Sarah A. L. Merriam

United States Circuit Judge, Sitting by Designation

Staff Information

*Judge Merriam only accepts clerkship applications through OSCAR at this time.

Cassie Zayas

Court Reporter

203-650-8836

Brien McMahon Federal Building

BRIEN McMAHON FEDERAL BUILDING
United States Courthouse
915 Lafayette Boulevard - Suite 248
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604

Location: Courtroom 3

District Court Clerk’s Office Telephone

203-579-5861

Notice to Parties re Newly Filed Employment Cases Alleging Adverse Actions

Initial Discovery Protocols for Employment Cases Alleging Adverse Actions

Consent and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge

What is a Magistrate Judge?

Judge Tabs

Pretrial Preferences

Pretrial Preferences:

Any requests for relief, including the rescheduling of conferences or hearings that have been calendared on ECF, must be made by filing of a motion on the docket, in compliance with the Local Rules. Relief from deadlines, orders, and calendars may not be obtained by calling or emailing chambers staff or the Clerk's Office.

Oral Argument on Motions

Oral argument on motions is scheduled at the Judge's discretion. If either party feels strongly that oral argument is necessary, he or she should file a motion seeking argument.

Rulings from the Bench

Judge Merriam occasionally rules from the bench, particularly in discovery disputes or where a prompt resolution is necessary.

26(f) Reports

Judge Merriam expects counsel to prepare and timely file a carefully considered 26(f) Report. While the Court will defer to the parties’ estimates of the deadlines required when possible, the parties must set reasonable and realistic deadlines.

Letter Briefs

Judge Merriam does not accept submissions in the form of letters. All submissions to the Court, including all requests for relief, must be filed through CM/ECF, in compliance with the Federal and Local Rules. All such submissions must bear a formal case caption and comply with Local Rule 10.

Chambers’ Copies

Unless otherwise ordered, within three business days after a document is filed electronically, counsel must provide chambers with one paper copy of the following e-filed documents, including all exhibits and attachments:

Applications for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions or prejudgment remedies, including all memoranda of law and all exhibits;
Dispositive motions, memoranda in support, briefs in opposition, and replies;
Proposed voir dire and jury instructions;
Joint Trial Memoranda;
Trial briefs, including proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and all exhibits;
Any other filing that is in excess of 25 pages; and
Any filing with significant exhibits in color.

Chambers copies may be printed double-sided.
All chambers copies should be printed from the docket and should bear the ECF header of the Court’s electronic filing system.
All chambers copies must be properly ordered and tabbed. Any chambers copy that cannot be securely stapled must be placed in a three ring binder.
Chambers copies of brief, routine procedural motions should not be provided to chambers unless requested.

Motions for Extension of Time

Local Rule 7(b) must be strictly followed in all motions for extensions of time. Failure to comply with the Rule may result in summary denial of a motion.

Motions for extension of time should be filed in advance of the deadline sought to be extended. Motions filed on or immediately before the deadline may be denied.

Motions for Reconsideration

Motions for reconsideration should be filed timely and sparingly, and only in situations where a persuasive reason, which might convince the court to change its mind, exists. Such motions must cite the law applicable to reconsideration and concisely present the basis for the motion.

Criminal Cases

Criminal Cases:

Criminal Proceedings in Court during COVID-19

Judge Merriam has resumed certain in-court proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant safeguards in place.

All those appearing in-person must wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all times. Only a mask is permitted; scarves, bandannas, and buffs will not meet this requirement. If an indigent party is unable to obtain a mask, the Court should be informed in advance of the hearing, and a mask will be provided. Any participant may remove the mask only if necessary to address the Court at length, and then only with prior approval of the Court.

All participants must remain seated throughout the proceedings and must maintain a distance of at least six feet between one another. The only exception to this rule is that a criminal defendant may be seated at counsel table with counsel if both the defendant and counsel agree.

Windows and doors to the courtroom will be kept open as conditions permit.

To minimize the number of persons in the courtroom, Judge Merriam strongly encourages all others who are not parties or counsel to participate and observe the proceedings by video using the Zoom video conferencing service. Judge Merriam’s staff will generally participate only by video. The Court’s video equipment allows for any video observers to see and hear the judge, the defendant, and counsel. Any complainant or victim who is entitled to address the Court at a proceeding will be permitted to do so by means of Zoom video to the same extent as if they were in the courtroom.

At least one day prior to any criminal proceeding other than an initial appearance, the Court will post a Zoom video link to the docket. Any member of the public is welcome to observe the proceeding by means of accessing the video link. All participants and observers are encouraged to access the Zoom video link at least 10 minutes prior to the guilty plea or sentencing to ensure that there is adequate time to resolve any technical connection issues. Members of the public will be placed in a waiting room until the proceeding is officially opened; participants will be admitted when Court staff opens the Zoom conference.

Initial appearances, arraignments, Frye hearings, and certain status conferences will routinely continue to be conducted remotely by video. Such proceedings may be conducted by video conferencing even when there is no public health crisis.

A guilty plea or bond hearing may be conducted by video only under the provisions of the CARES Act. Such hearings will generally be conducted in person, as described above. However, in special circumstances, Judge Merriam may conduct a guilty plea or bond hearing with all participants taking part by means of a Zoom video hearing. The law requires in such instances that the defendant consent and waive his or her right to an in-person proceeding. Judge Merriam will determine whether the requirements of the law are met so as to permit the proceeding by video, rather than in person. If counsel believes that a particular proceeding should be conducted solely by video, a motion must be filed at least three business days in advance of the hearing, setting forth the basis for the request, the position of any other parties, and proposed findings pursuant to the CARES Act.

United States District Court

District of Connecticut

Honorable Michael P. Shea, Chief Judge
Dinah Milton Kinney, Clerk of Court

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