District of Columbia Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements

Losing party in discovery dispute may be ordered to pay costs and attorney's fees.

When the standing order is docketed before defendants appear, plaintiffs must provide it with or promptly after service of the complaint.

Joint Report must include certification that counsel discussed Local Civil Rule 16.3(c) topics in good faith.

Defendant must refile pre-removal answer and distribute Standing Order.

Submissions with multiple exhibits require index and proper editing.

Parties must jointly submit via email to chambers a description of discovery disputes before scheduling a telephone conference.

Ex parte communications, including ex parte telephone calls to chambers, are prohibited.

Telephone contact with Chambers generally prohibited except for emergencies.

Chambers may only be contacted by telephone for emergencies, jointly by counsel.

Minimize communications with chambers; ex parte communications prohibited except as specified.

All court submissions must be double-spaced, use 12-point Times New Roman, and have one-inch margins.

Briefs must be indexed, tabbed, double-sided, and in B&W/greyscale.

Joint Pretrial Statement must be double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, Word format, 1-inch margins.

When not using lectern, counsel must use handheld/lapel mic and keep it in place.

All documents must be filed electronically unless Court grants leave for good cause.

Extensions of time must be requested by motion and cannot be obtained by party stipulation alone.

Extensions require motion, not stipulation; strongly discouraged.

Oppositions to late motions must be filed 5 days before jury selection; replies 4 days before.

Cases scheduled during court closures or delays will be rescheduled.

Rescheduling hearings requires 1-week advance notice, good cause, and 4 alternative dates.

Discovery disputes require joint email to chambers before telephone conference.

Parties must confer in good faith before seeking Court involvement in a discovery dispute.

Counsel seeking briefing schedule for dispositive motions must be prepared to argue why such motions are appropriate and would not waste judicial resources.

Initial Scheduling Conference required after answer in cases under FRCP 26(f).

Motions in limine must be fully briefed with Joint Pretrial Statement; opposition due in 5 days, reply in 2 days.

Redacted version required when filing motion to seal; must notify court if all portions must remain sealed.

When filing under seal, submit both unredacted and proposed redacted versions.

Favorable information the government seeks to withhold must be submitted to the Court for in camera review.

Sealed documents require motion to seal under Local Civil Rule 5.1(h).

Sealed documents in totally sealed cases must be filed in paper with electronic copy.

Courtesy copies of proposed findings and conclusions must be submitted in non-PDF format to chambers email.

Two courtesy copies required for submissions over 50 pages.

Joint Pretrial Statement requires ECF filing and courtesy copies to chambers.

Courtesy copies required for sealed submissions on filing day.

Moving party must deliver 2 courtesy copies of motion papers to chambers

Discovery limits: max 10 depositions and 25 interrogatories per side.

Defendant must answer or file Rule 12 motion within 21 days of transfer.

Opening statements limited to 30 minutes per side unless case is complex or Court authorizes otherwise.

Pending motions must be refiled within 7 days of transfer or deemed withdrawn.

All motions in limine must be bundled into one omnibus motion per side.

Junior attorneys (under 7 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument if they played substantial role in filing/witness preparation.