George Kendall Sharp
District Judge
The following information was provided in response to a survey prepared by the Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar. This information is not binding on any judge or court official and may not be relied upon for precedential purposes. Further information may be found in the attachments (sample orders, etc.) referenced at the end of this Guide entry or on the court's website noted below.
Judge
Name of Court:
Middle District of Florida
Location of Chambers:
401 W. Central Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32801
Assigned Courtroom:
#6 floor
Phone:
(407) 648-6316
Chambers Staff
Judicial Assistant/Secretary:
Debbie Benton
Courtroom Deputy:
Al Donahue
Communication with Chambers
Do you permit contact with chambers regarding questions of procedure?
No
Do you permit contact with chambers regarding the status of pending matters?
Yes
Pretrial Procedure (Criminal)
Do you conduct hearings on pretrial motions to dismiss or to sever?
No
Pretrial Procedure (Civil)
Do you conduct preliminary pretrial hearings, e.g., pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 16?
No
Do you hear preliminary injunction motions?
Yes
Should copies of published cases cited in motions and memoranda be forwarded to chambers?
No
If copies of cases are submitted, do you accept copies that have portions highlighted by counsel?
Yes
Do you regularly set aside time during a given week/month for hearings on motions?
No
If YES, how far in advance should they be filed?
Ten (10) days
Discovery
Do you routinely refer discovery matters to a Magistrate Judge?
Yes
When a dispute arises during a deposition, is it appropriate to call your chambers (if the case has been referred for discovery) to seek an immediate ruling?
No
Trial
Do you require trial briefs in jury trials?
No
Do you require trial briefs in bench trials?
No
If YES, what guidelines or restrictions must counsel follow when conducting voir dire?
Yes - Civil No - Criminal
Do you impose any standard time limits on counsel's opening statements?
No
Can exhibits be used in opening statements?
Yes
Do you permit jurors to take notes?
Yes
Do you permit jurors to ask questions?
No
When standard jury instructions are available, do you prefer that attorneys submit condensed versions of the standard instructions?
Yes
Revised: 06-12-2018