Courtesy copies are required for pleadings. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Courtesy copy to chambers required for pleadings filed within 5 days of a scheduled motion hearing.
Judge David Hittner's rule states these limits: 20 pages. Memoranda and briefs filed in court are limited to 20 pages.
Judge David Hittner's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Summaries accompanying memoranda over 15 pages are limited to 3 pages.
Judge David Hittner's formatting rule includes 14 point type, double spacing and margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches. All pleadings filed after the original complaint must be double-spaced, with at least 1-inch margins and 14-point font.
The rule requires certificate of service. Defendants removing cases from state court must file a Certificate of Service with the Clerk of this Court.
The rule requires signature block and exhibit list. Joint Pretrial Orders must include specified attachments and be signed by all counsel.
Parties may contact Judge David Hittner's chambers by letter fax only as allowed by the rule. Substantive legal issues must be filed as pleadings with the Clerk, not in letters to the Court.
Judge David Hittner's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Trial continuances are only granted for exceptional circumstances; agreed continuance motions are not binding, and continuances for witness unavailability are prohibited.
Yes. Judge David Hittner requires bundling for covered papers. Memoranda exceeding 15 pages must be bundled with a concise summary of no more than 3 pages.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Motions for reinstatement after settlement-related dismissal must be filed within 90 calendar days with proof of settlement approval inability.
Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Details: recipient: the opposing party. Plaintiffs must serve the Order for Conference and Disclosure of Interested Parties on defendants along with the summons and complaint.
Contingent jury instructions must be clearly marked as contingent and placed in brackets.
Plaintiffs must serve the Order for Conference and Disclosure of Interested Parties on defendants along with the summons and complaint.
Defendants removing cases from state court must serve the Order for Conference and Disclosure of Interested Parties on all other counsel.
Defendants removing cases from state court must file a Certificate of Service with the Clerk of this Court.
In removed actions, service of Court’s Order, Docket Control Order, and Court Procedures must be by certified mail on counsel of record and unrepresented parties.
Certificate of Service in Removed Action must include compliance certification, date of service, certified mail method, list of documents served, and attorney signature.
Trial continuances are only granted for exceptional circumstances; agreed continuance motions are not binding, and continuances for witness unavailability are prohibited.
Motions for reinstatement after settlement-related dismissal must be filed within 90 calendar days with proof of settlement approval inability.
Agreed final judgments must be submitted to the court for approval by the end of the 90-day settlement period.
Joint Pretrial Orders must include specified attachments and be signed by all counsel.
A single set of proposed jury instructions agreed to by all counsel must be submitted, preferably in final form.
Disputed jury instructions must be marked in bold/italics/colors, labeled with the requesting party and supporting authority.
Motions for extension of discovery must be filed before the discovery deadline.
Memoranda and briefs filed in court are limited to 20 pages.
Memoranda exceeding 15 pages must be bundled with a concise summary of no more than 3 pages.
Summaries accompanying memoranda over 15 pages are limited to 3 pages.
Exhibits referenced in briefs, and unpublished/non-Texas state cases not on Westlaw/Lexis must be attached to the brief or pleading.
Substantive legal issues must be filed as pleadings with the Clerk, not in letters to the Court.
All pleadings filed after the original complaint must be double-spaced, with at least 1-inch margins and 14-point font.
Courtesy copy to chambers required for pleadings filed within 5 days of a scheduled motion hearing.
Judge’s staff will not accept messages for counsel, and use of telephones in chambers is prohibited.
Pleadings submitted during trial must be presented in duplicate (original for filing, copy for court) to the Case Manager.
Exhibits must be marked with the offering party's name, case number, and exhibit number.
Courtesy copies of exhibits must be assembled in loose-leaf notebooks with tabs, labeled covers, max 3-inch depth, with 2 copies due at trial.
The Final Joint Pretrial Order must include a list of all exhibits to be offered.
Final revised exhibit list and witness list must be submitted to the case manager at the time of trial.
Deposition exhibits in non-jury trials must have a summary of intended proof and designated portions with line/page numbers attached.
Posttrial Briefs must be limited to specific questions assigned by the Court during or after trial.
The Final Joint Pretrial Order must include proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law (in duplicate), and a Memorandum of Law or Pretrial Brief.
Deposition objections must be filed in advance of trial, with rulings before deposition is read.