Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
282 rules across 15 federal districts
A growing number of federal judges actively encourage the participation of junior lawyers in court proceedings, particularly oral arguments. These incentives typically allow attorneys with fewer than a specified number of years of experience (commonly 5-10 years) to argue motions, with some judges offering benefits such as an increased likelihood of granting oral argument when a junior lawyer is designated. Several judges permit multiple attorneys from the same side to argue different issues, creating opportunities for junior lawyers to gain courtroom experience alongside senior counsel. These programs reflect a judiciary-wide effort to address the declining opportunities for younger lawyers to develop advocacy skills in federal court.
Southern District of New York
All rules for SDNYCourt encourages junior attorney participation in all proceedings where they contributed substantially.
Court permits multiple attorneys to argue if it allows junior lawyer participation.
Court encourages participation of inexperienced attorneys in courtroom proceedings.
Principal trial counsel must appear at conferences; junior attorneys encouraged to take active role.
Oral argument may be requested by letter when filing reply papers.
Junior attorneys who assisted in case preparation are encouraged to participate in trial.
Junior lawyers invited to argue motions they helped prepare; multiple attorneys may argue different issues.
Oral argument rarely granted; more likely if junior lawyer (admitted within 5 years) argues.
Court encourages multiple attorneys to argue if it provides opportunity for junior lawyers.
Multiple attorneys may argue for one party to create opportunities for relatively inexperienced lawyers.
Junior attorneys encouraged to participate in proceedings
Advise Court by letter if junior attorney will handle oral argument
Oral argument rarely granted; more likely if lawyer admitted within 5 years argues.
Court encourages junior attorney participation in proceedings where they contributed substantially.
Court encourages junior attorney participation in cases where they substantially contributed to filings or witness preparation
Oral argument not heard in pro se matters unless otherwise ordered.
Court encourages junior lawyer participation in proceedings, allowing second lawyer to handle portions of proceedings.
Junior attorneys invited to argue Letter-Motions they helped prepare.
Junior attorneys invited to argue motions they helped prepare.
Junior attorneys encouraged to participate in proceedings; multiple attorneys may argue if it allows junior participation.
Junior lawyers encouraged to participate in oral argument; multiple lawyers permitted.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) arguing increases likelihood of oral argument.
Oral argument granted at judge's discretion
Rule section on oral argument procedures
Court encourages junior attorney participation in proceedings where they contributed substantially.
Junior attorneys may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Advise if oral argument will be handled by a less experienced attorney.
Oral argument is not heard in pro se matters unless otherwise ordered.
Court encourages junior lawyers to argue and may allow multiple attorneys to argue.
Oral argument is not heard in pro se matters unless otherwise ordered.
Advise Court by letter if junior attorney will handle oral argument.
Junior attorneys invited to address court at case management conferences
Junior attorneys encouraged; multiple attorneys may argue upon request
Court encourages junior attorney participation in oral arguments and allows multiple attorneys to argue upon request.
Junior attorneys invited to address Court at case management conferences.
Junior lawyers (under 7 years) may argue motions and question witnesses, with multiple attorneys permitted to argue for training opportunities.
Oral argument not heard in pro se matters unless ordered.
Junior attorneys are encouraged to argue motions and question witnesses they have helped prepare, with the Court amenable to multiple lawyers arguing for one party.
Junior lawyers are encouraged to argue motions and question witnesses, with the Court permitting multiple attorneys to argue to create participation opportunities.
Court encourages junior attorneys (under 5 years) to participate in courtroom proceedings and allows multiple attorneys to speak.
Junior attorneys encouraged to participate in proceedings; multiple attorneys may argue to enable junior participation.
Court encourages junior lawyer participation and allows multiple attorneys to argue.
Junior lawyers not experienced in courtroom argument may be encouraged to participate, and the Court permits more than one lawyer to argue for a party when it creates opportunities for junior lawyers.
Court encourages junior attorneys (under 5 years experience) to participate in courtroom proceedings and oral arguments; multiple attorneys may speak for one party.
Court encourages providing speaking opportunities to junior lawyers.
Multiple attorneys may argue different issues for each party.
Court will entertain requests for senior attorney to supplement junior attorney's argument.
Junior attorneys encouraged to argue discovery motions; multiple attorneys may argue.
Junior attorneys are invited to argue discovery motions; multiple attorneys may argue to accommodate junior lawyer participation.
