Judge Gregory H. Woods
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All Motions
- 1 copy • When Reply Is Due
Courtesy copies
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
- Hand Delivery • Upon Filing
Documentary Exhibits
- 1 copy • Upon Filing
Letter
- Not required
Adjournments
- Adjournment/extension requests must include original due date, previous requests, reason, adversary consent, and proposed dates.
- Adjournment requests affecting other dates require a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order.
- Adjournment requests must be in writing with specific required elements.
- +1 more
Request must include
- Adjournment/extension requests must be made at least 2 business days before the deadline (unless emergency).
- Adjournment requests must be made at least 2 business days in advance.
- Requests for extension must be made at least 2 business days before the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
- Supporting papers not filed via ECF must be filed within 24 hours of Judge Woods signing the order to show cause.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Chambers
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Objections to magistrate rulings: 25 pages, opposition 25 pages, reply 10 pages.
Unless prior permission has been granted, objections to reports and recommendations by, and appeals from orders of, magistrate judges are limited to 25 pages, any opposition is limited to 25 pages, and any reply is limited to 10 pages.
Objection To Magistrate
25 pages
25 pages
10 pages
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, letters must not exceed 3 pages, excluding any exhibits.
Letter
3 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Voluminous material should be organized in tabbed binders and the spines of the binders should be labeled to include the name of the case, the case number, and the nature of the materials included in the binder.
Because media files cannot currently be uploaded to ECF, a party submitting media files must also file them physically with the Clerk of Court.
Paper
Media files must be in common player-compatible format.
A party submitting media files in connection with a motion must, to the extent possible, provide them in a format capable of being played using commonly available media players, e.g., Windows Media Player.
If the media unavoidably requires special viewing software, that software must be provided to the Court in a form that does not require administrative privileges for installation or operation.
Document Filing Requirements41 rules
The Court will generally schedule a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(c) conference within three months of the filing of the complaint or notice of removal.
DocumentCase Management Conference
Parties must email appearance sheet by 2:00 p.m. the day before any conference.
No later than 2:00 p.m. the day before any scheduled conference with the Court, the parties are directed to jointly email to the Court an appearance sheet, using the template available on the Court’s website.
DocumentAppearance Sheet
The attorney who will serve as principal trial counsel must appear at all conferences with the Court.
Objections to affidavit paragraphs must be submitted by email and served on opposing counsel (not filed on ECF) within 14 days or 3 business days before trial.
No later than the earlier of (1) the date that is 14 days after the submission of such affidavits and (2) three business days before trial, the parties must submit to the Court by email and serve on opposing counsel, but not file on ECF, any objections to particular paragraphs of an affidavit.
DocumentNon Jury Trial
Three business days after submission of such affidavits, counsel for each party must submit a list of all affiants whom he or she intends to cross-examine at the trial.
DocumentNon Jury Trial
Copies of correspondence between counsel must not be filed on ECF or otherwise sent to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document).
DocumentCorrespondence
Memoranda of 10 pages or more must contain a table of contents and a table of authorities.
DocumentMemorandum Of Law
If any party offers deposition designations, the parties are directed to submit to the Court by email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a native Excel spreadsheet
DocumentDeposition Designation Table
Pretrial memorandum of law optional but must follow ECF filing and briefing deadlines if filed.
If a party believes that a pretrial memorandum of law would be useful to the Court, it must file the memorandum via ECF. Opposition papers to any legal argument in a pretrial memorandum must be filed within seven days thereafter, and reply papers must be filed within four days of any opposition.
DocumentPretrial Memorandum Of Law
The proposed findings of fact should be detailed and should include citations to the proffered evidence, as there may be no opportunity for post-trial submissions.
DocumentProposed Findings Of Fact
Electronic copies of documentary exhibits required for trial.
Each party must also submit to the Court electronic copies of each of the exhibits. The electronic copies may be submitted on a thumb drive or may be downloaded directly to a website maintained by the Court.
DocumentDocumentary Exhibits
In accordance with Rules 13.18 and 13.19 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions, parties should file substantially all proposed orders and stipulations on ECF. Courtesy copies should not be sent to Chambers.
