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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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Hon. Michael McShane, Chief Judge

Melissa Aubin, Clerk of Court

Chief United States District Judge Michael J. McShane

Mailing Address

Wayne L. Morse United States Courthouse
Room 5700 
405 East Eighth Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401-2706

Contact Information

  • Chambers: 541-431-4150
  • Courtroom Deputy:  / 541-431-4105
  • Proposed Document Submissions:
    The e-mail address at this link is available for the receipt of submitted jury instructions and proposed forms of orders per LR 5 only and may not be used to submit filings. Unauthorized correspondence will be deleted.

All participants involved in a live court proceeding must be vaccinated to appear in court. Otherwise they are required to appear remotely.

General Inquiries

For any questions regarding a case before Judge McShane, call Judge McShane's Courtroom Deputy at 541-431-4105.

FRCP Rule 16 Conferences

Judge McShane sets Rule 16 conferences in his cases after all defendants have answered. Prior to the conference, the parties should consult regarding a discovery plan and anticipate advising Judge McShane of their plan. The parties should have their calendars available to discuss scheduling, including modification of the current case deadlines for discovery, dispositive motions or pretrial order, and setting a trial date. The parties should be prepared to discuss the pleadings, settlement options, and any other issues that may have arisen.

Discovery Issues

The parties may contact Judge McShane at (541) 431-4150 to informally resolve discovery disputes. If the parties wish to schedule a formal discovery conference in advance, they may call Judge McShane's Courtroom Deputy at 541-431-4105.

Argument on Motions

In most cases, Judge McShane will grant a request for oral argument. Telephone hearings may be set for out of town counsel if the motion is non-dispositive. In these instances, if one side will need to appear by telephone, Judge McShane will request both sides appear by telephone. Counsel is required to appear for dispositive motions.

Trial Setting

Trial is usually scheduled at the Rule 16 conference. 90 days prior to trial the court will automatically enter a trial management order which sets out the dates that certain pretrial documents are due. Pretrial conferences are in person at the Courthouse in Eugene.

Trial Managment Order - McShane.pdf

Hyperlink

The court strongly encourages counsel to hyperlink to the cases that they cite in their briefs. For more information on inserting hyperlinks in CM/ECF documents, see Section 5 of the CM/ECF User Manual.

Expedited Case Management

If the parties 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.

Jury Trial Innovations

Judge McShane will consider allowing jury trial innovations that require using up to two of the following practices: (1) using a timing order; (2) instructing the jury on the law prior to trial; (3) allowing jurors to ask questions; and (4) allowing attorneys to make mini-summations during trial. The court will address these practices during the pretrial conference and seek input from counsel about which practices may be most suitable for their case.

Judge's Copies of Filings

Except for those documents identified in the Trial Management Order, parties are exempt from Local Rule 5-10 with regard to the paper filing of documents. PLEASE DO NOT SEND JUDGE MCSHANE PAPER COPIES OF YOUR FILINGS. HE WILL ACCESS YOUR FILINGS ELECTRONICALLY AND DOES NOT NEED A COURTESY COPY.

Opportunities for Young Lawyers

Judge McShane 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 McShane 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 McShane 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.

Courtroom Rules

  • Mobile devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom.
  • Please provide advance notice when you 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.
  • During oral arguments, attorneys and witnesses should refer to parties by their proper names (Ex: "Mr. Smith" not "the defendant").
  • Please do not rise when Judge McShane enters or exits the courtroom. However, everyone will be instructed to rise for the jury.