Pre-Trial Procedures: Judge Rice generally will not require appearance at a pre-trial conference if the parties conduct a conference as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f)(1), applicable by FRBP 7026, and the parties then file a joint report pursuant to Rule 26(f)(2) that includes suggested deadlines for completion of discovery, identification of any experts and filing of reports, filing of any dispositive motions, as well as any other schedule the parties request, 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing. An e-mail should be sent to the Courtroom Deputy advising that such a report has been filed by the parties, and the parties will be notified if their appearances have been excused. 

Trial Procedures: The Court should receive 3 copies of pre-filed, bound, or loose-leaf covered, labeled exhibits. Each exhibit binder should begin with an exhibit list identifying each exhibit by number and each exhibit should be tabbed with exhibit numbers. If exhibits are not pre-filed as required they may be excluded from evidence.