Eastern District of Texas Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements
Filing requirements from local rules, individual practices, standing orders, and published court policies for Eastern District of Texas
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 Texas. 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.
- Magistrate Judge John D. Love
Any party filing a sealed document must follow Local Rule CV-5(a)(7).
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Voir dire should not be used as an opening statement.
- Chief Judge Chief District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III
All visitors must wear masks in Sherman Courthouses except witnesses testifying and attorneys examining witnesses or addressing juries.
- Senior Judge Richard Schell
Criminal cases transferred for sentencing are returned to original judge after sentencing.
- Judge Robert W. Schroeder III
Parties must follow specific procedures when conducting mock jury studies in the division where the case is pending.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Use hand sanitizer upon entering courthouse
- Judge Michael J. Truncale
Maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
Exhibits must be in 3-ring binders (dark for Plaintiff, light for Defendant), max 3 inches width.
- Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson
Maintain appropriate distancing in the Courthouse as directed by staff.
- Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Voluminous exhibits must be organized in labeled folders within a standard box with handles.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Attorneys must contact judge's chambers by phone and may follow up by email for court appearances.
- Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Prohibits communication with jurors or potential jurors except during official proceedings
- Judge Michael J. Truncale
Parties must contact chambers to request oral argument by a newer attorney.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
Discovery disputes hotline: (903) 590-1198.
- Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Contact Lisa Hardwick for scheduling matters, Judge Mitchell's law clerk for substantive matters.
- Magistrate Judge John D. Love
Sealed attachments alone do not justify sealing the entire filing.
- Judge Sean D. Jordan
Standing order governs sealing of documents in civil cases before Judge Jordan
- Magistrate Judge Roy Payne
Documents designated as 'Confidential' by producing party are Protected Documents entitled to confidential treatment.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
Limit personal information in filings: last 4 digits of account numbers, initials for minors, year for birth dates, city/state for addresses.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Each side gets 15-20 minutes for voir dire after court's preliminary examination.
- Magistrate Judge Roy Payne
Page limit extensions granted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Be judicious in exceeding page limits; brevity preferred.
- Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson
Judge Crone's courtroom limits spectators to 12, requires 6-foot distancing, and prohibits those under 18.
- Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Motions to Strike limited to 12 pages (excluding attachments); responses limited to 12 pages; replies/sur-replies limited to 5 pages.
- Chief Judge Chief District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III
Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
Counsel must confer on video deposition objections before court
- Magistrate Judge Roy Payne
Motions to compel discovery require good faith conference first.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Courtesy copies required for briefs/memoranda/motions over 75 pages.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
Two copies of Exhibit List required for court
- Judge Michael J. Truncale
Parties are exempt from providing paper copies for documents over 10 pages.
- Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Courtesy copies must contain only relevant pages and be placed in notebook binders.
- Magistrate Judge Bill Davis
Paper courtesy copies are not required unless specifically requested by the court.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Extensions for answering complaints or filing Rule 12(b) motions must be requested by motion.
- Senior Judge Ron Clark
7-day response period for video deposition objections
- Magistrate Judge Roy Payne
Certain circumstances do not justify continuances or discovery deadline failures.
- Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson
Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days are prohibited from entering the Courthouse.
- Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Notice must be filed within 3 days of learning of relevant determination
- Judge Sean D. Jordan
Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.
- Magistrate Judge Roy Payne
Mock jury studies discouraged in the same division where case is pending.
- Magistrate Judge Bill Davis
Paper copies of electronically filed documents should not be provided unless specifically requested by the court.