Preparing Setups
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Preparing Setups
Last Updated: April 2025

When a final hearing, trial, chapter 11 disclosure/confirmation hearing, or chapter 12 final confirmation hearing is scheduled, the clerk's office will print and tab the relevant documents for chambers. The proceeding memo with these attached documents is referred to as a setup.

To Prepare the Setup:

Note: Prepare the setup a few days before the hearing/trial to avoid unnecessary printing if the case settles.

  1. Determine what documents to print. Refer to list of relevant documents below. Use your best judgment for documents not listed here or check with chambers.

    Note: Chambers will print any Briefs and Summary Judgment Motions prior to the hearing.

Final Hearings

    • Motion (do not print notice or proof of service UNLESS they are relevant to the objection.)
    • Proposed Order
    • Objection(s)
    • Statement of the Case
    • List of Exhibits/Witnesses (Place the List ONLY in yellow or blue folder - not necessary to add the exhibits)
    • Any Objection to Statement of the Case/Exhibits/Witnesses
    • Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law with Memorandum/Briefs

      Note: Any preliminary motions are set separately on the calendar. Example: Motion in Limine.

Trial

    • Complaint
    • Answer
    • Joint Pretrial Statement
    • Statement of the Case
    • List of Exhibits/Witnesses (Place the List ONLY in yellow or blue folder - not necessary to add the exhibits)
    • Any Objection to Statement of the Case/Exhibits/Witnesses
    • Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law with Memorandum/Briefs

      Note: Any preliminary or dispositive motions are set separately on the calendar. Examples: Motion in Limine, Motion to Dismiss, Motion for Summary Judgment.

Chapter 11 Disclosure Hearing

    • Plan
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Any Objections to the Disclosure Statement

Chapter 11 Confirmation Hearing

    • Plan
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Any Objections to the Plan
    • 1129 Affidavit
    • Ballots and Ballot Summary

Chapter 12 Final Confirmation Hearing

    • Plan
    • Any Objections to the Plan
    • Liquidation Analysis
    • 1125 Affidavit

  1. Print the documents and staple.

    1. In ECF, select Query > Docket Report.
    2. On the Docket Sheet selection screen, check box "Create Record on Appeal."
    3. Include on the Docket Sheet: selected docket entries only.
    4. Check box "Include PDF documents."
    5. Run Report.
    6. Check only those entries you wish to print.
    7. At the bottom Click on "View Selected."  This will create a PDF document.
    8. Delete any exhibits attached to the List of Exhibits.
    9. Print.
    10. Staple/clamp each pleading.

  2. Tab each document using the small post-it flags . On the tab, write the name of the document, docket #, and the name of the filer. Refer to the list of abbreviations below.

Abbreviations:

Brf Brief
CR's Creditor
▲ Defendant's
DS Disclosure Statement
EX or Exh Exhibit
FOF & COL Findings of Fact & Conclusion of Law
Jt Joint
M/ Motion
Obj. Objection
¶'s Plaintiff's
PT Pretrial
PM Proceeding memo
RFS Relief from Stay
Stmt Statement
SJ Summary Judgment
UST U.S. Trustee
WIT Witness

  1. Place the tabbed documents in chronological order with the oldest document on top. Arrange the tabs so they are all visible. Use a clamp or rubber band to hold documents together. Place a post-it note with the hearing date and location on the setup.

  2. Give to chambers the day before the hearing.

  3. Continue to add documents as they are filed.

UPDATES:

4/23/2025 Updated directions per Calendar Clerk

03/06/19 Added note that chambers will print any briefs and summary judgment motions prior to the hearing. Modified [4.] to place the oldest document on top when preparing setup.

 

 

 

 

 

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