Eastern District of Pennsylvania Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements
Filing requirements from local rules, individual practices, standing orders, and published court policies for Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Federal court local rules are only the first layer. These filing requirements come from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. They supplement the district 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 Gerald J. Pappert
Settlement conferences referred to Magistrate Judge.
- Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
Oral argument must be requested by letter or in motion/responsive pleading.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Parties must obtain permission before filing supplemental briefs.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Joint exhibit chart in PDF format required with neutral descriptions
- Magistrate Judge Scott W. Reid
Counsel must exchange offer/demand before settlement conference.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Counsel may correspond with the Court on all matters, but disputes are preferably handled through joint telephone conferences.
- Judge Joshua D. Wolson
Chambers physical address provided
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Chambers communication limited to scheduling and non-substantive matters only; no ex parte substantive communications allowed.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Continuance requests must be submitted in writing via email only
- Judge Gerald A. McHugh
Call chambers for immediate ruling on deposition disputes if judge is available.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
No fixed minimum advance notice period is imposed for continuance or extension requests.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Continuance or extension requests must be submitted by letter to Judge Sánchez.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Rule 26(f) meeting must occur within 21 days before Rule 16 conference
- Judge Gerald J. Pappert
Extensions/continuances require compelling reasons; settlement negotiations and summer scheduling not compelling
- Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
Extension requests require conference with opposing counsel; unopposed requests via joint stipulation, opposed as motions.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Motions and opposition briefs limited to 15 pages each.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Reply briefs limited to 10 pages and must be filed within 7 days of opposition brief.
- Judge Gerald J. Pappert
Standard discovery period is 90-120 days from Rule 16 conference
- Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
Reply briefs are limited to 10 pages.
- Judge Joshua D. Wolson
Opening briefs limited to 25 pages or 8,750 words; replies to 10 pages or 3,500 words; sur-replies to 7 pages or 2,450 words.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Pretrial conferences in criminal cases are generally not held, but may be conducted if counsel requests one.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Final pretrial conference held at least 30 days after discovery closes and during week before trial.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Motions in limine must be filed 10 days before trial.
- Judge Gerald A. McHugh
Rule 16 conference required after answer; lead counsel must appear in person.
- Judge Gerald J. Pappert
Preliminary pretrial conference scheduled after answer; joint Rule 26(f) report due 3 business days prior
- Judge Karen Spencer Marston
All PDF documents must be text searchable
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Exhibit submissions to the Court must be presented in a loose-leaf binder.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Exhibit chart must contain functioning hyperlinks to files
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
All documents must be submitted in Word format.
- Judge Gerald A. McHugh
Searchable briefs encouraged; scanned briefs should use OCR software.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Courtesy copies of motion papers to chambers are encouraged, particularly by electronic delivery.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Courtesy copies not required unless requested; encouraged for filings over 50 pages with tabbed exhibits.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Courtesy copies only required for voluminous exhibits or sealed cases, after email confirmation.
- Judge Gerald A. McHugh
Physical courtesy copies required for ECF filings with more than 3 exhibits; must be three-hole punched with tabbed, labeled exhibits.
- Judge Gerald J. Pappert
Two copies of joint exhibit book must be provided to Court at final pretrial conference.
- Judge Juan R. Sánchez
Sealed documents must comply with Local Rule 5.1.2, Section 6 and require a motion for leave to file under seal.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Confidentiality/sealing orders require good cause.
- Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
Confidentiality orders require detailed explanation of injury and specific categories of protected information.
- Judge Joshua D. Wolson
Motion to seal required before filing sealed documents, with courtesy copies.
- Judge John M. Gallagher
Motion to seal must identify specific injuries if materials are not sealed.
- Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells
Motions in limine should be bundled with the final pretrial memorandum and are usually addressed at the final pretrial conference.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
No Rule 16 conference or scheduling order in arbitration track cases (except de novo appeals).
- Judge John Milton Younge
Joinder in substantive motions of other parties is strongly disfavored and normally not permitted.
- Judge John M. Gallagher
Appendix should be filed in same ECF entry as motion or response when practicable.
- Judge Gail A. Weilheimer
Joint exhibit binder preferred but not required.
- Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one per side may address the jury.
- Judge Gerald J. Pappert
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one attorney per side may examine same witness or address jury.
- Judge Joshua D. Wolson
Only one attorney per side may examine witnesses or address jury without leave of court.
- Judge John M. Gallagher
Section on development of young attorneys
- Judge Gail A. Weilheimer
Junior attorneys (associates) may argue with notice to chambers; supervising counsel can supplement their argument.