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N.D. Ga. · Judge Geraghty · Practice Guide

Hon. Sarah E. Geraghty

Verified 2026-06-26verify at the court's site ↗

All local rules for N.D. Ga., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule

Prior notice to adversary required before chambers conference; emergency situations and FRCP-authorized ex parte motions are excepted N.D. Ga. LR 7.5(B) ↗

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule
Motion

Briefs in support of or in response to a motion limited to 25 pages absent prior court permission N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(D) ↗

Opposition

Briefs in support of or in response to a motion limited to 25 pages absent prior court permission N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(D) ↗

Reply

Reply brief may not exceed 15 pages N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(D) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule
Notice period

Response due not later than 14 days after service of the motion; MSJ response due 21 days after service N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(B) ↗

Hearing days

Motions decided without oral hearing unless a hearing is ordered by the Court N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(E) ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule

Orally announced orders must be prepared in writing by prevailing party and submitted within 7 days; all courtesy copies of proposed orders must be clearly marked N.D. Ga. LR 7.3 / LR 7.5(A) ↗

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule

Motions decided without oral hearing unless a hearing is ordered by the Court N.D. Ga. LR 7.1(E) ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 N.D. Ga. local rule

Motions to compel must include certification of good-faith conferral under FRCP 37(a) and quote verbatim each discovery request at issue N.D. Ga. LR 37.1(A) ↗

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Geraghty — deviations that burn people
  • Discovery motions to compel, quash, or for sanctions will be denied without prejudice if chambers email protocol is bypassed.
  • Proposed orders are required for extension motions and page limit extension motions -- not just consent motions.
  • R&R objections capped at 15 pages.
  • Settlement requires a formal Notice of Settlement or Notice of Tentative Settlement filed on the docket.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
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