Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley

Federal Judicial Service

Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Chief Magistrate Judge, 2020-2023.

First appointed to the Court June 16, 2014.

Education

Smith College - B.A. 1981
Harvard Law School - J.D. 1986


Courthouse

Boston Courthouse

John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way, Suite 2300
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

Courtroom

24, 7th floor

John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse - Boston, MA
John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse - Boston, 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 / Docket Clerk Leo Vieira 617-748-9183 leonardo_vieira@mad.uscourts.gov
Chambers Procedures/Standing Orders/Sample Orders
USDC Judicial Forum Survey

Civil - Case Management

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

A6: discovery (fact and expert, written and depositions)and dispositive motion deadlines; set a status conference at the close of fact discovery

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

A8: at the close of fact discovery

Q9: If so, what issues do you address at status conferences?

A9: status of discovery, parties' interest in mediation and prospects for settlement

Civil - Discovery

Q11: What, if any, issues related to electronically stored information should counsel be prepared to address at the initial scheduling conference?

A11: If there are going to be issues concerning ESI the parties should be prepared to talk about it at the scheduling conference. I rely on the parties to flag this issue.

Q12: If the parties intend to file a proposed protective order, do you require any particular format and/or a specific time for doing so?

A12: I would discuss this issue with the parties at the initial scheduling conference. Usually I ask the parties to agree on and propose their own order. If they cannot do this for some reason, I have an order I would suggest they use.

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

A13: If parties propose it and it is appropriate, I will do it.

Q15: Other than the requirement that the parties confer in good faith to narrow the issues before filing any discovery motion under Local Rule 37.1(A), what, if any, additional requirements do you make of counsel before considering discovery motions?

A15: Parties are advised to call the courtroom clerk to set up a telephone conference to address the issues before a motion is filed, if they want to do that. They may file letters or joint statements with the court before the telephone conference if they wish. If any party wants to file a motion they may do so but I try to resolve as many issues as I can without having the parties spend time writing motions.

Q17: Please describe your general practice regarding the resolution of disovery motions.

A17: Generally parties are ordered to confer or meet in advance of any scheduled motion hearing in order to narrow the issues; oral argument is then heard on the remaining outstanding issues.

Q18: Under what circumstances will you consider emergency motions regarding discovery matters?

A18: When timing is an issue, i.e., a motion to quash a deposition scheduled the next day or when a discovery deadline is looming.

Civil - Dispositive Motions

Q29: Under what, if any, circumstances, would you allow the filing of post-argument briefs?

A29: parties are invited, if they want, to file post-argument submissions to follow up on any new issues raised during the hearing.

Civil - Patent Cases

Civil Mediation

Q33: If you have any particular practices or preferences in regard to submissions before a mediation, please describe them.

A33: Parties are to file their confidential memos approximately one week before the mediation and then a telephone conference is held five days before the mediation. The purpose of the telephone conference is to find out if the parties are ready for mediation, to make sure that an offer and counter-offer have been made before the mediation, to make sure that the necessary parties will attend the mediation, etc.

Q34: Do you have a standard pre-mediation order for the parties? If so, please attach it here.

A34: The order appears on the docket at the time the mediation is scheduled, explaining that mediation is confidential and setting out dates for when the pre-mediation briefs are due, when the pre-mediation conference will be held, and when the mediation will be held.

Q35: If you have any particular practices or preferences in regard to conducting a mediation, please describe them here.

A35: I will do mediations by zoom or in person, according to the parties' preference.

Q36: Do you require the party/parties to be present or available during a mediation?

A36: Yes the parties should be present at the mediation, but I will make exceptions in certain cases.

Criminal Matters

Q38: Typically, at what point, will you refer a criminal case back to the district judge?

A38: after discovery is complete and the final status conference is held; earlier if a Rule 11 is scheduled or if the parties request the case be sent to the district judge

General Trial Practice - Pretrial Matters

Q40: Do you require the filing of a trial brief?

A40: Yes, counsel should include a list of witnesses, expected length of trial, issues of law for the court to decide, list of outstanding motions, and synopsis of expected evidence.

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

A47: yes, unless resolution must await how the evidence
comes in

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

A48: I try to resolve Daubert motions well before trial, preferably before the final pretrial conference.

Q52: Do you require trial exhibits to be pre-marked? If so, please describe your practice?

A52: Yes, parties are to meet and go over the exhibits prior to the final pretrial conference.

General Trial Practice - Scheduling Trials

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

A53: At the close of discovery I will have a conference and set a trial date then.

Q54: What is your typical trial schedule?

A54: Usually 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

General Trial Practice - Jury Selection

Q56: Please describe your jury selection process.

A56: Respondent skipped this question.

Q57: Under what circumstances, if any, have you or would you consider using a juror questionnaire?

A57: In a lengthy case or a case that has particularly difficult issues concerning jury selection.

Q58: If you would consider the use of a jury questionnaire, when and in what form should it be proposed?

A58: Counsel should flag the issue well before trial so there is time to work out the questionnaire.

General Trial Practice - Trial Practices

Q69: If you have any particular practices as to bench trials, please describe them.

-A69: Respondent skipped this question.
Standing Orders & Miscellaneous Matters

Q71: Order #2

A71: Respondent skipped this question.

Q72: Order #3

A72: Respondent skipped this question.

Post-Pandemic Practices