Judge Carol Bagley Amon
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 5 pages
- 1 copy
Pretrial Order
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
Pro Se filings
Adjournments
- Adjournment requests for court appearances require 48-hour advance notice.
- Adjournment/extension requests must include original date, previous requests, and adversary position.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Pretrial Order due within 60 days of discovery completion.
Court's wording
The Pretrial Order shall be submitted on a date set by the United States Magistrate Judge to whom the case has been referred, but in no event will that date be later than 60 days from the date set for the completion of discovery in a civil case.
Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, not to exceed fifteen pages without the express approval of the Court.
- Proposed findings conclusions
- Up to 15 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Courtesy copies should be submitted in a single binder containing the following documents in the following order separated in individual numbered tabs: 1. Opening Brief 2. Response Brief 3. Reply Brief (if any) 4. For motions to dismiss: Complaint 5. For motions for summary judgment: all Local Rule 56.1 statements and counterstatements in individual tabs.
Formatting
- •Single binder
- •Numbered tabs
- •Specific document order
Any exhibits filed with motions should be provided in a separate binder from the above, with exhibits separately tabbed. All documents should be printed double-sided.
Formatting
- •Exhibits in separate binder
- •Exhibits separately tabbed
- •Double-sided printing
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Cover letter must be served with motion papers and filed electronically as a letter, not as a motion.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Cover letter
- •Notice of motion
Court's wording
The notice of motion and all supporting papers are to be served on the other parties along with a cover letter setting forth whom the movant represents and the papers being served. A copy of the cover letter only shall be filed electronically, as a letter, NOT as a motion.
Pretrial Order controls the action unless modified by consent or court order.
Court's wording
The Pretrial Order to be submitted shall include the below listed items and be governed by the directions and principles stated herein. The Pretrial Order controls the subsequent course of the action unless the order is modified by consent of the parties and the Court, or by order of the Court to prevent manifest injustice.
A copy of this final order will also be served on opposing counsel on the same date.
Opposing counsel must deliver additional schedules to plaintiff's counsel within one week of receiving proposed order.
- Document
- Pretrial order
Must include
- •Additional schedules
Court's wording
All opposing counsel shall, within one week of receipt of plaintiff’s proposed order, prepare any additional schedules and deliver them in final form to plaintiff’s counsel for inclusion in the final Pretrial Order.
Plaintiff’s counsel shall, three weeks prior to the date fixed for filing the Pretrial Order, prepare and serve on all opposing counsel a Proposed Pretrial Order with attached schedules.
Counsel must premark exhibits with courtroom deputy immediately after pretrial conference using Pretrial Order numbering.
Court's wording
Immediately following the pretrial conference, on the same day, counsel shall meet with the courtroom deputy to premark their exhibits, using the numbering assigned to them in the exhibit schedules of the Pretrial Order.
Counsel for each party shall provide the Court with legal memoranda addressing all contested legal issues and anticipated evidentiary problems.
- Document
- Legal memoranda
Must include
- •Contested legal issues
- •Anticipated evidentiary problems
Each party shall submit written requests to charge the jury.
- Document
- Jury charge requests
Must include
- •Written requests
A legal memorandum addressing all contested legal issues.
- Document
- Legal memoranda
Include
- •Contested legal issues
Counsel must exchange all proposed evidence documents before pretrial conference and be prepared to discuss objections.
Court's wording
Prior to attending the pretrial conference on a date to be scheduled by this Court, counsel shall exchange copies of all documents proposed to be used in evidence, and shall be prepared to discuss and have the Court rule on objections to exhibits.
Each party shall file with the Court: i. Copies of the proposed exhibits in a suitable binder and in electronic format.
- Document
- Proposed exhibits
Must include
- •Electronic format
Magistrate Judge may alter exchange timing if information exchange occurs before Pretrial Order filing date.
Court's wording
The timing of the exchanges noted above may be altered by the United States Magistrate Judge to whom the case has been referred, as long as the dates given permit the exchange of information prior to the filing date for the Pretrial Order.
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies required for ECF filings over 5 pages.
Hard copies of all papers filed electronically and exceeding five pages in length, including motions, letters, and stipulations, must be provided to Chambers. All such papers must be clearly marked “COURTESY COPY - ORIGINAL FILED BY ECF.”
