause.

f) One hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the

parties, having met and conferred on claim construction, shall file a Joint

Claim Construction Statement which shall contain the following

information:

i. The construction of those claims and terms on which the parties agree;

ii. Each party’s proposed construction of each disputed claim and term,

supported by the same information that is required in the respective

claim construction statements; and

iii. For any party who proposes to call one or more witnesses at any claim

construction hearing, the identity of each such witness, the subject

matter of his or her testimony, and an estimate of the time required for

the testimony.

Rule 805. Claim Construction

1. Cases Involving Claims of Infringement

Rule 805. Claim Construction

2. Cases Seeking Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity

U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (July 1, 2023) 97

g) One hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the

parties shall file and serve opening briefs with supporting evidence and

identification of any proposed Claim Construction Hearing witnesses.

h) One hundred fifty (150) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the

parties shall file and serve any responsive brief and supporting evidence

directly rebutting their opponents supporting evidence and identifying any

additional proposed Claim Construction Hearing witnesses.

2. Cases Seeking Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in all cases in which a party files a complaint or

other pleading seeking a declaratory judgment that a patent is invalid and there are no claims

for patent infringement asserted by any party:

a) Sixty (60) days from the date of the Scheduling Order, the party asserting

invalidity shall serve on each alleged infringing party a Claim Chart