**Birth:** 1957 **Year Service Began:** 2002 **Appointed By:** President George W. Bush **Education:** Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, _magna cum laude_, from Southern Methodist University in 1978; Juris Doctor, _magna cum laude_, from Harvard Law School in 1982 **Judicial Service:** Judge, State of Texas 160th District Court 1995 - 2002 **Legal Practice:** Associate and Partner, Hughes & Luce LLP 1983 - 1994; Law Clerk to the Honorable Irving L. Goldberg, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 1982 - 1983 **Current Memberships:** American Law Institute; Commissioner of the National Conference of Commissioners for Uniform State Laws; Master of the Mac Taylor American Inn of Court [Court Information](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/court-info) [Judges](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/northern-district-judges) [Rules & Orders](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/rules-and-orders) [Filing](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/filing) [Resources](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/resources) [FAQs](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/frequently-asked-questions) [Attorneys](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/attorneys) [Jurors](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/jury-service) [Pro Se](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/pro-se-litigants) [Forms & Records](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/court-forms-records)
**Courtroom Deputy:** Carla Moore 214-753-2706 **Court Reporter:** Jeff Foster 214-753 **-** 2349 **[Courtroom Technology](https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/courtroom-technology)** 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1504 Dallas, Texas 75242-1003 **Judicial Service:** Judge, State of Texas 160th District Court 1995 - 2002
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge main-content). Courtesy copies are not required unless specifically requested by the Court.
Judge main-content)'s rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Parties must meet and confer about evidence/exhibits before pretrial conference; only unresolved objections will be considered.
Judge main-content)'s rule states these limits: 6250 words; 2500 words. Motions and briefs limited to 6,250 words; replies limited to 2,500 words.
Judge main-content)'s formatting rule includes other font, 14 point type, single spacing and 11-point font required for footnotes. 14-point font required for body text; 11-point font for footnotes.
The rule requires certificate of service. All CM/ECF filings must comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 49.1 regarding private/case sensitive information.
The rule requires certificate of service. Rule 26(f) meeting topics must be included in Joint Status Report.
Parties may contact Judge main-content)'s chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Hearing/conference requests must be preceded by consultation with opposing counsel and include notice if no agreement was reached.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge main-content). Process: file redacted on ecf. Parties must file motion for leave to seal with specific identification and detailed analysis
Judge main-content)'s rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request, original date, number of previous requests, previous requests granted or denied, adversary position, proposed new dates, proposed rescheduled date, affects other dates, and emergency nature. Requests within 24 hours require a phone call. Non-evidentiary hearings limited to 45 minutes per side; evidentiary hearings to 75 minutes per side.
Judicial records should not be sealed absent good cause or compelling reasons.
Two standards for sealing: good cause for discovery materials, stricter balancing test for judicial records.
Trade secrets and confidential informant identities are valid reasons to seal documents.
Parties must file motion for leave to seal with specific identification and detailed analysis
All CM/ECF filings must comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 49.1 regarding private/case sensitive information.
Rule 16 conference will be set unless Court schedules otherwise; scheduling order follows Joint Status Report.
Parties must meet and confer about evidence/exhibits before pretrial conference; only unresolved objections will be considered.
Sentencing hearings limited to 10 family members/friends in courtroom.
Rule 26(f) conference required in person for represented parties; not required for pro se/prisoner cases.
Rule 26(f) meeting topics must be included in Joint Status Report.
Scheduling order deadlines cannot be modified without leave of court; extension requests must be filed as motions.
Hearing/conference requests must be preceded by consultation with opposing counsel and include notice if no agreement was reached.
Courtesy copies are not required unless specifically requested by the Court.
Motions and briefs limited to 6,250 words; replies limited to 2,500 words.
14-point font required for body text; 11-point font for footnotes.
Sur-replies prohibited without court permission.
Certificate of word count required after signature block.
Word count excludes caption, TOC, TOA, signature block, certificates; includes footnotes.
Documents over 10 pages of argument require TOC, TOA, statement of proceeding, issues/standard of review, summary, informative headings, and conclusion.
Pinpoint citations required for all legal authority and evidence with specific formats.
Summary judgment principal briefs limited to 12,500 words; replies to 6,250 words.
Certificate of word count required after signature block; footnotes included in count.
Appendix formatting requirements: PDF format, page numbers, table of contents, bookmarks, combined into single file.
Pre-motion conference required before filing Rule 12(b)(6) motions.
Written notice of deficiencies required before Rule 12(b)(6) motions.
Advisory of intent to amend required within 7 days; amended complaint due 7 days after advisory.
Rule 12(b)(6) motion permitted if complaint not amended by deadline.
Certificate of conference required with Rule 12(b) motions.
Rule 12(b) motions without certificate of conference will be stricken.
Federal Rule 12(a) time limits for answers and motions remain in effect.