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D.N.J. · Judge Allen · Practice Guide

Hon. Jessica S. Allen

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 Allen — standing order

Correspondence and written submissions not containing confidential information: Shall be electronically filed via CM/ECF. Papers shall not be submitted by facsimile unless otherwise directed. Confidential settlement letters and discovery dispute letters containing information subject to a Discovery Confidentiality Order: May be submitted by email to JSA_orders@njd.uscourts.gov. Communications with the Court: Direct communication with law clerks is permitted as to procedural matters only.

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 Allen — 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 Allen — standing order

Correspondence and written submissions not containing confidential information: Shall be electronically filed via CM/ECF. Papers shall not be submitted by facsimile unless otherwise directed.

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Allen — standing order

Motions to seal must comply with Local Civil Rule 5.3.

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 ↗

Remote appearances
👤 Judge Allen — standing order

Telephone Conferences: Are permitted but must be initiated by letter informally outlining the issues to be discussed.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Allen — standing order

Extensions of Time - If consented, may be done by consent order. If not consented, follow regular motion procedure (electronic filing).

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 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Allen — standing order

Motion Practices: No formal discovery motion shall be made without prior leave of Court. Telephone Conferences: Are permitted but must be initiated by letter informally outlining the issues to be discussed.

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