Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein. No courtesy copies accepted.

Does Judge Barbara J. Rothstein require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rules set a pre-motion procedure for sur reply. Sur-replies require leave of court.

What page or word limits apply to motion before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Excludes certificate of service. Motions limited to 15 pages, oppositions to 15 pages, replies to 10 pages, no tables allowed, sur-replies require leave.

What page or word limits apply to reply before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Replies limited to 10 pages.

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's formatting rule includes times new roman font, 12 point type, double spacing, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1 inches, right 1 inches, page numbers required, and footnotes may be single spaced. Double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, page numbers required.

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

The rule requires certificate of conference. Certification of conference required for non-dispositive motions, 3 business days between attempts and filing.

What must be included with discovery motion filings before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

The rule requires certificate of conference. Discovery motions require compliance with Rule 37(a)(1) before filing.

View ruleSource: page 4, section III. Discovery Disputes

How may parties contact Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. Counsel must be within 20 minutes of courthouse during jury deliberations.

View ruleSource: page 10, section D. Jury Trials

How does Judge Barbara J. Rothstein handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf. Avoid eliciting personal identifiers from witnesses; redaction available if inadvertently disclosed

View ruleSource: page 8, section C. Statements and Witnesses

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

Requests should be made at least 21 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein. Oppositions due 21 days after motion, replies due 14 days after opposition.

Does Judge Barbara J. Rothstein encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Each side limited to 20 minutes for oral argument plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.

View ruleSource: page 4, section I. Hearings on Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Barbara J. Rothstein

Motions limited to 15 pages, oppositions to 15 pages, replies to 10 pages, no tables allowed, sur-replies require leave.

Replies limited to 10 pages.

Sur-replies require leave of court.

Page limit extensions granted only for extraordinary complexity.

Frequent or protracted bench conferences are discouraged

Oppositions due 21 days after motion, replies due 14 days after opposition.

Double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, page numbers required.

No courtesy copies accepted.

Administrative records must be filed electronically, no physical copies.

Contact courtroom deputy for audio/video filing instructions.

Certification of conference required for non-dispositive motions, 3 business days between attempts and filing.

Extension motions must be filed at least 3 business days before deadline.

Rescheduling motions must be filed at least 5 business days before hearing.

Summary judgment motions limited to 24 pages; oppositions to 24 pages; replies to 12 pages.

Reconsideration motions limited to 10 pages; oppositions to 10 pages; replies to 5 pages.

Each side limited to 20 minutes for oral argument plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.

Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format with all motions.

Discovery motions require compliance with Rule 37(a)(1) before filing.

No Rule 16(b) conference; Court reviews joint status report and issues scheduling order.

Joint pretrial statement due 28 days before trial.

Counsel with full decision-making authority must attend all court appearances.

Courtroom decorum requirements: rise to address court, remain at podium, direct statements to court.

Trial day schedule: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM with 15-minute breaks.

Counsel must be present 30 minutes before trial each day for pretrial discussions.

Counsel must meet after each trial day to resolve upcoming disputes.

Realtime reporter will take official record of all trials and proceedings.

Joint glossary of technical terms due 5 business days before trial; copies to courtroom deputy and court reporter.

Trial briefs not allowed unless court orders otherwise.

Exhibit list must be emailed to courtroom deputy in Word format

Witness list must be emailed to courtroom deputy in Word format

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