Judge Gregory H. Woods
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- 2 copies • Mail Or Hand Delivery • Upon Filing
- Hand Delivery • Upon Filing
All Motions
- 1 copy • Hand Delivery • When Reply Is Due
Documentary Exhibits
- 1 copy • Mail Or Hand Delivery • Upon Filing
Letter
- Not required
Adjournments
- Adjournment/extension requests must include original due date, previous requests, reason, adversary consent, and proposed dates.
- Adjournment requests affecting other dates require a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order.
- Adjournment requests must be in writing with specific required elements.
- +1 more
Request must include
- Adjournment/extension requests must be made at least 2 business days before the deadline (unless emergency).
- Adjournment requests must be made at least 2 business days in advance.
- Requests for extension must be made at least 2 business days before the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
- Supporting papers not filed via ECF must be filed within 24 hours of Judge Woods signing the order to show cause.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Letter via fax
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless prior permission has been granted, objections to reports and recommendations by, and appeals from orders of, magistrate judges are limited to 25 pages, any opposition is limited to 25 pages, and any reply is limited to 10 pages.
Summary: Objections to magistrate rulings: 25 pages, opposition 25 pages, reply 10 pages.
Objection To Magistrate
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
10 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, letters must not exceed 3 pages, excluding any exhibits.
Summary: Letters to the Court are limited to 3 pages (excluding exhibits).
Letter
3 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Voluminous material should be organized in tabbed binders and the spines of the binders should be labeled to include the name of the case, the case number, and the nature of the materials included in the binder.
Summary: Voluminous trial materials must be organized in tabbed binders with labeled spines.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Because media files cannot currently be uploaded to ECF, a party submitting media files must also file them physically with the Clerk of Court.
Summary: Media files must be filed physically with Clerk (not ECF).
Paper
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
A party submitting media files in connection with a motion must, to the extent possible, provide them in a format capable of being played using commonly available media players, e.g., Windows Media Player.
Summary: Media files must be in common player-compatible format.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
If the media unavoidably requires special viewing software, that software must be provided to the Court in a form that does not require administrative privileges for installation or operation.
Summary: Special media software must not require admin privileges.
Document Filing Requirements41 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Court will generally schedule a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(c) conference within three months of the filing of the complaint or notice of removal.
Summary: Initial case management conference scheduled within 3 months of filing.
Document Type
Case Management Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
No later than 2:00 p.m. the day before any scheduled conference with the Court, the parties are directed to jointly email to the Court an appearance sheet, using the template available on the Court’s website.
Summary: Parties must email appearance sheet by 2:00 p.m. the day before any conference.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The attorney who will serve as principal trial counsel must appear at all conferences with the Court.
Summary: Principal trial counsel must attend all conferences with the Court.
Document Type
Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
No later than the earlier of (1) the date that is 14 days after the submission of such affidavits and (2) three business days before trial, the parties must submit to the Court by email and serve on opposing counsel, but not file on ECF, any objections to particular paragraphs of an affidavit.
Summary: Objections to affidavit paragraphs must be submitted by email and served on opposing counsel (not filed on ECF) within 14 days or 3 business days before trial.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Three business days after submission of such affidavits, counsel for each party must submit a list of all affiants whom he or she intends to cross-examine at the trial.
Summary: List of affiants to be cross-examined must be submitted within 3 business days after affidavit submission.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Copies of correspondence between counsel must not be filed on ECF or otherwise sent to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document).
Summary: Correspondence between counsel should not be filed on ECF or sent to the Court.
Document Type
Correspondence
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Memoranda of 10 pages or more must contain a table of contents and a table of authorities.
Summary: Memoranda of 10+ pages require TOC and TOA.
Document Type
Memorandum Of Law
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If any party offers deposition designations, the parties are directed to submit to the Court by email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a native Excel spreadsheet
Summary: Deposition designation table must be submitted via email as Excel spreadsheet.
Document Type
Deposition Designation Table
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If a party believes that a pretrial memorandum of law would be useful to the Court, it must file the memorandum via ECF. Opposition papers to any legal argument in a pretrial memorandum must be filed within seven days thereafter, and reply papers must be filed within four days of any opposition.
