Zoom Virtual Meetings

Divisions

Civil

Overview

Matters that involve claims of more than $25,000, which include medical malpractice, auto negligence, personal injury, contracts, employment discrimination, and receiverships are heard in the Civil Division. In addition, civil matters appealed from Wayne County district courts and administrative agencies are also handled by the Civil Division Judges.

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC)


Honorable Patricia P. Fresard
Chief Judge
(313) 224-5430 701 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue
Room 701
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-5430. Court personnel are in the Courtroom and available by phone. If you do not reach staff by phone, please email susan.salas@3rdcc.org.

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Stacey Stallworth
Law Clerk: Susan Salas; JudgeFresard-Court@3rdcc.org. For asbestos docket questions, email frances.yturri@3rdcc.org

Court Reporter: Unassigned
Deputy: Reginald Gordon


 
Court Protocol

Honorable Leslie Kim Smith
Presiding Judge
(313) 224-2427 1707 CAYMC
1707 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI  48226
Phone: 313-224-2427

Email:JudgeSmith-Court@3rdcc.org

Staff:
Law Clerk: Lauren Hall
Court Clerk: Kimberley DeLoach
Court Reporter: Manuwella Jones

 COURTROOM PROTOCOL
The Courtroom 1707 is open to the public. Court proceedings are conducted remotely via Zoom Technology or in person at the attorney or party's request or at the court's discretion. All court hearings are live streamed on YouTube.
ZOOM CONNECTION INFORMATION
If you have a conference, motion or hearing scheduled before the Court, go to www.3rdcc.org/zoom/civil and click on the green button labeled "Join Meeting" next to Judge Smith's name.

You will enter the waiting room. Participants' display must include you name, case number and client name. If you need to change your display, you must leave the waiting room and make the change in your Zoom settings. There may be a large number of participants in the waiting room at one time and if you are not properly identified, you may not be admitted into the virtual courtroom without the proper information displayed.
If you have difficulties connecting call 313-224-2427.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT
Email is the preferred way to communicate with the Court. Please make sure you include all parties in the case on your email.

The subject line of the email should include the case name and case number. Also include the cellphone number of the contact person, in case Court staff needs to speak with the party.

JudgeSmith-Court@3rdcc.org

*If you call the courtroom, your call may not be answered due to staffing limitations. Please send an email or try your call later.

SETTLEMENT AND STATUS CONFERENCES

Conferences shall be conducted remotely via Zoom unless an attorney or party request an in-person conference or at the court's discretion. Clients do not need to appear via Zoom but must be available by telephone. If it is an in-person conference, parties, adjusters and/or person with the authority to settle the case must be present unless excused by the court.

Parties may file a stipulated order to adjourn settlement conference to attend facilitation. Order shall include the name of the facilitator and date scheduled to facilitate. The settlement conference will be adjourned to a date after facilitation. Stipulated order must be filed at least one week prior to the scheduled conference date.

*The date and time for conferences may change, so parties should check the register of action to confirm the date and time for the conference.

GENERAL MOTION CALL

Judge Smith's general motion call is Friday morning at 8:30am or 9:30am.

Preacipes are required for all general motions.

*If you wish to dismiss or adjourn your motion, please email JudgeSmith-Court@3rdcc.org at least one day prior to the hearing date.

You may confirm a hearing date and time by going to the Court Website at www.3rdcc.org and click on "Zoom Virtual Meeting" in the red box then click on "Civil Division Dockets". Located under Judge Smith's name will be a list of hearing dates and times for that day.

*Hard copies of General Motions are not required.

MOTION FOR SUMMARY DISPOSITION

After you have efiled a Motion for Summary Disposition, email a copy of the motion to the Judicial Law Clerk at Lauren.Hall@3rdcc.org for a hearing date. The moving party shall file a notice of hearing and praecipe with the date and time provided.

Pursuant to MCR 2.116(G) responses (including briefs) must be filed and served at least 7 days before the hearing and replies must be filed and served at least 4 days before the hearing. IF THE RESPONSE IS NOT TIMELY FILED, the moving party may file an order granting the motion.

If there is a scheduling conflict, the moving party must contact the Judicial Law Clerk within 14 days for a new date and time.

Parties may file a stipulated order to adjourn a hearing date. Contact the Judicial Law Clerk for new hearing date. The moving party shall file a notice of hearing with the new date and time of the hearing.

If the moving party wishes to dismiss the motion, you must contact the Judicial Law Clerk within 3 days prior to the hearing date. If the moving party fails to appear for the hearing without notifying the Judicial Law Clerk, the party and/or the party's attorney may be subject to assessment of costs and penalty under MCR 2.119 (E)(4)(b).

The week of the scheduled hearing, you may confirm the hearing by going to 3rdcc.org, click on "Virtual Meeting" in the red box then click on "Civil Division Dockets". Located under Judge Smith's name will be a list of all hearing dates and time. 


