Judge D. Nicole Sheppard
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon Filing
Motion, Brief
- Before Hearing
Adjournments
- The mover must provide written confirmation by fax or email to the law clerk that adverse parties were contacted and do not object to the continuance.
- A trial continuance must be requested by written motion stating the reason, whether it is the first request, and whether the opponent objects.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Proposed special jury charges and jury interrogatories must be submitted both as a hand-delivered hard copy and as an emailed MS Word copy.
Proposed special jury charges and jury interrogatories must be hand delivered to Division J chambers via a hard copy and a copy email in MS Word format must be submitted to the law clerks via email.
DOCX
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel shall deliver the hard copy bench book of tabbed exhibits to Division J chambers five working days before the start of trial.
Summary: Counsel must deliver a tabbed hard-copy exhibit bench book to chambers five working days before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
All exhibits that are agreed upon as being both authenticated and admissible should be labeled as "Joint Exhibit No. 1,2,3..." and put in binders. All other exhibits shall be labeled as either "Plaintiff Exhibit No. 1,2,3..." or "Defendant Exhibit No.1,2,3..." and put in binders.
Summary: Exhibits must be labeled according to agreed or disputed status and placed in binders.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The motion to set a case for trial must include the attorney’s certification that trial counsel conferred and that the case is ready for trial under Rule 10, Section I.
who certifies that Trial Counsel have conferred on the day of , 20 and the case is ready for trial in accordance with Rule 10, Section I reprinted on the reverse side hereof, moves the Court to set this case for trial.
Document Type
Motion To Set For Trial On The Merits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The preparing party must circulate the judgment with an attached 9.5 certificate.
The party preparing the judgment must circulate the judgment and attach a 9.5 certificate.
Document Type
Judgment
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Each judgment must identify the attorneys or parties to be notified and include their bar numbers, addresses, and email addresses.
Please include the names of all attorneys or parties who need to be notified, including their bar numbers, addresses, and emails, on all judgments.
Document Type
Judgment
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
An exhibit list must identify all exhibits and state whether objections concern admissibility, authenticity, or both.
An exhibit list should be included of all exhibits. Those exhibits that are objected to should indicate whether it is for admissibility or authenticity or both.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
When parties disagree with a judgment, they should obtain a transcript and attach it to the proposed judgment.
If the parties are in disagreement with the judgment, they should request a transcript from the court reporter and attach a copy to their proposed judgment.
Document Type
Proposed Judgment
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The requesting party must file a motion to reset with service sheets and instructions.
The party requesting the continuance should also file a motion to reset along with service sheets and instructions.
Document Type
Motion To Reset
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
I certify that a copy of this notice has been Mailed to each attorney or party in proper Person.
Summary: The notice of trial must be mailed to each attorney or party in proper person, with the certification included on the notice.
Document Type
Notice Of Trial
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Supporting and opposing memoranda are due eight days before the hearing.
These memoranda are due eight days before the hearing as required by Local Rule 9.9.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Memoranda supporting or opposing motions or exceptions
Joint pre-trial outlines must be submitted 30 days before trial.
Joint Pre-Trial Outlines are due 30 days before trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | TRIALS
A summary-judgment motion and supporting documents must be filed and served at least 65 days before trial.
The motion and all documents in support thereof shall be filed and served not less than 65 days prior to the trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Motions for Summary Judgement
A reply memorandum must be filed and served at least five days before the summary-judgment hearing.
Any reply memorandum shall be filed and served not less than 5 days prior to the hearing on the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Motions for Summary Judgement
A judgment must be submitted within ten days after the hearing or trial.
Judgments must be submitted within ten days of the hearing/trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | JUDGMENTS
An opposition and supporting documents must be filed and served at least 15 days before the summary-judgment hearing.
Any opposition to the motion and any documents in support thereof shall be filed and served not less than 15 days prior to the hearing on the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Motions for Summary Judgement
The contradictory hearing must be scheduled at least 30 days after filing and at least 30 days before trial.
A contradictory hearing on the motion shall be set not less than 30 days after the filing and not less than 30 days prior to the trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Motions for Summary Judgement
Service and Proof of Service Rules
After signing, the original judgment is filed and a certified copy with notice of signing is mailed to all parties.
After the judgment is signed, the original is filed in the record and a certified copy of the judgment and notice of signing of judgment will be mailed to all parties as per Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 1913.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | JUDGMENTS
The mover must mail a copy of the motion to all counsel of record before submitting it to the court.
Mover further certifies that a copy hereof has been Mailed to all counsel of record before submission to the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | MOTION TO SET FOR TRIAL ON THE MERITS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
New courtesy copies of the pleadings must be delivered when a matter continued without a date is reset.
Matters continued without date will need to have new courtesy copies of the pleadings delivered when the matter is reset.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Continuances of rules
A courtesy copy of the motion and memorandum must be provided to chambers before a hearing date will be set.
Pursuant to Local Rule 9.9, hearing dates will not be set without providing a courtesy copy of the motion and memorandum to the division chambers.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE
A courtesy copy of the supporting or opposing memorandum must be submitted to chambers when it is filed.
Please submit a courtesy copy to chambers along with filing it into the record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Memoranda supporting or opposing motions or exceptions
A courtesy copy of the joint pre-trial outline must be submitted to chambers when it is filed.
Please submit a courtesy copy to chambers along with filing it in the record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | TRIALS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A motion to set a case for trial must be submitted by a party, certify that trial counsel for all parties conferred in person, and establish that the case is ready for trial; no conference is required with a pro se party.
No case shall be placed upon any docket for trial, except by order of the court, granted upon motion by a party, suggesting to the Court that all issues propounded in the principal and incidental demands have been joined; that cases which should be consolidated have been consolidated; that all exceptions have been disposed of, motions for summary judgement heard; all discovery completed; and that the case is ready for trial on its merits. Said motion shall be signed by the attorney for the mover who shall certify that trial counsel for all parties have conferred, in person, to confirm the foregoing have been accomplished. No conference is required with any party appearing pro se. Any attorney residing outside the greater New Orleans area may confer by phone.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | RULE 10, SECTION I
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A trial continuance must be requested by written motion stating the reason, whether it is the first request, and whether the opponent objects.
A written motion to continue trial must be filed with the court. The motion must contain a brief reason for the continuance, whether this is the first request for a continuance, and whether the opposing party objects to the continuance.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | TRIALS / Continuance of trials
The mover must provide written confirmation by fax or email to the law clerk that adverse parties were contacted and do not object to the continuance.
In order for a rule to be continued, the mover must submit written confirmation via fax or email to the law clerk that the adverse parties have been contacted and have no objection to the continuance.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULES PROCEDURE / Continuances of rules
Chambers Communication Rules
Call the division to obtain or confirm a rule date.
Please call for available rule dates. RULES PROCEDURE In general: Rules are generally set for 9:00 a.m. Please call the division for confirmation of a date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | RULE DAYS / RULES PROCEDURE