**District Judge Rodney Gilstrap** was appointed to the Eastern District of Texas by President Barack Obama in 2011. He was nominated on May 19, 2011, confirmed by the Senate on December 5, 2011, and received his commission on December 6, 2011. He filled the seat vacated by Thad Heartfield. Judge Gilstrap served as Chief Judge from 2018 to 2025. Before his appointment, Judge Gilstrap was in private legal practice in Marshall, Texas from 1981 to 2011. He also served as a Judge on the Harrison County Court in Texas from 1989 to 2002. Judge Gilstrap was born in 1957 in Pensacola, Florida, and attended Baylor University for both his undergraduate and legal education. **Education** - Baylor University School of Law, J.D., 1981 - Baylor University, B.A., 1978 **Career** - Private law practice, Marshall, TX (1981–2011) - Judge, Harrison County Court, TX (1989–2002)
**Courthouse:** Sam B. Hall, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 100 East Houston Street, Marshall, TX 75670 **Phone:** (903) 935-3868 **Fax:** (903) 935-2295 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Andrea Brunson - Court Reporter: Shawn McRoberts - Law Clerk: Braden Anderson - Law Clerk: Chipper Adams - Law Clerk: Hannah Keidan - Law Clerk: Rahul Gupta
Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Courtesy paper copies are not required unless specifically requested by the judge.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Lead counsel must meet and confer one-on-one before filing a pre-Markham § 101 motion.
Judge Rodney Gilstrap's rule states these limits: 12 pages. Excludes attachments. Motions to Strike limited to 12 pages (excluding attachments); responses limited to 12 pages; replies/sur-replies limited to 5 pages.
Judge Rodney Gilstrap's rule states these limits: 4 pages. Joint letter limited to 2 pages per side (4 pages total) must be filed within 10 days of § 101 motion if certification reflects disagreement.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Plaintiff must file a notice of readiness for scheduling conference within five days of last defendant's answer or motion, including list of pending motions; patent cases require additional content.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Live witness testimony at claim construction hearings is prohibited without prior leave; otherwise, witness testimony must be submitted via exhibits (sworn declarations) attached to claim construction briefing.
Parties may contact Judge Rodney Gilstrap's juror by all only as allowed by the rule. Prohibits communication with jurors or potential jurors except during official proceedings
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Sealing requests must be made before public disclosure of the information at a hearing or trial.
Requests should be made at least 3 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Notice must be filed within 3 days of learning of relevant determination
The rule states that filing is treated as not specified. Notice of readiness must be filed within five days of last defendant's answer or motion.
Plaintiff must file a notice of readiness for scheduling conference within five days of last defendant's answer or motion, including list of pending motions; patent cases require additional content.
Notice of readiness must be filed within five days of last defendant's answer or motion.
Live witness testimony at claim construction hearings is prohibited without prior leave; otherwise, witness testimony must be submitted via exhibits (sworn declarations) attached to claim construction briefing.
A motion for leave to call live witnesses at claim construction hearings must show good cause in detail and be filed timely to avoid surprise or hardship.
Courtesy paper copies are not required unless specifically requested by the judge.
Prohibits communication with jurors or potential jurors except during official proceedings
Prohibits vexatious or harassing investigation of jurors
Prohibits sending access requests to jurors' social media accounts
Recognizes duty to gather information about jurors within ethical bounds
Requires notifying relevant parties of this order 30 days before jury selection
Juror questionnaires must substantially follow the template in Exhibit A.
Each questionnaire must contain all General Questions from the template exactly as worded.
In patent cases, questionnaires must include all Patent Questions from the template exactly as worded, placed after General Questions.
Each questionnaire must include the Last Question and Signature from the template as the last component.
Parties must contact the Deputy Clerk in advance of the venire panel being summoned to allow time for printing and inclusion in summons mailing; failure forfeits the opportunity.
Proposed questionnaires must be delivered by the date in the Docket Control Order, or at least 4 weeks before jury selection if not specified.
Dismissal papers must be styled as one of three specified types and cannot be filed as a mere 'Notice'.
Courtesy copy required for dismissal filings other than a Motion to Dismiss under Rule 41(a)(2); no courtesy copy required for such motions.
A Motion to Dismiss under Rule 41(a)(2) must include a proposed order.
Motions to Strike limited to 12 pages (excluding attachments); responses limited to 12 pages; replies/sur-replies limited to 5 pages.
Multiple Motions to Strike limited to 24 pages collectively; responses limited to 24 pages; replies/sur-replies limited to 10 pages collectively.
Parties must file an exhibit to the Joint Pretrial Order listing lead-case docket entries for the member case going to trial.
Proposed docket control orders must include specific language in the Joint Pretrial Order section.
Joint Pretrial Order must contain detailed contentions from plaintiff and defendant regarding infringement and invalidity.
Lead counsel must meet and confer one-on-one before filing a pre-Markham § 101 motion.
Pre-Markman § 101 motions must include a signed Certificate of Compliance with checkboxes indicating agreement or disagreement on need for claim construction.
Joint letter limited to 2 pages per side (4 pages total) must be filed within 10 days of § 101 motion if certification reflects disagreement.
If certification reflects disagreement, parties must submit a joint letter within 10 days of filing the § 101 motion, setting forth specifics of disagreement.
Clerk will reject pre-Markman § 101 motions that do not comply with the certification process.
Parties must jointly file a 'Joint Motion To Stay All Deadlines and Notice of Settlement' promptly upon settlement, stating that all matters are settled and requesting a stay of deadlines.