Closing Cases
The court will close civil cases for statistical purposes after the entry of a final judgment following a jury verdict, court decision, or stipulation of the parties. This will not affect the disposition of post-trial motions or the assessment of fees and costs as appropriate.

Courtroom Technology
Counsel are directed to schedule an appointment with the courtroom deputy before their trial or hearing in an effort to become familiar with the availability, operation, and compatibility of the courtroom technology systems, should they wish to use them. The courtroom deputy, Chloe Swinton, may be reached by phone at (904) 549-1903 or by email. Failure to do so may result in the equipment not being available for use.

Final Pretrial Conference
The court will hear arguments on motions in limine at the final pretrial conference if any are allowed. There is no standing order regarding pretrial conferences. Orders will be entered following the conference.

Mediation
In most cases, mediation is required and should be completed four to six months before the trial term. If the parties do not stipulate to a mediator in the case management report, the court will appoint a mediator.

Motion Practice
Judge Davis does not regularly provide oral argument on dispositive motions.

A courtesy copy of any document filed that exceeds 25 pages in length (including exhibits) must be provided to chambers as promptly as possible after the document’s electronic filing, via United States mail or other reliable service. Bound and tabbed exhibits are preferred.

Scheduling Order
After the filing of any civil action, the case will be designated for future management on one of three tracks. For a case designated as a Track Two case, the plaintiff must complete and file the case management report form in accordance with Local Rule 3.05.

Within 14 days of the filing of the case management report, the court will either enter a scheduling order or schedule a preliminary pretrial conference if the parties request one and the court deems it necessary.

Settlement
Parties must notify the court immediately upon settlement of a case. Any case scheduled for trial will remain on the trial docket until an order of dismissal is entered.

Change of Plea
A change of plea must be entered before the assigned magistrate judge by the deadline established on the trial calendar for the specific trial term.

Scheduling Order
The court will enter an order scheduling trial once the parties are ready to set the case for trial.

Sentencing
Counsel should notify chambers if a scheduled sentencing is anticipated to last longer than one hour so appropriate arrangements can be made to accommodate the extended hearing.

Status Conferences
The parties are not excused from the status conference unless the plea agreement has been executed, the change-of-plea hearing has been scheduled, and a notice of cancellation of the status conference has been docketed before the status conference date. If a plea is not accepted for whatever reason after the status conference, counsel must be prepared to go to trial and should not expect the failure of the plea to be grounds for a continuance.

Absent extraordinary circumstances, the court will not consider motions or memoranda that are filed less than seven business days before a sentencing hearing.

This court's rules do not provide for filing a Notice of Unavailability as a method to avoid abiding by deadlines and schedules established by the court or to extend the time for responding to motions. Counsel may notify opposing counsel of his or her unavailability and request that his or her schedule be accommodated. With respect to deadlines for filing documents with the court, attending hearings, or otherwise, counsel must file a motion for an enlargement of time or a continuance of a hearing or deposition date as appropriate. It is impractical for the court to search the docket of each case for notices of unavailability before setting hearings and response deadlines. Accordingly, counsel may not rely upon the filing of the notice as a basis to excuse his or her appearance before the court or to comply with a deadline established by the court or governing rules of procedures.

Lawyers are encouraged to be familiar with the American College of Trial Lawyers' Codes of Pretrial and Trial Conduct and to conduct themselves accordingly.

The court will conduct the jury voir dire, giving due consideration to questions proposed by the parties. The court may permit counsel to briefly supplement the court’s voir dire examination.