Judge Christopher L. Morgan

Federal Judicial Service

Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts.

First appointed to the Court January 27, 2026.

Education

Middlebury College, B.A., 2000
Boston College Law School, J.D., 2006

Courthouse

Springfield Courthouse

United States Courthouse
300 State Street, Suite 120
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105

Courtroom

Hampshire Courtroom

United States Courthouse - Springfield, MA
United States Courthouse - Springfield, MA
Courtroom Technology

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Staff
Chambers Procedures/Standing Orders/Sample Orders
N/A
USDC Judicial Forum Survey

Civil - Case Management

Q1: Do you have any specific scheduling order or any particular topics that counsel must address in the joint statement in addition to/or in lieu of the topics required to be addressed under Local Rule 16.1(D) for the initial scheduling conference?

A1: No.

Q2: If you have a specific scheduling order, please attach your order.

A2: Respondent skipped this question

Q3: Do you have any additional requirement(s) as to the attorneys' obligation that they confer with their client(s) about case budget and ADR pursuant to Local Rule 16.1(D)(3)?

A3: No.

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

A4: At the initial scheduling conference, I will inquire whether the parties have discussed settlement and encourage the parties to pursue early mediation.

Q5: What, if any inquiries do you make about the liklihood of trial at the initial scheduling conference?

A5: None.

Q6: What schedule do you set at the initial scheduling conference?
A6: Typically, at the initial scheduling conference, I will set a schedule that extends through discovery to the filing of dispositive motions.

Q7: After the initial scheduling conference, do you hold status conferences?
A7: Typically, I will set a mid-discovery status conference to ensure that discovery is on track.

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

A8: Typically, midway through discovery.

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

A9: I typically address the state of discovery and whether there are any emerging disputes or concerns with completing discovery by the current deadline.

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: None.

Q11: What, if any, issues related to electronically stored information should counsel be prepared to address at the initial scheduling conference?
A11: If the case is one with large scale electronic discovery, I expect the parties to have discussed and developed a plan for handling the discovery, including agreements on production formats, timelines, and, if applicable, search terms.

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 do not have a deadline for the filing of a protective order. My preference, however, is that the parties should attempt to negotiate and enter into a confidentiality agreement before seeking a protective order.

Q13: Under what circumstances would you consider a bifurcation of discovery ?
A13: At this time, I am still considering whether there are particular circumstances where I would consider bifurcation of discovery.

Q14: Given the new requirement under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) regarding the proportionality of the scope of discovery, what, if any inquiry do you make about this issue at the initial scheduling conference?
A14: I do not make a particular inquiry at the initial scheduling conference, but expect the parties are considering and discussing proportionality in advance of the conference.

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: I do not have any particular requirements at this time.

Q16: Do you typically hold hearing on discovery?
A16: Yes.

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

A17: I do not have a specific practice regarding the resolution of discovery motions. If the circumstances warrant, I may use a hearing on a discovery motion as an informal discussion to try to work through and find a resolution without a formal order. But even under such circumstances it is expected that the parties have already worked to resolve the issue independently in advance of the hearing.

Q18: Under what circumstances will you consider emergency motions regarding discovery matters?
A18: I am most likely to consider an emergency motion where the dispute concerns an event that is scheduled to occur imminently and where the parties could not have foreseen the dispute.

Q19: Do you have any particular practices or requirements about expert disclosures?
A19: No.

Q20: 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?
A20: At the initial scheduling conference, I will typically set a deadline for the plaintiff and defendant's expert disclosures. A schedule for Daubert motions would be set at the request of the parties.

Q21: If the case involves a pro se litigant, do you typically have any different practices in regard to scheduling conferences, status conferences or discovery matters?

A21: No.

Civil - Dispositive Motions

Q22: Other than the presumptive pages limits for memoranda under Rule 7.1(b), do you have any other
requirements or preferences about the filing of dispositive motions?
A22: No.

