Virginia U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division (Other Divisions in Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News)

Practitioners know the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia as the "Rocket Docket." Those unfamiliar with this court should not take this reputation lightly. Continuances in the dates set by the court for initial conferences, pretrial conferences and trial dates are seldom, if ever, granted by the court. You may expect that civil cases, regardless of their alleged complexity, will generally be scheduled for trial well within a year of the date of filing, and in many cases, no later than 7 months after the date of filing. This is a court in which thorough preparation is the essential key to survival.

While each of the divisions of the court has slight differences in local practice, you may always expect the judges of the court to have thoroughly read what the parties have submitted prior to a hearing, and to be ready to ask detailed questions concerning the matter. Often, a detailed decision will be rendered from the bench at the conclusion of oral argument.

Attorneys not admitted to the court are required by Local Rule to become associated with local counsel, and must file a motion for admission pro hac vice. Even upon admission, however, local counsel is required to execute pleadings filed in the court, and, absent permission, must be present in the court for hearings and trial.

Cell Phones, Pagers and other electronic devices are not generally allowed in the Courthouse. The marshals at the entrance of the Court are very diligent in making sure that such items are left in lockers just to the left of the x-ray machines. There is a bank of pay phones on the second floor in the hallway to the left of the elevator bank, adjacent to the Clerk's office.

The Alexandria Division is located two blocks south of Duke Street (Rte 236) on the west side of Old Towne Alexandria in the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse. The Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station on the Yellow Line is three blocks southwest of the Courthouse. If you are driving, arrive early. Street parking is limited to two-hour non-metered spaces on the streets surrounding the Courthouse, including Jamieson and Ballenger Avenues, and Elizabeth Lane. Parking is also available at a private surface lot around the Metro Station on Eisenhower Avenue. The Court is a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the King Street Metro Station. Few restaurants are available in the area immediately surrounding the Courthouse, but there is a cafeteria on the second floor of the building. The United States Marshal Service is located on the first floor, the Clerk of Court's office on the second floor, and the Jury Assembly Room is on the third floor.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia,
Alexandria Division
401 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, VA 22314

CIVIL CLERK PHONE: 703-299-2101
CRIMINAL CLERK PHONE: 703-299-2102
MOTIONS/DOCKET PHONE: 703-299-2103

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/