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

Hon. David Hittner

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 Hittner — standing order
Motion

Each memorandum or brief filed in the Court shall be limited to 20 pages. Any memorandum that is more than 15 pages must be accompanied by a concise summary, no longer than 3 pages, narrowing the points in the brief.

Opposition

Each memorandum or brief filed in the Court shall be limited to 20 pages. Any memorandum that is more than 15 pages must be accompanied by a concise summary, no longer than 3 pages, narrowing the points in the brief.

Font & formatting
👤 Judge Hittner — standing order

ALL PLEADINGS (SUBSEQUENT TO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT) FILED IN THE COURT MUST BE: DOUBLE SPACED, NOT LESS THAN ONE INCH MARGINS AND 14 POINT FONT.

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) ↗

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
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