judge console · S.D.N.Y.
S.D.N.Y. · Judge Preska · Practice Guide

Hon. Loretta A. Preska

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 Preska — standing order

A. PRESKA SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK United States Courthouse 500 Pearl Street, Room 2220 New York, NY 10007 www.nysd.uscourts.gov Unless otherwise ordered, matters before Judge Preska shall be conducted in accordance with the following practices:

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 Preska — standing order

F. Procedures for filing Motions for Default Judgment For motions for default judgment, follow Local Civil Rules 55.1 and 55.2. The moving party shall also provide to the Court a proposed Order to Show Cause.

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 Preska — standing order

2. Motions & Pleadings A. Pre-Motion Conference in Civil Cases For discovery motions, follow Local Civil Rule 37.2 (effective as of July 1, 2024). For motions other than discovery motions, a pre-motion conference with the Court is required before making any motion, except: • motions by incarcerated pro se litigants; • applications for temporary restraining orders; • applications for injunctions; • motions to dismiss in lieu of answer; • motions to remand; • motions for reargument; • motions described in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(4)(A); • applications for attorneys’ fees; • motions for reduction of sentences; • objections to a Magistrate Judge’s ruling; • petitions to compel arbitration or to confirm or modify awards; • motions brought on by order to show cause; • motions for admission pro hac vice; and • motions pursuant to Section 21D(a)(3)(A)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to consolidate and for appointment of lead counsel. To arrange a pre-motion conference, the moving party shall submit a letter not to exceed 1,050 words setting forth the basis for the anticipated motion. Whereupon, the non-moving party shall, within 3 business days, submit a letter not to exceed 1,050 words setting forth its position with respect to the anticipated motion. The moving party is permitted to submit a reply letter not to exceed 700 words within 1 business day. Upon submitting a pre-motion conference request letter, the moving party shall remind the non-moving party of its obligation to submit a response letter to the Court. If filed by a party who is not represented by an attorney and handwritten or prepared with a typewriter, the moving and non-moving parties’ letters may not exceed 3 pages, and a reply letter may not exceed 2 pages.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Preska — deviations that burn people
  • Letters capped at 3 pages — shorter than most SDNY judges. Exceeding this limit is non-compliant.
  • All letters must be filed on ECF. Do not send letters directly to chambers by email unless specifically authorized.
  • Adjournment requests denied if made after expiration of original deadline. File at least 48 hours in advance.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment