EFFECTIVE 1/17/2023, IF A PARTY FAILS TO APPEAR TO BE HEARD ON A  CONTESTED MATTER, THE MOTIONS/RELIEF SOUGHT WILL BE DENIED AND/OR THE OBJECTION/RESPONSE THERETO WILL BE OVERRULED FOR LACK OF PROSECUTION.

Communication:

Heather Renye, Courtroom Deputy, may be contacted by telephone, e-mail Heather_Renye@njb.uscourts.gov or regular mail. Communication by fax is not permitted except with the  consent of Judge Altenburg. For emergency applications, such as applications and orders shortening time, parties should e-file the documents and notify Chambers by message to Judge Altenburg’s Chambers e-mail address (chambers_of_aba@njb.uscourts.gov). Parties should be guided by D.N.J. LBR 5071-1 regarding adjournment requests. Proposed “Orders to be Submitted” or “OTBS” are to be submitted in accordance with D.N.J. LBR 9027-2 to the Chambers e-mail address.

Judge Altenburg only permits limited communications with his law clerks. Unless directed otherwise by the court, litigants should never contact law clerks for advice on substantive or procedural matters other than of a rudimentary nature. Questions about the outcome of hearings may be answered by reviewing the minutes concerning the hearing placed on the court’s docket. All communications with the court about scheduling matters should be directed to Heather Renye, Courtroom Deputy.

Telephonic Appearances:

Beginning April 1, 2025, Judge Altenburg will conduct his hearings via Zoom.  Connection information for Judge Altenburg's Zoom proceeding can be found below.

No prior registration is needed to appear via Zoom.  PLEASE REVIEW THE ZOOM APPEARANCE GUIDELINES BELOW.  Failure to adhere to these guidelines and an appropriate standard of conduct may result in denial of participation in the Zoom proceeding.  

Zoom is a free video conferencing platform that a party may download and become familiar with prior to the hearing. Information for Zoom may be found at https://zoom.us/ and https://zoomgov.com/.  Please ensure that your computer/device settings allow for video and microphone access so that Judge Altenburg may hear and see you.  To appear via Zoom parties may click on the Zoom link below or use a telephone to dial-in using the dial-in information.  Once connected to Zoom the party will enter the virtual Zoom Courtroom.  Please connect to Zoom at least 15 minutes prior to your hearing.

ZOOM APPEARANCE GUIDELINES

Courtroom behavior. Although held remotely, a Zoom hearing or trial is a judicial proceeding and therefore the formalities of a courtroom must be observed. Parties are expected to conduct themselves in the same way that they would if they were in person in the courtroom. This includes appropriate formality and attire.

“Public Proceedings.” Please be reminded that the Zoom proceeding is a “public proceeding” and the Zoom connection information is publicly available on the Court’s website.  Thus, any party interested may “listen in” to the Zoom proceeding. Parties who “listen in” must have their cameras off and their microphones muted at all times.  Failure to adhere to this rule will result in removal from the Zoom proceeding.

Video/audio. All video and audio will be off upon entry into the Zoom courtroom.  The Court requests that each party remain muted with camera off until such time as their matter is called or until the Court directs otherwise.  The Court prefers that parties appear with their video on; however, video is not mandatory.  If necessary, parties may appear without video and/or may appear telephonically by dialing into the Zoom using the dial-in information.  Links to the Zoom meeting and dial-in information can be found below.

Speaking and Questions. Each time you speak, identify yourself by stating your full name for the record. Remember to speak slowly and distinctly. Do not interrupt others. As stated above, please remain muted until your case is called or directed otherwise by the Court.  Should you have a question during the Zoom proceeding you may direct that question in the “Chat” or “raise your hand” by clicking the hand raise button.

Participate from a quiet place with reliable reception. Do not use a speaker phone or call/log in from a public place. Disruptions or background noise may cause the Judge to mute you or terminate your participation.

NOTE (EFFECTIVE APRIL 26, 2022):

• UNCONTESTED MATTERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE HEARD ON THE PAPERS.

• HOWEVER, ALL CONTESTED HEARINGS, INCLUDING TRIALS AND EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS, WILL BE PRESUMPTIVELY IN-PERSON (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHAPTER 13 CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AND FRIDAY DISMISSAL HEARINGS).

• PARTIES MAY CONTINUE TO REQUEST TO APPEAR BY TELEPHONE IN THE NORMAL COURSE. FOR GUIDANCE ON INDIVIDUAL CASES, PARTIES ARE DIRECTED TO CONTACT CHAMBERS.