DocumentProposed Order
Any party that submits a video or audio media file to the Court must simultaneously file a transcript of the content of the video or audio file.
DocumentMedia File
Briefs of 10 pages or more must contain a table of contents and a table of authorities.
DocumentObjection To Magistrate
In non-jury cases, the parties must submit via ECF proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law at the time the proposed joint pretrial order is filed.
DocumentNon Jury Case
Direct testimony affidavits must be emailed to chambers and served on opposing counsel (not filed on ECF) in non-jury trials.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, at the time the joint pretrial order is filed, each party in a non-jury trial must submit to the Court by email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) and serve on opposing counsel, but not file on ECF, the following: Copies of affidavits constituting the direct testimony of each trial witness, except for the direct testimony of an adverse party, a person whose attendance is compelled by
DocumentNon Jury Trial
At the time of filing, parties must also submit copies of these documents to the Court by e-mail (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) as Word documents.
DocumentTrial Documents
For any request to charge or proposed voir dire question on which the parties cannot agree, each party should clearly set forth its proposed charge or question, and briefly state why the Court should use its proposed charge or question, with citations to supporting authority.
DocumentDisputed Request To Charge Or Voir Dire
In all correspondence involving a request, the requesting party must indicate whether the adversary consents to the request.
DocumentLetter
All witnesses need to appear at trial to adopt their affidavit as their direct testimony regardless of whether or not they will be cross-examined.
DocumentNon Jury Trial
The original signed affidavits should be brought to trial to be marked as exhibits, at which time the Court expects to rule on any pending objections to the affidavits.
DocumentNon Jury Trial
Related cases must include both docket numbers in all future court papers and correspondence.
After an action has been accepted as related to a prior filing, all future court papers and correspondence must contain the docket number of the new filing as well as the docket number of the case to which it is related.
DocumentAll
Proposed requests to charge must include citations to supporting legal authority.
DocumentRequest To Charge
In all jury trials, joint requests to charge, joint proposed verdict forms, and joint proposed voir dire questions must be submitted at the time the proposed joint pretrial order is filed.
DocumentJury Trial
Counsel must serve paper copies to pro se parties and file proof of service.
Except for cases in which the pro se party has received permission to participate in electronic case filing, counsel in cases involving pro se parties must serve the pro se parties with paper copies of any document that is filed electronically and must file with the Court a separate Affidavit of Service.
DocumentAll
All papers must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Service or other statement affirming that the pro se party sent copies to all other parties or to their counsel if they are represented.
DocumentAll
Submissions filed without such proof of service will not be considered.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, within 30 days of the completion of discovery, the plaintiff in a pro se case must file a concise, written Pretrial Statement.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Pretrial Statement must include facts to prove, evidence list, and witness list.
This Statement need take no particular form, but it must contain the following: (1) a statement of the facts the plaintiff hopes to prove at trial; (2) a list of all documents or other physical objects that the plaintiff plans to put into evidence at trial; and (3) a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses the plaintiff intends to have testify at trial.
DocumentPretrial Statement
If pro se, the plaintiff must file an original of this Statement, plus two courtesy copies, with the Pro Se Office and serve a copy on all defendants or their counsel if represented.
DocumentPretrial Statement
The Statement must be sworn by the plaintiff to be true and accurate based on the facts known by the plaintiff.
DocumentPretrial Statement
Two weeks after service of the plaintiff's Statement, the defendant must file and serve a similar statement containing the same categories of information.
DocumentPretrial Statement
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that to facilitate mediation the parties shall, within four weeks of this Order, confer and provide the following:
DocumentMediation Preparation
Settlement requires joint statement explaining basis and fairness, presented to assigned judge.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in the event the parties reach settlement, pursuant to Cheeks v. Freeport Pancake House, Inc., 796 F.3d 199 (2d Cir. 2015), they shall prepare a joint statement explaining the basis for the proposed settlement, including any provision for attorney fees, and why it should be approved as fair and reasonable. The settlement agreement and joint statement shall be presented to the assigned District Judge, or to the assigned Magistrate Judge should the parties consent to proceed for all purposes before the assigned Magistrate Judge (the appropriate form for which is available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf).