Q23: In connection with dispositive motions, do you require the filing of any courtesy copies of exhibits, depositions and/or other materials in addition to the electronic versions that are filed on ECF?
A23: In cases where the submissions are particularly voluminous, I may request paper copies, but they are not required as a matter of course.

Q24: Do you typically allow reply briefs and/or surreply
briefs?
A24: Yes, as long as there is some reasons to believe a reply or surreply will aid the court, I will typically grant leave to file. But replies and surreplies should not simply restate the arguments from prior briefing.

Q25: If you allow reply and/or surreply briefs, do you impose a page limit?
A25: At this time, I do not have a set limit. A party seeking leave to file a reply or surreply should specifcially state, however, how many pages it is seeking for a reply or surreply.

Q26: Do you typically hold a hearing on motions to dismiss?
A26: Yes, although if a legal issue presented in the briefs is relatively straightforward, I may decide it based on the papers.

Q27: Do you typically hold a hearing on summary judgment motions?
A27: Yes.

Q28: If you typically hold hearings on dispositive motions, what, if any, time limits do you impose on counsel for their arguments?

A28: I do not typically impose time limits for hearings on dispositive motions.

Q29: Under what, if any, circumstances, would you allow the filing of post-argument briefs?
A29: If the court has further questions on a particular issue, or oral argument raises an unanticipated issue, I may request additional briefing, although it is not the norm.

Civil - Patent Cases

Q30: Do you have any standing order and/or any particular practice regarding the management of patent cases? If so, please describe them.

A30: No.

Q31: If applicable, please upload your standing order regarding the management of patent cases.
A31: Respondent skipped this question

Q32: Do you have particular practice about Markman hearings? If so, please describe them including but not limited to whether you allow tutorial(s).
A32: I do not have a particular practice as of yet.

Civil Mediation

Q33: If you have any particular practices or preferences in regard to submissions before a mediation, please describe them.
A33: Each party is required to submit a confidential memorandum of up to five pages addressing the expected issues at mediation.

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

A34: Not at this time.

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

A35: Typically, after introductions, the parties will move to individual sessions. If the parties wish to make opening statements in advance of the parties separating for individual statements, they should note that request in their memorandum and briefly explain why they believe opening statements would be beneficial.

Q36: Do you require the party/parties to be present or available during a mediation?
A36: I prefer that a party with decision making authority be present at the mediation, although I recognize that there may be instances in which this not possible and will allow participation by phone depending on the circumstances.

Criminal Matters

Q37: Other than the requirements under Local Rule 116.5, what, if any, practices do you have in regard to status conferences in criminal cases?
A37: None.

Q38: Typically, at what point, will you refer a criminal case back to the district judge?
A38: I typically refer the case back to the district judge when discovery is complete.

Q39: Do you have any particular practices as to scheduling in criminal cases? If so, please describe them.
A39: No.

General Trial Practice - Pretrial Matters

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

A40: Yes.

Q41: If you do not require the filing of a trial brief, under what circumstances do you think it would be helpful to the Court?

A41: Respondent skipped this question

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

A42: Yes. At the conference, counsel should be prepared to discuss anticipated legal and evidentiary issues, stipulations, number of witnesses, estimated length of trial.

Q43: When do you set a deadline for the filing of proposed voir dire, proposed jury instructions and/or special verdict form, witness and exhibits lists, motions in limine? Typically, how far in advance of trial are these deadlines?

A43: Counsel typically will be directed to submit those materials before the final pretrial conference.

Q44: Do you require that proposed voir dire, verdict forms and/or jury instructions be filed in any particular form (i.e., courtesy electronic copy to your deputy clerk in Word or WordPerfect format, etc.)? Describe your practice.

A44: I am currently considering this question and will note in the pretrial procedural order if documents are to be filed in a particular form.

Q45: Do you set a page limit for motions in limine? If so, what is it?

A45: Not currently.

Q46: Do you typically hear motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?

A46: Yes.

Q47: Do you typically resolve motions in limine at the final pretrial conference?
A47: Yes.

Q48: Do you typically hear and/or resolve Daubert motions at the final pretrial conference?
A48: Yes.

