Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Beth Labson Freeman's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Deliver 1 original and 1 copy set of exhibits to chambers by Thursday before trial in three-ring binders with tabs.

What page or word limits apply to motion in limine before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

Judge Beth Labson Freeman's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Each side limited to 5 motions in limine, each 5 pages and addressing one issue.

What page or word limits apply to trial brief before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

Judge Beth Labson Freeman's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Trial briefs are limited to 15 pages and due 7 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Trial Briefs

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

Judge Beth Labson Freeman's formatting rule includes 12 point type, double spacing. All written text must be 12-point type and double-spaced.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 12-Point Type and Double-Spaced

What must be included with joint pretrial statement filings before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

The rule requires certificate of conference, legal argument, and statement of facts. Lead counsel must meet and confer at least 21 days before final Pretrial Conference on settlement, Joint Pretrial Statement, Rule 26(a)(3) materials, and contested issues.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MEET AND CONFER

What must be included with exhibit list filings before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

The rule requires judge name, case number, and exhibit list. Exhibit list and pre-marked exhibits required 7 days before final Pretrial Conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section EXHIBITS

How may parties contact Judge Beth Labson Freeman's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Beth Labson Freeman's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email BLFCRD@cand.uscourts.gov. Civil motions heard Thursdays at 9 AM by reservation only; must file within 14 days of reservation.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. SCHEDULING

How does Judge Beth Labson Freeman handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Beth Labson Freeman. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to chambers. Sealing motions must include a chart with ECF/exhibit number, document description, portions to seal, and reasons for sealing.

View ruleSource: page 5, section V. MOTIONS TO SEAL

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Beth Labson Freeman?

Requests should be made at least 90 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Beth Labson Freeman. Summary judgment motions must be heard at least 90 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 6, section C. Summary Judgment Motions Heard 90 Days Before Trial

Does Judge Beth Labson Freeman require motion papers to be bundled?

No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Only one motion for summary judgment, partial summary judgment, or summary adjudication per party unless otherwise ordered.

View ruleSource: page 6, section B. One Motion for Summary Judgment per Party
Complete rules summary for Judge Beth Labson Freeman

Lead counsel must meet and confer at least 21 days before final Pretrial Conference on settlement, Joint Pretrial Statement, Rule 26(a)(3) materials, and contested issues.

Joint Pretrial Statement and Order must be filed at least 14 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Joint Pretrial Statement and Order must include specific binding language above signature lines.

Deliver 1 original and 1 copy set of exhibits to chambers by Thursday before trial in three-ring binders with tabs.

Each side limited to 5 motions in limine, each 5 pages and addressing one issue.

Each Daubert challenge requires separate motion, counted toward 5 motion limit.

Trial briefs are limited to 15 pages and due 7 days before trial.

All written text must be 12-point type and double-spaced.

Footnotes must be 12-point type and double-spaced.

Citations to legal authorities or evidence must be in the body of the brief, not in footnotes.

Excessive footnotes will be disregarded.

Exhibit list and pre-marked exhibits required 7 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Joint Pretrial Statement required 7 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Jury materials must be filed 7 days before final Pretrial Conference in hard copy and word processing format via email.

Witness list with testimony summaries required 7 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Exhibits must be pre-marked with numbers on tags affixed to back of last page.

Each party limited to 5 motions in limine, each 5 pages max, one issue per motion.

All written text must be 12-point type and double-spaced.

Footnotes must be 12-point type and double-spaced.

Footnotes cannot cite legal authorities or evidence; citations must be in brief body.

Civil motions heard Thursdays at 9 AM by reservation only; must file within 14 days of reservation.

Case Management Conferences Thursdays at 11 AM via Zoom; joint statement due 7 days prior.

Final Pretrial Conferences Thursdays at 1:30 PM; joint pretrial statement due 14 days prior.

Trials held Mon/Wed/Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Tue 10 AM-5 PM; Thursdays typically dark.

Standard page limits: 25/25/15 pages for motions under FRCP 12, 23, 56, 59, 65, etc.

Daubert motions limited to 10 pages per expert, 25 pages total per side.

Each side limited to 5 motions in limine, 5 pages each.

Post-trial motions limited to 25 pages total per side in a single brief.

Standard page limits: 10 pages for motion/opening brief, 10 pages for opposition/response, 5 pages for reply brief

Joinder of motions counts toward page limits; excess pages will be disregarded

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