Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 50 pages. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. Exhibits exceeding 50 pages must be provided as a single PDF with bookmarks and highlighted references; copy provided to opposing counsel.
Judge Richard W. Bennett's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery. Discovery dispute conference materials must be filed at least 24 hours before the conference date.
Judge Richard W. Bennett's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Letters requesting a discovery dispute conference must not exceed three pages.
Judge Richard W. Bennett's rule states these limits: 25 pages. All motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages unless leave of court is granted.
Judge Richard W. Bennett's formatting rule includes 13 point type, double spacing and margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches. All motions must be double-spaced, 13-point font, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.
The rule requires certificate of conference. Non-dispositive motions must include a Certificate of Conference compliant with Local Rule 7.1(D) or will be struck.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Disagreed jury charge items must be labeled by party and include supporting authority in a unified charge.
Parties may contact Judge Richard W. Bennett's clerk by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (713) 250-5703, (713) 250-5123. All questions regarding criminal matters must be directed to the Case Manager or Criminal Intake Desk Clerk.
Judge Richard W. Bennett's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Documents subject to confidential treatment or disclosing Confidential Information must be filed under seal until court order, with only confidential parts sealed if possible.
Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Richard W. Bennett. The court only considers motions for continuance filed at least two weeks before the trial date specified in the Scheduling and Docket Control Order.
No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Requests for expedited consideration must be filed separately from the motion.
Yes. Judge Richard W. Bennett's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers (licensed fewer than 7 years) should be given speaking roles for motions/responses they drafted or witnesses they prepared.
Documents subject to confidential treatment or disclosing Confidential Information must be filed under seal until court order, with only confidential parts sealed if possible.
All questions regarding criminal matters must be directed to the Case Manager or Criminal Intake Desk Clerk.
Case-related inquiries must be made only to the Case Manager; law clerks must not be contacted with case-related questions, and substantive issues are prohibited in phone/email to the Case Manager.
Inquiries to the Case Manager may be submitted via telephone, email, or physical letter to the provided contact details.
Parties may contact the Case Manager to inquire about the status of civil motions pending decision for over 60 days.
Letters requesting a discovery dispute conference must not exceed three pages.
Discovery dispute conference materials must be filed at least 24 hours before the conference date.
Discovery disputes are resolved at initial conference; if motion is needed, issues and briefing schedule are set at the conference.
Parties must discuss electronic discovery disputes in person/phone/video before seeking court intervention; resisting parties must have a person to discuss burdens.
Requests for remote appearance must be made in writing to the Case Manager at least three days before the scheduled appearance.
Telephone appearances are permitted even if other counsel appear in-person.
Video conference appearances are only available if all parties appear by video.
Parties must access remote conferences at least 5 minutes before the scheduled hearing time.
Parties appearing by video conference must ensure their equipment and internet bandwidth are adequate.
Junior lawyers (licensed fewer than 7 years) should be given speaking roles for motions/responses they drafted or witnesses they prepared.
Counsel and pro se litigants must immediately notify the Case Manager in writing if a scheduled hearing or trial is resolved early.
Non-dispositive motions must include a Certificate of Conference compliant with Local Rule 7.1(D) or will be struck.
All motions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages unless leave of court is granted.
All motions must be double-spaced, 13-point font, 1-inch margins unless leave of court is granted.
Requests for expedited consideration must be filed separately from the motion.
Discovery motions may only be filed after completing and failing to resolve the dispute via Section III discovery procedures.
Disagreed jury charge items must be labeled by party and include supporting authority in a unified charge.
Exhibits exceeding 50 pages must be provided as a single PDF with bookmarks and highlighted references; copy provided to opposing counsel.
Joint Pretrial Orders must follow the form in Local Rule 16.2, Appendix B.
Plaintiff must provide a courtesy copy of the Joint Pretrial Order with all attachments to the court.
For bench trials, proposed conclusions of law must cite supporting legal authority, findings of fact must reference supporting testimony/exhibits (supplemented daily).
Parties must submit Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law as electronic Word documents.
Each requested jury instruction must be numbered and include supporting authority.
Proposed jury charge must include all necessary instructions and definitions.
Jury charge should conform to pattern instructions; deviations require identified authorities.