**Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte** was appointed to the District of New Jersey in 2022. Judge Almonte earned his law degree from Rutgers Law School and served as a Judicial Clerk on the New Jersey Supreme Court. He subsequently practiced as an associate at Dechert LLP in New York City, served as a federal prosecutor for seven years beginning in 2010, and worked as senior investigations counsel at Stryker. He rejoined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey in 2020, where he served as deputy chief of the Criminal Division and chief of the Special Prosecutions Division before his judicial appointment. **Education** - Rutgers Law School, J.D. **Career** - Judicial Clerk, Supreme Court of New Jersey - Associate, Dechert LLP, New York City, 2005–2010 - Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey, 2010–2017 - Senior Investigations Counsel, Stryker, 2017–2020 - Assistant U.S. Attorney (Deputy Chief, Criminal Division; Chief, Special Prosecutions Division), District of New Jersey, 2020–2022 - U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey, 2022–present
**Division:** Newark **Courthouse:** Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 50 Walnut Street, Newark, NJ 07102 **Chambers:** MLK 4D **Phone:** (973) 645-3110 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Alexus Wheeler, (973) 645-5909
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge José R. Almonte. Physical courtesy copies to Chambers are not required unless the Court orders otherwise.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Discovery motions require leave of Court; parties must first meet and confer in person, via video, or by telephone (email exchanges are insufficient) to resolve discovery disputes.
Judge José R. Almonte's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes exhibits. Settlement conference letters are limited to 5 pages, excluding exhibits.
Judge José R. Almonte's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Excludes exhibits. Discovery dispute joint letters are limited to 10 pages, excluding exhibits.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each party must email a confidential settlement letter summarizing the factual background, disputed issues, case status, and settlement position.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The discovery dispute letter must explain resolution efforts, summarize each issue and each party's position with supporting facts and legal authority, and separate each issue into its own section.
Parties may contact Judge José R. Almonte's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email jra_orders@njd.uscourts.gov. In civil cases, confidential information must be emailed to Chambers at jra_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All pleadings and correspondence must be electronically filed via CM/ECF unless the Court orders otherwise.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Settlement conference letters must be submitted at least 7 calendar days before the scheduled settlement conference.
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail. Represented parties must mail copies of all electronic filings to pro se litigants who have not consented to email service.
Yes. Judge José R. Almonte's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. The Court encourages junior attorneys to take an active role at hearings, especially where they substantially contributed to the underlying filing, provided a senior attorney ensures they are adequately prepared.
Call Chambers immediately to reschedule a conference or hearing, or if you expect to be late.
The Court encourages junior attorneys to take an active role at hearings, especially where they substantially contributed to the underlying filing, provided a senior attorney ensures they are adequately prepared.
All pleadings and correspondence must be electronically filed via CM/ECF unless the Court orders otherwise.
Call Chambers for any request that requires attention within 48 hours.
In civil cases, confidential information must be emailed to Chambers at jra_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.
In criminal cases, confidential information must be sent directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler at Alexus_Wheeler@njd.uscourts.gov.
Faxes to Chambers are prohibited.
Physical courtesy copies to Chambers are not required unless the Court orders otherwise.
Settlement conference letters are limited to 5 pages, excluding exhibits.
Settlement conference letters must be submitted at least 7 calendar days before the scheduled settlement conference.
Each party must email a confidential settlement letter summarizing the factual background, disputed issues, case status, and settlement position.
Discovery motions require leave of Court; parties must first meet and confer in person, via video, or by telephone (email exchanges are insufficient) to resolve discovery disputes.
Discovery dispute joint letters are limited to 10 pages, excluding exhibits.
The discovery dispute letter must explain resolution efforts, summarize each issue and each party's position with supporting facts and legal authority, and separate each issue into its own section.
Pro hac vice admission requests must be filed as motions, indicate whether all parties consent, and comply with Local Civil Rule 101.1(c).
Motions to seal must include a proposed order with findings of fact and conclusions of law addressing the Local Civil Rule 5.3(c) factors, and must indicate whether all other parties consent to sealing.
Parties submitting a confidentiality order that differs from Appendix S must submit a clean version ready for signature and a redline version showing the differences.
Represented parties must mail copies of all electronic filings to pro se litigants who have not consented to email service.
The parties must file their completed Joint Discovery Plan on CM/ECF.
The Joint Discovery Plan must be filed no later than five business days before the scheduled Rule 16 conference.
Bail and bail-modification requests will not be considered until defense counsel consults with the U.S. Attorney's Office and Pretrial Services/Probation assesses the proposed bail package.
Defense counsel must copy the Assistant U.S. Attorney and the assigned Pretrial Services/Probation Officer on all bail-related emails to the Court.
Unopposed continuance orders must be emailed directly to Courtroom Deputy Alexus Wheeler.
An emailed continuance order becomes effective on the date the Court receives it.
If a continuance order is opposed, the moving party must file a motion on CM/ECF.
Discovery plan must be submitted 5 business days before Initial Scheduling Conference.
No formal discovery demands before Initial Scheduling Conference.
Counsel must have full authority to bind clients at Initial Scheduling Conference.
Plaintiff's counsel must notify new parties about this Order.
Parties must immediately notify Court if case is settled or terminated.