Summary: Pretrial memorandum of law optional but must follow ECF filing and briefing deadlines if filed.
Document Type
Pretrial Memorandum Of Law
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The proposed findings of fact should be detailed and should include citations to the proffered evidence, as there may be no opportunity for post-trial submissions.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact must be detailed with citations to proffered evidence.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Of Fact
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Each party must also submit to the Court electronic copies of each of the exhibits. The electronic copies may be submitted on a thumb drive or may be downloaded directly to a website maintained by the Court.
Summary: Electronic copies of documentary exhibits required for trial.
Document Type
Documentary Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In accordance with Rules 13.18 and 13.19 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions, parties should file substantially all proposed orders and stipulations on ECF. Courtesy copies should not be sent to Chambers.
Summary: Proposed orders and stipulations must be filed on ECF; no courtesy copies to Chambers.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any party that submits a video or audio media file to the Court must simultaneously file a transcript of the content of the video or audio file.
Summary: Video/audio media files require simultaneous transcript filing.
Document Type
Media File
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Briefs of 10 pages or more must contain a table of contents and a table of authorities.
Summary: Objection briefs of 10+ pages require TOC and TOA.
Document Type
Objection To Magistrate
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In non-jury cases, the parties must submit via ECF proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law at the time the proposed joint pretrial order is filed.
Summary: Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be filed via ECF with joint pretrial order in non-jury cases.
Document Type
Non Jury Case
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, at the time the joint pretrial order is filed, each party in a non-jury trial must submit to the Court by email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) and serve on opposing counsel, but not file on ECF, the following: Copies of affidavits constituting the direct testimony of each trial witness, except for the direct testimony of an adverse party, a person whose attendance is compelled by
Summary: Direct testimony affidavits must be emailed to chambers and served on opposing counsel (not filed on ECF) in non-jury trials.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At the time of filing, parties must also submit copies of these documents to the Court by e-mail (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) as Word documents.
Summary: Email Word copies of trial documents to specified chambers email address.
Document Type
Trial Documents
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
For any request to charge or proposed voir dire question on which the parties cannot agree, each party should clearly set forth its proposed charge or question, and briefly state why the Court should use its proposed charge or question, with citations to supporting authority.
Summary: Disputed charges/questions require party's proposed version with explanation and citations.
Document Type
Disputed Request To Charge Or Voir Dire
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In all correspondence involving a request, the requesting party must indicate whether the adversary consents to the request.
Summary: Requests in correspondence must indicate whether the adversary consents.
Document Type
Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All witnesses need to appear at trial to adopt their affidavit as their direct testimony regardless of whether or not they will be cross-examined.
Summary: All witnesses must appear at trial to adopt their affidavit as direct testimony.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The original signed affidavits should be brought to trial to be marked as exhibits, at which time the Court expects to rule on any pending objections to the affidavits.
Summary: Original signed affidavits must be brought to trial to be marked as exhibits.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
After an action has been accepted as related to a prior filing, all future court papers and correspondence must contain the docket number of the new filing as well as the docket number of the case to which it is related.
Summary: Related cases must include both docket numbers in all future court papers and correspondence.
Document Type
All
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Proposed requests to charge must include citations to supporting legal authority.
Summary: Requests to charge must include citations to supporting legal authority.
Document Type
Request To Charge
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In all jury trials, joint requests to charge, joint proposed verdict forms, and joint proposed voir dire questions must be submitted at the time the proposed joint pretrial order is filed.
Summary: Joint requests to charge, verdict forms, and voir dire questions must be filed with joint pretrial order in jury trials.
Document Type
Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Except for cases in which the pro se party has received permission to participate in electronic case filing, counsel in cases involving pro se parties must serve the pro se parties with paper copies of any document that is filed electronically and must file with the Court a separate Affidavit of Service.
Summary: Counsel must serve paper copies to pro se parties and file proof of service.
Document Type
All
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All papers must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Service or other statement affirming that the pro se party sent copies to all other parties or to their counsel if they are represented.
