Among the 94 U.S. district courts, the “Rocket Docket” is quite special. Officially known as the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), this federal judicial enclave is nationally famous for its long and deeply engrained history and culture of speed, alacrity, efficiency, and punctuality in administering justice in civil and criminal matters. In addition, the EDVA has a well-earned reputation for professionalism, civility, and first-class advocacy. Judicial legends of the EDVA shaped the district’s special culture, and its current bench and bar enforce conformity to the same norms to this day. This venue is highly respected and revered, yet sometimes it is reviled and ridiculed out of frustration. The Rocket Docket is not for the weak.

Originally published in Litigation, Volume 49, Number 12, Winter 2023. © 2023 by the American Bar Association.