Southern District of New York Filing Rules
5924 individual rules extracted from judicial documents in SDNY
These rules are extracted from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Southern District of New York. They supplement the court's local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Requirements vary significantly between judges in the same district, so always verify the specific rules for your assigned judge.
- Judge Dale E. Ho
All appendices to memoranda of law must be indexed.
- Judge Valerie Figueredo
Use Westlaw citations for unreported cases when possible.
- Judge Paul G. Gardephe
Discovery dispute letters must follow Rule I(A) filing requirements.
- Judge J. Paul Oetken
For TRO applications with notice, file papers simultaneously on ECF.
- Judge Lorna G. Schofield
No exhibits allowed with Rule 56.1 statements or responses.
- Judge Paul Engelmayer
Counsel should use landline and headset for telephone proceedings.
- Judge J. Paul Oetken
Requests to charge and voir dire must be emailed to chambers as Word docs
- Judge Gregory H. Woods
Faxes to Chambers are prohibited unless prior approval is obtained.
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Sensitive letters may be emailed to chambers as searchable PDF with courtesy copies to counsel
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
Communications with Chambers must be in writing with docket number and initials, filed on ECF unless immediate attention required.
- Judge Valerie Figueredo
Court permission required to file documents under seal.
- Judge J. Paul Oetken
For ex parte TRO applications, file under seal on ECF or email to Chambers, then call Chambers.
- Judge Edgardo Ramos
Supporting papers may be filed under seal or redacted only as necessary to protect confidential information.
- Judge Kenneth M. Karas
Sealed filings must comply with ECF Rules and Instructions.
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Two categories of information may be redacted without court approval: sensitive information and information requiring caution
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions on ECF with specific required elements
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Adjournment/extension requests must be made by letter at least 48 hours before the scheduled date.
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as ECF letter-motions
- Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke
Adjournment/extension requests must be filed as letter-motions on ECF with specific required elements and advance notice.
- Judge Paul Crotty
Adjournment/extension requests must include original dates, previous requests, adversary consent, and 3 alternate dates if consented.
- Judge Lewis J. Liman
Pre-motion letters and conferences are not required unless ordered by the Court.
- Judge J. Paul Oetken
Extensions and adjournments must be requested via letter-motion, not proposed stipulations or orders.
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Non-moving party must notify court within 14 days of motion to dismiss whether amending or relying on pleading
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Pre-motion conference required before any motion except FRAP 4(a)(4)(A) motions and pro hac vice motions.
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
Oral argument requests must be included in moving papers, not separate motions.
- Judge Edgardo Ramos
One courtesy copy required for all motions except pro hac vice and letter-motions.
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Courtesy copy required for motions with exhibits/voluminous record when reply is served
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
AUSA must provide courtesy copies of Indictment and Complaint to Chambers promptly after case assignment.
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Courtesy copies of pleadings (including Rule 7.1 statements) must be submitted to Chambers as soon as possible after filing.
- Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke
No courtesy copies required for any submissions unless court orders otherwise.
- Judge Ronnie Abrams
Letters to chambers limited to 5 pages unless otherwise ordered
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Memoranda of law (support/opposition) limited to 25 pages, reply memoranda to 10 pages, all double-spaced.
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
Letters to Court limited to 3 pages and must be filed on ECF
- Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke
Letters to chambers limited to 1,050 words without permission.
- Judge Paul Crotty
Letters to court must not exceed 3 pages (excluding exhibits) and must comply with Local Rule 11.1(b) formatting.
- Judge Valerie Figueredo
All moving papers, letter-motions, and letters must be in searchable PDF format.
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Memoranda must use double spacing, one-inch margins, 12-point font for text and footnotes (footnotes may be single-spaced).
- Judge Vernon S. Broderick
Citations to cases should be in the body, not footnotes, of memoranda of law.
- Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke
Large files require email request for transfer link with case details.
- Judge Paul Crotty
Trial schedule: Mon-Fri 9:30 AM-4:30 PM with morning counsel meeting, lunch recess, and breaks.
- Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke
Court encourages junior attorney participation in cases where they substantially contributed to filings or witness preparation
- Judge Katherine Polk Failla
Court encourages junior attorney participation in proceedings where they contributed substantially.
- Judge Loretta A. Preska
Court encourages junior lawyers to argue and may allow multiple lawyers to argue
- Judge Jesse M. Furman
Advise Court by letter if junior attorney will handle oral argument.
- Judge Alison J. Nathan
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.
- Judge Paul G. Gardephe
Motions for reconsideration and in limine exempt from bundling rule.
- Judge Nelson S. Roman
Motion papers must be filed via ECF promptly after reply papers are served.
- Judge Richard M. Berman
Motion papers must be filed promptly after service.
- Judge John P. Cronan
Motion papers must be filed promptly after service
- Judge Judith C. McCarthy
Motion papers must be filed promptly after service.