Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

Courtesy copies are required for pretrial filings and exhibits. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Parties should submit two tabbed binders of pretrial filings and two tabbed binders of exhibits to the court.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 10. Pretrial Filings in Jury Cases

Does Judge Jeffrey V. Brown require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rules set a pre-motion procedure for motions. Motion responses due 21 days after filing; replies due 7 days after response.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rule states these limits: 30 pages; 15 pages. Motions and responses limited to 30 pages; replies limited to 15 pages absent leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice

What page or word limits apply to surreply before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Authorized surreplies and sur-surreplies are limited to 10 pages.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's formatting rule includes 13 point type, double spacing. All filings must be double-spaced with 13-point or larger font.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice

What must be included with proof of service filings before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

The rule requires certificate of service. Proof of service for these rules must be filed with the U.S. District Clerk.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GALVESTON DIVISION RULES OF PRACTICE

What must be included with amended pleading filings before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Amended pleadings must be fully reproduced with no incorporation of prior pleadings by reference except with leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 5. Amended Pleadings

How may parties contact Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's chambers?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rules specify how parties may contact chambers. Parties must immediately inform the court upon settling the case.

View ruleSource: page 5, section 8. Settlements

How does Judge Jeffrey V. Brown handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown. Pleadings, motions, or exhibits filed under seal must be accompanied by a motion to seal.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 6. Motion Practice

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown?

Judge Jeffrey V. Brown's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Extensions of discovery/expert deadlines not affecting dispositive/docket-call dates don't need court approval; extensions affecting those dates require a motion.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 3. Continuances of Docket-Control Deadlines and Trial Settings

Does Judge Jeffrey V. Brown require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Jeffrey V. Brown. Motions to seal and their exhibits should be filed as a single combined document.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 6. Motion Practice
Complete rules summary for Judge Jeffrey V. Brown

Proof of service for these rules must be filed with the U.S. District Clerk.

Inquiries for Judge Brown's cases go to case manager George Cardenas via phone or email.

Inquiries for Judge Edison's cases or Rule 16 conferences go to case manager Ruben Castro via email.

Status inquiries should be made via CM/ECF/PACER first, or clerk's office by phone if absolutely necessary.

Joint Discovery/Case Management Plan must be in the form on Judge Brown’s homepage and filed 10 days before the Rule 16 conference.

Extensions of discovery/expert deadlines not affecting dispositive/docket-call dates don't need court approval; extensions affecting those dates require a motion.

Vacation requests for trial or hearing dates are respected if made well in advance.

Amended pleadings must be fully reproduced with no incorporation of prior pleadings by reference except with leave of court.

Motions to amend a pleading must be accompanied by the proposed amended pleading in redline format showing deletions and additions.

Motions must include the party’s legal argument; separate Memoranda of Law are prohibited.

Non-dispositive motions must include a proposed order.

Proposed orders must relate to the motion, be more than Grant/Deny forms, and include the presiding judge’s signature block.

Motions for continuance and to revise docket-control orders must include proposed dates.

Non-dispositive motions must include a certificate of conference or be struck.

Pleadings, motions, or exhibits filed under seal must be accompanied by a motion to seal.

Motions to seal must include a version of the documents to be sealed with redactions highlighted.

Motions to seal and their exhibits should be filed as a single combined document.

All filings must be double-spaced with 13-point or larger font.

Motions and responses limited to 30 pages; replies limited to 15 pages absent leave of court.

Filings with over 10 pages of argument must include a proceeding statement, argument summary, and table of authorities.

Filings must comply with Bluebook, Greenbook, and Redbook citation rules, with Greenbook prevailing over Bluebook conflicts.

Motion responses due 21 days after filing; replies due 7 days after response.

Extensions of motion response/reply deadlines must be sought by motion, not party agreement alone.

Surreplies and sur-surreplies require leave of court by motion.

Authorized surreplies and sur-surreplies are limited to 10 pages.

Late filings require a motion for leave with an adequate excuse for failing to request an extension in advance.

Exhibits, responses, briefs, and pleadings must be distinguishable, with exhibits individually attached and labeled on CM/ECF.

Sound and video exhibits must be submitted on USB thumb drives, not CDs.

All responses, briefs, and pleadings must be filed in text-searchable PDF format, not scanned images.

Criminal motions to suppress must be filed before pretrial conference unless the court orders otherwise.

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