Western District of Texas Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements
Filing requirements from local rules, individual practices, standing orders, and published court policies for Western District of Texas
Federal court local rules are only the first layer. These filing requirements come from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Western District of Texas. They supplement the district local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Requirements vary significantly between judges in the same district, so always verify the specific rules for your assigned judge.
- Judge Alan D Albright
Discovery-dispute submissions should include proposed relief written as exact court-order language for each disputed issue.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Report of Parties’ Planning Meeting due within 45 days of first defendant appearance or removal.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Court issues scheduling order after receiving acceptable proposed order.
- Magistrate Judge Derek Gilliland
Paper copies of exhibits/demonstratives accepted if digital versions unavailable.
- Magistrate Judge Dan MacLemore
Hearings held on discovery matters; non-discovery hearings only if requested.
- Judge Alan D Albright
If parties cannot resolve conflicts between this OGP and prior versions, they are encouraged to seek guidance by emailing the Court’s law clerk.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Attorneys may contact law clerks for procedural questions not covered by rules.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Court fax number provided for contact.
- Magistrate Judge Derek Gilliland
Hearings held on most discovery matters; non-discovery hearings only if requested.
- Magistrate Judge Dan MacLemore
Parties should jointly request attendance preference (in person, Zoom, or hybrid) via email to chambers.
- Judge Alan D Albright
The Court encourages discovery-dispute submissions in Word using a table format that clearly presents issues and requested relief.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Exhibits must be organized in three-ring binders with specific labeling.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Electronic versions of proposed jury instructions/VERDICT forms must be in WordPerfect 9.0 format.
- Magistrate Judge Derek Gilliland
PDF documents must not exceed 50 MB individual file size.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
Courtroom decorum rules prohibit gum, active cell phones, and beverages at counsel tables without approval; require standing when addressing court; specify lectern use and permission requirements.
- Judge Alan D Albright
The requesting party’s discovery-dispute summary email is limited to 500 words for one issue or 1,000 words combined for multiple issues.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Leave of Court required for briefs exceeding local rule page limits.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Motion for leave required to exceed page limits.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
Page limits follow Local Rule CV-7 unless leave of court granted.
- Judge Xavier Rodriguez
Briefs/memoranda under 30 pages may be submitted without leave.
- Judge Alan D Albright
For disputes about extensions of time and similar procedural issues, the Court prefers use of this discovery-dispute procedure.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Complaint answer extensions require agreed motion; discovery extensions can be stipulated.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Stipulated extensions allowed for non-dispositive matters.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
No stipulation for extensions without motion and order.
- Judge Xavier Rodriguez
Extensions to answer complaint require agreed motion; discovery extensions can be stipulated.
- Judge Alan D Albright
Before filing a motion to compel discovery, lead counsel must meet and confer in good faith and the party must contact the Court’s law clerk with both sides’ positions.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Hearings on civil motions are not routine; request in opening paragraph if needed.
- Senior Judge David Briones
Follow FRCP and local rules for TRO/expedited relief; notify law clerk.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
Standing order governs additional motion rules.
- Judge Fred Biery
Summary judgment motions are disfavored in cases without jury trial rights and should be limited to purely legal issues.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Chambers copies are never required.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
Courtesy copies only when specifically requested.
- Judge Xavier Rodriguez
Courtesy copies required only for emergency motions.
- Judge Alan D Albright
Electronic copies via Box required for Markman, MSJ, and Daubert motions (10 days before hearing).
- Senior Judge David Alan Ezra
The court never requires courtesy copies of filings.
- Magistrate Judge Derek Gilliland
Court encourages opportunities for attorneys with less than 7 years experience to argue motions.
- Magistrate Judge Dustin Howell
Request oral argument for newer attorney by contacting courtroom deputy after motion is ripe.
- Magistrate Judge Dan MacLemore
Request oral argument for junior lawyer by contacting law clerk after briefing is complete.
- Judge Orlando L. Garcia
Sealing requires motion with authority; redaction preferred over sealing.
- Judge Fred Biery
Sealing discouraged; redaction preferred; leave of court required for sealed filings.
- Judge Kathleen Cardone
Discovery cannot be withheld for confidentiality without court order.
- Judge Xavier Rodriguez
Compliance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 regarding redaction of certain material is mandatory.
- Judge Jason Pulliam
Sealing filings is disfavored; redaction preferred; court approval required for sealing.