Eastern District of Pennsylvania Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements

Proposed jury instructions must be emailed to law clerk in Microsoft Word format.

ECF filings must be text-searchable; exhibits need descriptive file names; reference documents by docket number; don't use existing docketed documents as exhibits.

Sample certification language for meet-and-confer requirement.

Government must file proposed findings and conclusions before suppression/Starks/Daubert hearings.

Pro hac vice applications must be submitted in writing using Court website forms with signed affidavit of good standing.

Chambers communications limited to scheduling/non-substantive matters via phone/email; substantive matters require motion/filing; no ex parte communications on substantive matters.

Email permitted for urgent administrative matters; other matters must be motions or ECF-designated letters.

Pretrial conferences held only in complex cases or with multiple attorneys.

Carbon copies of letters to opposing counsel are not accepted.

Call chambers for immediate ruling on deposition disputes if judge is available.

Replies and sur-replies must be filed within 7 days of the response.

Extension requests must include a specific revised deadline date.

Suppression, Starks, and Daubert hearings held at least 2 weeks before trial.

Rule 26(f) meeting must occur at least 10 days before Rule 16 conference.

Extension stipulations must be emailed to Chambers and require court approval.

Sur-replies require court permission and limited to 5 pages.

Briefs and memoranda of law are limited to 35 pages unless court authorizes otherwise.

Proposed jury instructions and interrogatories due 7 days before trial.

Reply and sur-reply briefs limited to 10 pages.

Case synopsis submitted for settlement conferences must not exceed five pages.

Rule 16 conference scheduled after answer or during preliminary motions.

Replies automatically allowed for all motions; surreplies allowed for Rule 56 motions, discouraged for others.

Parties must conduct substantive verbal communications before filing certain motions, with certification required.

Rule 16 conference required after answer; lead counsel must appear in person.

Good faith telephone/video conference required before judicial intervention for discovery disputes.

Two hard copies of all pretrial submissions required, single-sided, three-hole punched, unstapled.

All writings to Chambers must use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins.

Each jury instruction/interrogatory must be on separate sheet with party name.

Correspondence limited to unopposed extensions/scheduling; max 5 pages by fax; no correspondence for opposed matters.

Searchable briefs encouraged; scanned briefs should use OCR software.

Hand delivery to chambers required for non-electronically filed documents.

Provide 2 copies of exhibits (1 at final pretrial, 1 at trial start) in binders.

Two hard copies of pretrial submissions required, single-sided, three-hole punched, unstapled.

Physical courtesy copies required for ECF filings with more than 3 exhibits; must be three-hole punched with tabbed, labeled exhibits.

Judge Arteaga may require hard copies of lengthy materials.

Protective orders may not include language allowing parties to seal materials without prior specific court approval.

Confidentiality orders require detailed explanation of injury and specific categories of protected information.

Confidentiality/sealing orders require good cause.

Parties filing material under seal must familiarize themselves with the sealing standard established in In re Avandia.

Confidentiality/sealing orders require good cause and specific language about Court's modification rights.

Plaintiffs must submit a written settlement demand at least three weeks before the scheduled settlement conference.

Joint Rule 26(f) status reports must be filed at least seven days before the Rule 16 scheduling conference.

Rule 26(f) meeting report must be filed at least 3 business days before the pretrial conference.

Rule 26(f) reports must be filed and emailed to Chambers at least 7 calendar days before the Rule 16 conference.

Counsel must file a joint Rule 16(f) report one week before the Rule 16 teleconference if not previously filed.

Joinder in substantive motions of other parties is strongly disfavored and normally not permitted.

Supplemental, reply, and sur-reply briefs may be filed without leave, but consideration begins after initial opposition.

Exhibits must be provided as two tabbed loose-leaf books (one for judge, one for law clerk) with joint, plaintiff's, and defendant's exhibits.

No Rule 16 conference or scheduling order in arbitration track cases (except de novo appeals).

One set of pre-marked trial exhibits required; provide two copies to Judge.

Proposed jury instructions and verdict form must be filed on the Court’s docket.

Exhibits filed via ECF must be separate documents with identifying names (not generic labels like “Exhibit A”); single “Exhibits” files will be struck.

Attorneys must file public documents via ECF and sealed documents via email to Clerk with motion to impound; all filings via ECF or Clerk’s Office.

All counseled parties must use ECF; proposed orders attached to motions; no Chambers submissions except via ECF; court won't act on non-docketed submissions.

Multiple attorneys allowed for different witnesses/legal points, but only one attorney per witness or point.

Oral argument granted on motions at judge's discretion.

Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one per side may address the jury.

Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one attorney per side may examine same witness or address jury.

Junior attorneys (associates) may argue with notice to chambers; supervising counsel can supplement their argument.

Parties must submit Rule 26(f) report via email to chambers at least 5 days before scheduling conference if not already on docket.

Moving parties must serve the statement of undisputed material facts on all parties at least 28 days before the summary judgment motion deadline.

Service of documents must be executed at the time of filing.

Rule 56 moving parties must provide a Word document of the Statement of Undisputed Material Facts to opposing counsel.

Counsel may send correspondence to the Court only if copies are simultaneously sent to all other counsel in the matter.

Pro hac vice motions will be denied if the required filing fee is not submitted.

Pro hac vice admission fee must be submitted with the application, else application is denied.