Court encourages junior lawyers to argue motions they helped prepare
Junior attorneys invited to argue motions they helped prepare; multiple attorneys permitted to create junior lawyer opportunities.
Court encourages junior lawyers to argue and may allow multiple lawyers to argue
Counsel can notify court in advance if junior lawyer will argue
Junior lawyers (6 or fewer years) are invited to participate in conferences and may argue with permission.
Parties may advise Court if oral argument will be handled by less-experienced attorney.
Court allows multiple attorneys to argue, especially junior lawyers
Court encourages junior attorney participation in all proceedings where they contributed substantially.
Court encourages junior attorney participation in proceedings.
Junior lawyers are encouraged to participate in proceedings, and Court may grant oral argument requests where junior attorneys would gain experience.
Parties should notify Court if oral argument will be handled by a junior attorney, as this may increase likelihood of argument being granted.
Junior lawyers are encouraged to argue motions they helped prepare.
Junior attorneys encouraged to argue motions they helped prepare
Junior lawyers may participate in settlement conferences but must be supervised and prepared.
Northern District of California
All rules for NDCAOnly one lawyer per witness per party; junior lawyer must conduct examination with brief senior counsel consultation.
Law firms with >30 lawyers must submit junior lawyer participation plan in Joint Case Management Conference Statement.
Court encourages junior lawyers (under 5 years) to participate in hearings/trial and will extend time limits.
Less-experienced attorneys are encouraged to argue; experienced counsel may argue briefly at end.
Court may vacate hearings without oral argument, but will reschedule if junior lawyer (≤5 years) will argue.
Judge Tse encourages oral argument by junior lawyers.
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) encouraged to argue motions and participate in conferences.
Junior attorneys (under 7 years, fewer than 5 arguments) require 1-week notice to chambers.
Junior attorneys (under 7 years experience, fewer than 5 federal motions argued) must notify the Court one week before hearing to have their participation considered for oral argument.
Junior attorneys (under 7 years, fewer than 5 federal motions) must notify court 1 week before argument.
Court encourages junior lawyers to examine witnesses and have important trial roles
Notify CRD two weeks in advance if junior attorney (under 7 years) will argue.
Senior attorney may provide additional argument if needed.
Junior lawyers encouraged to argue and multiple attorneys permitted to argue
Court encourages junior lawyers to examine witnesses and have important trial roles.
Court encourages oral argument by less-experienced attorneys.
Junior lawyers (7 years or less experience) may notify Courtroom Deputy within 7 days of hearing.
Senior co-counsel may argue for a few minutes at the end of hearings with junior lawyers.
Court encourages junior lawyers to examine witnesses and have important trial roles.
Only one lawyer per witness per party; junior lawyer may confer briefly with senior lawyer.
Court will hear oral argument if junior lawyer (4 or fewer years) requests it.
Court may hear oral argument if junior lawyer (≤5 years) will argue.
Court encourages junior lawyers from under-represented groups to participate in arguments and witness examination.
Junior lawyers and underrepresented attorneys invited to argue motions and question witnesses
Less-experienced attorneys encouraged to participate in witness examination at trial.
Time limits extended for associates with fewer than 5 years of experience.
Court encourages giving less-experienced lawyers opportunities to participate in proceedings.
Court guarantees oral argument for lawyers with 6 or fewer years of experience
Court encourages junior lawyers to have important roles in hearings and trial.
Junior lawyers encouraged to present arguments and examine witnesses.
Parties may indicate junior lawyer will argue motion in motion papers.
Junior lawyers (8 or fewer years) get oral argument opportunities if requested.
Multiple attorneys may argue to allow junior lawyer participation.
Junior lawyers (6 or fewer years out of law school) arguing motions increase likelihood of oral argument.
Firms with >25 lawyers must submit junior lawyer development plan in case management statement.
Parties must indicate if less experienced lawyer will argue motion and may request in-person hearing.
Court encourages senior lawyers to allow junior/less experienced lawyers to participate actively in proceedings.
Court encourages junior attorneys to present arguments at motion hearings; experienced co-counsel may argue briefly at end.
Junior lawyers (under 4 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument if requested 7+ days before hearing.
Court encourages oral argument by less-experienced attorneys.
Less-experienced attorneys are encouraged to argue matters before the Court.
Junior lawyers encouraged to participate in arguments and witness examination
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
All rules for EDPAOnly one attorney per party may examine same witness or argue same point.
Only one attorney per side may examine witnesses or address jury without leave of court.
Oral argument scheduled at Court's discretion, particularly for dispositive motions; parties may request by letter or in motion
Court likely to hear oral argument on dispositive motions or if requested
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one attorney per side may examine same witness or address jury.
Oral argument on substantive motions in criminal cases permitted upon request.
Section on development of young attorneys
Court encourages assigning presentations to junior lawyers and allows multiple attorneys to argue.
Oral argument requests more likely granted when junior lawyer will argue.
Court encourages junior lawyers to argue and will accommodate them with additional time.
Oral argument granted on motions at judge's discretion.
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but only one per side may address the jury.
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points, but not the same witness or point.
Oral argument not routinely granted but may be considered upon request or if helpful to decision.
Junior attorneys (associates) may argue with notice to chambers; supervising counsel can supplement their argument.
Oral argument granted at judge's discretion if helpful for decision-making.
Oral argument granted only if it would illuminate pleadings or briefs.
Only one attorney may examine witnesses; multiple attorneys may argue motions.
Oral argument and motions encouraged in criminal cases.
Oral argument may be requested or required by the Court.
Oral argument may be requested on any pending motion; usually granted for dispositive motions or complex issues.
Judge encourages junior attorneys who worked on briefs to participate in oral argument.
Junior lawyers encouraged to argue motions and participate in Rule 16 conferences
Junior associates may argue discovery dispute hearings to develop advocacy skills.
Multiple attorneys may examine different witnesses or argue different points.
Multiple attorneys allowed for different witnesses/legal points, but only one attorney per witness or point.
Judge Wolson encourages assigning presentations to junior lawyers and allows two lawyers to argue if requested in advance.
Judge Wolson encourages use of less-experienced attorneys for court presentations and permits two lawyers to argue if requested in advance, with no negative inference drawn.
Encouragement for developing trial lawyers.
Junior lawyers encouraged to present unless lead counsel required.
Less experienced attorneys may have assistance from more experienced counsel during oral argument.
Oral argument generally permitted on substantive criminal motions upon request.
Court encourages assigning court presentations and arguments to less experienced attorneys.
Central District of California
All rules for CDCAOnly one lead counsel per party; must attend all proceedings except motion hearings; junior lawyers encouraged for motion hearings; only one counsel may argue motion without approval.
Only one lawyer per party may examine a witness and handle objections for that witness.
Court encourages participation of less experienced or diverse lawyers in trial and FPTC
Lead counsel must attend proceedings; junior counsel encouraged to participate in arguments and witness examination.
Court encourages providing opportunities for less experienced and diverse lawyers.
Parties may divide oral argument between two attorneys.
Junior counsel encouraged to participate; notice 7 days before hearing increases likelihood of oral argument.
Court may dispense with oral argument; encourages junior attorney participation.
Junior lawyers (under 4 years) must file notice 14 days before hearing to present oral argument.
Junior lawyers (under 7 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Court may dispense with oral argument; encourages junior lawyers to present oral arguments
Court encourages lead counsel to allow junior lawyers (5 or fewer years out of law school) to participate in proceedings.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less) may secure oral argument by requesting it.
Junior counsel (under 7 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument if notice is filed 7 days before hearing.
Court may dispense with oral argument; encourages junior attorneys to present arguments.
Junior lawyers (under 4 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Court encourages junior counsel (5 years or less experience) to participate in proceedings
Junior lawyers (5 years or less) may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Court encourages lead counsel to allow junior counsel to argue motions and examine witnesses.
Court encourages junior counsel (5 or fewer years out of law school) to participate in proceedings
Junior lawyers (under 5 years experience) may increase likelihood of oral argument if noted in bold/underline.
Junior lawyers (graduated within 5 years or with minimal oral advocacy experience) increase likelihood of oral argument if noted in bold and underlined font.
Court encourages providing opportunities for junior and diverse lawyers.
Parties may divide oral argument among two attorneys.
Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue if junior lawyers (5 or fewer years) participate.
Junior lawyers from under-represented groups conducting argument may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Junior lawyers (5 years or fewer) encouraged to argue motions and examine witnesses
Lead counsel are encouraged to allow junior lawyers (5 years or fewer experience) to argue motions and examine witnesses.
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument if noted in bold/underline.
Court encourages providing hearing opportunities to junior or diverse lawyers who contributed to the case.
Eastern District of New York
All rules for EDNYOral argument required for all motions when parties are represented by counsel.