Summary: Pro se filings must include proof of service to all parties.
Document Type
All
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Submissions filed without such proof of service will not be considered.
Summary: Filings without proof of service will be rejected.
Document Type
All
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, within 30 days of the completion of discovery, the plaintiff in a pro se case must file a concise, written Pretrial Statement.
Summary: Pro se plaintiffs must file Pretrial Statement within 30 days of completing discovery.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
This Statement need take no particular form, but it must contain the following: (1) a statement of the facts the plaintiff hopes to prove at trial; (2) a list of all documents or other physical objects that the plaintiff plans to put into evidence at trial; and (3) a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses the plaintiff intends to have testify at trial.
Summary: Pretrial Statement must include facts to prove, evidence list, and witness list.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If pro se, the plaintiff must file an original of this Statement, plus two courtesy copies, with the Pro Se Office and serve a copy on all defendants or their counsel if represented.
Summary: Pro se plaintiffs must file original plus two courtesy copies with Pro Se Office.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Statement must be sworn by the plaintiff to be true and accurate based on the facts known by the plaintiff.
Summary: Pretrial Statement must be sworn by plaintiff to be true and accurate.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Two weeks after service of the plaintiff's Statement, the defendant must file and serve a similar statement containing the same categories of information.
Summary: Defendants must file similar Pretrial Statement within 2 weeks of plaintiff's Statement.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that to facilitate mediation the parties shall, within four weeks of this Order, confer and provide the following:
Summary: Parties must provide specific documents within 4 weeks to facilitate mediation.
Document Type
Mediation Preparation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in the event the parties reach settlement, pursuant to Cheeks v. Freeport Pancake House, Inc., 796 F.3d 199 (2d Cir. 2015), they shall prepare a joint statement explaining the basis for the proposed settlement, including any provision for attorney fees, and why it should be approved as fair and reasonable. The settlement agreement and joint statement shall be presented to the assigned District Judge, or to the assigned Magistrate Judge should the parties consent to proceed for all purposes before the assigned Magistrate Judge (the appropriate form for which is available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf).
Summary: Settlement requires joint statement explaining basis and fairness, presented to assigned judge.
Document Type
Settlement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
The Court encourages any party that wishes to present direct testimony through live testimony, rather than by affidavit, to raise their request with the Court; any such request should be made no later than one month prior to the date established for the submission of the joint pretrial order.
Summary: Requests for live testimony instead of affidavits must be made at least one month before joint pretrial order deadline.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
[If all parties consent, the remaining paragraphs need not be completed. Instead, the parties should submit to the Court a fully executed Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf.]
Summary: If all parties consent to a Magistrate Judge, they must submit a fully executed Notice, Consent, and Reference form (AO-3) instead of completing the remaining paragraphs.
Document Type
Notice Consent Reference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
A joint letter updating the Court on the status of the case shall be filed on ECF by _________________. The letter should include the following information in separate paragraphs: (1) all existing deadlines, due dates, and/or cut-off dates; (2) a brief description of any outstanding motions; (3) a brief description of the status of discovery and of any additional discovery that remains to be completed; (4) the status of settlement discussions; (5) the anticipated length of trial and whether the case is to be tried to a jury; (6) whether the parties anticipate filing motions for summary judgment; and (7) any other issue that the parties would like to address at the pretrial conference or any other information that the parties believe may assist the Court.
Summary: Parties must file a joint status letter on ECF containing specified information in separate paragraphs.
Document Type
Status Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
In the event that the parties anticipate that they will use uncommon words, or case names during the conference, they are directed to include that information in the location indicated in the template appearance form.
Summary: Include uncommon words or case names in appearance sheet template.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
The appearance sheet should not be filed on the docket.
Summary: Appearance sheets should not be filed on the docket.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Pro se parties may be able to participate in electronic case filing, so that they can file documents with the Court electronically, and receive service of Court filings electronically. Any pro se litigant who wishes to participate in electronic case filing must file a Motion for Permission for Electronic Case Filing
Summary: Pro se parties must file motion to get ECF access.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
62 25'(5('.
Summary: Local Rule 62.25 applies to this case.
Document Type
General
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All fact discovery must be completed within a period not exceeding 120 days, unless the case presents unique complexities or exceptional circumstances.
All fact discovery shall be completed no later than ______________________. [A period not to exceed 120 days, unless the Court finds that the case presents unique complexities or other exceptional circumstances.]
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 7a
Contention interrogatories must be served no later than 30 days before the close of discovery; no other interrogatories are permitted without prior express permission of the Court.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, contention interrogatories pursuant to Rule 33.3(c) of the Local Civil Rules of the Southern District of New York must be served no later than thirty (30) days before the close of discovery. No other interrogatories are permitted without prior express permission of the Court.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 7d
Requests to admit must be served no less than 30 days prior to the close of fact discovery, absent exceptional circumstances.
Requests to admit pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 36 shall be served by ______________________. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not less than 30 days prior to the date set forth in paragraph 7(a).]
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 7f
Motions to amend pleadings or join additional parties must be filed within 30 days following the initial pretrial conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
Any motion to amend or to join additional parties shall be filed within ______ days from the date of this Order. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not more than 30 days following the initial pretrial conference.]
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 4
Initial disclosures under Rule 26(a)(1) must be completed within 14 days of the parties' Rule 26(f) conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
Initial disclosures pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) shall be completed no later than __________ days from the date of this Order. [Absent exceptional circumstances, within 14 days of the parties' conference pursuant to Rule 26(f).]
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 5
Plaintiffs must provide HIPAA-compliant medical records release authorizations to defendants within 10 days following the initial pretrial conference, absent exceptional circumstances.
[If applicable] The plaintiff(s) shall provide HIPAA-compliant medical records release authorizations to the defendant(s) no later than ______________________________. [Absent exceptional circumstances, a date not more than 10 days following the initial pretrial conference.]
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 6
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of documentary exhibits required for trial.
Each party must submit to the Court by mail or hand delivery one set of courtesy copies of each documentary exhibit sought to be admitted, pre-marked with exhibit labels that correspond to the exhibit list presented in the joint pretrial order.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Two courtesy copies of trial documents must be mailed or hand-delivered to chambers when served or filed.
Two courtesy copies of all documents identified in this Section must be mailed or hand-delivered to Chambers at the time they are served or filed.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Two courtesy copies required with reply filing.
At the time the reply is served, the movant must mail or hand-deliver to the Court two courtesy copies of all motion papers, marked as such and which include the automatically-generated ECF header at the top of each page.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Bring all papers in person to Chambers and leave a courtesy copy of supporting papers.
On the same day, bring all of the papers in person to Chambers (Room 2260, 500 Pearl Street). Also bring a courtesy copy of the supporting papers to leave with Chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Non-pro se parties must submit one courtesy copy to Chambers when reply is due; no courtesy copies if all parties are pro se.
One courtesy copy of all formal motion papers, marked as such, should be submitted to Chambers by the non-pro se party at the time the reply is due. Courtesy copies should not be submitted to chambers at the time of filing. If all parties are pro se, then courtesy copies of formal motion papers are not required.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
AUSA must email courtesy copies of indictment and complaint to Chambers after case assignment
The AUSA should provide via email (WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a courtesy copy of the indictment and the complaint, if one exists, as soon as practicable.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Initial Pretrial Conference
Hand deliveries must go to Court Security Officers, not directly to Chambers
Hand-delivered materials should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance... they may not be brought directly to Chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Two courtesy copies of all motion papers required when reply is served, with specific formatting requirements.
B. Courtesy Copies of Motions. At the time the reply is served, the movant must mail or hand-deliver to the Court two courtesy copies of all motion papers, marked as such and which include the automatically-generated ECF header at the top of each page. Courtesy copies should be double-sided, three-hole punched, tabbed, and placed in binders. The non-moving party shall provide the movant with a set of its motion papers in time for the movant to deliver all motion papers to the Court. Unless doing so would be unduly burdensome, the movant should also submit via CD a copy of electronic, text-searchable copies of any hearing or deposition transcripts, as well as any other item on which the parties rely that cannot be submitted as a single file on ECF (e.g., videos or very long documents).
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 3 | Motions
Government must email courtesy copies of plea agreements to Chambers at least 3 business days before plea.
A. Plea Agreements and Pimentel Letters. The Government must provide a courtesy copy of the signed plea agreement, cooperation agreement, or Pimentel letter to the Court. These documents should be e-mailed to Chambers at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov as soon as practicable but no later than three business days before the scheduled plea.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 3 | Guilty Pleas
Two courtesy copies required for sentencing submissions, with specific ECF filing deadlines.
A. Deadlines for Filing and Courtesy Copies. The defendant's submission must be filed via ECF no later than two weeks in advance of the date set for sentencing. The Government's sentencing submission must be filed via ECF at least one week in advance of the date set for sentencing. The parties must provide the Court with two courtesy copies of each submission at the time of filing.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 4 | Sentencing
Urgent hand deliveries require notification to Chambers from Court Security
If the hand-delivered materials are urgent and require the Court’s immediate attention, ask the Court Security Officers to notify Chambers that an urgent package has arrived that needs to be retrieved by Chambers staff immediately.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
No courtesy copies required for letters filed on ECF.
Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
No courtesy copies required for letters filed on ECF
Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
For redactions in public filings, file redacted version publicly and unredacted version under seal.
Where the motion seeks approval to redact information from a document that is to be publicly filed, the filing party shall: (a) publicly file the document with the proposed redactions, and (b) electronically file under seal a copy of the unredacted document with the redactions highlighted.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Proposed sealed documents must be filed under seal and related to the motion.
The proposed sealed document must be contemporaneously filed under seal in the ECF system and electronically related to the motion.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Proposed redactions must be highlighted in paper filings.
Any proposed redactions must be highlighted.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Motions for sealed filings must be filed publicly with non-confidential explanations.
The motion must be filed in public view, must explain the particular reasons for seeking to file that information under seal and should not include confidential information sought to be filed under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Certain sensitive information must be redacted from public filings without court approval.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 describes sensitive information that must be redacted from public court filings without seeking prior permission from the Court. Such sensitive information includes the following: Social Security numbers; names of minor children; dates of birth; and financial account numbers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Submit sealed/redacted documents, motion, and supporting papers in paper form by hand delivery or mail.
In that case, the proposed sealed/redacted document, a copy of the motion and any supporting papers must be contemporaneously submitted to the Court in paper form, by hand delivery or mail.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Motions for sealed/redacted filings must be filed electronically through ECF.
Motions or Letter Motions for approval of sealed or redacted filings in civil and miscellaneous cases and the subject documents, including the proposed sealed documents, must be filed electronically through the court’s ECF system in conformity with the court’s standing order, 19-mc-00583, and ECF Rules & Instructions, section 6.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Pro se parties must submit redacted versions of documents with sensitive info.
Pro se parties wishing to file a document already containing this information must submit a redacted version to the Pro Se Office.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Parties must not include sensitive personal information in filings.
Unless relevant to the case, parties must not include in submissions to the Court (1) social security numbers; (2) names of minor children; (3) dates of birth; (4) financial account numbers; or (5) home addresses.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Must request permission to include sensitive info if relevant to case.
If this information is relevant to the case, the filing party must request permission from the Court prior to filing and explain why the information needs to be included.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Redacted documents must be publicly filed with proposed redactions
When a party seeks approval to redact information from a document that is to be publicly filed, the filing party must publicly file the document with the proposed redactions.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Sealed/sensitive letters must be emailed as PDF with copy to all counsel
Letters to be filed under seal or containing sensitive or confidential information may be emailed to the Court at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov as a .pdf attachment with a copy simultaneously delivered to all counsel.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Redacted pages must be filed under seal at sentencing proceeding.
