Court Rules
senior Judge
Verified Current1 month ago

Judge David Alan Ezra

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Western District of Texas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Dispositive Motion
20 pgs
Response To Dispositive Motion
20 pgs
Reply To Dispositive Motion
10 pgs
Motion
20 pgs
Reply
10 pgs
Opposition
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings

Not Required

Adjournments

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Proposed New Dates
  • 3
    Good Cause
  • 4
    Original Date
  • 5
    Number Of Previous Requests
  • 6
    Adversary Position
  • 7
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 8
    Affects Other Dates
Notice Required
0Calendar Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Reason For Request
  • 2
    Original Date

Communication

Phone

Chambers

Advance Notice Required
No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov
SchedulingTechnical IssuesStatus Inquiries
No Hours
Phone

Chambers

(210) 472-5870
Emergencies
Advance Notice Required
No Hours
Phone

Chambers

(210) 472-6550 ext 5016
Emergencies
Advance Notice Required
Email

Chambers

Scheduling
No Hours
Letter Ecf

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov
Phone

Chambers

priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov
EmergenciesScheduling
Advance Notice Required
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationTRO/InjunctionCourtroom ConductElectronicsEvidence/WitnessesConferencesExhibitsPage Limits

Detailed Drafting Rules

Page or Word LimitMandatory

Dispositive motions limited to 20 pages, responses to 20 pages, replies to 10 pages.

Dispositive motions as defined in Local Rule CV-7(c) and responses to dispositive motions shall be limited to twenty (20) pages in length. Replies, if any, shall be limited to ten (10) pages in length in accordance with Local Rule CV-7(e).

Page 2
|SecPage limits for dispositive motions
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Responses to dispositive motions limited to 20 pages.

Dispositive motions as defined in Local Rule CV-7(c) and responses to dispositive motions shall be limited to twenty (20) pages in length.

Page 2
|SecPage limits for responses to dispositive motions
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Replies to dispositive motions limited to 10 pages.

Replies, if any, shall be limited to ten (10) pages in length in accordance with Local Rule CV-7(e).

Page 2
|SecPage limits for replies to dispositive motions
Communication ProtocolImportant

Parties not filing dispositive motions must contact courtroom deputy to set trial date.

If parties elect not to file dispositive motions, they must contact the courtroom deputy on or before this deadline in order to set a trial date.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    on_or_before_dispositive_motion_deadline
Page 2
|SecContacting courtroom deputy if no dispositive motions
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Dispositive motions and responses are limited to 20 pages.

Dispositive motions as defined in Local Rule CV-7(c) and responses to dispositive motions shall be limited to twenty (20) pages in length.

Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING ORDER
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Replies to dispositive motions are limited to 10 pages.

Replies, if any, shall be limited to ten (10) pages in length in accordance with Local Rule CV-7(e).

Page 2
|SecSCHEDULING ORDER
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Courtroom Deputy Priscilla Springs for scheduling matters

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 1
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolImportant

Emergency contact: call Courtroom Deputy first, then Chambers

Please first call Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016. If unable to reach Courtroom deputy and immediate assistance is required, you may contact Chambers at (210) 472-5870.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Emergencies
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    call_courtroom_deputy_first
Page 1
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

TRO/expedited relief requires courtesy call to Courtroom Deputy and notice to opposing party

A courtesy call should be made to Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016 and notice should be given to the opposing party of the fact of filing or notice of any hearing set. Parties should comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 and the Local Rules.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    tactical_procedure
Page 2
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Courtroom Deputy early to arrange Real Time reporting.

Contact should be made with the Courtroom Deputy as early as possible to determine if Real Time can be provided.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    as_early_as_possible
Page 4
|SecFacilities and Technology
Document RequirementMandatory

Deposition exhibits must be provided to Courtroom Deputy 7 days before trial with page/line designations and objections.

Before trial, counsel must provide the Courtroom Deputy with a copy of all depositions to be used as exhibits at trial. Counsel will designate the portion of any deposition to be read by citing pages and lines. Objections to those portions (citing pages and lines) with supporting authority must be filed at least 7 days before trial setting.

Document Type

Deposition

Content & Formatting
Page Line Designation
Objections With Authority
Exhibit List
Page 9
|SecDeposition Exhibits
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Priscilla Springs for general inquiries; she will direct to appropriate contact if needed.

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov. If further assistance is needed she will provide you with the appropriate contact information.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Contact Priscilla Springs for emergencies; if unavailable, contact Chambers directly.

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov. If unable to reach Courtroom deputy and immediate assistance is required you may contact Chambers at (210) 472-5870.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Emergencies
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Parties may not contact the court during depositions.

No.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Make courtesy call to courtroom deputy and notify opposing party for expedited relief motions.

A courtesy call should be made to the courtroom deputy clerk and notice should be given to the opposing party of the fact of filing or notice of any hearing set.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Priscilla Springs for status of motions in criminal cases.

Yes, you may contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Notify Priscilla Springs if evidentiary sentencing hearing is requested.

The parties are required to notify the Court if a evidentiary hearing is requested. Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Court issues scheduling order immediately after case assignment.

A general scheduling order and trial date is entered by the Court immediately after the case has been assigned to the Court.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 12
|SecGeneral Pretrial Matters
Communication ProtocolImportant

Agreed modifications approved at case start; multiple requests require hearing with good cause.

The Court will approve, in most instances, an agreed modification at the beginning of a case. However, if the court receives multiple requests a hearing will be set in order for counsel to show good cause why additional continuances are needed. If a continuance is not agreed to, the opposing party should file a response to any motion immediately.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 12
|SecGeneral Pretrial Matters
Communication ProtocolNote

Pleas and counsel motions routinely referred to Magistrate Judge; other matters referred case-by-case.

Pleas are routinely referred to a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Motions to withdraw counsel or substitution of counsel may be referred to a U.S. Magistrate Judge. The Court may refer various other criminal matters to a Magistrate Judge on a case by case basis.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Hours
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Page 12
|SecGeneral Pretrial Matters
Communication ProtocolImportant

Withdrawn objections must be notified to court as soon as possible, not at sentencing hearing.

If any objections will be withdrawn prior to sentencing, counsel must notify the court as soon as possible, and are encouraged NOT to wait until the sentencing hearing to do so.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 14
|SecQuestion 22
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Exceeding page limits requires a motion with proposed pleading.

On occasion, the Court will allow counsel to file pleadings with a number in excess of that stated in the Local Rules. A motion to exceed page limit is required, along with the proposed pleading, for the Court’s determination in granting or denying.

Page 17
|SecPage Limits
Document RequirementMandatory

Deposition exhibits must be provided to Courtroom Deputy before trial with 7-day objection deadline.

Before trial, counsel must provide the Courtroom Deputy with a copy of all depositions to be used as exhibits at trial. Counsel will designate the portion of any deposition to be read by citing pages and lines. Objections to those portions (citing pages and lines) with supporting authority must be filed at least 7 days before pretrial conference or trial if a pretrial conference is not set. Use of videotape depositions is permitted to the extent the parties agree on admissibility or edit to resolve objections.

Document Type

Deposition Exhibit

Content & Formatting
Copy To Chambers
Page Line Designation
Objections
Page 19
|SecDeposition exhibits
Communication ProtocolImportant

Must notify court of withdrawal of objections to presentence reports before sentencing.

The Court not being notified of withdrawal of objections to presentence investigation reports prior to a sentencing hearing.

Letter via ECF

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 21
|SecTardiness
Communication ProtocolMandatory

For emergencies, first call the Courtroom Deputy; if unreachable and immediate assistance is needed, contact Chambers.

Please first call Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016. If unable to reach Courtroom deputy and immediate assistance is required, you may contact Chambers at (210) 472-5870.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Emergencies
Page 1
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact the Courtroom Deputy by phone or email for scheduling matters.

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 1
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Procedural questions may be directed to the Courtroom Deputy (potentially transferred to a Law Clerk); substantive inquiries are prohibited.

An attorney may address a procedural question that cannot be answered by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Local Rules, or the Judge's Scheduling Order to the Courtroom Deputy. If the Courtroom Deputy is unable to answer your question you may be transferred to a Law Clerk. Please do not call the Judge's staff to inquire about substantive issues.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Technical Issues
Page 1
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Attorneys may contact the Courtroom Deputy to inquire about the status of motions.

Yes, you may contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Page 2
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolImportant

Telephone conferences require permission one week in advance and are only for extraordinary circumstances.

Only in extraordinary circumstances and permission must be granted at least one week prior to hearing. Please contact Priscilla Springs at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016 or at priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Emergencies
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    at least one week prior to hearing
Page 6
|SecMotions Practice
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Motions are limited to 20 pages per local rules.

twenty pages for motions

Page 6
|SecMotions Practice
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Responses are limited to 10 pages per local rules.

ten pages for responses

Page 6
|SecMotions Practice
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Replies are limited to 10 pages per local rules.

ten pages for... replies

Page 6
|SecMotions Practice
Communication ProtocolNote

Contact Courtroom Deputy to arrange equipment testing and setup.

Please contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov to arrange equipment testing and setup.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingTechnical Issues
Page 5
|SecFacilities and Technology
Communication ProtocolNote

The court prefers contact via email or phone to the Courtroom Deputy.

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov. If further assistance is needed she will provide you with the appropriate contact information.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

For emergencies, contact the Courtroom Deputy first; if unreachable, contact Chambers directly.

Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov. If unable to reach Courtroom deputy and immediate assistance is required you may contact Chambers at (210) 472-5870.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Parties are prohibited from contacting the court during depositions.

May parties contact the court during depositions? No.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 11
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolNote

Status inquiries for criminal cases are permitted via phone or email to the Courtroom Deputy.

Yes, you may contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Page 12
|SecContacting the Court
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Parties must notify the court when an evidentiary sentencing hearing is requested.

The parties are required to notify the Court if a evidentiary hearing is requested. Contact Priscilla Springs, Courtroom Deputy, at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016, or priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Page 12
|SecContacting the Court
Page or Word LimitImportant

Motion to exceed page limit is required to file pleadings longer than local rules allow.

On occasion, the Court will allow counsel to file pleadings with a number in excess of that stated in the Local Rules. A motion to exceed page limit is required, along with the proposed pleading, for the Court's determination in granting or denying.

Page 17
|SecDoes the court depart from the page limits contained in the local rules?
Communication ProtocolNote

Telephone conferences arranged through courtroom deputy Priscilla Springs by phone or email; requesting party must state reason.

In certain circumstances. Please contact Priscilla Springs at (210) 472-6550 ext 5016 or at priscilla_springs@txwd.uscourts.gov. The requesting party must advise why a telephone conference is being requested. If approved by the Court the courtroom deputy will arrange the telephone conference with parties.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    Requesting party must advise why telephone conference is being requested
Page 17
|SecDoes the court allow telephone conferences for the resolution of motions or other matters?

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