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

Hon. Louis L. Stanton

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 Stanton — standing order

L. STANTON Unless otherwise ordered by Judge Stanton, matters before Judge Stanton shall be conducted in accordance with the following practices: 1. Communications With Chambers A. Letters. Except as otherwise provided below, communications with chambers shall be by letter, with copies simultaneously delivered to all counsel. 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 Stanton — standing order

G. In all submissions to Judge Stanton where exhibits are attached, the exhibits shall be separated by index tabs so that the particular exhibit may be readily located within the group of exhibits. 3. Electronic Filing Under Seal

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 Stanton — standing order

F. Inquiries. If a matter is not decided within sixty days of the time it is fully submitted, or its pendency undecided creates particular problems for any party, counsel may write so advising the court.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Stanton — deviations that burn people
  • law. Confine yourself to a concise summary of the important facts. Do not describe in detail what particular witnesses will say. Unless the case is unusually complex, each party will be limited to 10 minutes. e. Please stand when you question witnesses. (Counsel with physical disabilities will be excused from this requirement). Do not pace about the courtroom when questioning witnesses. This distracts the jury and wastes time. f. If you intend to question a witness about a group of documents, avoid delay by having all the documents with you when you start the examination. g. When you object, make your objection short and to the point. Do not argue the objection in the presence of the jury, and do not argue with the ruling of the court in the presence of the jury. Do not make motions (e.g., a motion for a mistrial) in the presence of the jury. Such matters may be raised at the first recess. h. Do not face or otherwise appear to address yourself to jurors when questioning a witness. i. The jury should hear the instructions on the law of the case from the court, an impartial source. In your final argument, you may tell the jury what you believe the substance of the court's instruction on a particular subject will be, but do not read or quote any instruction. LOUIS
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment