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Warren W. Eginton

Senior United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut

This Chambers will remain open until December 31, 2019.

Staff Information

     
     
     
     

 

 

BRIEN McMAHON FEDERAL BUILDING
United States Courthouse
915 Lafayette Boulevard - 2nd Floor Annex
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604

Driving Directions

Location:  Courtroom 3

Chambers Telephone   203-579-5819
     
     
     

 

Judge Tabs

Pretrial Preferences
Pretrial Preferences: 

Pretrial Preferences

Oral Argument on Motions

Judge Eginton does not have a regular motion calendar and only hears oral argument when he believes it is necessary to obtain additional information to decide the motion properly. He will hear oral arguments as his schedule permits. A request for oral argument does not affect the timing of decisions.

Junior members of legal teams representing clients are invited to argue motions that they have helped prepare. Opportunities to train young attorneys in oral advocacy are rare. Where junior lawyers are familiar with the matter under consideration, but have little experience arguing before a court, they should be encouraged to speak by the presiding judge and the law firms involved in the case. This court is amenable to permitting a second, senior lawyer to argue for one party (if deemed necessary) if this creates an opportunity for a junior lawyer to participate. The ultimate decision of who speaks on behalf of the client is for the lawyer in charge of the case, not the court.

Referral to Magistrate Judges/Special Masters

Magistrate Judge Spector is paired with Judge Eginton. Judge Eginton seldom refers dispositive motions but is likely to refer settlement conferences. He handles temporary restraining order applications himself but, depending on his schedule, often sends preliminary injunction hearings to the magistrate judge, especially if he is successful in having the preliminary and permanent injunctions consolidated.

Rulings from the Bench

Judge Eginton rules from the bench when appropriate.

26(f) Reports

Judge Eginton favors Rule 26(f) conferences but is inclined to let attorneys set their own schedules. He will not get involved unless the attorneys cannot agree among themselves. He will modify a Rule 26(f) schedule if the parties agree on the modification.

Resolution by Conference Call

Judge Eginton welcomes conference calls when appropriate.

Sur-reply Briefs

Judge Eginton does not put any limits on the number of briefs he will consider; he leaves that to the attorneys' discretion.

Letter Briefs

Judge Eginton will receive letter briefs so long as all parties are copied.

Chambers' Copies

Chambers copies are required of any pleading, including attachments, that is longer than twenty (20) pages.

Motions for Extension of Time

Judge Eginton does not like to receive an excessive number of motions for extension of time but will generally grant them, particularly if opposing counsel has no objection, unless it appears that an attorney is abusing the privilege.

Motions for Reconsideration

Judge Eginton has no special rules or procedures for motions for reconsideration.

Special Proceedings

Judge Eginton will handle temporary restraining order applications himself.

Joint Trial Memoranda

Judge Eginton uses his own pretrial order and does not require joint trial memoranda.

Lawyer Affidavits

Judge Eginton has no special requirements or procedures for lawyer affidavits.

Dispositive Motions

Judge Eginton does not favor pre-filing conferences and believes that the lawyers in this district generally know when it is appropriate to make a dispositive motion.

Discovery

Judge Eginton usually refers discovery matters to a magistrate judge or decides matters himself on the papers.

Settlement

Judge Eginton generally refers settlement conferences to Magistrate Judge Fitzsimmons.

Trial Preferences
Trial Preferences: 

Trial Preferences

Hours of Day for Trial

Judge Eginton normally conducts trials between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Lunch is from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Days of Week for Trial

Trials usually are held Monday through Friday.

Time Limitations for Trial

Judge Eginton normally does not limit the duration of the trial unless he thinks the evidence is repetitious. He expects parties to fairly estimate the trial time and reasonably comply with their estimation.

Time Limitations for Individual Examinations of Witnesses

There are no time limitations on the individual examination of witnesses.

Opening Statements

Judge Eginton is flexible with respect to opening statements. He will often provide a brief summary of the case.

Closing Arguments

Judge Eginton imposes no time limitations on closing statements, although he does interrupt if he believes the statement is improper. The charge is always determined before the statements are given.

Demonstrative Exhibits

Judge Eginton permits demonstrative exhibits depending on relevancy and prejudice issues, but does not permit them to be considered by the jury unless there is an agreement to do so among the parties.

Moving Exhibits into Evidence

Judge Eginton tries to address admissibility in pretrial proceedings. He prefers that exhibits be pre-marked so that evidentiary formalities can be dispensed with.

Pre-marking of Exhibits

All exhibits should be pre-marked

Procedural Motions and Arguments

Judge Eginton strongly disfavors procedural motions and arguments on jury time while the jury is sitting. Such procedures are for 8:00 a.m., lunch break, or 5:00 p.m.

Objections

Judge Eginton strongly disfavors speaking objections.

Jury Profiles

Judge Eginton uses juror questionnaires provided by the clerk's office.

Jury Selection

Judge Eginton uses the strike method for jury selection.

Jurors in a Civil Case

Judge Eginton selects eight jurors.

Juror Notes

Judge Eginton will permit jurors to take notes and keep notebooks depending on the length and complexity of the case.

Juror Charge

Judge Eginton provides the charge after closing arguments are made. He typically orients the jury with a charge in the opening of the trial.

Post-verdict Communications with Jurors

Judge Eginton takes no position on post-verdict communications with jurors provided the Local Rules and Rules of Professional Conduct are strictly obeyed.

Motions in limine

Judge Eginton considers motions in limine and, if warranted, prefers them to lengthy arguments made during trial on evidentiary issues that could otherwise have been anticipated.

Technology

Judge Eginton accepts technology-based presentations as long as they work. The parties should pre-test all presentations.

Counsel Placement in Court

Counsel are expected to place themselves so as to communicate effectively with the court, the jury and the court reporter or ECRO operator. Counsel for the party with the burden of proof sits closest to the jury. At all times counsel should be respectful to the jury and court and should stand when talking.

Miscellaneous

Judge Eginton's rules for bench trials are essentially the same as for jury trials with the exception that Judge Eginton asks questions during bench trials if he believes the answers would be informative.

Scheduling Orders
Scheduling Orders: