Back to the Courtroom: Practical Implications of Philadelphia’s New Discovery Motion Directive

Associate Eitan Kagedan authored “Back to the Courtroom: Practical Implications of Philadelphia’s New Discovery Motion Directive” for The Legal Intelligencer. Marking a significant shift from the remote motion practice that has defined discovery disputes in recent years, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has issued new guidance requiring in-person argument on discovery motions and the submission of paper filings directly to the assigned judge. 

Eitan examines the practical and strategic implications of this shift for litigators, including how mandatory in-person appearances will reshape motion practice, why focused oral advocacy will now carry greater weight than written briefing, and how the increased burden of court appearances is likely to drive more deliberate and selective use of discovery motions.