Eastern District of Texas Filing Rules
262 individual rules extracted from judicial documents in EDTX
These rules are extracted from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Eastern District of Texas. They supplement the court's 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 John D. Love
Exhibit lists may use any format, but they must include at least the minimum required information.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Voir dire should not be used as an opening statement.
- 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.
- 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 Ron Clark
Motions over 20 pages require spiral or three-ring binding for courtesy copies.
- Judge Michael J. Truncale
Maintain appropriate distancing and follow staff instructions in the Courthouse.
- Judge Christine L. Stetson
Maintain appropriate distancing in the Courthouse as directed by staff.
- 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 Ron Clark
Parties must notify court at least one month before final pre-trial conference when commissioning mock trials/focus groups, including methodology and participant count.
- Judge Michael J. Truncale
Parties must contact chambers to request oral argument by a newer attorney.
- Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Contact Lisa Hardwick for scheduling matters, Judge Mitchell's law clerk for substantive matters.
- Judge John D. Love
Sealed attachments alone do not justify sealing the entire filing.
- 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 Sean D. Jordan
Standing order governs sealing of documents in civil cases before Judge Jordan
- Judge Roy Payne
Documents designated as 'Confidential' by producing party are Protected Documents entitled to confidential treatment.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Each side gets 15-20 minutes for voir dire after court's preliminary examination.
- Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Motions to Strike limited to 12 pages (excluding attachments); responses limited to 12 pages; replies/sur-replies limited to 5 pages.
- Judge Ron Clark
Unresolved objections to deposition extracts are due 2 weeks before docket call.
- Judge Roy Payne
Page limit extensions granted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Be judicious in exceeding page limits; brevity preferred.
- Judge Chief District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III
Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.
- Judge Ron Clark
Respond only to objected items in motions in limine; confer within 5 days to resolve disputes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Judge Bill Davis
Paper courtesy copies are not required unless specifically requested by the court.
- Judge K. Nicole Mitchell
Courtesy copies must contain only relevant pages and be placed in notebook binders.
- Judge Marcia A. Crone
Extensions for answering complaints or filing Rule 12(b) motions must be requested by motion.
- Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Notice must be filed within 3 days of learning of relevant determination
- Judge Ron Clark
Rule 16 management conference set for 50 days after order, no continuances without good cause.
- Judge Roy Payne
Certain circumstances do not justify continuances or discovery deadline failures.
- Judge Christine L. Stetson
Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days are prohibited from entering the Courthouse.
- Judge Sean D. Jordan
Pretrial motions in criminal cases are referred to magistrate judges, except for specific motions.
- Judge Roy Payne
Mock jury studies discouraged in the same division where case is pending.
- Judge Bill Davis
Paper copies of electronically filed documents should not be provided unless specifically requested by the court.