New Judge Orientation Program

Location Banc Room, 47 Trinity Avenue

Tentative Agenda

9:30 a.m.	Coffee and Doughnuts

Welcome by Chief Judge Miller and Judge Ellington

9:45 a.m.	Panel 1 Discussion Led by Presiding Judge Barnes

10:30 a.m.	Panel 2 Discussion Led by Presiding Judge Smith

11:15 a.m.	Tour of Clerk's Office

11:45 a.m.	Panel 3 Discussion Led by Presiding Judge Phipps

12:30 a.m.	Informal Lunch with Judges

Panel 1: Discretionary and Interlocutory Applications: Central Staff Role; Time Frame for Disposition; Circulation

Emergency Motions: Assignment as Emergency Motion Judge and What Constitutes an Emergency

Case Assignment; Recusals/Disqualifications: Early Notice, Limiting Number of Recusals, Transfer of Cases, and Reciprocation

Oral Arguments: Granting (before granting consider other judges on panel), Scheduling, Calendar, Bench Docket, Preparation for Oral Argument and Courtroom Protocol

Panel 2: Terms of Court and Distress: Two Term Rule, Pace of Deciding Appeals, and Decision Distress vs. MFR Distress

Expedited Cases, Circulation of Cases and Priority of Opinions of Members of the Division

Opinions - Judgment Lines, Per Curiam Opinions, Non-Published Opinions, Affirmances without Opinions, Dissent and Overruling prior Decisions (7-judge and 12-judge Decisions), and Spading of Opinions

Panel 3: Administrative Structure - Chief Judge and Presiding Judge Selection; Administrative Banc Meetings

Importance of Experienced Staff Attorneys and Administrative Assistant; Employee Handbook

Confidentiality; Communications with the Media and Court Spokesperson

Swearing-In Attorneys; Mass Admission Ceremonies

Mention of Other Handouts: Standards of Review; Rules, IOM, Directory, Court History