Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab

United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Biographical Information
Chambers e-mail: magistrate_judge_schwab@pamd.uscourts.gov
For additional information, please call: (717) 221-3980.

Staff Information

Courtroom Deputy, Amanda Endy: (717) 221-3941
amanda_endy@pamd.uscourts.gov

Chambers: (717) 221-3980

Judge Tabs

Communication

Written correspondence from counsel to the court.
Judge Schwab does not accept any written correspondence unless specifically directed by the court, in which case, counsel may correspond with her, provided that all counsel are copied. Counsel should not copy the court on correspondence between one another unless specifically directed by the court.

All requests for court action on a pending matter other than discovery disputes shall be presented by motion in compliance with the Middle District of Pennsylvania Local Rules. Discovery disputes, which should be raised by written correspondence filed to the docket in the subject case in lieu of a formal motion practice.

Inquiries
Any inquiries concerning cases should be directed to Judge Schwab’s Courtroom Deputy at (717) 221-3941. Judge Schwab does not allow communications between counsel and her law clerks, and all questions regarding scheduling and procedures should be directed to Judge Schwab’s Courtroom Deputy.

Copies of Papers

Courtesy copies of motions, briefs, and other writings for chambers.
With the advent of CM/ECF pleadings, the submission of courtesy copies to chambers is no longer necessary.

Motions

Federal Rule 26 and M.D. Pa. Local Rule 26.1 et seq. (including your approach to initial disclosures, discovery prior to Rule 16 conference) and preferences as to the matters encompassed within those Rules.
I anticipate that the parties will actively comply with discovery obligations as prescribed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the local rules in accordance with any discovery schedules previously established in a case. If no discovery schedule has been established in a case, then parties should continue to actively comply with all discovery obligations pending scheduling of the Case Management Conference, and may be required to detail discovery efforts to date at the Case Management Conference. I stand ready at any time to assist the parties in addressing and constructively resolving discovery disputes. The parties should contact my office prior to filing motions to compel or sanctions motions relating to discovery matters, so that these matters can be efficiently resolved without the need for protracted litigation.

Handling of confidentiality agreements, particularly in light of the Third Circuit’s recent opinions on the prerequisites for imposing confidentiality agreements.
I do not encourage the use of confidentiality agreements unless the matter involves some unusually sensitive material.

Preferences regarding requests for additional pages in excess of the page limitations set forth in Middle District Local Rule 7.8.
I prefer that all such requests be made by a written motion.

Trial

The extent to which counsel may influence the length of the discovery period, extensions, trial dates, etc.
As a general rule I anticipate giving counsel’s joint case management plan great weight in setting discovery and pre-trial litigation schedules. Since I am relying on counsel in this regard, I expect that the case management order’s dates and deadlines normally will not be subject to extensions, once in place, unless unusual circumstances are presented and a timely motion is made.

The average amount of time allowed for discovery in a standard track case and the extent to which the standard amount of time is varied.
I anticipate that six months will be the average amount of time allotted for discovery in a standard track case. I also expect that counsel’s agreed upon discovery deadlines will usually be acceptable, however, these deadlines typically will not be extended, absent unusual circumstances.

Procedure for scheduling trials, including whether a date certain for trial is assigned; if so, the amount of time prior to trial that such a date certain is assigned; and the extent to which it may be moved during the month in which it has been scheduled.
Whenever possible, I intend to set a date certain for jury selection in the initial case management order. I anticipate that, in case management orders, jury trials will typically be scheduled for the third Monday of the month in order to avoid trial scheduling conflicts. Typically, all juries for a particular month will be selected in the order in which the cases were assigned to that month’s trial list, and the cases will be tried in the same order in which juries were selected. I will then schedule non-jury trials by setting a certain date, after consulting with counsel.

Trial briefs submitted by counsel.
My practice is to call for submission of trial briefs, as required by the local rules, prior to the final pre-trial conferences in a case.

Counsel participation in voir dire.
In civil cases I intend to conduct a general voir dire and will usually allow counsel to supplement voir dire with pre-approved questions. In criminal cases, I intend to conduct the entire voir dire.

Whether more than one attorney may handle trial for a party.
I am pleased to allow more than one attorney to handle a trial for a party.

Pre-marking of documentary and photographic exhibits and other demonstrative evidence for trial and the date upon which exchange of exhibits is to take place, if any.
I require counsel to pre-mark and exchange exhibits, and prepare exhibit lists of pre-marked exhibits using the format available on the district court’s web-site at the pre-trial conference of the attorneys conducted prior to the final pre-trial conference with the court held under M.D.Pa. LR16.3.

Practice for the receipt of proposed jury instructions, including the form of jury instruction, and any divergence from the number of jury instructions permitted by the Middle District local rules.
I require counsel to submit proposed jury instructions in accordance with the local rules.

Written verdict form (in the form of interrogatory questions) to the jury.
I strongly encourage use of an agreed upon special verdict slip, jointly prepared by counsel.

General approach to settlement and non-jury cases and use of magistrate judges.
I will pursue settlement thoroughly in jury cases, but will refer all non-jury settlement discussions to another judge, and encourage consent before a magistrate judge.

United States District Court

Middle District of Pennsylvania

Honorable Matthew W. Brann, Chief Judge | Peter J. Welsh, Clerk of Court

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Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab

Staff Information

Judge Tabs