Page 1 | 1. ELECTRONIC CASE FILING (ECF)
Non-moving party must provide courtesy copies to chambers when moving party is pro se.
Where the moving party is pro se, the non-moving party shall furnish chambers with a full set of courtesy copies.
Page 3 | D. Filing of Motion
Plaintiff's counsel must file two copies of final Pretrial Order with Court on filing date.
Plaintiff’s counsel, on the date fixed, will file with this Court two copies of the final proposed Pretrial Order.
Page 5 | Directions for Filing a Pretrial Order
Filing Bundling Requirements
Moving party must file motion papers electronically and provide courtesy copies to chambers when motion is fully briefed.
On the day the motion is fully briefed, each party shall electronically file its motion papers. In addition, the moving party (unless pro se) shall furnish chambers with a full set of courtesy copies of the motion papers, described further below, together with a letter specifying each document in the package.
Page 3 | D. Filing of Motion
Under no circumstances should the parties file separate Pretrial Orders. The parties are directed to cooperate with each other in the preparation of a joint Pretrial Order.
Under no circumstances should the parties file separate Pretrial Orders. The parties are directed to cooperate with each other in the preparation of a joint Pretrial Order.
Page 5 | Directions for Filing a Pretrial Order
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must submit briefing schedule for court approval; changes require approval.
The parties are to set up their own briefing schedule and submit it to the Court for approval. No changes to the schedule may be made without Court approval. Approval may be given at the pre-motion conference or by subsequent letter.
Page 2 | 3. MOTIONS
Pre-motion conference required for most motions except specified exceptions.
Pre-Motion Conferences in Civil Cases. For discovery motions, follow Local Civil Rules 37.3 and 6.4. A pre-motion conference with the Court is required before making any motions, except: when one or more of the parties is pro se; when the case is a habeas corpus petition, a prisoner petition, a social security appeal, or bankruptcy appeal; when it is a motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction; or, upon notice to the Court, when waiting to file a motion could result in the loss of a right.
Page 2 | 3. MOTIONS
Pre-motion letter limited to 3 pages; response due within 7 days.
To arrange a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall submit a letter not to exceed three (3) pages in length setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion. All parties so served must serve and file a letter response, not to exceed three (3) pages, within seven days from service of the notification letter.
Page 2 | 3. MOTIONS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournment requests for court appearances require 48-hour advance notice.
If the request is for an adjournment of a court appearance, it shall be made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appearance, absent an emergency.
Page 2 | 2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Adjournment/extension requests must include original date, previous requests, and adversary position.
Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must state (1) the original date, (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension, (3) whether these previous requests were granted or denied, and (4) the adversary’s position (consents or opposes), and, if opposed, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. If the requested adjournment or extension affects any other scheduled dates, a proposed Revised Scheduling Order must be attached.
Page 2 | 2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with chambers must be by letter with copies to all counsel.
Letters. Except as provided below, communications with chambers shall be by letter, with copies simultaneously delivered to all counsel. Copies of correspondence between counsel shall not be sent to the Court.
Page 2 | 2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Faxes to chambers require copies to all counsel, max 10 pages without authorization.
Faxes. Faxes to chambers are permitted only if copies are simultaneously faxed or delivered to all counsel. No document longer than ten pages may be faxed without prior authorization. All faxes should be followed with a hard copy to be electronically filed.
Page 2 | 2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Telephone calls to chambers are permitted only in emergency situations requiring immediate attention. In such situations only, call chambers at the number listed above. If possible, opposing counsel should be on the line.
Telephone calls to chambers are permitted only in emergency situations requiring immediate attention. In such situations only, call chambers at the number listed above. If possible, opposing counsel should be on the line.
Page 2 | 2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Contact Ms. Evelyn Levine for ECF technical questions.
Questions regarding the technical aspects of electronic filing, including questions about training, should be directed to Ms. Evelyn Levine at (718) 613-2312.
Page 1 | 1. ELECTRONIC CASE FILING (ECF)
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Oral argument required for all motions when parties are represented by counsel.
Where the parties are represented by counsel, oral argument will be held on all motions. The notice of motion shall state that oral argument will be held “on a date and time to be designated by the court.” The Court will notify the parties to set the specific date and time for oral argument.
Page 3 | E. Oral Argument on Motions