Courtesy copies are required for covered filings before Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Two courtesy sets of pre-marked exhibits in tabbed 3-ring binders must be delivered to the Court at least two weeks before trial.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Details: 3 pages. Discovery disputes require good-faith meet and confer before a letter motion; the letter is limited to 3 single-spaced pages and must certify that meet and confer occurred.
Judge Robert W. Lehrburger's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes exhibits. The pre-settlement conference letter is limited to 5 single-spaced pages, excluding exhibits, unless the Court grants permission for more.
Judge Robert W. Lehrburger's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Excludes exhibits. All letters to the Court are limited to 3 single-spaced pages, excluding exhibits.
Judge Robert W. Lehrburger's formatting rule includes file format PDF and searchable pdf required. All motions and moving papers must be in searchable PDF format.
The rule requires certificate of service. Each party's counsel must email the Court a pre-settlement conference letter and a completed attendance certification form at least 5 business days before the conference.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Parties themselves — not only their attorneys — must personally attend the settlement conference.
Parties may contact Judge Robert W. Lehrburger's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email Lehrburger_NYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. The completed electronic device form must be emailed to chambers; chambers then routes the authorization to the District Executive's Office and court security.
Judge Robert W. Lehrburger's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. All settlement conference communications are strictly confidential, off the record, inadmissible at trial, and may not be used in discovery.
Requests should be made at least 7 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The request must include reason for request. All counsel must participate in a Court-scheduled phone call no later than 7 business days before the settlement conference to discuss the conference.
Electronic devices (cellphones, laptops, tablets) are not permitted during court proceedings and must be stored with court security.
In exceptional circumstances, attorneys may apply to bring an electronic device by completing the SDNY Fillable Form for Electronic Devices General Purpose.
The completed electronic device form must be emailed to chambers; chambers then routes the authorization to the District Executive's Office and court security.
All settlement conference communications are strictly confidential, off the record, inadmissible at trial, and may not be used in discovery.
All counsel must participate in a Court-scheduled phone call no later than 7 business days before the settlement conference to discuss the conference.
Each party's counsel must email the Court a pre-settlement conference letter and a completed attendance certification form at least 5 business days before the conference.
The pre-settlement conference letter is limited to 5 single-spaced pages, excluding exhibits, unless the Court grants permission for more.
The pre-conference letter must be marked confidential and must NOT be shared with opposing parties — it is submitted to the Court only.
The pre-conference letter must at minimum include: issues in dispute, settlement negotiation history, settlement valuation and rationale, case strengths and weaknesses, and any other helpful information.
Plaintiff must communicate a settlement demand at least 14 days before the conference; the opposing party must respond within 7 days of receiving the demand.
Parties themselves — not only their attorneys — must personally attend the settlement conference.
Business entities, labor unions, and insurers must send the person with final, unlimited settlement authority — not just any representative.
Excess insurance carriers must attend unless the Court specifically excuses them at least one week before the conference.
Government agency parties must be accompanied by a knowledgeable agency representative; NYC Comptroller cases require a Comptroller representative with unlimited settlement authority.
Settlement conferences are held via Microsoft Teams by default; parties may request in-person and the Court may order in-person sua sponte.
Participants living more than 100 miles from the courthouse may request remote participation in writing; such permission is the exception, not the rule, and must be raised as early as possible.
Parties needing an interpreter must provide their own simultaneous interpreter; the Court does not supply interpreters for settlement conferences.
Failure to comply with attendance requirements may result in the non-complying party being required to reimburse other parties' time and travel expenses and face other sanctions.
Settlement conference adjournments: requests more than 14 days before are ordinarily granted without good cause; requests within 14 days require good cause and alternative dates.
If the case settles before the scheduled conference, parties should file a letter-motion on ECF requesting adjournment sine die.
Scheduling a settlement conference does not stay or alter any case deadlines unless the Court specifically orders otherwise.
FLSA settlements require court or DOL approval; counsel must explain why the settlement terms are fair and reasonable.
All letters to the Court must be filed on ECF; no email or other copies to chambers unless an exception applies.
Sealed, ex parte settlement, and other confidential letters must be emailed to chambers as PDF attachments rather than filed on ECF.
Pro se parties must direct all communications to the Pro Se Intake Unit — never directly to chambers.
All letters to the Court are limited to 3 single-spaced pages, excluding exhibits.
Party-to-party letters not addressed to the Court may not be filed on ECF or sent to the Court.
Hand deliveries must go to Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance, not directly to chambers; if urgent, ask officers to notify chambers.
Chambers may be called by phone between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. only for administrative, scheduling, or calendar matters — not to seek rulings.
Adjournment and extension requests must be ECF letter motions containing the original date, prior request history, consent status, and (if rescheduling a conference) available dates for all counsel.