 
Court Protocol
Mr. E. Frank Hardester
Executive Court Administrator
(313) 224-5261 711 CAYMC

 
Honorable David J. Allen
Judge
(313) 224-0250 907 CAYMC

907 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

2 Woodward Ave. 

Detroit, MI 48226-3413

Phone: (313) 224-0250

Staff:

Judicial Attorney: Rola Khanafer  

Email:  rola.khanafer@3rdcc.org

Courtroom Clerk: Roderick Byrd
Court Reporter: Reba Hooper

The next available general motion dates are THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 and THURSDAY, May 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. 

For scheduling of motions for summary disposition, please see the full protocols below and email Rola.Khanafer@3rdcc.org. 


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Annette J. Berry
Judge
(313) 224-4679 1807 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue
Room 1807
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-4679

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Cheryl Bascomb (Cheryl.Bascomb@3rdcc.org)
Law Clerk: Michael Burns (Michael.Burns@3rdcc.org)
Court Reporter: Teria Carrington 
Deputy: Keilan Nims


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Charlene M. Elder
Judge
(313) 224-5436 1701 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room 1701
2 Woodward Avenue 
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-5436| Fax: (313) 967-6488

Staff:

Court Clerk: Nkenge Reed (Nkenge.Reed@3rdcc.org)
Judicial Attorney: Victoria Lencione (Victoria.lencione@3rdcc.org)
Deputy: Ahmad Elzayat

PROTOCOL UPDATE: 4/8/2024 - Please review protocol re: Motions for Entry of Default 

THIS IS A PAPERLESS COURTROOM. A Judge's copy of ALL motions, responses, and replies must be sent to the Court via email  at JudgeElder-Court@3rdcc.org with all counsel copied. The Court WILL NOT consider any response/reply that was not emailed. .

Please see the Court's protocol for all Judge Elder's policies and procedures 


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Edward Ewell, Jr.
Judge
(313) 224-5195 1411 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Room 1411
Detroit, MI  48226

Phone: (313) 224-5195

Hours: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Linda Woods
Judicial Attorney: Laura McMahon Lynch
Court Reporter: Video Courtroom
Deputy: Walter Armstrong


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Sheila Ann Gibson
Judge
(313) 224-5207 1719 CAYMC
1719 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5207

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Ms. Kimberly Clifton (Kimberly.Clifton@3rdcc.org)
Judicial Assistant/Law Clerk: Ms. Taylor Seals (Taylor.Seals@3rdcc.org)
Court Reporter: Ms. Manuwella Jones (Please call (313) 224-0409 for information re: transcripts.)

**Instructions for Zoom Hearings/Meetings:
1. Go to http://www.3rdcc.org/zoom/civil 
2. Scroll down to Judge Gibson's name and click "Join Meeting"
3. Re-name yourself, if possible. Phone numbers are discouraged.
4. Use the time in the Waiting Room to check your audio.
5. If you are having issues, you may email or call court staff.

If you cannot access the above link you may go to www.3rdcc.org, look for the red bar at the top of the page & click “Zoom Virtual Meetings” then “Civil”. Scroll down to Judge Gibson’s name and click “Join Meeting”.

For telephone access (no video) call 1-646-876-9923 then enter Meeting ID 842 876 2673. The password, if requested, is “171900”.

Upon logging in you will automatically be placed in Judge Gibson's Waiting Room. As this is a Court proceeding, professional decorum is expected for ALL Zoom Hearings including, but not limited to, appropriate dress, background view, and NO eating, drinking or gum chewing during the proceedings. Please limit all background noise, distractions and third-party interactions. THERE IS TO BE NO RECORDING OF ZOOM HEARINGS.

On Fridays the Motion Call is scheduled to begin @ 9:45 a.m. You will be admitted then immediately invited to a Breakout Room in order to check-in with the Court Clerk. Afterward, you will be returned to the Waiting Room until your matter is called.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN & CLICK ON "COURT PROTOCOL" TO ACCESS MORE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE SCHEDULING OF MOTIONS BEFORE THIS COURT.

Thank you.



 
Court Protocol
Honorable John H. Gillis, Jr.
Judge
(313) 224-5243 1111 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue
Room 1111
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-5243

Hours 9:00am - 4:30pm. Closed 12:30-2:00pm

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Lisa Rutledge
Law Clerk: Erin Deschamps
Court Reporter: Reba Hooper
Deputy: Takisha O'Bannon


QUICK NOTES ON CURRENT PROCEDURES.

These supersede any conflicting procedures in the main protocol.

The main protocol page was updated on February 06, 2024. Please review and pay special attention to the changes made for trials/pre-trials. The amended protocols for those sections apply to all cases with a pre-trial conference docketed March 15, 2024 or later. All other updates take immediate effect. 

