judge console · S.D. Tex.
S.D. Tex. · Judge Ellison · Practice Guide

Hon. Keith P. Ellison

All local rules for S.D. Tex., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule

All motions must be served on all parties. S.D. Tex. L.R. 5.5 ↗

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule
Motion

Silent on district-wide page limits for motions. The local rules do not set a page cap on motion papers. Individual judge procedures control; consult the assigned judge's standing orders. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7 ↗

Opposition

Silent on district-wide page limits for opposition briefs. Individual judge procedures control. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7 ↗

Reply

Silent on district-wide page limits for reply briefs. Reply permitted within 7 days of response per L.R. 7.4(E); page limit set by individual judge procedures. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7.4 ↗

👤 Judge Ellison — standing order
Motion

Absent leave of Court for extended briefing, any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.

Opposition

Absent leave of Court for extended briefing, any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.

Reply

The Court will accept replies without leave of Court with the following stipulations: (A) The Reply should be filed within seven (7) days of the date the Response was filed. (B) The Reply must be ten (10) pages or fewer.

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule
Notice period

Opposed motions submitted 21 days from filing; no appearance required. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7.3 ↗

Hearing days

No fixed motion days; oral argument by request or court order. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7.5 ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule

Required with all opposed motions. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7.1(C) ↗

👤 Judge Ellison — standing order

Each motion, except motions pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56, must be accompanied by a separate proposed order granting or denying the relief requested.

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule

Court may decide on papers; oral argument by party request or court order. S.D. Tex. L.R. 7.5 ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 S.D. Tex. local rule

Magistrate judges authorized per 28 U.S.C. § 636. S.D. Tex. L.R. 72 ↗

content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
Get updates on Judge Ellison's procedures
Standing order changes, new key traps, and C.D. Cal. practice intelligence.