Courtesy copies are required for proposed jury charges and verdict forms. Details: delivery with filing, by email. Electronic copies of proposed jury charge and verdict form must be emailed to Case Manager.
Judge Yvonne Y. Ho's rules set a pre-motion procedure for scheduling. Telephone appearances prohibited at initial pretrial/scheduling conferences; initial conferences held by videoconference unless parties prefer otherwise.
Judge Yvonne Y. Ho's rule states these limits: 6500 words; 2500 words. Excludes caption, title of document, table of contents, table of authorities, signature blocks, and certificates. Primary briefs limited to 6,500 words; reply briefs limited to 2,500 words. Word count includes headings and footnotes; excludes caption, document title, TOC, TOA, signature blocks, and certificates.
Judge Yvonne Y. Ho's formatting rule includes other font, 13 point type, double spacing, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, 12-point font for footnotes, full-justified text, minimize use of footnotes, and citations to authorities or exhibits must be in body of document, not footnotes.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each party must file proposed jury questions on the same day as the joint pretrial order.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each party must file motions in limine on the same day as the joint pretrial order.
Parties may contact Judge Yvonne Y. Ho's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (713) 250-5725. Inquiries about cases pending before Judge Ho must be directed to Case Manager Rachel Willborg via telephone at (713) 250-5725.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Yvonne Y. Ho. Process: file redacted on ecf. Parties may provisionally file documents under seal if contemporaneously submitting a motion for leave to seal; court determines final seal status and may direct filing of public redacted version.
Judge Yvonne Y. Ho's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Motions for extension of deadlines are not considered emergencies.
Yes. Judge Yvonne Y. Ho requires bundling for covered papers. Parties must jointly submit two sets of specified trial materials 4 days before trial, printed double-sided, in 4-inch or less binders with index and tabs.
Each party must file proposed jury questions on the same day as the joint pretrial order.
Each party must file motions in limine on the same day as the joint pretrial order.
Responses to motions in limine must be filed within seven days of the joint pretrial order filing.
Inquiries about cases pending before Judge Ho must be directed to Case Manager Rachel Willborg via telephone at (713) 250-5725.
Case-related telephone inquiries must be directed to the Case Manager, not law clerks or the Judge.
Filing questions must be directed to the Clerk’s Office.
The Case Manager will not respond to casual telephone status inquiries about motions or cases.
All correspondence with the Court must be sent to Case Manager Rachel Willborg via specified contact details.
All correspondence to the Case Manager must cc all counsel or pro se parties to avoid ex parte communications.
Email correspondence with the Case Manager may be docketed at the Court’s discretion.
Parties may not request relief by email to the Case Manager; such emails are disregarded without notice.
The Case Manager is prohibited from providing legal advice or predicting Court decisions.
Urgent documents may be emailed to the Case Manager in exceptional circumstances; copies must be sent to all counsel of record.
Applications for immediate relief must be filed via CM/ECF, then contact Case Manager with cc to opposing parties/counsel.
Immediate relief applications are presented to Court only after counsel affirms opposing party contact/availability or explains lack of contact.
Motions for extension of deadlines are not considered emergencies.
For jury trials, parties must file a single joint proposed jury charge and separate verdict form.
Joint continuance/extension motions are not binding; continuances granted only at Court’s discretion.
Trial settings are firm; continuances rarely granted for discovery disputes.
Telephone appearances prohibited at initial pretrial/scheduling conferences; initial conferences held by videoconference unless parties prefer otherwise.
Out-of-town counsel must email Case Manager in advance to request telephone appearance at conferences or hearings.
Pro hac vice motions must comply with all Local Rule 83.1(I) requirements.
Pro hac vice admission motions must include averment that counsel familiarized with local rules and court procedures.
All briefs must include a word-count compliance certificate stating the number of words, including headings and footnotes, excluding exempt portions.
Mandatory pre-motion conference required for discovery/scheduling disputes; joint letter (max 3 pages) must be emailed to Case Manager.
Pre-motion conference required before filing discovery or scheduling motions; court resolves disputed issues, determines need for written submissions, and sets filing schedule.
Parties may provisionally file documents under seal if contemporaneously submitting a motion for leave to seal; court determines final seal status and may direct filing of public redacted version.
All motions must contain arguments and relief sought; separate memoranda of law are prohibited.
All motions except summary judgment must include a separate proposed order; title must not include the word “proposed”.
Filings missing any required certificates will be stricken.