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S.D.N.Y. · Judge Buchwald · Practice Guide

Hon. Naomi Reice Buchwald

Verified 2026-06-25verify at the court's site ↗

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

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

Affidavit with good and specific reasons required; state if prior application made. Local Civil Rule 6.1(d) ↗

Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Buchwald — standing order

1. Communications With Chambers A. Letters. Letters may be filed via ECF if they comply with the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules and the S.D.N.Y. “Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions.” Letters to be filed under seal or containing sensitive or confidential information should be emailed to BuchwaldNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov or delivered to the Court by fax, hand or mail. Copies of correspondence between counsel shall not be sent to the Court.

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

Memoranda of law in support of or in opposition to a motion limited to 25 pages; reply memoranda limited to 10 pages S.D.N.Y. L.R. 7.1(b) ↗

Opposition

8,750 words maximum for opposition brief. Local Civil Rule 7.1(c) ↗

Reply

3,500 words maximum for reply brief. Local Civil Rule 7.1(c) ↗

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

Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after opposition. Local Civil Rule 6.1(b) ↗

Hearing days

Silent on fixed motion hearing days. The joint local rules establish no motion-day calendar. LCR 7.1 governs motion practice (content, formatting, and briefing deadlines) but sets no court hearing dates; any hearing is scheduled at each judge's discretion per their individual practices. Local Civil Rule 7.1 ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Proposed orders, judgments, and decrees must be presented as directed by the ECF rules published on the website of each respective court. Local Civil Rule 77.1 ↗

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Buchwald — standing order

E. Electronic Filing Under Seal in Civil and Miscellaneous Cases. 1. Sealing/Redactions Not Requiring Court Approval. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 describes sensitive information that must be redacted from public court filings without seeking prior permission from the Court.

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Motions are decided on submission unless the court schedules oral argument; contact chambers to request oral argument S.D.N.Y. L.R. 7.1(b) ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 S.D.N.Y. local rule

Must first request informal conference by letter before filing discovery motion. Local Civil Rule 37.2 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Buchwald — standing order

Silent on discovery_dispute_procedure. Follow Local Civil Rule 37.2.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Buchwald — deviations that burn people
  • §2.B: B. Pre-Motion Conferences in Civil Cases. A pre-motion conference is required before making any motion, except for motions to be brought on by an order to show cause, motions by incarcerated pro se litigants, motions for reargument, motions to remand, applications to be relieved as counsel, motions for relief from judgment, motions to vacate or confirm an arbitral award, or any other motion required by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to be made by a time certain (see list below). The filing of a request for a pre-motion conference to dismiss prior to answer stays the time for the filing of an answer until after the conference is held or until further order of the Court. To request a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall submit a letter not to exceed three pages in length setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion. The other party should submit a response within three business days, not to exceed three pages in length. Nothing in these Individual Practices supersedes a specific time period for filing a motion specified by statute or Federal Rule -- including but not limited to Fed.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment