Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Alison J. Nathan's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Alison J. Nathan?

Courtesy copies are required for post-discovery summary judgment. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Courtesy hard copies required for post-discovery summary judgment motions.

Does Judge Alison J. Nathan require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for covered motions before Judge Alison J. Nathan. Details: 2 pages. If parties unavailable for call, send 2-page letter to chambers describing efforts and proposed motion.

What page or word limits apply before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

Judge Alison J. Nathan's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Excludes exhibits and attachments. Letters limited to 3 pages (excluding exhibits/attachments)

View ruleSource: page 2, section Letters

What page or word limits apply to letter before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

Judge Alison J. Nathan's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Excludes exhibits and attachments. Letters may not exceed three pages without prior approval.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communications with Chambers

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

Judge Alison J. Nathan's formatting rule includes double spacing. Letters to court must be filed on ECF and double-spaced if over one page

View ruleSource: page 2, section Letters

What must be included with discovery planning report filings before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

The rule requires judge name and case number. Parties must submit discovery planning report one week before conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section NOTICE OF COURT CONFERENCE

What must be included with adjournment request filings before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

The rule requires proposed order. Speedy Trial Act exclusions require proposed order in Word format

View ruleSource: page 2, section Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time

How may parties contact Judge Alison J. Nathan's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Alison J. Nathan's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email ca02_AJNchambers@ca2.uscourts.gov. A.U.S.A. must email courtesy copies of indictment and criminal complaint to chambers with specific subject line format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Communications with Chambers

How does Judge Alison J. Nathan handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Alison J. Nathan's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file unredacted to chambers. Redacted pages must be filed under seal and brought to sentencing with redaction markings.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Sentencing

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Alison J. Nathan?

Requests should be made at least 1 week in advance when this rule applies before Judge Alison J. Nathan. Adjournment requests must be made within one week of notice.

View ruleSource: page 1, section NOTICE OF COURT CONFERENCE

Does Judge Alison J. Nathan require motion papers to be bundled?

No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Motion papers must be filed promptly after service.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Motions

Does Judge Alison J. Nathan encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Alison J. Nathan's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior attorneys are encouraged to argue motions and question witnesses they have helped prepare, with the Court amenable to multiple lawyers arguing for one party.

Complete rules summary for Judge Alison J. Nathan

Adjournment requests must be made within one week of notice.

Parties must submit discovery planning report one week before conference.

Case must be ready for trial within five months absent extraordinary circumstances.

First document requests must be served by specified date; no requests after 30 days before discovery close.

Rule 33.3(a) interrogatories must be served by specified date; other interrogatories require permission.

Expert disclosures required by specified dates; no expert testimony beyond scope without permission.

Courtesy hard copies required for post-discovery summary judgment motions.

Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions on ECF

Adjournment requests require 48 hours notice (72 hours for sentencing)

Late extension requests are ordinarily denied

Speedy Trial Act exclusions require proposed order in Word format

Letters to court must be filed on ECF and double-spaced if over one page

Letters limited to 3 pages (excluding exhibits/attachments)

Letters between parties cannot be filed on ECF

Sealed/sensitive letters may be emailed as PDF attachments

Sealed/sensitive letters require simultaneous delivery to all counsel

Email subject must include case caption and letter description

Email body must not contain substantive communications

No courtesy copies required for letters filed on ECF

Hand deliveries must go to Court Security at Worth Street entrance

Urgent hand deliveries go to Foley Square entrance for immediate attention

Court reviews ECF letters within one business day; email for immediate attention

Benefactor payments requiring conflict disclosure must be reported at initial conference

Discovery motions must include Rule 16.1 affidavit.

Bail modification requests must indicate Government and Pre-Trial Services Officer consent.

Plea agreements and Pimentel letters must be emailed to chambers at least 2 business days before plea.

Voir dire, jury instructions, and verdict forms must be ECF filed 2 weeks before trial and emailed to chambers.

Government must provide 3 hard copies of exhibit list and 1 set of exhibits/3500 materials at trial start.

Defendant's sentencing submission due 1 week before, Government's due 3 days before; courtesy copies required.

Sentencing submissions must be double spaced.

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