Curriculum Vitae

Résumé - Judge Hallman

Rule 16 Conferences

Judge Hallman sets Rule 16 conferences after all defendants have answered. The parties should be prepared to discuss scheduling at the Rule 16 conference. Before the conference, the parties shall consult with each other pursuant to Rule 26(f). The parties are encouraged to e-mail a joint proposed case management schedule to Judge Hallman’s Courtroom Deputy in advance of the Rule 16 conference.

Discovery

Judge Hallman handles discovery matters informally and discourages formal motions to compel, which take extra time and resources to resolve. If the parties have a discovery dispute, they should jointly e-mail Judge Hallman’s Courtroom Deputy at the e-mail address above, and the matter will be quickly set for a telephonic hearing. 

If the parties anticipate they will need Judge Hallman’s assistance in resolving a deposition dispute, they should contact Judge Hallman’s Courtroom Deputy to advise her of the upcoming deposition date and time.

Motion Hearings

Judge Hallman will generally permit oral argument on all dispositive motions. Judge Hallman’s preference is to conduct oral argument in person at the Kilkenny Courthouse in Pendleton. However, the Court will consider requests to hold oral argument by video or telephone upon a showing of good cause. Examples of good cause include significant travel expense for the parties, health and safety concerns, or unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Parties requesting oral argument should contact Judge Hallman’s Courtroom Deputy for scheduling and, if applicable, include a request to schedule by phone or video.

Summary Judgment

Judge Hallman strongly encourages parties to only seek summary judgment on issues that involve no question of material fact or that raise significant dispositive legal issues, so as to avoid unnecessarily delaying the resolution of the case and wasting client’s money and the court’s resources. Accordingly, a moving party’s argument in favor of summary judgment should be well supported by citations to the record, which should be either to the paragraph numbers of affidavits and declarations or to the page number of any deposition excerpts. Parties are required to submit copies of all documents in an organized fashion.

Judge’s Copies

Judge Hallman waives Local Rule 5-10 and does not require paper copies of any documents filed for his consideration. Note that the rule is not waived for documents filed in Judge Hallman’s cases if those documents will be considered by another judge (unless that judge similarly waives the rule).

Pro Hac Vice Counsel

Attorneys admitted pro hac vice and their Oregon counsel should read and be familiar with the court's Local Rules, and with "The Integral Role of Local Counsel in the District of Oregon," Federal Bar Association, Oregon Chapter newsletter, Summer 2013.

Settlement Conferences

Requests to schedule a settlement conference with Judge Hallman should be directed to Judge Hallman’s Courtroom Deputy.

Settlement Conference Scheduling Order Template

Opportunities for Young Lawyers

Judge Hallman strongly encourages litigants and law firms to be mindful of opportunities for young lawyers (attorneys practicing less than 7 years) to conduct hearings before the court in tandem with more experienced attorneys, especially where young lawyers drafted or significantly contributed to motions and responses. These opportunities include oral argument as well as witness examination.

Judge Hallman believes it is important to provide young lawyers with substantive speaking opportunities to gain experience in court, as the benefits of such experience accrue to the young lawyer, clients, and the legal profession in general. However, Judge Hallman understands that, in some instances, having a young lawyer appear may not be appropriate or in the client's best interest. Therefore, an experienced attorney may supplement a young lawyer's arguments and questions with their own if necessary.

Expedited Case Management

If the parties consent to Magistrate Judge and agree to an expedited trial schedule, the court will set a case management conference to discuss limits on discovery and the need for dispositive motions. The court will make every effort to set a trial date within six months of the expedited case management conference.

Pro Se Parties

Parties proceeding pro se (representing yourself without a lawyer) should refer to the District of Oregon's Handbook for Self-Represented Parties for helpful information.

Courtroom Rules

• Pursuant to LR 83-14, wireless communication devices must be placed in silent mode while in the courthouse. Recording devices may not be used at any time in the courthouse or in any court proceedings conducted remotely using telephone conferencing, video conferencing, or any other form of electronic communication.
• The parties should provide advance notice when they require teleconferencing, intend to utilize the courtroom's video displays, or have other presentation technology questions.
• Attorneys and parties should conduct themselves with decorum and civility. This is primarily for their own benefit: jurors, courtroom staff, and public observers consistently state that they prefer a civil and collegial relationship between opposing parties and counsel.