**United States District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo** was appointed to the Southern District of Texas by President Barack Obama in 2011. Judge Garcia Marmolejo has presided over nearly 14,000 criminal and civil cases and close to 100 trials during her tenure. During a five-year period ending June 2023, she oversaw the second-busiest criminal docket nationally. Before her federal appointment, she worked as a federal public defender in Texas from 1996 to 1999, then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Texas from 1999 to 2007, trying over 30 cases to verdict as a defender and prosecutor in corruption, drug trafficking, and human trafficking matters. She has been appointed twice by Chief Justice John Roberts to serve on the Judicial Conference's IT Committee and founded a clerkship mentorship program at St. Mary's University School of Law. **Education** - Duke University School of Law, L.L.M., 2020 - St. Mary's University School of Law, J.D., 1996 - St. Mary's University, M.A., 1996 - University of the Incarnate Word, B.A., 1992 **Career** - United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division (2011–present) - Private legal practice, Laredo, San Antonio, and Austin (1999–2011) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas (1999–2007) - Federal Public Defender, Texas (1996–1999) - Adjunct professor, international judicial programs - Judicial Conference IT Committee member (appointed by Chief Justice Roberts)
**Division:** Laredo **Courthouse:** 1300 Victoria Street, Suite 2267, Courtroom 3B, Laredo, Texas 78040 **Phone:** (956) 726-2209 **Fax:** (956) 726-2900 **Chambers Staff** - Case Manager: Gaby Salinas, (956) 790-1366 - Law Clerk: Caitlin Sullivan, (956) 726-2309 - Law Clerk: Daniel Ramirez, (956) 726-2309
Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 10 pages. Details: delivery promptly. Courtesy copies required promptly for documents over 10 pages (including exhibits/attachments) and documents for matters to be heard within 7 days of filing; email and fax prohibited unless authorized.
Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Counsel must confer with opposing counsel on all motions to reach agreement on requested relief.
Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins without court leave.
Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's rule states these limits: 40 pages. Appendices containing supporting affidavits, deposition excerpts, and discovery referred to in briefs are limited to 40 pages each.
Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's formatting rule includes conventionally filed (non-electronic) only and tabbed at right margin. Conventionally filed (non-electronic) appendices must be tabbed at the right margin.
The rule requires table of contents. All appendices must include a table of contents.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Parties must file copies of all letters sent to the Court.
Parties may contact Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Parties must advise the Court by letter if a pending motion requires expedited resolution.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. Pleadings with personal data identifiers must comply with S.D. Texas General Order #2004-11 on personal privacy protection.
Requests should be made at least 3 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. The request must include reason for request. Continuance motions must be filed at least 3 business days before the controlling deadline, with good cause required for same-day filings.
No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Required pretrial attachments must be filed as separate documents, prohibiting bundling.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Parties must file all documents electronically through the District Court's CM/ECF System in accordance with Local Rule 5.1 and the District's Administrative Procedures for CM/ECF.
Parties must advise the Court by letter if a pending motion requires expedited resolution.
All appendices must include a table of contents.
Case-related inquiries limited to procedural matters, directed only to Judicial Assistant (not law clerks), no casual status phone inquiries, submitted via letter to Chambers or email; no substantive issues in letters/emails.
Status of documents, orders, or docket entries should be checked via CM/ECF/Pacer first, or Clerk’s Office at (956) 723-3542 if absolutely necessary.
Continuance motions must be filed at least 3 business days before the controlling deadline, with good cause required for same-day filings.
Urgent documents (including letters) may be sent to Chambers via mail, email, or hand delivery with copies to all parties; service copies must be sent to counsel simultaneously with or before court transmission in the same method.
Parties must file copies of all letters sent to the Court.
Email correspondence with the Court is docketed at the Court’s discretion.
Courtesy copies required promptly for documents over 10 pages (including exhibits/attachments) and documents for matters to be heard within 7 days of filing; email and fax prohibited unless authorized.
Restraining order and immediate relief applications must be filed via CM/ECF, with all related communications directed through the Judicial Assistant.
Restraining order applications require counsel’s affirmation of opposing party contact or explanation of why contact is not legally required.
Agreed continuances must be submitted to the Court via an agreed motion accompanied by a proposed order.
Trial continuances are not granted due to witness unavailability; counsel must use depositions or stipulations for unavailable witness testimony.
Counsel requesting telephone appearance at hearings must email a written request to the Judicial Assistant as far in advance as reasonably possible.
Pro hac vice admission motions must include an averment that the applicant has familiarized themselves with the Local Rules and these Procedures.
Young lawyers (practicing less than 7 years) are encouraged to conduct hearings, especially for motions they drafted or contributed to.
Counsel must confer with opposing counsel on all motions to reach agreement on requested relief.
Non-dispositive motions must include a certificate of conference, with non-compliance risking denial or striking.
All motions except Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 summary judgment motions must include a separate proposed order.
Opposed motions are considered after 28 days, with non-movant responses due in 21 days and replies in 7 days after response; court may consider earlier if needed.
Parties may agree to extend motion submission deadlines with prompt written notice and proposed order; extensions violating court deadlines require approval.
Sealed civil pleadings must include “SEALED” in the title; docketing as “SEALED DOCUMENT” alone requires advance court permission.
Pleadings with personal data identifiers must comply with S.D. Texas General Order #2004-11 on personal privacy protection.
Counsel must confer in good faith to resolve discovery and scheduling disputes before seeking court intervention.
Discovery or scheduling dispute motions must include a certificate of conference and details of prior discussions, including date, time, place, participants, and summary of results.
Memoranda of law are limited to 25 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins without court leave.
Memoranda with over 10 pages of argument must include a table of contents and table of authorities.
Memoranda of law must include a statement of issues with standard of review, argument summary, argument headings, conclusion with relief, and proposed orders (except for summary judgment motions).
Appendices containing supporting affidavits, deposition excerpts, and discovery referred to in briefs are limited to 40 pages each.
Conventionally filed (non-electronic) appendices must be tabbed at the right margin.