Judge Thomas S. Hixson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
For more complex disputes, the parties shall prepare a joint statement of not more than five pages (12-point or greater font) that contains the following:
Summary: Joint statement for complex disputes limited to 5 pages with 12-point font.
Joint Statement
5 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any proposed order in a case subject to electronic filing shall be emailed in Word format to tshpo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Summary: Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to tshpo@cand.uscourts.gov
Document Type
Proposed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If a party files a motion to amend or the Court orders a party to file an amended pleading, that party shall concurrently file a redlined or highlighted version comparing the amended pleading to the prior operative pleading.
Summary: Redlined/highlighted version required with amended pleadings
Document Type
Amended Pleading
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All exhibits to motions and/or discovery disputes should be separately filed on ECF. For example, if the motion is Docket No. 30, and the declaration with 10 exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A would be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B would be Docket No. 31-2, and so on. All exhibits shall also be filed in a searchable OCR format where possible.
Summary: Exhibits must be separately filed on ECF in searchable OCR format
Document Type
Exhibit
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
The joint statement shall be e-filed (unless the case is exempt from e-filing requirements) under the Civil Events category of “Motions and Related Filings > Motions – General > Discovery Letter Brief.”
Summary: Joint statement must be e-filed under specific category.
Document Type
Joint Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
The joint letter must attach the discovery requests and responses at issue. The parties may also attach any relevant meet-and-confer correspondence, exhibits or affidavits.
Summary: Joint statement must include discovery requests/responses and may include meet-and-confer correspondence.
Document Type
Joint Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
If parties believe a protective order is necessary, they shall, where practicable, use one of the model stipulated protective orders (available at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/forms/model-protective-orders/). If the parties’ proposed protective offer differs materially from the model protective order, the parties shall file a statement explaining each modification to the model order, along with a redline version comparing the proposed protective order with the model order.
Summary: Protective orders should use model form with explanation for modifications.
Document Type
Protective Order
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Chambers copies not required unless specifically ordered
The parties do not need to submit chambers copies, except when requested by a separate order from the Court.
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Page 2 | CHAMBERS COPIES AND PROPOSED ORDERS
Chambers copies not required unless specifically ordered.
The parties do not need to submit chambers copies, except when requested by a separate order from the Court.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | CHAMBERS COPIES
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Documents presumptively public; sealing requests must comply with Local Rule 79-5
The parties are reminded that court proceedings are presumptively public. Any request to file a document under seal must comply with Civil Local Rule 79-5.
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Page 2 | Motions to File Under Seal
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Joint statement required 7 days before case management conference
Counsel shall meet and confer prior to the case management conference and file a joint statement no later than seven days prior to the conference.
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Page 2 | SCHEDULING
Parties must meet and confer before filing discovery motions.
If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute informally after a good faith effort, including meet and confer efforts conducted by lead counsel, the parties have two options:
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | MEET AND CONFER REQUIREMENTS
Sanctions motions require compliance with meet-and-confer requirements first.
No motion for sanctions may be filed until after the moving party has complied with the requirements above. Motions for sanctions shall be filed separately, pursuant to Federal Rule 37 and Civil Local Rules 7 and 37-4.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | SANCTIONS
Chambers Communication Rules
Law and motion hearings are held Thursdays at 10:00 AM
Law and motion is heard on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. All motions (except criminal duty matters) shall be noticed for any available Thursday.
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Page 1 | SCHEDULING
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Junior lawyers encouraged to participate in arguments and witness examination
The Court strongly encourages parties to permit less experienced attorneys to actively participate in the proceedings by presenting argument at motion hearings or examining witnesses at trial.
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Page 2 | SCHEDULING