TX-ND -- At a Glance

Quick-reference card for the Northern District of Texas -- the key numbers and requirements practitioners need before filing.

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Divisions (7): Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Angelo, Wichita Falls (28 U.S.C. § 124(e)). Cases are typically assigned to the division where the action arose (court practice).

Judge Assignment: LR 83.3: 'The district judges shall determine the method by which all cases are assigned to individual judges.' Each case is assigned to a presiding judge in the appropriate division.

Brief Page Limits (LR 7.2(c); LR 56.5(b)):

• General motions: 25 pages principal; 10 pages reply
• Summary judgment: 50 pages principal; 25 pages reply
• Tables of contents and authorities excluded from page counts

Response Deadline (LR 7.1(e)): 21 days from date motion is filed.

Reply Deadline (LR 7.1(f)): 14 days from date response is filed.

Oral Argument (LR 7.1(g)): Not held unless the presiding judge directs.

Conference Requirement (LR 7.1(a)): Required before most motions. Not required for motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings, motions for summary judgment, motions for new trial, or when conference is not possible.

Certificate of Conference (LR 7.1(b)): Required on every motion for which a conference is required. Must state whether motion is opposed; if opposed, must state date, identities of conferring attorneys, and why agreement could not be reached.

Proposed Order (LR 7.1(c)): Required with every motion, except opposed motions submitted on paper.

Appendix (LR 7.1(i)): Required whenever a party relies on materials (depositions, documents, affidavits, etc.) to support or oppose a motion. Pages numbered sequentially through entire appendix -- numbering does not restart per document.

Formatting (LR 7.2(a)): 8.5 x 11 inch page; 12-point or larger font; double-spaced text; 1-inch margins on all four sides.

AI Disclosure (LR 7.2(f)): Any brief prepared using generative AI must disclose this on the first page under the heading 'Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence.'

Local Counsel (LR 83.10(a)): Required when an attorney does not reside or maintain a principal office in this district. Local counsel must reside or maintain principal office within 50 miles of the courthouse in the specific division where the case is pending.

PHV Admission (LR 83.9(b)): Apply on a court-approved form and pay the applicable fee to the clerk.