District of Columbia Filing Rules

The government must produce discoverable evidence in a readily usable form.

Parties must keep contact information current on docket and file notice of changes; failure may result in dismissal.

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

Submissions with multiple exhibits require index and proper editing.

Sur-replies require leave of court.

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

Parties generally prohibited from contacting chambers by phone; emergencies require joint counsel call; no legal advice provided.

Telephone contact with Chambers generally prohibited except for emergencies.

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

Ex parte communications with court and law clerks are prohibited.

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

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

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

Page numbers required on bottom of each page.

All documents must be filed electronically in text-searchable PDF format

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.

Telephonic appearance allowed with good cause; joint motion required 10 days before hearing.

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

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

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.

Discovery motions require prior telephone conference approval from chambers.

Replies to motions in limine require court permission.

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

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

Motion for leave to file under seal requires both unredacted and proposed redacted versions.

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.

Two courtesy copies required for submissions over 50 pages.

Courtesy copies required for sealed submissions on filing day.

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

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

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

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

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

Motions in limine limited to 20 pages, oppositions to 15 pages, with specific deadlines.

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.