Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Philip M. Halpern's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Philip M. Halpern?

Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: delivery simultaneously, by email fax hand delivery. Copies of all communications with chambers must be sent to all counsel.

Does Judge Philip M. Halpern require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for adjournment, extension, and pre motion conference. Letters requesting relief must be filed as letter-motions via ECF.

What page or word limits apply to letter before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

Judge Philip M. Halpern's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes caption, signature blocks, and certificates. Plaintiff must respond to defendant's letter within 5 business days with max 5 double-spaced pages.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Pleadings

What page or word limits apply to memorandum of law before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

Judge Philip M. Halpern's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Excludes caption, index, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, certificates, exhibits, appendices, and attachments. Memoranda of law must comply with Local Civil Rule 7.1 formatting and length requirements; sur-replies not accepted without permission; objections to Magistrate rulings limited to 15 pages without permission.

View ruleSource: page 9, section H. Memoranda of Law

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

Judge Philip M. Halpern's formatting rule includes 28 lines per page, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1.5 inches, right 1 inches, binding securely bound, one sided, lie flat, and multiple volumes for large documents. Motion courtesy copies must be securely bound, one-sided, and lie flat when open.

View ruleSource: page 4, section A. Courtesy Copies

What must be included with summary judgment motion filings before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

The rule requires service timing. Rule 56.1 Statement must be served before summary judgment deadline.

View ruleSource: page 6, section Summary Judgment Motions

What must be included with conference filings before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

The rule requires principal trial counsel appearance. Principal trial counsel must appear at all conferences; telephonic appearances not permitted except for extraordinary circumstances.

How may parties contact Judge Philip M. Halpern's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Philip M. Halpern's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (914) 390-4160. Telephone calls to chambers only for emergencies; emails/faxes require prior authorization; copies to all counsel required.

How does Judge Philip M. Halpern handle sealed or redacted filings?

The rule does not state that a motion to seal is required for the covered filing process. Process: file redacted on ecf. Certain sensitive information (SSN, minor children names, DOBs, financial account numbers) must be redacted without court approval per FRCP 5.2.

View ruleSource: page 10, section A. Sealing/Redactions Not Requiring Court Approval

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Philip M. Halpern?

Judge Philip M. Halpern'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, and adversary position. Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions with specific required elements.

Does Judge Philip M. Halpern encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Philip M. Halpern's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Court encourages junior attorneys (under 5 years experience) to participate in courtroom proceedings and oral arguments; multiple attorneys may speak for one party.

View ruleSource: page 9, section M. Participation of Junior Attorneys
Complete rules summary for Judge Philip M. Halpern

Telephone calls to chambers only for emergencies; emails/faxes require prior authorization; copies to all counsel required.

Emails/faxes to chambers require prior authorization and must identify authorizing individual.

Copies of all communications with chambers must be sent to all counsel.

Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions with specific required elements.

Extension requests made after deadline are ordinarily denied.

Rule 56.1 Statement must be served before summary judgment deadline.

Letters requesting relief must be filed as letter-motions via ECF.

Summary judgment movant must provide admissible evidence cited in Rule 56.1 Statement.

No courtesy copies required for documents filed via ECF, except for marked pleadings, motions, pre-trial submissions, and bankruptcy appeals.

Principal trial counsel must appear at all conferences; telephonic appearances not permitted except for extraordinary circumstances.

Initial Rule 16(c) conference scheduled within 2 months after defendants respond.

Pre-motion conference required for most motions except specified exceptions.

Pre-motion letter (max 5 pages) required; opposition letter (max 5 pages) due within 5 business days; no reply letters without permission.

Courtesy copies of all motion papers required, mailed to Chambers or hand-delivered to Clerk’s Office.

Motion courtesy copies must be securely bound, one-sided, and lie flat when open.

Courtesy copies of marked pleadings required after answers/replies are filed.

Plaintiff must respond to defendant's letter within 5 business days with max 5 double-spaced pages.

Parties must not submit pre-motion letters to the Court.

Filing pre-motion letter under Rule 12(b) stays time to answer or move to dismiss.

Discovery pre-motion letter limited to 5 double-spaced pages.

Citations to evidence must include page, line, and paragraph numbers.

Order to Show Cause requires conference with parties before signing.

Request Order to Show Cause conference via letter-motion under Rule 2(C).

Conference with adversary required before emergency relief/TRO unless Rule 65(b) applies.

File letter-motion via ECF when seeking TRO, stating notice/consent status or Rule 65(b) applicability.

If adversary notified but doesn't consent to emergency relief, provide alternative dates for Court conference.

One week before preliminary injunction hearing, submit counsel contact information.

One week before preliminary injunction hearing, submit claim elements with evidentiary support.

One week before preliminary injunction hearing, submit witness list with descriptions and time estimates.

One week before preliminary injunction hearing, submit exhibit list with objections and pre-marking designations.

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