**District Judge Amir H. Ali** was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by President Joseph R. Biden on December 2, 2024. Before his appointment, Judge Ali served as the national Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center, which he joined in 2017 to found and lead its Washington, D.C. office, focusing on civil rights litigation. He previously practiced at Jenner & Block LLP in Washington, D.C. with an active pro bono practice in complex commercial litigation. He has taught civil, criminal, and appellate litigation at Harvard Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. **Education** - Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude - University of Waterloo, Bachelor's in Software Engineering **Career** - District Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (2024–present) - National Executive Director, MacArthur Justice Center (2017–2024) - Founder, MacArthur Justice Center Washington, D.C. office (2017) - Attorney, Jenner & Block LLP, Washington, D.C. - Law clerk to Justice Marshall Rothstein, Supreme Court of Canada - Law clerk to Judge Raymond C. Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
**Courthouse:** E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 **Phone:** (202) 354-3570
Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Courtesy copies should not be provided unless requested by the Court.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Parties must meet in person or by video before bringing a discovery dispute to the Court.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Amended pleadings must include a redline comparison to the prior operative pleading.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The joint meet-and-confer report must address FRCP 26(f) and Local Rule 16.3(c) matters, include a case description and jurisdictional basis, and attach a proposed scheduling order.
Parties may contact Judge Amir H. Ali's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. Telephone contact with chambers is prohibited except for emergencies; parties must communicate via formal filings, not letters.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Amir H. Ali. Process: file redacted on ecf. Motions to seal must include a redacted public version; if full sealing is needed, the party must notify the Court at filing.
Judge Amir H. Ali's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Extensions or continuances require a motion; stipulations alone are insufficient.
No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. Pro se litigants must file documents in paper form; electronic filing is not available to them.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Parties must file the joint meet-and-confer report within 30 days after any defendant answers.
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Service on pro se parties must be in paper form.
Telephone contact with chambers is prohibited except for emergencies; parties must communicate via formal filings, not letters.
Scheduling inquiries must be directed to the Courtroom Deputy Supervisor by phone, not to chambers directly.
Courtesy copies should not be provided unless requested by the Court.
Amended pleadings must include a redline comparison to the prior operative pleading.
Pro se litigants must file documents in paper form; electronic filing is not available to them.
Attorneys must file documents electronically.
Service on pro se parties must be in paper form.
Parties must file the joint meet-and-confer report within 30 days after any defendant answers.
If no answer has been filed and Rule 12(b) motions are pending, the joint report is due 14 days after resolution of those motions.
The joint meet-and-confer report must address FRCP 26(f) and Local Rule 16.3(c) matters, include a case description and jurisdictional basis, and attach a proposed scheduling order.
Parties must jointly submit a scheduling report within 14 days after any defendant files an answer in APA cases.
Parties must jointly submit a FOIA status report within 14 days after any defendant files an answer.
Parties must meet in person or by video before bringing a discovery dispute to the Court.
After an unsuccessful meet-and-confer, parties must jointly email chambers to request a teleconference with a description of issues and proposed dates.
Court leave is required before filing any discovery motion; failure to comply may result in the motion being stricken.
Motions subject to Local Civil Rule 7(m) must contain the requisite statement or will be summarily denied.
Motions, oppositions, and replies of 10 pages or more must include a Table of Contents.
Motions to seal must include a redacted public version; if full sealing is needed, the party must notify the Court at filing.
Protective order designations alone do not justify sealing; parties must confer and include Hubbard factor analysis in the motion to seal.
Extensions or continuances require a motion; stipulations alone are insufficient.
Extension/continuance motions must be filed at least 4 days before the deadline, show good cause, and include specified content.
Untimely motions for extension or continuance must include an explanation for non-compliance with the four-day notice rule.
Opposition to extension/continuance motions must be filed by 5:00 PM the next business day, or the motion may be deemed conceded.
Plaintiff's counsel must promptly file a notice of settlement with the Court when the case settles.