Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr.

United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Biographical Information
Chambers e-mail: magistrate_judge_saporito@pamd.uscourts.gov
For additional information, please call Chambers at: (570) 831-2570

Staff Information

Judicial Assistant: (570) 831-2570

Chambers: (570) 831-2570
Fax: (570) 821-4009

Judge Tabs

Communication

Written correspondence from counsel to the court.
I will accept correspondence to communicate procedural information about discovery disputes and settlement efforts; however, any application for an order or extension of time must be filed on the docket.

Preferences for the use of telephone conferences rather than in person conferences for any category of conferences scheduled in connection with a case.
I prefer in-person pre-trial and settlement conferences while discovery, case management, scheduling, and status conferences may be conducted telephonically.

Inquiries
Any inquiries concerning cases should be directed to my Courtroom Deputy at (570) 831-2571 or my Judicial Assistant at (570) 831-2572.

Copies of Papers

Courtesy copies of motions, briefs, and other writings for chambers.
I do not require hard copies of motion papers. Although in cases with voluminous exhibits or briefs, I prefer that a courtesy copy be sent to chambers. Counsel should contact my Judicial Assistant, Nicole Rinaldi, 570-831-2572, with any questions.

Motions

Motions:

Preference regarding pro hac vice admissions

I prefer use of the special admission form available from the Clerk of Court or on the Court’s website.

Federal Rule 26 and M.D. Pa. Local Rule 26.1 et seq. (Including your approach to initial disclosures, discovery prior to the Rule 16 conference) and preferences as to the matters encompassed within those Rules.

Judge Saporito adheres to both federal and local rules, and prefers that discovery commence prior to the conference. Judge Saporito expects counsel to make all efforts to resolve discovery disputes. Counsel is instructed at the case management conference to initiate a conference with Judge Saporito before any discovery motion is filed. Judge Saporito will attempt to resolve the dispute. The request for a conference should be made to Judge Saporito’s Courtroom Deputy, Mary Schirra, by correspondence or 570-831-2571. Prior to the conference, counsel should submit a letter, by facsimile, containing a brief description of the nature of the dispute and copy opposing counsel.

The extent to which counsel may influence the length of the discovery period, extensions, trial dates, etc.
I prefer counsel submit confidentiality agreements by stipulation for approval.

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.
Judge Saporito adheres to the six-month discovery period for standard cases set forth in the Local Rule 26.4, unless extraordinary circumstances arise and a timely motion is brought.

Handling of confidentiality agreement, particularly in light of the Third Circuit’s recent opinions on the prerequisites for imposing confidentiality agreements.
Judge Saporito does not encourage the use of confidentiality agreements unless the matter involves 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 require a motion in order to exceed page limitations.

Trial

Trial:

The extent to which counsel may influence the length of the discovery period, extensions, trial dates, etc.
I rely upon the parties for their discovery needs in the case management plan and the schedule. I will grant reasonable extensions as the case progresses on a case-by-case basis.

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 generally allow four-six months for discovery.

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 generally set trial dates after consultation with counsel and based upon the input received, provide counsel with as much notice as they need to be fully prepared for trial.

Trial briefs submitted by counsel.

I prefer trial briefs in most cases.

Counsel participation in voir dire.

I will allow counsel to participate in voir dire.

Whether more than one attorney may handle trial for a party.

I will allow multiple attorneys to handle a case for a party at trial, but will not allow more than one attorney to question an individual witness.

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 by the time of the pre-trial conference.

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 at least one month prior to trial so that I can make appropriate rulings and provide the parties with the jury instructions before the trial itself commences.

Written verdict form (in the form of interrogatory questions) to the jury.

I ask counsel to propose such forms, jointly prepared by counsel, and then prepared forms will be tailored.

General approach to settlement and non-jury cases and use of magistrate judges.

I will pursue settlement thoroughly in jury cases, unless agreed otherwise by counsel, and I refer all nonjury settlement discussions to another judge or mediator.

United States District Court

Middle District of Pennsylvania

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

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Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr.

Staff Information

Judge Tabs