DocumentSettlement
The Court encourages any party that wishes to present direct testimony through live testimony, rather than by affidavit, to raise their request with the Court; any such request should be made no later than one month prior to the date established for the submission of the joint pretrial order.
DocumentNon Jury Trial
[If all parties consent, the remaining paragraphs need not be completed. Instead, the parties should submit to the Court a fully executed Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf.]
DocumentNotice Consent Reference
Parties must file a joint status letter on ECF containing specified information in separate paragraphs.
A joint letter updating the Court on the status of the case shall be filed on ECF by _________________. The letter should include the following information in separate paragraphs: (1) all existing deadlines, due dates, and/or cut-off dates; (2) a brief description of any outstanding motions; (3) a brief description of the status of discovery and of any additional discovery that remains to be completed; (4) the status of settlement discussions; (5) the anticipated length of trial and whether the case is to be tried to a jury; (6) whether the parties anticipate filing motions for summary judgment; and (7) any other issue that the parties would like to address at the pretrial conference or any other information that the parties believe may assist the Court.
DocumentStatus Letter
Include uncommon words or case names in appearance sheet template.
In the event that the parties anticipate that they will use uncommon words, or case names during the conference, they are directed to include that information in the location indicated in the template appearance form.
DocumentAppearance Sheet
The appearance sheet should not be filed on the docket.
DocumentAppearance Sheet
Pro se parties must file motion to get ECF access.
Pro se parties may be able to participate in electronic case filing, so that they can file documents with the Court electronically, and receive service of Court filings electronically. Any pro se litigant who wishes to participate in electronic case filing must file a Motion for Permission for Electronic Case Filing
DocumentMotion
62 25'(5('.
DocumentGeneral
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All fact discovery must be completed within a period not exceeding 120 days, unless the case presents unique complexities or exceptional circumstances.
All fact discovery shall be completed no later than ______________________. [A period not to exceed 120 days, unless the Court finds that the case presents unique complexities or other exceptional circumstances.]
Civil cases
Page 2 | 7a
Contention interrogatories must be served no later than 30 days before the close of discovery; no other interrogatories are permitted without prior express permission of the Court.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, contention interrogatories pursuant to Rule 33.3(c) of the Local Civil Rules of the Southern District of New York must be served no later than thirty (30) days before the close of discovery. No other interrogatories are permitted without prior express permission of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 7d
Requests to admit must be served no less than 30 days prior to the close of fact discovery, absent exceptional circumstances.
Requests to admit pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 36 shall be served by ______________________. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not less than 30 days prior to the date set forth in paragraph 7(a).]
Civil cases
Page 2 | 7f
Motions to amend pleadings or join additional parties must be filed within 30 days following the initial pretrial conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
Any motion to amend or to join additional parties shall be filed within ______ days from the date of this Order. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not more than 30 days following the initial pretrial conference.]
Civil cases
Page 2 | 4
Initial disclosures under Rule 26(a)(1) must be completed within 14 days of the parties' Rule 26(f) conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
Initial disclosures pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) shall be completed no later than __________ days from the date of this Order. [Absent exceptional circumstances, within 14 days of the parties' conference pursuant to Rule 26(f).]
Civil cases
Page 2 | 5
Plaintiffs must provide HIPAA-compliant medical records release authorizations to defendants within 10 days following the initial pretrial conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
[If applicable] The plaintiff(s) shall provide HIPAA-compliant medical records release authorizations to the defendant(s) no later than ______________________________. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not more than 10 days following the initial pretrial conference.]
Civil cases
Page 2 | 6
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of documentary exhibits required for trial.
Each party must submit to the Court by mail or hand delivery one set of courtesy copies of each documentary exhibit sought to be admitted, pre- marked with exhibit labels that correspond to the exhibit list presented in the joint pretrial order.
Civil cases
Two courtesy copies of trial documents must be mailed or hand-delivered to chambers when served or filed.
