All local rules for N.D. Tex., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Do not make any inquiries to Judge Brown or her law clerks. Inquiries about motions and the case status should be in writing. Please do not call the Court to ask for an extension or continuance. The parties must file requests for extensions of time as motions, rather than as stipulations. Please do not call to inquire about the status of a pending motion.
Unless another local civil rule provides otherwise, a brief must not exceed 25 pages (excluding the table of contents and table of authorities). A reply brief must not exceed 10 pages. Permission to file a brief in excess of these page limitations will be granted by the presiding judge only for extraordinary and compelling reasons. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗
Unless another local civil rule provides otherwise, a brief must not exceed 25 pages (excluding the table of contents and table of authorities). N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗
A reply brief must not exceed 10 pages. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗
Limit any motion, response, brief, or memorandum to 6,250 words; limit any reply to 2,500 words. Use 14-point font in the body of the briefing and 11-point font for footnotes. Do not file a sur-reply absent alternate permission from the Court. PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT FOLLOWING THE SIGNATURE BLOCK. Reliance on word-processor register is sufficient in this regard. Word limits shall not include the case caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, and certificates. However, word counts shall include footnotes. The Court rarely extends word limits. Anticipate and seek resolution of any motion for extension well in advance of filing deadlines.
Limit any motion, response, brief, or memorandum to 6,250 words; limit any reply to 2,500 words. Use 14-point font in the body of the briefing and 11-point font for footnotes. Do not file a sur-reply absent alternate permission from the Court.
Limit any reply to 2,500 words. For summary judgment: Limit any summary judgment principal brief to 12,500 words; limit any reply to 6,250 words.
(e) Time for Response and Brief. A response and brief to an opposed motion must be filed within 21 days from the date the motion is filed. (f) Time for Reply Briefs. Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, a party who has filed an opposed motion may file a reply brief within 14 days from the date the response is filed. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(e)–(f) ↗
Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(g) ↗
The Court does not require courtesy copies of documents, unless specifically requested in other orders or specifically requested by the Court.
Except for an opposed motion that is submitted on paper, each motion must be accompanied by a proposed order that is set forth separately. An agreed proposed order must be signed by the attorneys or parties. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(c) ↗
Proposed orders are required to be submitted with EVERY non-dispositive motion. A proposed order must be submitted via e-mail in a Word compatible format as instructed in the CM/ECF system's "Proposed Orders" event. The proposed orders must be e-mailed to: brown_orders@txnd.uscourts.gov and must include the case number and the document number of the referenced motion in the subject line. Copy opposing counsel on the email when submitting the proposed order.
Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(g) ↗
In most circumstances, Judge Brown makes a ruling based upon briefs; however, the parties may make a written request for oral argument or the Judge may sua sponte schedule a hearing. Should the Court permit a hearing on a motion: (i) for a non-evidentiary hearing, the Court permits a maximum of 45 minutes for each side (not each party); (ii) for an evidentiary hearing, the Court permits a maximum of 75 minutes for each side (not each party).
All requests for extensions of time and continuances must be submitted by written motion to the Court after a conference with opposing counsel. Please do not call the Court to ask for an extension or continuance. The parties must file requests for extensions of time as motions, rather than as stipulations.
Discovery disputes are often, but not always, referred to a magistrate judge. Other motions are occasionally referred for recommendation.
The time for filing motions for summary judgment set forth in the local rules is modified by the Judge's scheduling order. Unless modified hereunder, Judge Brown strictly follows the local rules with respect to the content of summary judgment motions and responses as well as the requirements for briefing and appendices. Read the relevant local civil rules before submitting a motion for summary judgment or response thereto. Limit any summary judgment principal brief to 12,500 words; limit any reply to 6,250 words. See N.D. Tex. Civ. R. 56.5(b). Use 14-point font in the body of the briefing and 11-point font for footnotes. Do not file a sur-reply absent alternate permission from the Court. Source ↗