**Senior United States District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt** was appointed to the Southern District of Texas by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, assuming senior status on March 2, 2013. Born in San Augustine County, Texas, Judge Hoyt graduated from Texas Southern University in 1969 and received his Juris Doctor from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1972. He was in private practice in Houston from 1972 to 1985, also serving as city attorney for the Cities of Kendleton and Prairie View, Texas from 1975 to 1981, and as a faculty member for the South Texas College Trial Advocacy Program. He served as Judge for the 125th Civil District Court of Texas from 1981 to 1982, then as an adjunct professor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law from 1983 to 1984. He was a justice of the First District Court of Appeals of Texas from 1985 to 1988 before his federal appointment. **Education** - Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University, J.D., 1972 - Texas Southern University, A.B., 1969 **Career** - Senior United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (1988–present; senior status 2013) - Justice, First District Court of Appeals of Texas (1985–1988) - Adjunct Professor, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (1983–1984) - Judge, 125th Civil District Court of Texas (1981–1982) - City Attorney, Cities of Kendleton and Prairie View, Texas (1975–1981) - Faculty, South Texas College Trial Advocacy Program - Private practice, Houston (1972–1985)
**Division:** Houston **Courthouse:** Bob Casey United States Courthouse, 515 Rusk Street, Courtroom 11A, Houston, Texas 77002 **Phone:** (713) 250-5515 **Chambers Staff** - Case Manager: Cynthia Horace
Courtesy copies are required for joint pretrial orders. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Joint Pretrial Order due per docket call or 10 days before trial; plaintiff's counsel must deliver courtesy copy to Case Manager.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for application for restraining orders. Restraining order applications require affirmation of opposing party contact/availability or explanation of why contact is not required.
Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 15 pages. Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; sur-replies prohibited without leave.
Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt's formatting rule includes double spacing, letter paper, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, quotations over two lines may be indented and single-spaced, and headings and footnotes may be single-spaced. Briefs must use 8.5x11 paper, double-spaced text (exceptions for quotes, headings, footnotes), and 1-inch margins.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Joint Pretrial Order must include jurisdiction details and note unresolved jurisdictional questions.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Substantive legal issues must not be addressed in letters to the Court, as they are not docketed or part of the appellate record.
Parties may contact Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (713) 250-5515. Case-related telephone inquiries must be directed only to Case Manager Cynthia Horace at (713) 250-5515.
Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Counsel must comply with docket control orders unless granted relief via motion and good cause showing.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All parties are expected to file documents via CM/ECF; counsel must register to use the system.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Joint discovery/case management plans must be filed at least 10 days before the scheduling conference.
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. The attached cover page must be served with the summons and complaint or notice of removal.
The attached cover page must be served with the summons and complaint or notice of removal.
Joint Pretrial Order must include jurisdiction details and note unresolved jurisdictional questions.
Substantive legal issues must not be addressed in letters to the Court, as they are not docketed or part of the appellate record.
Extension requests for discovery or trial postponement must be signed by attorney and party.
Marked objections to opposing exhibits must be filed for all trial and evidentiary hearings.
Plaintiffs must serve the cover page and Order for Conference with the summons and complaint on all defendants.
Parties removing a case to this court must fulfill the same service obligations as plaintiffs filing original complaints.
Proof of service for the cover page, Order for Conference, summons, complaint, and notice of removal must be filed with the Clerk.
All parties are expected to file documents via CM/ECF; counsel must register to use the system.
Case-related telephone inquiries must be directed only to Case Manager Cynthia Horace at (713) 250-5515.
Law clerks may contact counsel only to discuss the subject matter of the call.
Case Manager does not respond to casual status inquiries; filing info available via Clerk's Office at (713) 250-5500 or PACER.
Urgent letters or briefs may be sent to Chambers with a cover letter explaining the need for prompt attention.
Restraining order and immediate relief applications must be filed electronically via CM/ECF; related communications to Case Manager.
Restraining order applications require affirmation of opposing party contact/availability or explanation of why contact is not required.
Ex parte restraining order applications are only allowed if Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) requirements are met.
Motions to extend deadlines or cut-off dates are not considered emergencies.
Joint continuance stipulations are not binding and granted only at court's discretion.
Vacation requests must be submitted by letter to Case Manager well in advance to be accommodated.
Out-of-town counsel must submit written telephonic appearance requests to Case Manager in advance with notice to other parties.
Notify the Court of settled cases immediately in writing or by email to cynthia_horace@txs.uscourts.gov.
Joint discovery/case management plans must be filed at least 10 days before the scheduling conference.
Counsel must serve the Order for Conference with the summons/complaint or notice of removal.
Discovery motions must include a statement that counsel conferred in good faith, conference details, and attempts if opposing counsel was unavailable.
Non-dispositive motions must include a certificate of conference and a proposed order granting requested relief.
Witness lists must be filed for all trial and evidentiary hearings.
All motions except Rule 56 motions must include a separate proposed order granting or denying relief.
Submission date extensions require written notice to Case Manager and an order; extensions cannot violate court deadlines.
Briefs/memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; sur-replies prohibited without leave.
Briefs must use 8.5x11 paper, double-spaced text (exceptions for quotes, headings, footnotes), and 1-inch margins.