Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Cynthia M. Rufe Henry -- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Oral argument is granted only if it would illuminate the issues -- this is a meaningful threshold, not a rubber stamp. Do not plan your case strategy around the prospect of argument.
- 2. Traditional numbered-paragraph SMF required for MSJ. Verify format expectations in the scheduling order.
- 3. Reply is capped at 10 pages. Ensure your opening brief is complete; the reply window is narrow.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge Henry decides motions on the papers and schedules argument only if it would illuminate the issues. |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages maximum for opening brief. [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Page Limits] |
| Reply Limit | 10 pages maximum for reply brief. [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Reply] |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Not published. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. E.D. Pa. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order. |
| Discovery | All discovery disputes referred to the assigned magistrate judge. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 72.1] |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
mail Subscribe to Judge Henry procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge Henry decides motions on the papers and schedules argument only if it would illuminate the issues.
Notice Period
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(c): response due within 14 days of service. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(c)]
Motion Page / Word Limit
25 pages maximum for opening brief. [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Page Limits]
Opposition Limit
25 pages maximum for opposition brief. [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Page Limits]
Reply Limit
10 pages maximum for reply brief. [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Reply]
Font & Formatting
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 5.1.2: double-spaced, 12-point font.
Footnote Policy
Not specified in individual procedures.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not published.
Proposed Orders
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(a): required with every motion. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(a)]
chevron_right
Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. E.D. Pa. does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Scheduled only if it would illuminate the issues. No automatic right per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f). [Judge Henry Individual Practices -- Oral Argument] [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f)]
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No ex parte contact with chambers. Written motions or the court's scheduling channels only.
Discovery Referral
All discovery disputes referred to the assigned magistrate judge. [E.D. Pa. L.R. 72.1]
Discovery Dispute Procedure Submission-first
Governed by the assigned magistrate judge's individual practices.
Ex Parte Applications
No published individual procedures. Follow Federal Rules and any case-specific order.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 5.1.5.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
File a motion with good cause. No published individual procedures.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Judge Cynthia M. Rufe Henry. PDF at henpol.pdf. 25/25/10 page structure. Traditional SMF for MSJ. Oral argument only if it would illuminate the issues -- same standard as Judge Scott.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
Verify now →