Inexperienced attorneys in complex hearings should be supervised by experienced counsel.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) may increase likelihood of pre-motion conference.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Court encourages junior lawyer participation in proceedings and permits multiple attorneys to argue different issues for each party.
Court encourages participation of relatively inexperienced counsel.
If a lawyer with five years or less of experience will appear, the Court will schedule a pre-motion conference.
If oral argument will be presented by an attorney with five years or less of licensed experience, the Court will schedule oral argument.
Oral argument is more likely when the arguing attorney has fewer than five years of experience.
Notifying the Court that arguing counsel has under five years of experience increases the likelihood of oral argument.
The Court strongly encourages participation of relatively inexperienced attorneys in court proceedings.
Multiple attorneys may argue for each party at oral argument.
The Court encourages attorneys with 6 or fewer years of experience to participate in oral argument and permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Court encourages junior attorneys and law students to argue in court with supervision
Junior lawyers (6 or fewer years experience) may have multiple attorneys argue and divide argument time.
Junior lawyers gain increased oral argument opportunities and may have multiple attorneys argue.
Less experienced attorneys are defined as those with 6 or fewer years of experience, excluding clerkships and leave time.
Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue different issues to facilitate junior lawyer participation.
Junior lawyers (6 years or less experience) increase likelihood of pre-motion conference being scheduled.
Notifying the Court that motion argument will be handled by counsel with under five years of experience increases the chance of oral argument.
Inexperienced attorneys are encouraged to participate in all court proceedings.
If counsel indicates a lawyer with seven or fewer years of experience will appear, the Court may schedule a pre-motion conference.
The Court encourages lead counsel to allow lawyers with six or fewer years of experience to examine witnesses and present argument.
When a lawyer with six or fewer years of experience argues a motion, the Court may allow more experienced counsel to assist during oral argument.
Western District of Texas
All rules for WDTXRequest oral argument for junior lawyer by contacting law clerk after briefing is complete.
Court will grant oral argument for junior lawyers even if normally wouldn't allow it.
Court will allocate extra time for junior lawyer oral arguments.
Both junior and senior lawyers may argue motions together.
Junior lawyers encouraged to appear at conferences and status settings.
Junior lawyers encouraged to handle pre-trial matters with supervision.
Court encourages opportunities for attorneys with less than 7 years of experience to conduct oral arguments.
Procedure to request oral argument for a Newer Attorney: contact law clerk after briefing is ripe.
Court will grant oral argument requests for Newer Attorneys even when ordinarily denied, allow extra time, and permit multiple attorneys to argue.
Court encourages Newer Attorneys to appear for status conferences, case management conferences, and scheduling conferences.
Court encourages Newer Attorneys to handle pre-trial matters under supervision.
Court encourages opportunities for attorneys with less than 7 years experience to argue motions.
Court will grant oral argument if newer attorney will argue, even if normally would not.
Court will allocate additional time for oral argument by newer attorney.
More experienced counsel may also speak during oral argument.
Court will notify opposing counsel and suggest they allow newer attorney to argue.
Request oral argument for newer attorney by contacting courtroom deputy after motion is ripe.
Court will grant oral argument for newer attorneys even if normally would rule on briefs.
Court will allocate additional time for oral argument when newer attorney argues.
More experienced counsel may also speak during oral argument.
Court will notify opposing counsel and request they permit newer attorney to argue.
Western District of Washington
All rules for WDWANotice required 2 business days before hearing for multiple attorney participation.
Oral arguments and status conferences generally granted; in-person preferred but remote considered.
Court encourages junior attorneys and Rule 9 interns to argue, permits multiple attorneys per party.
Court encourages junior attorneys and Rule 9 legal interns to argue, permits multiple attorneys per party to create participation opportunities.
Court encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue, permits multiple attorneys to argue for one party.
Encourages Rule 9 interns and junior attorneys to argue in court.
Court encourages junior lawyer participation in courtroom proceedings.
Court may allow multiple attorneys to argue or examine witnesses for junior lawyer participation.
Experienced attorneys may supplement junior lawyers' arguments if needed.
Oral argument procedures section begins
Attorneys must have at least 7 years of bar membership or judicial experience to serve as neutrals.
Supervising lawyers must be admitted to practice and have at least 3 years of experience.
Each side limited to 20 minutes for oral argument plus 5 minutes for rebuttal.
Junior lawyers with less than 7 years experience are encouraged to conduct hearings, especially when they contributed to the motion papers.
