Judge Timothy S. Hillman

Federal Judicial Service

Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Assumed senior status on July 1, 2022.

Nominated by Barack H. Obama on November 30, 2011, to a seat vacated by Nancy Gertner; Confirmed by the Senate on June 4, 2012, and received commission on June 6, 2012.

U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 2006-2012

Education

Coe College, B.A., 1970
Suffolk University Law School, J.D., 1973


Courthouse

Worcester Courthouse

Harold D. Donohue Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
595 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01608

Courtroom

Courtroom 2

Harold D. Donohue Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse - Worcester, MA
Harold D. Donohue Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse - Worcester, MA

Courtroom Technology

Contact the courtroom clerk regarding the use of technology in the courtroom. View our courtroom technology page for more information on the technology that is available.

Internet access is available upon request and with the consent of the presiding Judge. Click here for more information.


Staff
Courtroom Clerk Martin Castles 508-929-9904 martin_castles@mad.uscourts.gov
Docket Clerk Jennifer Barrows 508-929-9901 jennifer_barrows@mad.uscourts.gov
Docket Clerk Sandy Burgos 508-929-9902 sandra_burgos@mad.uscourts.gov
Court Reporter Marianne Kusa-Ryll   justicehill@aol.com
USDC Judicial Forum Survey

Civil - Case Management

Q4: What, if any, inquiries do you make about settlement prospects and/or interest in mediation at the initial scheduling conference?

A4: As required by the local rules, I inquire about whether a mediation at the Rule 16 stage would be helpful. If not at the Rule 16 stage, I ask when counsel think the best time for mediation would be in the case and try to build the discovery schedule around it.

Q6: What schedule do you set at the initial scheduling conference?

A6:Fact discovery, expert discovery, dispositive motions, next status conference date, try to lock down the best time for mediation.

Q8: If so, when do you hold status conferences?

A8: Near the end of fact discovery, and then periodically (approximately 4 months) thereafter.

Q9: If so, what issues do you address at status conferences? (e.g., status of discovery, settlement prospects, mediation, etc.)

A9: Status of discovery and whether BOTH are interested in a mediation prior to expert discovery.

Civil - Discovery

Q10: Other than the requirements under Local Rule 16.1(D) for addressing certain discovery topics in the parties' joint statement, what, if any, discovery issues do you like counsel to be prepared to address at the initial scheduling conference?

A10: Whether there should be limited discovery intially for the purposes of preparing for a mediation, and anything that may be an issue on the horizon,, or any issues that can be economically dealt with.

Q13: Under what circumstances would you consider a bifurcation of discovery ?

A13: In civil rights cases with a Monell claim, class action certification issues vs. merits.

Q17: Do you typically hold a hearing on discovery?

A17: If I keep the motion I will usually hold a hearing.

Q18: Please describe your general practice regarding the resolution of discovery motions.

A18: Make sure that the parties submissions comply with the format in Local Rule 37.1.

Q21: What, if any, expert discovery deadlines do you set at the initial scheduling conference? When do you typically set a schedule for the filing of Daubert motions?

A21: Set deadline for disclosure and dates for depositions. I deal with Daubert Motions as part of the final pre-trial unless the parties believe an earlier decision will be dispositive.

Civil - Dispositive Motions

Q29: If you typically hold hearings on dispositive motions, what, if any, time limits do you impose on counsel for their arguments?

A29: I do impose time limits of not more than 30 minutes on complicated motions with multiple parties, and less time for less complicated matters.

Q30: Under what, if any, circumstances, would you allow the filing of post-argument briefs?

A30: Novel issue, or failure to properly address an issue that might be disputed, or a helpful decision that has been handed down since the briefing ended.

Civil - Patent Cases

Criminal Matters

Q35: Do you have any particular practices as to scheduling in criminal cases? If so, please describe them.

A35: Once a case is returned to me from the magistrate judge I will set a trial date.

General Trial Practice - Pretrial Matters

Q40: If you do not require the filing of a trial brief, under what circumstances do you think it would be helpful to the Court?

A40: Overview of expected evidence questions and heads up on any other contested issues.

Q42: Do you typically hold an initial pretrial conference in civil cases?

A42: Yes. If so, what issues do you want counsel to be able to address at each conference? Motion in Limine, schedule, witness issues.

Q47: Do you typically resolve motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?

A47: I try to resolve as many MIL's as possible at the final pre trial, but some require me to hear some evidence before deciding, so they are reserved until trial.

Q48: Do you typically hear and/or resolve Daubert motions at the final pretrial conference?

A48: I hear Daubert motions at the final PTC, but usually defer ruling until after I hear trial testimony

Criminal - Scheduling Trials

Q53: Typically, when do you set a trial date in criminal cases?

A53: As soon as the case is returned to me by the magistrate judge.

Criminal - Jury Selection

Q57: Please describe your jury selection process.

A57: Ask voir dire of panel, note the juror numbers of the "yeses", draw juror randomly, inquire of jurors who answered yes at sidebar. Peremptive challenges (parties alternate), redo until jury is seated.

Q59: If you would consider the use of a jury questionnaire, when and in what form should it be proposed?

A59: By motion stating reasons for the request and an outline of possible areas of inquiry.

General Trial Practice - Trial Practices

Q64: How many rounds of examination do you typically allow?

A64: Usually two, God help you if you ask for more!

Q66: Do you have any preferences about the use of chalks during openings and closings?

A66: Must have Court permission before use in openings or closings

Q67: Do you have any particular practice in regard to jury charge conferences? If so, please describe it.

A67: I do not. I will (hopefully) have given counsel the first draft of the instructions so that we are all working off of the same document.

Criminal - Sentencing/Revocation Hearings

Standing Orders & Miscellaneous Matters

Q79: Order #2

A79: Respondent skipped this question.

Q80: Order #3

A80: Respondent skipped this question.

Post-Pandemic Practices

Q83: As of Fall 2022, are there any case events that you routinely conduct via Zoom in criminal cases? If so, what are they?

A83: Rule 11 hearings, sentencings, ONLY if all parties consent, and after a colloquy with the defendant.