judge console · N.D. Tex.
N.D. Tex. · Judge Fish · Practice Guide

Hon. A. Joe Fish

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

Before You File
Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Fish — standing order

All calls come through the main number (214-753-2310). Procedural Information - An attorney may address a procedural question that cannot be answered by the federal rules of procedure, local rules, to chambers at 214-753-2310. Scheduling Information - An attorney may direct questions regarding cases to chambers at 214-753-2310. Status of Motion/Proposed Order - Call chambers at 214-753-2310.

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

Unless another local civil rule provides otherwise, a brief must not exceed 25 pages (excluding the table of contents and table of authorities). A reply brief must not exceed 10 pages. Permission to file a brief in excess of these page limitations will be granted by the presiding judge only for extraordinary and compelling reasons. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗

Opposition

Unless another local civil rule provides otherwise, a brief must not exceed 25 pages (excluding the table of contents and table of authorities). Responses to motions follow the standard brief length — 25 pages maximum. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗

Reply

A reply brief must not exceed 10 pages. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗

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

A response and brief to an opposed motion must be filed within 21 days from the date the motion is filed. Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, a party who has filed an opposed motion may file a reply brief within 14 days from the date the response is filed. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(e)–(f) ↗

Hearing days

Submission model — no motion day scheduled. Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(g) ↗

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Fish — standing order
Required?

Yes

Proposed orders
🏛 N.D. Tex. local rule

Except for an opposed motion that is submitted on paper, each motion must be accompanied by a proposed order that is set forth separately. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(c) ↗

👤 Judge Fish — standing order

Proposed orders are required to be submitted with EVERY motion. The proposed order must be emailed, in Word or WordPerfect format, to Fish_Orders@txnd.uscourts.gov. The email must include the case number and the document number of the referenced motion in the subject line and opposing counsel must be copied.

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 N.D. Tex. local rule

Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(g) ↗

👤 Judge Fish — standing order
Default practice

The judge rarely grants oral argument on a motion.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Fish — standing order

Any request that a trial date be modified must be made in writing to the judge before the deadline for completion of discovery.

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 N.D. Tex. local rule

Discovery disputes referred to assigned magistrate judge per FRCP 72 and 28 U.S.C. § 636. Objections to nondispositive magistrate orders must be accompanied by a brief complying with LR 7.2; response brief due within 21 days from the date objections are filed. N.D. Tex. LR 72.1–72.2 ↗

content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment