Proposed Scheduling Order Template
[Attorney Name or Party Name]
[Law Firm Name, if applicable]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Bar Number, if applicable]
IN THE [NAME OF COURT]
FOR [COUNTY / DISTRICT / JURISDICTION]
[Plaintiff / Petitioner Name],
Plaintiff / Petitioner,
v.
[Defendant / Respondent Name],
Defendant / Respondent.
Case No.: [Case Number]
1. Title
PROPOSED SCHEDULING ORDER
Pursuant to [Rule 16 / applicable local rule / court order], the parties submit this Proposed Scheduling Order for the Court’s consideration.
Date of Rule 26(f) Conference, if applicable: [Date]
Nature of Case: [Brief description]
Counsel or Parties Participating in the Scheduling Proposal:
[Name / Party / Counsel]
This proposed schedule is:
☐ joint and agreed
☐ joint with noted disagreements
☐ submitted as directed by the Court
☐ other: [Describe]
If any deadlines are disputed, describe the dispute here:
[Insert details]
3. Amendment of Pleadings and Joinder
Deadline to move to amend pleadings: [Date]
Deadline to join additional parties: [Date]
If leave of court or stipulation is required, the parties shall proceed under the applicable rules and court orders.
4. Initial Disclosures
Initial disclosures under Rule 26(a)(1) shall be served by:
[Date]
If different timing is requested, state it here:
5. Discovery Plan and Scope
Fact discovery shall begin on: [Date]
Fact discovery shall be completed by: [Date]
Discovery limits or special provisions, if any:
[Insert limits on depositions, interrogatories, requests for admission, ESI discovery, phased discovery, or other limits]
Additional discovery management terms, if any:
The parties state the following regarding ESI:
☐ ESI issues are not expected to be significant
☐ ESI preservation has been addressed
☐ the parties request entry of an ESI protocol
☐ the parties request phased ESI discovery
☐ other: [Describe]
Additional ESI terms, if any:
7. Privilege and Clawback Terms
The parties state the following regarding privilege and work-product issues:
☐ no special provision requested
☐ the parties request a clawback or non-waiver provision
☐ the parties request incorporation of an Evidence Rule 502 agreement
☐ other: [Describe]
Additional privilege procedure terms:
8. Expert Disclosures
Plaintiff expert disclosures due: [Date]
Defendant expert disclosures due: [Date]
Rebuttal expert disclosures due: [Date]
Expert discovery cutoff: [Date]
Additional expert scheduling terms, if any:
9. Discovery Motions
Deadline to file discovery motions: [Date]
Before filing a discovery motion, the parties shall:
☐ meet and confer in good faith
☐ request a discovery conference with the Court
☐ submit a joint discovery statement
☐ other: [Describe]
10. Dispositive Motions
Deadline to file dispositive motions: [Date]
Deadline for responses: [Date, if proposed]
Deadline for replies: [Date, if proposed]
Hearing terms, if any:
11. Alternative Dispute Resolution
The parties propose the following ADR schedule:
☐ no ADR requested at this time
☐ mediation by [Date]
☐ settlement conference by [Date]
☐ private neutral by [Date]
☐ other: [Describe]
Additional ADR notes:
12. Pretrial Filings
Deadline for motions in limine: [Date]
Deadline for witness lists: [Date]
Deadline for exhibit lists: [Date]
Deadline for deposition designations: [Date]
Deadline for proposed jury instructions or findings of fact and conclusions of law, if applicable: [Date]
Deadline for proposed final pretrial order: [Date]
13. Final Pretrial Conference
Final pretrial conference date: [Date]
Time: [Time]
Location or remote platform: [Location / Platform]
Additional pretrial conference requirements, if any:
14. Trial Setting
Requested trial term or trial date: [Date]
Trial type:
☐ jury trial
☐ bench trial
☐ other: [Describe]
Estimated trial length: [Number] day(s)
15. Special Case Management Issues
The parties identify the following special case-management issues:
☐ preservation concerns
☐ confidentiality or protective order issues
☐ third-party discovery issues
☐ sequencing of claims or defenses
☐ class certification schedule
☐ bifurcation issues
☐ other: [Describe]
Additional case-management notes:
16. Modification of Schedule
Any deadline adopted by the Court may be modified only:
☐ by further court order
☐ for good cause shown
☐ by stipulation approved by the Court
☐ as otherwise permitted by rule or standing order
17. Requested Order
The parties respectfully request that the Court enter a Scheduling Order in substantially the form proposed above.
18. Signature Blocks
Dated: [Date]
Plaintiff / Petitioner Counsel Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Attorney for Plaintiff / Self-Represented Party / Other]
Defendant / Respondent Counsel Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Attorney for Defendant / Self-Represented Party / Other]
Additional Signature, if needed: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Title]
19. Court Use Only
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: __________________________
[Judge Name]
[Judge Title]