All local rules for W.D. Tex., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Other than when submitting ex parte mediation statements, opposing counsel should generally be copied on all correspondence with the Court.
Please note that Court staff should not be contacted regarding substantive matters, including questions about the timing of rulings. If relief is requested from the Court, including regarding scheduling, a motion should be filed. Please be advised that I have instructed Court staff not to discuss substantive matters with counsel or parties.
A motion requesting leave to exceed page limits is how to get this relief. The Court values brevity and clarity.
I prefer when citations and other matters are included in the body of a document’s text, as opposed to a footnote. That said, a string citation is fine in a footnote.
Hearings are set as the Court's schedule permits.
Not necessary.
Please include a proposed order that includes the new deadline(s) requested.
I often hold hearings on contested non-dispositive motions in civil cases. Hearings on dispositive motions may be scheduled by the Court on a case-by-case basis.
No. I may set hearings to take place via videoconference, although this is typically reserved for Initial Pretrial Conferences or cases where good reason to proceed by video is shown. Hybrid hearings are also possible, if one side needs to appear by video. Counsel should confer with each other about hybrid hearings beforehand.
I ask that counsel file a motion for continuance in a civil trial as soon as possible. In the motion, please include whether the continuance is unopposed or opposed, the reason(s) for the requested continuance, and the length of additional time requested.