Local Rule 7016. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

(a) Actions exempt from scheduling order.The following categories of cases are exempt from the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) as adopted by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7016:

(1) Contested matters under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9014; unless otherwise ordered by the court; and

(2) Other actions or categories of actions as the court orders.

(b) Scheduling conference..

(1) Unless excused by the court, the parties or their counsel must appear at any scheduling conference.

(2) At the first scheduling conference, the court will consider the proposed discovery plan or request for waiver of filing discovery plan and address further pretrial and trial matters.

(c) Confirmation of consent to entry of final order or judgment at scheduling conference. At the first scheduling conference for adversary proceedings the court may inquire as to whether the respective parties do or do not consent to the entry of final orders or judgment by the bankruptcy judge.

(1) Should any party fail to consent to the entry of final orders or judgment by the bankruptcy judge, then the bankruptcy court will, on motion of one of the parties or on the court’s own motion, determine and enter an order on whether the proceeding is not subject to entry of final orders or judgment by the bankruptcy court, unless the district court withdraws the reference first.

(d) Issuance of scheduling order regarding pretrial and trial matters including trial setting.

(1) After the first scheduling conference, the court will issue a scheduling order regarding the discovery plan and may set the date for filing a joint or separate trial statement(s) and such further matters as appropriate.

(2) The court may enter any other orders regarding pretrial and trial matters as appropriate, including ordering a joint or separate trial statement or a status hearing or scheduling conference of all the parties at any time.

(3) The court may set a trial date in the scheduling order or by separate written or oral order.

(4) Continuances of trial are disfavored and will not be granted except for good cause as to why the current trial setting must be continued.

(e) Time limits for filing certain motions. Unless the court orders otherwise, the following time periods govern filing certain motions:

(1) All motions to amend the pleadings under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7015(a) or for the joinder of parties must be filed no later than 90 days prior to the close of discovery.

(2) Unless otherwise ordered, all potentially dispositive motions on any issues must be filed no later than 30 days after the close of discovery; and

(3) Motions in limine must be filed no later than 30 days before the start of trial. No reply will be permitted unless the court requests one.

(f) Settlement conference and alternative methods of dispute resolution. The court may set any adversary proceeding for settlement conference or other alternative method of dispute resolution.