District of New Jersey Filing Rules
476 individual rules extracted from judicial documents in DNJ
These rules are extracted from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the District of New Jersey. They supplement the court's local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Requirements vary significantly between judges in the same district, so always verify the specific rules for your assigned judge.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Extension requests must include a proposed order.
- Judge Georgette Castner
Extension requests must be filed via CM/ECF.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
Proposed order required with any submission seeking relief.
- Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal
Exhibits used only for impeachment need not be listed.
- Judge Ann Marie Donio
Settlement memoranda must include specific required content elements.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Formal motions require prior leave of Court except Rule 12 motions, timely remand motions, and motions expressly allowed by the Case Management Order.
- Judge Georgette Castner
Reply letters only if directed by court.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
Pre-motion letter requirement does not apply to pro se cases or bankruptcy/social security appeals.
- Judge Christine P. O'Hearn
Pre-motion conference required before specific motions (max 3 single-spaced pages).
- Judge José R. Almonte
Discovery motions require leave of court.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Communications to the Court must be made in writing through CM/ECF.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
Letters to chambers must be filed via CM/ECF; no hard copies allowed; pro se parties exempt.
- Judge Edward S. Kiel
Parties are encouraged to contact Chambers directly
- Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal
Final Pretrial Conference requires attorney with settlement authority and client availability.
- Judge Karen M. Williams
All communications with chambers must be filed via ECF; no hard copies.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Adjournment requests must be filed at least five business days before a scheduled conference.
- Judge Ann Marie Donio
Requests for excused absence must be in writing 3 days before conference.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
Adjournment requests must include dates sought, previous requests, reason, and adversary consent status.
- Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal
Discovery must be completed within deadlines; extension requests must be made via letter before deadline expires.
- Judge Christine P. O'Hearn
Rule 12(a) deadline extensions are limited to 7 days unless stipulated or ordered by Court.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Settlement memoranda must be double-spaced.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
Exhibits submitted with motions must be clearly labeled, dated, tabbed, and indexed.
- Judge Christine P. O'Hearn
All parties except pro se must file via ECF in text-searchable PDF format.
- Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal
Joint Final Pretrial Order must be on 8.5x11 paper and designate assigned District Judge in caption.
- Judge Karen M. Williams
All parties except pro se must file documents via ECF in text-searchable PDF format.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
One courtesy copy is required for submissions over 20 pages and must be sent to chambers by mail or courier.
- Judge Ann Marie Donio
Settlement memoranda must be submitted to chambers via email one week before conference.
- Judge Renée Marie Bumb
One courtesy copy of supporting briefs required; exhibits filed electronically only.
- Judge Christine P. O'Hearn
Courtesy copies required for ECF filings over 50 pages (2 copies, mailed within 7 days, tabbed/bound, no paperclips/binder clips/rubber bands).
- Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal
Original and two copies of Joint Final Pretrial Order must be delivered to court.
- Judge Stacey D. Adams
Discovery Confidentiality Orders must comply with FRCP 26(c) and Local Rule 5.3.
- Judge José R. Almonte
Consent of all parties required for sealing motions.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Settlement and discovery dispute letters under confidentiality order may be emailed to AME_orders@njd.uscourts.gov.
- Judge J. Brendan Day
Motions to seal require proposed order with findings/conclusions, references to docket entries, and contemporaneous submission of redacted documents.
- Judge Julien Xavier Neals
Sealed documents must comply with Local Civil Rule 5.1.
- Judge André M. Espinosa
Unresolved discovery disputes must be presented by joint letter limited to five pages.
- Judge Stacey D. Adams
Discovery dispute letters limited to 5 pages, double-spaced, no exhibits.
- Judge J. Brendan Day
Settlement submissions must be submitted 5 business days before conference, max 5 single-spaced pages.
- Judge Julien Xavier Neals
Summary judgment motions prohibited in ANDA patent cases; waiver letter allowed (max 3 single-spaced pages).
- Judge Esther Salas
Sur-replies require permission, limited to 15 pages, due within 7 days.
- Judge Christine P. O'Hearn
Junior attorneys (under 5 years) presenting oral argument may increase likelihood of argument being granted.
- Judge Julien Xavier Neals
Junior attorneys (under 5 years) may present oral argument with supervisor assistance.
- Judge Esther Salas
Junior lawyers (first 6 years) encouraged to present arguments.
- Judge Justin T. Quinn
Junior associates arguing motions may increase likelihood of oral argument
- Judge Robert Kirsch
Junior attorneys (under 4 years) encouraged to participate in proceedings.