Rule 7.4. Joint Filings

(a) Duties If a rule or order requires parties to jointly prepare and file a document with the court, each party must:

(1) make itself reasonably available to participate in preparing the document;

(2) promptly respond to communications from any other party concerning the document;

(3) cooperate and make a good faith effort to resolve differences about the document's content, format, and the manner in which it will be filed; and

(4) assure that the document is timely filed.

(b) Separate Sections If a rule or order allows it, each party or side may prepare its own section of a joint filing, but each section must be clearly identified as being separately prepared by that party or side. A party or side may not make changes to another party's or side's section of a draft joint filing.

(c) Separate Filing If the filing of a joint document becomes impractical because another party fails to comply with its duties under this rule, a party may prepare and file a document on its own behalf. If it does so, the filing's title must indicate that the party is filing it separately from the other party.

(d) Sanctions A court may sanction any party who violates any of its duties under this rule.