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D.N.J. · Judge Williams · Practice Guide

Hon. Karen M. Williams

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

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

Applications for emergency relief are returnable on the first regular motion day at least 24 days after filing, unless the court orders otherwise. Seek a court order for shorter timelines — the default emergency mechanism uses the standard motion-day count-back schedule. D.N.J. Civ. R. 65.1 ↗

Lead counsel requirements
🏛 D.N.J. local rule

Pro hac vice is governed by Civ. R. 101.1 — NOT Rule 83 (NJ-D's post-1997 numbering places admission rules in the 100s range). Local counsel association is generally required; local counsel signs pleadings and may be required to attend hearings. Local counsel is substantively responsible, not nominal. D.N.J. Civ. R. 101.1 ↗

Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Williams — standing order

All communications with Chambers shall be by letter electronically filed via ECF. No hard copies of letters shall be delivered to the Court. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement.

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

40 pages maximum for main brief (excluding table of contents and authorities). If a 12-point proportional font is used instead of the required typeface, the limit is reduced by 25% to 30 pages. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗

Opposition

40 pages maximum for brief in opposition (same limit applies to cross-motion briefs in opposition). D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗

Reply

15 pages maximum for reply brief. Reduced to 11.25 pages if 12-point proportional font is used instead of the required typeface. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(b) ↗

Font & formatting
🏛 D.N.J. local rule

Black lettering; 8.5 x 11 inch paper; one-inch margins; double-spaced text; single-spaced footnotes. Typeface must be 12-point non-proportional (e.g., Courier New 12) or equivalent 14-point proportional (e.g., Times New Roman 14). Using a 12-point proportional font instead reduces all page limits by 25%. Footnotes must be the same size as text. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.2(c)–(d) ↗

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

Motion and supporting brief must be filed at least 24 days before the noticed motion day. Opposition due at least 14 days before original motion day (Civ. R. 7.1(d)(2)). Motion day must be noted on the cover page of the motion. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.1(d)(1) ↗

Hearing days

Motion days are the first and third Monday of each month, excluding holidays. Briefing deadlines count back from the noticed motion day — not forward from service. D.N.J. Civ. R. 78.1(a) ↗

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Williams — standing order
Required?

Yes

Proposed orders
🏛 D.N.J. local rule

All filed motions shall have annexed thereto a proposed order. If the proposed order does not adequately reflect the Court's ruling, the prevailing party, if directed by the Court, shall submit an order within seven days of the ruling on the motion on notice to all other parties. Unless the Court otherwise directs, if no specific objection to that order with reasons therefor is received within seven days of its receipt by the Court, the order may be signed. If such an objection is made, the matter may be listed for hearing at the discretion of the Court. D.N.J. Civ. R. 7.1(e) ↗

ECF stamp requirements
👤 Judge Williams — standing order

All parties, with the exception of pro se parties, shall file all documents, in both civil and criminal matters, via ECF. All papers electronically submitted shall, to the extent possible, be submitted in a text-searchable PDF format.

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

No oral argument shall be heard except as permitted expressly by the judge assigned to hear the motion. If oral argument is required, parties are notified by the court. Argument may be conducted in open court or by telephone conference at the judge's discretion. Request for oral argument must be clearly marked on the first page of the notice of motion and/or brief. D.N.J. Civ. R. 78.1 ↗

👤 Judge Williams — standing order
Default practice

The only purpose of a motion's return date or "motion day" is to determine the briefing schedule for that motion. The Court generally will not hear oral argument on the return date. If the Court decides to hear oral argument on any issue, it will advise counsel of the argument date.

Decided on the papers?

Yes — motions decided on the papers without oral argument.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Williams — standing order

All requests for adjournments or extensions of time, other than those pursuant to Local Rule 7.1(d)(5), must comport with Local Rule 6.1 and include: (1) the date or dates sought to be extended; (2) the number of previous requests for extensions and the Court's rulings; (3) the reason for the current request; and (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. If the requested extension affects any other scheduled dates, the request must list the proposed change for all such other dates.

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

Discovery applications may be presented by telephone conference call or letter to the judge before formal motion practice. File a formal discovery motion only after the telephone/letter mechanism has been attempted. Civ. R. 37.2 governs discovery motion sanctions per FRCP 37. D.N.J. Civ. R. 37.1 ↗

content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
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