THIRD CIRCUIT COURT IS NOW POSTING ALL HEARINGS AND CONFERENCES TO THE WEBSITE. PLEASE FOLLOW THE COURT'S DIRECTIONS AND THE NOTICE OF HEARINGS TO KNOW IF YOU NEED TO BE PRESENT VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON. ALL HEARINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY SCHEDULED BY THE COURT FOR ORAL ARGUMENTS WILL BE RULED ON SOLELY BASED ON THE PLEADINGS.

Email Judge Gillis' Administrative Staff to contact the court. Do not use the Gillis Courtroom email as this results in ex-parte  communications with Judge and the message will not be read by the court.

For settlement conferences, please have all attorneys on one line before calling the court at 313-224-5243.

MOTIONS : 

NEXT AVAILABLE FRIDAY IS FRIDAY,  MAY 10, 2024 at 9:00am and according to docket availability.


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Adel A. Harb
Judge
(313) 224-2474 1519 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room 1519
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-2474

Staff:

Court Clerk: Deborah Royal
Law Clerk: Eric Ratkowski
Court Reporter: Shelee Beard


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Dana M. Hathaway
Judge
(313) 224-2444 921 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Room 1007
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-2444

Staff:

Judge Dana M. Hathaway; Dana.Hathaway@3rdcc.org  Any email to the Judge should also be copied to the Judicial Attorney and all parties of record.  There should be NO EXPARTE communications with the Judge.

Courtroom Clerk:  Korey Pearson; korey.pearson@3rdcc.org

Judicial Attorney: Lorri Cary; lorri.cary@3rdcc.org

Court Reporter:  This is a video courtroom.  If you need to order a transcript you must do so through court reporting services.  The phone number is (313) 224-0409. 

Wayne County Deputy: Chandra Darrisaw


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Charles S. Hegarty
Judge
(313) 224-5487 1921 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room 1921
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-5487

***REVIEW PROTOCOL PAGE BELOW RIGHT***

 

FOR ALL ADDITIONAL SCHEDULING CONCERNS/ISSUES PLEASE EMAIL:

brian.hodgman@3rdcc.org

Staff:

Court Clerk: Gaylynn Brooks-Williams
Judicial Attorney: Brian W. Hodgman (P76885) 
Court reporter: Reba Hooper


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Catherine L. Heise
Judge
(313) 224-5225 1011 CAYMC

CAYMC
Room 1011
2 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-5225

Staff:

Judicial Assistant: Charmaine Ziegeler  -  charmaine.ziegeler@3rdcc.org

Courtroom Clerk: Ebony Upshaw -  ebony.upshaw@3rdcc.org


Court Reporter: Video Courtroom

Please be patient while we finalize our protocol.   See below for a few basic pieces of information.

General motions will be scheduled on Fridays - no hard copy required

MSD motions will be scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - no hard copy required

When filing your MSD motions, please file a praecipe with a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; the Court will change the date if necessary. 

When filing an MSD motion, please email a copy to charmaine.ziegeler@3rdcc.org   Once received, the JA will prepare a scheduling order.  

Please file your MSD motions before the settlement conference date

Motions for Reconsideration:  after efiling, please email a copy to the JA at charmaine.ziegeler@3rdcc.org

Settlement conferences:   clients may be available by phone

Judge Heise's Zoom ID is: 524 548 9029

At this time, with the exception of trials, Judge Heise is conducting all hearings, motions and conferences via Zoom.

The Court will not provide exhibit stickers.  You may label using numbers or letters

Regarding jury trials, the following applies:

*Judge Heise begins trials at 9:00 am

*Motions in limine must be heard at least two weeks before trial

*Jury instructions and verdict form are due 1 week before trial

*The lawyers will be conducting voir dire

*The JFPTO (which you receive from the JA) is due 1 week before trial

A stipulation is allowed to move from Track 1 to Track 2

A motion is required to move from Track 2 to Track 3

To order a transcript, contact Court Reporting Services at (313) 224-0409. 


 
Honorable Susan L. Hubbard
Judge
(313) 224-5183 1507 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue, Room 1507
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-5183/313-224-5185

Staff:

Court Clerk: Clara Rector clara.rector@3rdcc.org
Judicial Assistant: Amy Rhoades amy.rhoades@3rdcc.org
Court Reporter: video courtroom
Deputy: 


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Muriel D. Hughes
Judge
(313) 224-2415 1421 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue
Room 1421
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone Number: (313) 224-2415

Judicial Attorney: (313) 224-6267

Staff:

Courtroom clerk: Tara Hickman 
Judicial Attorney:
Court reporter: Manuwella Jones
Deputy:


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Edward J. Joseph
Judge
(313) 224-0142 1007 CAYMC

2 Woodward Avenue
Room 1007
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-0142

Staff:

Court Clerk: Katrina Ross
Secretary: Sydney Adams
Court Reporter: Video

NEXT AVAILABLE MOTION DATE FOR NON DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS IS 5/23/2024 @ 9:00 A.M.


