Court Rules
senior Judge
Verified Current7 days ago

Judge Reggie B. Walton

District of Columbia

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Motion For Reconsideration
10 pgs
Opposition To Reconsideration
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings (>20 pages)

Required

Adjournments

Must Include

  • 1
    Number Of Previous Requests
  • 2
    Reason For Request
  • 3
    Affects Other Dates
  • 4
    Adversary Position
  • 5
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
Notice Required
4Calendar Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Proposed New Dates
Notice Required
10Minutes

Must Include

  • 1
    Proposed New Dates
Notice Required
20Minutes

Must Include

  • 1
    Emergency Nature
Notice Required
10Calendar Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Proposed New Dates
Notice Required
5Calendar Days

Communication

Email

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

(202) 354-3049
Scheduling
Advance Notice Required
Phone

Clerk

(202) 354-3044
Technical Issues
Phone

Chambers

(202) 354-3290
Emergencies
No Status Inquiries
Letter Ecf

Chambers

No Hours, Status Inquiries
Verbal

Chambers

Approaching WitnessAddressing CourtJury Procedures
Permission Required, Permission Required For Opposing Counsel
No Address Opposing Counsel
Email

Chambers

Phone

Chambers

Scheduling
Advance Notice Required
No Status Inquiries, Hours
Other

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingCommunicationTRO/InjunctionCourtroom ConductExhibitsCourtesy CopiesBinders/TabsMemoranda

Detailed Drafting Rules

Format RequirementMandatory

Page numbers required on bottom of each page.

Filings shall include a page number on the bottom of each page.

Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Format RequirementImportant

Uncommon acronyms discouraged; must define on first use if used.

The parties are highly discouraged from using uncommon acronyms. If uncommon acronyms cannot be avoided, then they shall be defined upon first usage of the acronyms.

Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Ex parte communications with court and law clerks are prohibited.

Ex parte communications with the Court and its law clerks are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Counsel shall not contact the Court or chambers except as follows:

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 2
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Courtroom Deputy Clerk for scheduling inquiries.

(a) counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Andriea Hill, at (202) 354-3049, with appropriate scheduling inquiries about the case;

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 2
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Court Reporter for transcript inquiries.

(b) counsel may contact the Office of the Court Reporter at (202) 354-3044 with inquiries regarding transcripts for in-court, or otherwise transcribed, proceedings; and

Phone

Direct to: Clerk

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Page 2
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

Chambers may be contacted for procedural inquiries, emergencies, or motions pending over 9 months.

(c) counsel may contact chambers, at (202) 354-3290, if: (1) the Court first initiates contact with counsel and a response is requested; (2) counsel have an inquiry that is strictly procedural in nature; (3) counsel need to inform the Court of an actual emergency; or (4) counsel are inquiring about an unresolved motion that has been pending for more than nine (9) months.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 2
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Communication ProtocolImportant

All counsel must be included in communications with chambers.

Any contact by counsel should include counsel for all parties. Failure to comply with this provision will be viewed with extreme disfavor by the Court.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    all_parties_must_be_included
Page 2
|SecCommunications with Chambers
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Courtesy copies required for filings over 20 pages, with tabbed exhibits.

The parties are instructed to provide a courtesy copy of any filing that exceeds twenty (20) pages, including exhibits and, if applicable, the administrative record, to the Court’s chambers upon filing. Exhibits in courtesy copies shall be tabbed for ease of reference.

Courtesy Copies Required

When: Page Threshold > 20
Logistics
Quantity1 Copy
TimingUpon Filing
MethodHand Delivery
Appearance

No specific formatting rules.

Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Document RequirementMandatory

Memos 10+ pages require Table of Contents and Table of Authorities.

Every memorandum of points and authorities that is ten (10) pages or more in length must contain a Table of Contents and Table of Authorities, regardless of whether it is filed in support of or in opposition to a motion.

Document Type

Memorandum Of Points And Authorities

Content & Formatting
Table Of Contents
Table Of Authorities
Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Page limits from Local Civil Rule 7(e) apply, waived only for good cause.

Page limitations are prescribed in Local Civil Rule 7(e). Only in rare instances, and for good cause shown, will these page limitations be waived by the Court.

Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Format RequirementNote

Strongly encouraged to use “the plaintiffs” and “the defendants”.

The parties are strongly encouraged to reference the parties as “the plaintiffs” and “the defendants,” respectively.

Page 3
|Sec5. Motions Generally
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Motions for reconsideration limited to 10 pages and only when FRCP 59(e) or 60(b) requirements are met.

Motions to alter or amend judgments (commonly known as 'motions for reconsideration') are strongly discouraged. Such motions shall be filed only when the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e) and/or Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) are satisfied. If such a motion is filed, it shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length.

Page 10
|SecMotions for Reconsideration
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Counsel must refrain from extrajudicial statements likely to have materially prejudicial effect on the case.

Counsel must refrain from releasing or authorizing the release of information or opinions that a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by means of public communication if such disseminations are “substantially likely to have a materially prejudicial effect” on this case.

Other

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 11
|SecGeneral Order for Civil Cases
Communication ProtocolMandatory

In widely publicized cases, parties and witnesses must refrain from prejudicial extrajudicial statements.

Should this case be widely publicized or sensationalized, parties, witnesses, and counsel must refrain from making extrajudicial statements that are “substantially likely to have a materially prejudicial effect” on this case.

Other

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 11
|SecGeneral Order for Civil Cases