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

Hon. Sam A. Lindsay

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

Before You File
Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Lindsay — standing order

Judge Lindsay allows attorneys to talk with his law clerks, secretary, and courtroom deputy regarding the procedural matters. Please do not call the judge's staff to inquire about substantive aspects of a specific case. Attorneys may request to talk with Judge Lindsay with both parties present.

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 Lindsay — standing order
Required?

Yes

Details

In criminal cases, if a main document has more than three attachments or exhibits a timely courtesy copy must be mailed or delivered. Further, if the main document or attachment is more than 25 pages, a timely courtesy copy must be mailed or delivered.

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 Lindsay — standing order

All proposed orders should be e-mailed in "Word" format to Lindsay_Orders@txnd.uscourts.gov.

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 Lindsay — standing order
Default practice

In most circumstances, Judge Lindsay makes a ruling based upon briefs; however, oral argument may be set by the court in response to a specific request or sua sponte to clarify issues of concern to the court.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Lindsay — standing order

Judge Lindsay follows the Local Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure regarding motions for continuance.

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