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Qiana Denise Lillard
Judge
(313) 224-2240 1401 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Room 1401
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: (313) 224-2240

Staff:

Courtroom Clerk: Kimberly Davis
Judicial Assistant: Scott Taylor
Court Reporter: Contact Court Reporting Services at 313-224-0409.


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Kathleen M. McCarthy
Judge
(313) 224-5481 913 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room 913 
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-5481

Hours: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Staff:
Court Clerk: Moira Hartwell
Judicial Assistant: Robert Molnar
Court reporter: Video
Deputy: unassigned


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Martha M. Snow
Judge
(313) 224-6889 1821 CAYMC

Honorable Martha M. Snow

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Two Woodward Avenue, Courtroom 1821 
Detroit, MI  48226

Phone: 313.224.6889

Staff:

Court Clerk:  Natasha O'Neil 
Judicial Attorney:  Lisa M. Damphousse
Court Reporter:  Video
Deputy:  Corporal Oliver Cross

ALL ATTORNEYS, ALL LAW FIRMS, AND ALL PARTIES SHALL IMPLEMENT ZOOM CONFERENCING CAPABILITIES IN THEIR OFFICES AND/OR IN THEIR HOMES IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS REMOTELY.

Settlement Conferences:  Until further notice, Settlement Conferences will be held via Zoom with Judge Snow.  Settlement Conferences will be scheduled in 15 minute increments.  For further details, please scroll down to the bottom of this summary and click on the "Court Protocol" button to access Judge Snow's standard protocol.

Notices of Hearing - for all Motions (dispositive and non-dispositive):  Until further notice, all Notices of Hearing must indicate that the hearing is being conducted via Zoom at the scheduled date and time.  Please also include the following language in your Notices of Hearing: 

    • To join the Zoom hearing, go to www.3rdcc.org/zoom/civil.  Scroll down to "Hon. Martha M. Snow" and click "Join Meeting" at the scheduled date and time.

    • If you have difficulty connecting or need to call in by phone, please call 313.224.6889 for additional details.      

Non-dispositive Motions (Friday motions):  All newly filed non-dispositive motions should be scheduled for May 17th.  Please file your motions as usual and submit a praecipe for each motion for Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  CHECK YOUR ACCEPTED PRAECIPE TIME SLOT.  Once accepted, you may be assigned a different time slot.  You will be instructed to file a Re-Notice of Hearing that includes the aforementioned Zoom language as well as your new time slot.

In the event that you no longer need to argue a motion that was previously scheduled or if you would like to request an adjournment, the moving party must contact the clerk, Natasha O'Neil, directly at natasha.oneil@3rdcc.org regarding the same. 

Motions for Summary Disposition:  All newly filed motions for summary disposition will follow the usual course of scheduling.  You can review that process on Judge Snow's standard protocol which is linked below.  Please scroll down to the bottom of these updates and click on the "Court Protocol" button to access Judge Snow's standard protocol.  Please continue to mail or hand deliver physical Judge's copies of all motions, responses, and replies to the courthouse as usual.   

Any additional inquiries regarding motions for summary disposition may be sent directly to Lisa at lisa.damphousse@3rdcc.org.  Please copy all attorneys of record on your email in order to avoid any ex parte communications. 

In the event that you no longer need to argue a motion for summary disposition or if you would like to request an adjournment, the moving party must contact Lisa directly at lisa.damphousse@3rdcc.org regarding the same.  Please copy all attorneys of record on your email in order to avoid any ex parte communications. 

Transcripts:  To order a transcript from a hearing held before Judge Snow, please contact Court Reporting Services at 313.224.0409.

Email addresses:      Judicial Attorney, Lisa M. Damphousse      lisa.damphousse@3rdcc.org

                                   Clerk, Natasha O'Neil                                  natasha.oneil@3rdcc.org

NEITHER ATTORNEYS, NOR THEIR STAFF, NOR THE PARTIES SHALL EMAIL JUDGE SNOW DIRECTLY UNLESS YOU WERE SPECIFICALLY ASKED TO DO SO BY JUDGE SNOW HERSELF.

For all other inquiries, please click below on the "Court Protocol" button which will take you to Judge Snow's standard protocol that is always in place regardless of the temporary court closure.  Thank you. 


 
Court Protocol
Honorable Brian R. Sullivan
Judge
(313) 224-2447 1101 CAYMC

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Room 1101
Detroit, MI  48226

Phone: (313) 224-2447

Staff:

Secretary: Lynn Wade
Court Clerk:  Matthew Johnson
Court Reporter: Shelee Beard 
WCS Deputy: Doug Outlaw 


 
Court Protocol