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

Hon. Nicholas J. Ganjei

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 Ganjei — standing order
Motion

Limit any motion or response to 5,000 words (approximately twenty-five pages). Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approximately ten pages). Do not file a sur-reply absent permission. Provide a certificate of word count following the signature block.

Opposition

Limit any motion or response to 5,000 words (approximately twenty-five pages). Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approximately ten pages).

Reply

[§15.f] File any reply within ten calendar days of the response. [§16.c] Limit any reply to 2,000 words (approximately ten pages).

Font & formatting
👤 Judge Ganjei — standing order

Acceptable fonts are Times New Roman size 13 or larger, Book Antiqua size 12 or larger, and Century Schoolbook size 12 or larger.

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 Ganjei — standing order

Use Form 5 to prepare draft proposed orders. Include a proposed order granting or denying the requested relief with all non-dispositive motions and oppositions.

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 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Ganjei — standing order

b. Conference Between Lead Counsel Required: Lead counsel must personally confer on all discovery and scheduling disputes as a final attempt at resolution prior to involving the Court. c. Initiating Letter Required: Do not bring a motion on discovery or scheduling disputes without permission. To obtain permission, the party seeking relief must submit a letter not exceeding approximately two single-spaced pages. Identify the nature of the dispute, outline the issues, and state the contested relief sought. Specify the conference between lead counsel and summarize the results.

content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
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