Q49: Do you require the parties to provide a courtesy copy of trial exhibits to the Court before trial?
A49: Yes.

Q50: If courtesy copies of trial exhibits are required, when do you require them?
A50: If there are pretrial disputes regarding exhibits, I would usually request courtesy copies prior to the final pretrial conference. Otherwise, I would expect courtesy copies at the outset of trial.

Q51: If courtesy copies of trial exhibits are required, what particular form is required?
A51: It will depend on the nature of the particular case.

Q52: Do you require trial exhibits to be pre-marked? If so, please describe your practice?
A52: I do require that trial exhibits be pre-marked but I currently have no rule on how they should be marked. The parties should discuss their proposed method of marking the exhibits with my courtroom deputy in advance of trial.

General Trial Practice - Scheduling Trials

Q53: Typically, when do you set a trial date in civil cases?
A53: At the status conference following the close of discovery.

Q54: What is your typical trial schedule?

A54: Typically, the parties should expect trial to go for the full day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a morning break of 15-30 minutes, an hour-long lunch break, and a 15-30 minute afternoon break. To the extent the parties request a different schedule, they should note their request in their joint pretrial memorandum.

Q55: In civil cases, do you set time limits for counsel for opening statements, the presentation of evidence and/or closing arguments? If so, please describe your practice?
A55: Yes, the parties shall expect that there will be time limits for opening statements and closing arguments, which will vary depending on the nature of the case. The parties should notify the court how long they believe they need for opening statements and closing arguments in their joint pretrial memorandum. I do not currently impose time limits on the presentation of evidence.

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: Respondent skipped this question

Q58: If you would consider the use of a jury questionnaire, when and in what form should it be proposed?
A58: Respondent skipped this question

Q59: Have you or would you consider allowing attorney voir dire?
A59: Respondent skipped this question

Q60: In civil trials, typically what number of jurors do you seat?
A60: Respondent skipped this question

General Trial Practice - Trial Practices

Q61: Do you require counsel to use the podium during openings, examination of witnesses and/or closings?
A61: No.

Q62: How many rounds of examination do you typically allow?
A62: Four -- direct, cross, redirect and recross.

Q63: Under what, if any, circumstances, will you allow a rebuttal case?

A63: I would allow a rebuttal case provided that the party can show why it would be appropriate.

Q64: Do you have any preferences about the use of chalks during openings and closings?
A64: Parties may use chalks, although I expect that any chalks used during the opening would be shown to opposing counsel before it is used in court.

Q65: Do you have any particular practice in regard to jury charge conferences? If so, please describe it.
A65: Not at this time.

Q66: Do you provide a written copy of your jury charge to the jury?
A66: Yes.

Q67: Will you consider counsel's proposals of a special verdict form? If so, should it be in any particular format?
A67: I would consider but do not currently have a preference as to a particular format.

Q68: If you have any preferences or practices about pretrial or trial matters that has not been solicited by the prior questions, please describe them here.
A68: Respondent skipped this question

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

A69: Respondent skipped this question

Standing Orders & Miscellaneous Matters

Q70: Please upload any Standing Orders that do not already appear on your website below:
A70: Respondent skipped this question

Q71: Additional order: (if needed)
A71: Respondent skipped this question

Q72: Additional order: (if needed)
A72: Respondent skipped this question

Q73: If there is any other guidance about your court practices and preferences that you would like to share with counsel that has not been solicited by any of the prior questions, please provide it here.
A73: Respondent skipped this question

Post-Pandemic Practices

Q74: As of Fall 2022, are there any case events that you routinely conduct via Zoom in civil cases? If so, what are they?
A74: Respondent skipped this question

Q75: As of Fall 2022, are there any case events that you routinely conduct via Zoom in criminal cases? If so, what are they?
A75: Respondent skipped this question

Q76: As of Fall 2022, if there are case events that you routinely conduct in person that you would consider conducting via Zoom, what are those case events and under what circumstances would you consider conducting them via Zoom?

A76: Respondent skipped this question