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What Your Trial Court Administrator Wants You to Know, Part II: Western Region

By Molly Martinson and Bridget Warren

In our first installment of this three-part series, we discussed advice given by the TCAs in Cumberland, Forsyth and Guilford counties.  Now, we turn to the Western part of the state and highlight what the TCAs of Buncombe and Mecklenburg counties want you to know.

Rule No. 5: Know Your Local Rules (Again)

Ok—we know this was Rule No. 1 in the last installation—but it bears repeating because it is the single-most noted mistake made by attorneys. Indeed, both Marc Shimberg, Trial Court Administrator for the 28th Judicial District (Buncombe County), and Meredith Davis, Caseflow Management Administrator for the 26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County) stated that not reading the local rules is one of the most common mistakes they see attorneys make in their districts. They both stressed that attorneys’ failure to be familiar with the local rules causes a plethora of caseflow issues. For instance, Ms. Davis stated attorneys routinely do not submit their continuance requests in a timely fashion, do not include the necessary information in continuance motions, and do not ensure that motions are placed on a hearing calendar within three days of filing the motion. It is imperative that attorneys practicing in Buncombe County and Mecklenburg County take the time to read the local rules. Your TCA will thank you.

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