Oral argument granted when Court needs clarification or when opposing party likely to lose.
Southern District of California
All rules for SDCAOnly one lawyer per party may examine any given witness.
Junior attorneys (≤5 years) may request oral argument on noticed motions.
Judge will hold oral argument for junior attorneys (under 5 years) if requested by opposing counsel.
Encourages junior lawyers (under 10 years) to argue motions and participate in conferences
Encourages specific requests for junior lawyer oral argument opportunities
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) may increase likelihood of oral argument on civil motions.
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) may be granted oral argument if both sides have junior attorneys or if opposing counsel also requests argument.
Court encourages opportunities for young lawyers to conduct hearings.
Junior lawyers (under 5 years) arguing may increase likelihood of oral argument.
Parties may request oral argument if lawyer has fewer than 10 years' experience.
Rule 11 pleas encouraged before magistrate judge; district judge pleas at pretrial motion date or scheduled.
Only one lawyer per party may examine a witness and make objections for that witness.
Eastern District of Texas
All rules for EDTXCourt will grant oral argument if a newer attorney will argue, even if not ordinarily granted.
Newer attorneys are defined as those practicing for less than 7 years.
Court will consider allocating additional time for oral argument by newer attorneys.
More experienced counsel may also speak during oral argument.
Court will notify opposing counsel and request they allow a newer attorney to argue.
Court draws no inference from party's decision not to have newer attorney argue.
Court draws no inference about motion importance or merits from having/not having newer attorney argue.
Newer Attorneys (practicing less than 7 years) are incentivized with increased oral argument opportunities, additional time, and permission for experienced co-counsel to also speak.
Parties must contact law clerk to request oral argument by newer attorney after briefing is complete.
Court will grant oral argument requests for newer attorneys if practicable, provide extra time, allow experienced counsel to speak, and suggest opposing counsel reciprocate.
Attorneys with less than 7 years experience who argue motions receive preferential treatment including increased likelihood of oral argument, additional time, and permission for multiple attorneys to argue.
Southern District of Florida
All rules for SDFLCourt welcomes less-experienced counsel to argue motions at hearings.
Experienced counsel may supplement/amend junior counsel's argument with additional time.
Junior attorneys (5 years or less) may have multiple attorneys argue.
Parties must notify court if lawyer with 5 or fewer years experience will argue.
Court allows multiple lawyers to argue if junior lawyer is presenting.
Junior lawyers (5 or fewer years) may have multiple attorneys argue.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less) may argue with multiple attorneys if notified in advance.
Court encourages participation of attorneys with 5 years or less experience in discovery hearings.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) may have multiple attorneys argue if notified in advance.
Junior lawyers (5 years or less experience) may argue with multiple attorneys if notified in advance.
District of Delaware
All rules for DEDThe Court encourages attorneys with fewer than seven years of practice to participate in oral argument and trial proceedings, and welcomes notice when they will do so.
Attorneys with fewer than 7 years of experience are encouraged to participate in proceedings.
Judge encourages newer attorneys to argue motions they contributed to briefing for.
Parties must notify court if newer attorney will argue motion.
Court will grant oral argument if practicable when newer attorney will argue.
Court will consider allocating additional time for oral argument with newer attorney.
Court draws no inference from decision not to have newer attorney argue.
Court draws no inference about motion importance or merits based on newer attorney participation.
District of New Jersey
All rules for DNJJunior attorneys (under 5 years) presenting oral argument may increase likelihood of argument being granted.
Junior attorneys (under 4 years) encouraged to participate in proceedings.
Junior attorneys presenting arguments increase likelihood of oral argument and may allow multiple attorneys to argue.
Junior attorneys (under 5 years) may present oral argument with supervisor assistance.
Junior associates arguing motions may increase likelihood of oral argument
Junior lawyers (first 6 years) encouraged to present arguments.
Advance notice for junior lawyer arguments may result in extra time and assistance.
Eastern District of California
All rules for EDCACourt will hold hearing if junior attorney (under 5 years) requests oral argument 10 days in advance.
Parties are encouraged to provide less experienced attorneys opportunity to present oral argument.
Judge encourages assigning oral arguments to attorneys with 7 or fewer years of experience.
District of Columbia
All rules for DDCNorthern District of Illinois
All rules for NDILRelated Rule Categories
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Pre-motion conference and letter requirements before filing motions, including sequential steps.
Font, margin, spacing, and file format requirements for court filings.