I won’t mention in which specific federal case (but it is in a multi-billion dollar, nearly decade-running piece of federal class action litigation) this order was entered, but it seems at least in San Diego US District Courts… there has been a fall-off in the seriousness — with which at least some counsel have treated the federal court orders for “appearances” — when a given hearing is being held over Zoom.

To wit:

“…Chambers staff will circulate the Zoom invitation to all identified participants at least one day prior to the conference.

All participants shall display the same level of professionalism during the hearing and be prepared to devote their full attention to the hearing as if they were attending in person, including by dressing in appropriate courtroom attire. Participants should be prepared to appear on camera and should not be driving or otherwise in a car during the conference. Because Zoom may quickly deplete the battery of a participant’s device, each participant should ensure that their device is plugged in or that a charging cable is readily available during the videoconference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 13, 2024….”

In so, so many ways, COVID-19 seems to have changed the day to day workings of at least some litigators’ lives.

The idea that someone might wear sweats to federal court, for a hearing… just unimaginable, forever. . . prior to the advent of Zoom hearings.

Now you know. Crazy.