All local rules for N.D. Tex., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Case information may be obtained from the clerk's office by calling the ECF Help Desk, (214) 753-2633. Answers can be obtained to frequently asked questions, and case-specific questions can be submitted to chambers staff, by using Judge Fitzwater's Chambers Online Help Desk. You may also contact the court coordinator, Pat Esquivel. Her telephone number is (214) 753-2336. The main chambers number is (214) 753-2333. Do not contact the judge's law clerks. The judge does not permit his law clerks to take telephone calls from attorneys or litigants.
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) ↗
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) ↗
A reply brief must not exceed 10 pages. N.D. Tex. LR 7.2(c) ↗
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) ↗
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) ↗
Yes
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) ↗
Required proposed orders must be submitted in a modifiable format to Fitzwater_Orders@txnd.uscourts.gov. Complete instructions may be found in the Proposed Orders docket event in ECF.
Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held. N.D. Tex. LR 7.1(g) ↗
The judge follows local civil rule 7.1(g), which provides that unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, oral argument on a motion will not be held.
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 ↗