Two courtesy copies of all documents identified in this Section must be mailed or hand-delivered to Chambers at the time they are served or filed.
Civil cases
Two courtesy copies required with reply filing.
At the time the reply is served, the movant must mail or hand-deliver to the Court two courtesy copies of all motion papers, marked as such and which include the automatically-generated ECF header at the top of each page.
Civil cases
Bring all papers in person to Chambers and leave a courtesy copy of supporting papers.
On the same day, bring all of the papers in person to Chambers (Room 2260, 500 Pearl Street). Also bring a courtesy copy of the supporting papers to leave with Chambers.
Civil cases
One courtesy copy of all formal motion papers, marked as such, should be submitted to Chambers by the non-pro se party at the time the reply is due. Courtesy copies should not be submitted to chambers at the time of filing. If all parties are pro se, then courtesy copies of formal motion papers are not required.
One courtesy copy of all formal motion papers, marked as such, should be submitted to Chambers by the non-pro se party at the time the reply is due. Courtesy copies should not be submitted to chambers at the time of filing. If all parties are pro se, then courtesy copies of formal motion papers are not required.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
The AUSA should provide via email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a courtesy copy of the indictment and the complaint, if one exists, as soon as practicable.
The AUSA should provide via email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a courtesy copy of the indictment and the complaint, if one exists, as soon as practicable.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Initial Pretrial Conference
Hand deliveries must go to Court Security Officers, not directly to Chambers
Hand-delivered materials should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance... they may not be brought directly to Chambers.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Two courtesy copies of all motion papers required when reply is served, with specific formatting requirements.
B. Courtesy Copies of Motions. At the time the reply is served, the movant must mail or hand-deliver to the Court two courtesy copies of all motion papers, marked as such and which include the automatically-generated ECF header at the top of each page. Courtesy copies should be double-sided, three-hole punched, tabbed, and placed in binders. The non- moving party shall provide the movant with a set of its motion papers in time for the movant to deliver all motion papers to the Court. Unless doing so would be unduly burdensome, the movant should also submit via CD a copy of electronic, text-searchable copies of any hearing or deposition transcripts, as well as any other item on which the parties rely that cannot be submitted as a single file on ECF (e.g., videos or very long documents).
Criminal cases
Page 3 | Motions
A. Plea Agreements and Pimentel Letters. The Government must provide a courtesy copy of the signed plea agreement, cooperation agreement, or Pimentel letter to the Court. These documents should be e-mailed to Chambers at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov as soon as practicable but no later than three business days before the scheduled plea.
A. Plea Agreements and Pimentel Letters. The Government must provide a courtesy copy of the signed plea agreement, cooperation agreement, or Pimentel letter to the Court. These documents should be e-mailed to Chambers at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov as soon as practicable but no later than three business days before the scheduled plea.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | Guilty Pleas
Two courtesy copies required for sentencing submissions, with specific ECF filing deadlines.
A. Deadlines for Filing and Courtesy Copies. The defendant's submission must be filed via ECF no later than two weeks in advance of the date set for sentencing. The Government's sentencing submission must be filed via ECF at least one week in advance of the date set for sentencing. The parties must provide the Court with two courtesy copies of each submission at the time of filing.
Criminal cases
Page 4 | Sentencing
If the hand-delivered materials are urgent and require the Court’s immediate attention, ask the Court Security Officers to notify Chambers that an urgent package has arrived that needs to be retrieved by Chambers staff immediately.
If the hand-delivered materials are urgent and require the Court’s immediate attention, ask the Court Security Officers to notify Chambers that an urgent package has arrived that needs to be retrieved by Chambers staff immediately.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Civil cases
No courtesy copies required for letters filed on ECF
Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
For redactions in public filings, file redacted version publicly and unredacted version under seal.
Where the motion seeks approval to redact information from a document that is to be publicly filed, the filing party shall: (a) publicly file the document with the proposed redactions, and (b) electronically file under seal a copy of the unredacted document with the redactions highlighted.
Civil cases
Proposed sealed documents must be filed under seal and related to the motion.
The proposed sealed document must be contemporaneously filed under seal in the ECF system and electronically related to the motion.
Civil cases
Proposed redactions must be highlighted in paper filings.
Any proposed redactions must be highlighted.
Civil cases
Motions for sealed filings must be filed publicly with non-confidential explanations.
The motion must be filed in public view, must explain the particular reasons for seeking to file that information under seal and should not include confidential information sought to be filed under seal.
Civil cases
Certain sensitive information must be redacted from public filings without court approval.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 describes sensitive information that must be redacted from public court filings without seeking prior permission from the Court. Such sensitive information includes the following: Social Security numbers; names of minor children; dates of birth; and financial account numbers.
Civil cases
Submit sealed/redacted documents, motion, and supporting papers in paper form by hand delivery or mail.
In that case, the proposed sealed/redacted document, a copy of the motion and any supporting papers must be contemporaneously submitted to the Court in paper form, by hand delivery or mail.
Civil cases
Motions for sealed/redacted filings must be filed electronically through ECF.
Motions or Letter Motions for approval of sealed or redacted filings in civil and miscellaneous cases and the subject documents, including the proposed sealed documents, must be filed electronically through the court’s ECF system in conformity with the court’s standing order, 19-mc-00583, and ECF Rules & Instructions, section 6.
Civil cases
Pro se parties must submit redacted versions of documents with sensitive info.
Pro se parties wishing to file a document already containing this information must submit a redacted version to the Pro Se Office.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Parties must not include sensitive personal information in filings.
Unless relevant to the case, parties must not include in submissions to the Court (1) social security numbers; (2) names of minor children; (3) dates of birth; (4) financial account numbers; or (5) home addresses.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Must request permission to include sensitive info if relevant to case.
If this information is relevant to the case, the filing party must request permission from the Court prior to filing and explain why the information needs to be included.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Redacted documents must be publicly filed with proposed redactions
When a party seeks approval to redact information from a document that is to be publicly filed, the filing party must publicly file the document with the proposed redactions.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Sealed/sensitive letters must be emailed as PDF with copy to all counsel
Letters to be filed under seal or containing sensitive or confidential information may be emailed to the Court at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov as a .pdf attachment with a copy simultaneously delivered to all counsel.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
If any material is redacted from a publicly filed document, only those pages containing the redacted material will be filed under seal. Counsel must bring a copy of those pages to the sentencing proceeding, marked to indicate what information has been redacted from the publicly filed materials, to give to the Court for filing under seal.
If any material is redacted from a publicly filed document, only those pages containing the redacted material will be filed under seal. Counsel must bring a copy of those pages to the sentencing proceeding, marked to indicate what information has been redacted from the publicly filed materials, to give to the Court for filing under seal.
Criminal cases
Page 5 | D. Public Record
Redactions beyond 11 categories require court approval with application.
If a party redacts information beyond the eleven categories of information identified in Rule 7(C)(i) above, an application must be served and filed at the time the sentencing submission is served. The party seeking approval to redact information must publicly file the document with the proposed redactions. The application must clearly identify the redaction and explain the reasons for the redaction. The application will be addressed at the sentencing proceeding.
Criminal cases
Page 5 | D. Public Record
Request leave to file on paper if unable to comply with electronic filing requirements.
Any party unable to comply with the requirement for electronic filing under seal through the ECF system, or who has reason to believe that a particular document should not be electronically filed, must move for leave of the Court to file in the traditional manner, on paper.
Civil cases
Must confer with adversary before seeking TRO unless Rule 65(b) requirements are met.
A party must confer with his or her adversary before making an application for a temporary restraining order, unless the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are met.
Civil cases
Notify opposing parties of need to file explanation within 3 days when seeking sealed/redacted filing based on their request.
When a party seeks leave to file sealed or redacted materials on the ground that an opposing party or third party has requested it, that party shall notify the opposing party or third party that it must file, within three days, a letter explaining the need to seal or redact the materials.
Civil cases
Additional sensitive information categories may require court approval for sealing/redaction.
Other information that should be treated with caution and may warrant a motion for approval of sealed or redacted filing includes personal identifying numbers (PIN numbers); medical records, treatment and diagnosis; employment history; individual financial information; proprietary or trade secret information; home addresses; and information regarding an individual’s cooperation with the government.
Civil cases
The party seeking leave to file sealed or redacted materials should meet and confer with any opposing parties (or third parties seeking confidential treatment of the information, if any) in advance to narrow the scope of the request.
The party seeking leave to file sealed or redacted materials should meet and confer with any opposing parties (or third parties seeking confidential treatment of the information, if any) in advance to narrow the scope of the request.
Civil cases
Bring TRO application to court at mutually agreeable time when adversary notified but doesn't consent.
If a party’s adversary has been notified but does not consent to temporary injunctive relief, the party seeking a restraining order must bring the application to the Court at a time mutually agreeable to the party and its adversary, so that the Court may have the benefit of advocacy from both sides in deciding whether to grant temporary injunctive relief.
Civil cases
Supporting papers must be separately filed electronically and may be filed under seal or redacted only to the extent necessary to safeguard information sought to be filed under seal.
Supporting papers must be separately filed electronically and may be filed under seal or redacted only to the extent necessary to safeguard information sought to be filed under seal.
Civil cases
Court may grant leave to redact or file documents under seal in limited circumstances.
In limited circumstances, the Court may grant leave to a party to either redact information other than the sensitive information described in the preceding paragraph, or to file a document under seal.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Communications will be docketed on public ECF unless sealed.
Absent a request to file a communication with the Court under seal, the Court will docket any substantive communication with the Court on ECF, a publically accessible database.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Redacted or sealed documents are generally shared with other parties.
Information contained in a redacted or sealed document authorized by the Court is generally made available to the other parties in the case.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Parties may redact 11 categories of sensitive information without court approval.
Parties are reminded not to include, unless necessary, the five categories of sensitive information listed in Rule 21.3 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions (i.e., social security numbers, names of minors, dates of birth, financial account numbers, and home addresses), and to exercise caution with the six categories of sensitive information listed in Rule 21.4 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions (i.e., personal identifying numbers, medical records, employment history, individual financial information, proprietary or trade secret information, and information regarding an individual's cooperation with the government). A party may, without the Court's approval, redact any such sensitive information.
Criminal cases
Page 5 | D. Public Record
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be filed via ECF with specific briefing deadlines.
Any party wishing to file a motion addressing evidentiary issues or other matters which should be resolved in limine must file such a motion via ECF. Opposition papers must be filed within seven days thereafter, and reply papers must be filed within four days of any opposition.
Civil cases
Opposition papers due within 4 weeks; reply papers due within 2 weeks of opposition.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, papers filed in opposition to a motion must be served and filed within four weeks of service of the motion papers, and reply papers, if any, must be served and filed within two weeks of receipt of opposition papers.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Since cases involving FLSA claims often benefit from early mediation, it is hereby ORDERED that prior to the case management conference pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) the Court is referring this case to mediation under Local Civil Rule 83.9 and that mediation shall be scheduled within sixty days.
Since cases involving FLSA claims often benefit from early mediation, it is hereby ORDERED that prior to the case management conference pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) the Court is referring this case to mediation under Local Civil Rule 83.9 and that mediation shall be scheduled within sixty days.
Civil cases
Page 1 | MEDIATION REFERRAL ORDER FOR CASES THAT INCLUDE CLAIMS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.
If no settlement, parties must promptly meet and confer under Rule 26(f) for case management conference.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in the event the parties do not reach a settlement, they shall promptly meet and confer pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) in preparation for their initial case management conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | MEDIATION REFERRAL ORDER FOR CASES THAT INCLUDE CLAIMS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.
Motions for summary judgment require a written pre-motion conference request within one week after the close of discovery, or the motion is deemed untimely.
Pursuant to the authority of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(c)(2) and the Court's Individual Rule 2(E), any motion for summary judgment will be deemed untimely unless a request for a pre-motion conference relating thereto is made in writing within one week after the close of discovery. The parties should review the Court's Individual Rule 2(E) for further details on the submission of, and responses to, pre-motion letters. In cases where the Court sets a post-discovery status conference, the parties may request that the previously scheduled conference also serve as the pre-motion conference.
Civil cases
Page 3 | 10
Oral argument generally not heard in pro se matters unless otherwise ordered.
The Court does not generally hear oral argument in pro se matters. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the parties should not anticipate oral argument.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournment requests affecting other dates require a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order.
If the requested adjournment or extension affects any other scheduled dates, a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order must be submitted as an attachment to the request.
Civil cases
Adjournment/extension requests must be made at least 2 business days before the deadline (unless emergency).
Absent an emergency, the request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date.
Civil cases
Supporting papers not filed via ECF must be filed within 24 hours of Judge Woods signing the order to show cause.
By no later than 24 hours after Judge Woods signs the order to show cause, file any supporting papers that have not previously been filed via ECF.
Civil cases
Adjournment/extension requests must include original due date, previous requests, reason, adversary consent, and proposed dates.
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
Civil cases
Adjournment requests must be in writing with specific required elements.
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Adjournment requests must be made at least 2 business days in advance.
Absent an emergency, the request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
In a written request for bail modification by a defendant, the request should also state whether the Pre-Trial Services Officer consents to the request.
In a written request for bail modification by a defendant, the request should also state whether the Pre-Trial Services Officer consents to the request.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Adjournment/extension requests must be in letter form with specific required elements
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Adjournment requests require 2 business days notice (3 for sentencing)
Absent an emergency, any such request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date, with the exception of a request to adjourn sentencing, which must be made at least three business days prior to the proceeding.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Speedy Trial Act exclusions require consent statement and Word format proposed order
If a party seeks an exclusion of time under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, the party must (a) state in its letter whether it and each of the other parties consent to the proposed exclusion of time, and (b) submit to the Court via email to WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov a proposed order (in Microsoft Word format) along with its request for adjournment or extension.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Requests for extension must be made at least 2 business days before the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
Individual Rule 1(E) and shall be made no less than 2 business days prior to the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
Civil cases
Page 5 | Individual Rule 1(E)
The scheduling order may not be modified or its dates extended except by further Court order for good cause shown.
This Order may not be modified or the dates herein extended, except by further Order of this Court for good cause shown. Any application to modify or extend the dates herein (except as
Civil cases
Page 4 | Final Paragraph
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must identify themselves every time they speak during recorded telephone conferences.
To facilitate orderly teleconferences and the creation of an accurate transcript where a teleconference is held on the record, counsel are required to identify themselves every time they speak.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Recording court conferences is prohibited by law.
The recording of any court conference is prohibited by law.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Telephone conferences use Court’s dedicated line with specific access code.
The Court may designate that a conference will be held telephonically. In some cases, the Court may direct one of the parties to set up a conference line. In all other cases, the parties should call into the Court’s dedicated conference line at (855) 244-8681, and enter Access Code 2318-572-4826, followed by the pound (#) key.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Faxes to Chambers are prohibited unless prior approval is obtained.
Faxes to Chambers are not permitted except with prior approval.
Civil cases
Communications with the Court must be by letter filed on ECF unless sealed or confidential.
Except as otherwise provided below, communications with the Court must be by letter. Unless there is a request to file a letter under seal or a letter contains sensitive or confidential information (see Rule 4(A), below), letters must be filed electronically on ECF.
Civil cases
Must call chambers at (212) 805-0296 when deciding to seek TRO.
As soon as a party decides to seek a temporary restraining order, he or she must call Chambers at (212) 805-0296 and state clearly (1) whether the adversary has been notified and whether the adversary consents to temporary injunctive relief; or (2) that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are satisfied and no notice is necessary.
Civil cases
Call Chambers by 11:00 AM on filing day to advise and schedule delivery of hard copies.
Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the day on which you intend to file an order to show cause, call Chambers to advise the Court that you intend to do so, and to schedule an appropriate time to deliver hard copies of the filing to Chambers for review.
Civil cases
No document or filing should be sent directly to Chambers. Absent a request to file a communication under seal, the parties should assume that any communication with the Court will be placed on the public docket.
No document or filing should be sent directly to Chambers. Absent a request to file a communication under seal, the parties should assume that any communication with the Court will be placed on the public docket.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Pro se parties must send communications to Pro Se Office with proof of service.
All communications with the Court by a pro se party must be hand delivered or mailed to the Pro Se Office, United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007, and must include an Affidavit of Service or other statement affirming that the pro se party sent a copy to all other parties or to their counsel if they are represented.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
All papers to be filed with the Court by a pro se party, along with any courtesy copies of those papers, should be delivered in person or sent by mail to the Pro Se Office, United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007.
All papers to be filed with the Court by a pro se party, along with any courtesy copies of those papers, should be delivered in person or sent by mail to the Pro Se Office, United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007.
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Faxes to Chambers prohibited without prior approval
Faxes to Chambers are not permitted except with prior approval.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Counsel should use a landline whenever possible, should use a headset instead of speakerphone, and must mute themselves whenever they are not speaking to eliminate background noise.
Counsel should use a landline whenever possible, should use a headset instead of speakerphone, and must mute themselves whenever they are not speaking to eliminate background noise.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Counsel should not use voice-activated systems that do not allow the user to know when someone else is trying to speak at the same time.
Counsel should not use voice-activated systems that do not allow the user to know when someone else is trying to speak at the same time.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Counsel must notify Court by ECF letter if conference not scheduled within 3 months.
If a conference has not been scheduled within three months of the filing of the complaint or notice of removal, counsel must advise the Court by letter on ECF.
Civil cases
Page 3 | D. Initial Case Management Conference
Counsel should also take special care not to interrupt or speak over one another.
Counsel should also take special care not to interrupt or speak over one another.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Phone calls to Chambers should be avoided except for urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
Parties should avoid calling Chambers unless an urgent matter requires immediate attention.
Civil cases
Must still call chambers to schedule TRO application even when Rule 65(b) notice requirements are met.
If the party requesting relief believes that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are met and no notice is necessary, the party must still call Chambers at (212) 805-0296 to schedule a time to bring the application to the Court.
Civil cases
For urgent matters, counsel may call Chambers after emailing to request contact information.
If an urgent matter requiring immediate attention should arise, counsel may call Chambers directly; in such situations, parties should email the Chambers inbox requesting the Court’s contact information.
Civil cases
ECF submissions are reviewed the next business day; urgent submissions require telephone notification after filing.
Materials filed via ECF are generally reviewed by the Court the business day after they have been filed. If a submission requires immediate attention, please notify Chambers by telephone after the submission has been filed via ECF.
Civil cases
Parties should avoid calling Chambers unless an urgent matter requires immediate attention.
Parties should avoid calling Chambers unless an urgent matter requires immediate attention.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Counsel should spell any proper names for the court reporter.
Counsel should spell any proper names for the court reporter.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Telephone conferences are open to the public and press.
Like in-person conferences, telephone conferences are open to the public. Members of the public or the press may join a telephone conference using the dial-in information above.
Civil cases
Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Email digital copies of paper filings to chambers at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Digital copies of these documents must also be emailed to chambers (outside the ECF system) at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
ECF help desk should be called for docketing-related issues at (212) 805-0800.
For docketing-related issues, please consider calling the ECF help desk at (212) 805-0800.
Civil cases
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Multiple attorneys may argue different issues for each party.
The Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue different issues for each party.
Civil cases
Court encourages providing speaking opportunities to junior lawyers.
The Court believes it is crucial to provide substantive speaking opportunities to junior lawyers, and that the benefits of doing so will accrue to all members of the profession and their clients.
Civil cases
Court will entertain requests for senior attorney to supplement junior attorney's argument.
In addition, under circumstances where the more junior attorney is permitted to present the argument to the Court, the Court will entertain reasonable requests for the more senior attorney to supplement any argument that is made.
Civil cases