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

Hon. David C. Godbey

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

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) ↗

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) ↗

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) ↗

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 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Godbey — standing order

To facilitate orderly preparation for trial, the Court conducts an expedited discovery hearing docket on Monday afternoons. Any party may request expedited hearing of a discovery dispute. Requests must be made by separate letter to the Court's Judicial Assistant, Donna Hocker Beyer and must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the requested docket; requests may be made concurrently with filing the motion. If the matter is set on the expedited docket, the Court will advise the parties of applicable procedures by separate order. Seeking relief from the Court on discovery disputes prior to conducting a meaningful, substantive conference with the opposing party is STRONGLY discouraged. A motion or objection to the taking of a deposition that is filed within three business days of the notice has the effect of staying the deposition pending court order on the motion or objection; otherwise the deposition will not be stayed except by court order.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Godbey — deviations that burn people
  • Parties desiring entry of a protective order under Rule 26(c), except in patent cases, must either (a) request entry of an order in Judge Godbey's standard form or (b) if entry of a protective order in a different form is requested, the motion must (1) explain why Judge Godbey's standard form is inadequate in the particular circumstances of the case, and (2) include a redlined version of the requested form showing where it differs from Judge Godbey's standard form.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment