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. Court does not accept any physical courtesy copies; hand delivery or mailing of paper copies is prohibited.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. B. Courtesy Copies

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 replys. Leave of court is required to file a sur-reply.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. A. Structure, Page Limitations, Deadlines, and Typeface

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

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rule states these limits: 15 pages; 15 pages; 15 pages; 10 pages. Excludes certificates. Motions, oppositions, and objections (except summary judgment and reconsideration) limited to 15 pages (excludes certificate of service); replies limited to 10 pages; sur-replies require leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. A. Structure, Page Limitations, Deadlines, and Typeface

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

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rule states these limits: 24 pages; 12 pages. Excludes certificates. Summary judgment motions/oppositions limited to 24 pages; replies limited to 12 pages; sur-replies require court leave.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Dispositive Motions

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, footnotes must be 12-point times new roman, and footnotes may be single-spaced. All motions, oppositions, replies, and sur-replies must be double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, with page numbers; footnotes must be 12pt Times New Roman and may be single-spaced.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. A. Structure, Page Limitations, Deadlines, and Typeface

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

The rule requires certificate of conference. Except for dispositive motions, all motions must include a certification of conferral placed in the first substantive or final paragraph.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. C. Certification of Conferral

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

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Reconsideration motions may not reassert prior arguments or raise new arguments that could have been made earlier.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Motions for Reconsideration

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. Ex parte communications with Judge Rothstein or her law clerks are strongly discouraged; all parties must be included in Court communications unless all parties consent to solo contact.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communications with Chambers

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?

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Extensions of time require good cause; press of business alone is insufficient.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Requests for Extensions of Time

Does Judge Barbara J. Rothstein require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Barbara J. Rothstein requires bundling for covered papers. Motions and their supporting legal arguments must be filed as a single combined document.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. A. Structure, Page Limitations, Deadlines, and Typeface

Is electronic filing required before Judge Barbara J. Rothstein?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Administrative records must be filed in electronic format; physical copies are prohibited.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. B. Courtesy Copies
Complete rules summary for Judge Barbara J. Rothstein

Ex parte communications with Judge Rothstein or her law clerks are strongly discouraged; all parties must be included in Court communications unless all parties consent to solo contact.

Parties must contact DC Chambers via phone 202-354-3330 or email Rothstein_Chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov when necessary to reach Judge Rothstein.

Motions and their supporting legal arguments must be filed as a single combined document.

Motions are prohibited from including a table of cases or table of authorities.

Motions, oppositions, and objections (except summary judgment and reconsideration) limited to 15 pages (excludes certificate of service); replies limited to 10 pages; sur-replies require leave of court.

Leave of court is required to file a sur-reply.

Oppositions to motions must be filed within 21 days of the motion's filing.

Reply briefs must be filed within 14 days of the opposition's filing.

All motions, oppositions, replies, and sur-replies must be double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, with page numbers; footnotes must be 12pt Times New Roman and may be single-spaced.

Court does not accept any physical courtesy copies; hand delivery or mailing of paper copies is prohibited.

Administrative records must be filed in electronic format; physical copies are prohibited.

Parties filing audio or video exhibits must contact courtroom deputy Natalie Wood via email for filing instructions.

Except for dispositive motions, all motions must include a certification of conferral placed in the first substantive or final paragraph.

Parties must confer meaningfully before filing motions; should allow at least 3 business days between conferral attempts and motion filing (text incomplete).

Motions must explain efforts to confer if contact was unsuccessful; noncompliant motions may be stricken.

Extensions of time require good cause; press of business alone is insufficient.

Extension motions must be filed 3 business days before deadline; oppositions due 2 business days after motion.

Rescheduling motions must be filed 5 business days before hearing and include all parties' available dates.

Rule 12(b) motions require pre-filing meet and confer plus certification of conferral; curable defects should use amended pleadings.

Summary judgment motions/oppositions limited to 24 pages; replies limited to 12 pages; sur-replies require court leave.

Two-party summary judgment motions follow specified briefing order; multi-party cases require proposed schedule before filing.

Reconsideration motions may not reassert prior arguments or raise new arguments that could have been made earlier.

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

Word version of proposed order must be emailed with all motions and stipulations to the specified address.

Opposed discovery motions require Rule 37(a)(1) conferral and court conference before filing.

Counsel must send joint email to chambers to schedule discovery conference, including dispute description and available dates in ET/PT.

Opposed discovery motions must include verbatim request/objection or copy; losing party may be sanctioned.

Discovery-referred cases require contacting Magistrate Judge for procedures before filing opposed discovery motions.

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.

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