Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge John Michael Pappert -- 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. Traditional numbered-paragraph SMF required for MSJ. Do not deviate from this format without checking the scheduling order.
- 2. No explicit reply page limit published -- confirm in the scheduling order before filing a reply. Do not assume a specific limit.
- 3. Oral argument is discretionary and granted only when the court finds it helpful. Assume papers-only disposition.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge Pappert decides motions on the papers and schedules argument when helpful to the court. |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages maximum for opening brief. [Judge Pappert Individual Practices -- Page Limits] |
| Reply Limit | No explicit individual reply page limit published. Check the scheduling order. |
| 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.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
No standard motion hearing calendar. Judge Pappert decides motions on the papers and schedules argument when helpful to the court.
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 Pappert Individual Practices -- Page Limits]
Opposition Limit
25 pages maximum for opposition brief. [Judge Pappert Individual Practices -- Page Limits]
Reply Limit
No explicit individual reply page limit published. Check the scheduling order.
Font & Formatting
Per E.D. Pa. L.R. 5.1.2: double-spaced, 12-point font.
Footnote Policy
Not specified in individual procedures.
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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)]
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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
Available when the court finds argument would be helpful. No automatic right per E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f). [Judge Pappert Individual Practices -- Oral Argument] [E.D. Pa. L.R. 7.1(f)]
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures. Follow any case-specific scheduling order.
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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.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Judge John Michael Pappert. PDF at pappol.pdf. 25/25 page structure for motion and opposition. Traditional numbered-paragraph SMF for MSJ. Reply page limit not stated individually -- check scheduling order.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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