**United States District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr.** was appointed to the Southern District of Texas by President Donald Trump in 2018. Judge Rodriguez serves in the Brownsville Division of the Southern District of Texas. **Career** - United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division (2018–present)
**Division:** Brownsville **Courthouse:** United States Courthouse, 600 East Harrison Street, Room 301, Brownsville, Texas 78520 **Phone:** (956) 548-2755 **Chambers Staff** - Judicial Assistant: Adalia Mora - Deputy-In-Charge: Rosalinda D'Venturi, (956) 548-2500, 600 East Harrison Street, Room 101 - Law Clerk: Craig P. Smith (Career Law Clerk) - Law Clerk: William M. Rocci - Case Manager: Balvina Espinoza, (956) 548-2756, Balvina_Espinoza@txs.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for emergency motions. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Counsel must send a hard copy courtesy copy of emergency motions directly to the Case Manager in addition to electronic filing.
Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's rules set a pre-motion procedure for tro. Ex parte restraining order applications are only permitted if they meet Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(b) requirements.
Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's rule states these limits: 30 pages. Excludes exhibits. Briefs and legal memoranda are limited to 30 pages excluding exhibits; leave of court required to exceed.
Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's rule states these limits: 20 pages. Briefs and legal memoranda limited to 20 pages, unless court permits extension.
Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's formatting rule includes binding tabbed 3-ring and indexed. Exhibit copies provided to the Court must be formatted in a properly tabbed and indexed notebook.
The rule requires statement of facts. Joint Pretrial Order must include a brief statement of the case (statement of facts).
The rule requires case number. Exhibits must be marked with the date and case number on each.
Parties may contact Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's clerk by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. All case-related correspondence must be addressed to and e-filed with the District Clerk’s Office.
Judge Jr. Fernando Rodriguez's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Continuances of trial dates are only granted for extraordinary circumstances; joint motions are not binding, and witness unavailability is not grounds.
No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Required attachments must be filed as separate documents, not bundled with the Joint Pretrial Order.
Joint Pretrial Order must include a brief statement of the case (statement of facts).
Joint Pretrial Order must include a list of all exhibits expected to be offered.
Exhibits must be marked with the date and case number on each.
Required attachments must be captioned and include a certificate of service.
Required attachments must be filed as separate documents, not bundled with the Joint Pretrial Order.
Joint Pretrial Order must include unresolved legal questions with supporting authorities.
Parties may email case-related inquiries to the Case Manager, must copy all opposing counsel and pro se parties.
Telephone inquiries to the Case Manager are only permitted for emergencies.
Parties should retrieve filing, order, and docket information from CM/ECF, Pacer, or the District Clerk’s Office.
Law clerks may only discuss the specific subject of their communication with counsel, no other matters.
All case-related correspondence must be addressed to and e-filed with the District Clerk’s Office.
Courtesy copies of urgent documents may be sent to the Case Manager at the time of filing with the Clerk.
Applications for restraining orders or other immediate relief must be submitted through the District Clerk’s Office.
Counsel must contact the Case Manager upon filing a restraining order or emergency relief application.
Ex parte restraining order applications are only permitted if they meet Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(b) requirements.
Extension requests for scheduling order deadlines should be made before the deadline expires; late requests are disfavored.
Continuances of trial dates are only granted for extraordinary circumstances; joint motions are not binding, and witness unavailability is not grounds.
Counsel must file a Joint Discovery and Case Management Plan using Appendix C form at least 3 business days before the Initial Pretrial Conference.
Motions must include a Certificate of Conference detailing efforts to confer if unable to comply with L.R. 7.1(D).
Briefs are required to be filed together with or incorporated within a motion, response, or reply.
Briefs and legal memoranda are limited to 30 pages excluding exhibits; leave of court required to exceed.
Briefs must include a Statement of the Issue(s) summarizing each issue, standard of review, and supporting authority.
Briefs or memoranda with over 10 pages of argument must include Table of Contents, Table of Authorities, Summary of Argument, and Relief Sought.
Evidence references in briefs must cite specific page/line or page/paragraph numbers.
Parties using videotaped depositions at trial must edit the video to include the Court’s rulings on objections.
Exhibits must be marked with party identity, case number, and exhibit number prior to the Final Pretrial Conference.
Counsel must provide the Court with a tabbed and indexed notebook copy of their exhibits prior to the Final Pretrial Conference.
Exhibit copies provided to the Court must be formatted in a properly tabbed and indexed notebook.
Parties offering exhibits not easily stored in a file folder must provide a photograph or digital reproduction.
Upon settlement, counsel must file a Stipulation of Dismissal under FRCP 41.