Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Noël Wise's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Noël Wise?

Courtesy copies are required for motion in limine. Details: 1 copy, delivery at least 14 days before pretrial conference, by hand delivery. Motions in Limine require courtesy copy delivered to Court 14 days before pretrial conference.

View ruleSource: page 5, section F. Motions in Limine (MIL)

Does Judge Noël Wise require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Noël Wise's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. All civil motions must be noticed for hearing per Civil L.R. 7-2(a, except pro hac vice, time enlargement/shortening, and administrative relief motions, which have no hearings.

View ruleSource: page 1, section C. Court Schedule

What page or word limits apply to motion in limine before Judge Noël Wise?

Judge Noël Wise's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Motions in Limine limited to 25 pages per side, filed 14 days before pretrial conference with courtesy copy.

View ruleSource: page 5, section F. Motions in Limine (MIL)

What page or word limits apply to motion in limine before Judge Noël Wise?

Judge Noël Wise's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Motions in limine must be limited to 25 pages.

View ruleSource: page 2, section D. Motions

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Noël Wise?

Judge Noël Wise's formatting rule includes file format PDF. E-filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs; requirement waived for self-represented litigants.

View ruleSource: page 3, section G. Briefing and Filing Guidelines - 4. Format of Electronic Filings

What must be included with joint pretrial statement filings before Judge Noël Wise?

The rule requires judge name and case number. Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed 14 days before pretrial conference

View ruleSource: page 1, section Joint Pretrial Statement

What must be included with motion to seal filings before Judge Noël Wise?

The rule requires proposed order. Motions to seal must include a proposed order listing sealable material in table format.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Sealing Procedure

How may parties contact Judge Noël Wise's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Noël Wise's chambers by video conference only as allowed by the rule. Lead trial counsel must meet and confer 21 days before pretrial conference

View ruleSource: page 1, section Meet and Confer Obligations Prior to Pretrial Conference

How does Judge Noël Wise handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Noël Wise. Documents cannot be filed under seal without a narrowly tailored court order showing good cause.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Sealing Procedure

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Noël Wise?

Requests should be made at least 3 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Noël Wise. The request must include reason for request. Requests to extend deadlines or continue hearings must be filed at least 3 business days in advance, and are generally only granted for unforeseen emergencies or written settlement agreements.

View ruleSource: page 2, section E. Requests to Extend Deadlines or Continue Hearing Dates

Does Judge Noël Wise require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Noël Wise requires bundling for covered papers. Magistrate judge settlement conferences require completion of ADR processes first.

View ruleSource: page 9, section Requests for Settlement Conferences with a Magistrate Judge

Is electronic filing required before Judge Noël Wise?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Word versions of jury instructions, voir dire, and verdict form must be emailed same day as filing.

View ruleSource: page 4, section H. Pretrial Conference Statement, Trial Binder for the Court and Related Filings
Complete rules summary for Judge Noël Wise

Lead trial counsel must meet and confer 21 days before pretrial conference

Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed 14 days before pretrial conference

Witnesses not disclosed in pretrial statement require court leave

Parties must account for all trial time except voir dire

Trial time equally divided between plaintiffs and defendants unless stipulated otherwise

Motions in Limine limited to 25 pages per side, filed 14 days before pretrial conference with courtesy copy.

Motions in Limine require courtesy copy delivered to Court 14 days before pretrial conference.

Court encourages junior lawyers to examine witnesses and have important trial roles.

Only one lawyer per witness per party; junior lawyer must conduct examination with brief senior counsel consultation.

Parties must jointly contact the Courtroom Deputy via phone to reserve a hearing date.

Documents cannot be filed under seal without a narrowly tailored court order showing good cause.

Courtesy paper copies required for sealed documents; chambers copies must include unredacted documents with redactions highlighted.

Motions to seal must include a proposed order listing sealable material in table format.

Motions in limine must be limited to 25 pages.

Oppositions to motions in limine must be limited to 25 pages.

Stipulated briefing schedules must have all briefing completed at least 7 days before the hearing date.

Non-sentencing motions must be filed at least 21 days before the hearing date if no stipulated briefing schedule is in place.

Opposition briefs must be filed at least 14 days before the hearing date in the absence of a stipulated briefing schedule.

Reply briefs must be filed at least 7 days before the hearing date in the absence of a stipulated briefing schedule.

Proposed orders should be submitted in Microsoft Word format to specified email.

Motions in limine must be filed and served at least 14 days before the pretrial conference.

Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed and served no later than 7 days before the pretrial conference.

Motions must be filed within 3 business days (excluding weekends and court holidays) after the hearing reservation confirmation email, or the reservation expires.

All filing deadlines are set for 5:00 p.m. unless the Court orders otherwise.

Requests to extend deadlines or continue hearings must be filed at least 3 business days in advance, and are generally only granted for unforeseen emergencies or written settlement agreements.

Requests to enlarge page limits must be filed at least three business days before the deadline.

Oppositions to administrative motions to enlarge page limits must be filed by 12:00 p.m. one business day before deadline or per Local Rule 7-11, whichever is sooner.

Footnotes must be in no less than 12-point type and used sparingly; excessive footnotes will be disregarded.

Westlaw citations preferred for unpublished opinions not in Federal Supplement, Federal Rules Decisions, or Federal Appendix.

E-filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs; requirement waived for self-represented litigants.

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