Western District of Texas Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Request oral argument for junior lawyer by contacting law clerk after briefing is complete.

If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue any motion or discovery dispute, after the briefing is ripe, the party should contact the law clerk to request oral argument and inform the clerk that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Court will grant oral argument for junior lawyers even if normally wouldn't allow it.

If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on such a motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will strongly weigh in favor of holding a hearing.

Court will allocate extra time for junior lawyer oral arguments.

b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.

Both junior and senior lawyers may argue motions together.

c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Junior lawyers encouraged to appear at conferences and status settings.

The Court encourages a Newer Attorney to appear for settings like status conferences, case management conferences, scheduling conferences and other similar settings.

Junior lawyers encouraged to handle pre-trial matters with supervision.

The Court also encourages allowing a Newer Attorney to handle appropriate pre-trial matters under supervision or with the help of experienced counsel.

Court encourages opportunities for attorneys with less than 7 years of experience to conduct oral arguments.

The Court recognizes a growing trend in which fewer cases go to trial and there generally are few opportunities for attorneys to speak in court. This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is, attorneys practicing for less than seven years ('Newer Attorney(s)"). Opportunities for Newer Attorneys to speak in federal court are increasingly rare. Accordingly, the Court strongly encourages litigants to be mindful of opportunities for Newer Attorneys to conduct oral arguments, particularly where a Newer Attorney drafted or contributed significantly to a motion or response.

Procedure to request oral argument for a Newer Attorney: contact law clerk after briefing is ripe.

If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue any motion or discovery dispute, after the briefing is ripe, the party should contact the law clerk to request oral argument and inform the clerk that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Court will grant oral argument requests for Newer Attorneys even when ordinarily denied, allow extra time, and permit multiple attorneys to argue.

If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on such a motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will strongly weigh in favor of holding a hearing. b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing. c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Court encourages Newer Attorneys to appear for status conferences, case management conferences, and scheduling conferences.

The Court encourages a Newer Attorney to appear for settings like status conferences, case management conferences, scheduling conferences and other similar settings.

Court encourages Newer Attorneys to handle pre-trial matters under supervision.

The Court also encourages allowing a Newer Attorney to handle appropriate pre-trial matters under supervision or with the help of experienced counsel.

Court encourages opportunities for attorneys with less than 7 years experience to argue motions.

The Court recognizes a growing trend in which fewer cases go to trial and there generally are few opportunities for attorneys to speak in court. This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is, attorneys practicing for less than seven years (''Newer Attorney(s)''). Opportunities for Newer Attorneys to speak in federal court are increasingly rare.

Court will grant oral argument if newer attorney will argue, even if normally would not.

If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on the motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will strongly weigh in favor of holding a hearing.

Court will allocate additional time for oral argument by newer attorney.

b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.

More experienced counsel may also speak during oral argument.

c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Court will notify opposing counsel and suggest they allow newer attorney to argue.

d. Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and suggest opposing counsel reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

Request oral argument for newer attorney by contacting courtroom deputy after motion is ripe.

If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the motion is ripe, the party should contact the courtroom deputy to request oral argument and inform the deputy that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Court will grant oral argument for newer attorneys even if normally would rule on briefs.

If such a request is made, the Court will: a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on the motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will weigh in favor of holding a hearing.

Court will allocate additional time for oral argument when newer attorney argues.

b. Strongly consider allocating additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.

More experienced counsel may also speak during oral argument.

c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Court will notify opposing counsel and request they permit newer attorney to argue.

d. Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.