If any material is redacted from a publicly filed document, only those pages containing the redacted material will be filed under seal. Counsel must bring a copy of those pages to the sentencing proceeding, marked to indicate what information has been redacted from the publicly filed materials, to give to the Court for filing under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 5 | D. Public Record
Redactions beyond 11 categories require court approval with application.
If a party redacts information beyond the eleven categories of information identified in Rule 7(C)(i) above, an application must be served and filed at the time the sentencing submission is served. The party seeking approval to redact information must publicly file the document with the proposed redactions. The application must clearly identify the redaction and explain the reasons for the redaction. The application will be addressed at the sentencing proceeding.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Page 5 | D. Public Record
Request leave to file on paper if unable to comply with electronic filing requirements.
Any party unable to comply with the requirement for electronic filing under seal through the ECF system, or who has reason to believe that a particular document should not be electronically filed, must move for leave of the Court to file in the traditional manner, on paper.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Must confer with adversary before seeking TRO unless Rule 65(b) requirements are met.
A party must confer with his or her adversary before making an application for a temporary restraining order, unless the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are met.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Notify opposing parties of need to file explanation within 3 days when seeking sealed/redacted filing based on their request.
When a party seeks leave to file sealed or redacted materials on the ground that an opposing party or third party has requested it, that party shall notify the opposing party or third party that it must file, within three days, a letter explaining the need to seal or redact the materials.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Additional sensitive information categories may require court approval for sealing/redaction.
Other information that should be treated with caution and may warrant a motion for approval of sealed or redacted filing includes personal identifying numbers (PIN numbers); medical records, treatment and diagnosis; employment history; individual financial information; proprietary or trade secret information; home addresses; and information regarding an individual’s cooperation with the government.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Meet and confer with opposing parties before seeking sealed/redacted filing approval.
The party seeking leave to file sealed or redacted materials should meet and confer with any opposing parties (or third parties seeking confidential treatment of the information, if any) in advance to narrow the scope of the request.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Bring TRO application to court at mutually agreeable time when adversary notified but doesn't consent.
If a party’s adversary has been notified but does not consent to temporary injunctive relief, the party seeking a restraining order must bring the application to the Court at a time mutually agreeable to the party and its adversary, so that the Court may have the benefit of advocacy from both sides in deciding whether to grant temporary injunctive relief.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Supporting papers for sealed filings may be filed under seal or redacted as needed.
Supporting papers must be separately filed electronically and may be filed under seal or redacted only to the extent necessary to safeguard information sought to be filed under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Court may grant leave to redact or file documents under seal in limited circumstances.
In limited circumstances, the Court may grant leave to a party to either redact information other than the sensitive information described in the preceding paragraph, or to file a document under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Communications will be docketed on public ECF unless sealed.
Absent a request to file a communication with the Court under seal, the Court will docket any substantive communication with the Court on ECF, a publically accessible database.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Redacted or sealed documents are generally shared with other parties.
Information contained in a redacted or sealed document authorized by the Court is generally made available to the other parties in the case.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | Filing and Service
Parties may redact 11 categories of sensitive information without court approval.
Parties are reminded not to include, unless necessary, the five categories of sensitive information listed in Rule 21.3 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions (i.e., social security numbers, names of minors, dates of birth, financial account numbers, and home addresses), and to exercise caution with the six categories of sensitive information listed in Rule 21.4 of the SDNY ECF Rules and Instructions (i.e., personal identifying numbers, medical records, employment history, individual financial information, proprietary or trade secret information, and information regarding an individual's cooperation with the government). A party may, without the Court's approval, redact any such sensitive information.
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Page 5 | D. Public Record
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be filed via ECF with specific briefing deadlines.
Any party wishing to file a motion addressing evidentiary issues or other matters which should be resolved in limine must file such a motion via ECF. Opposition papers must be filed within seven days thereafter, and reply papers must be filed within four days of any opposition.
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Opposition papers due within 4 weeks; reply papers due within 2 weeks of opposition.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, papers filed in opposition to a motion must be served and filed within four weeks of service of the motion papers, and reply papers, if any, must be served and filed within two weeks of receipt of opposition papers.
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FLSA cases must be referred to mediation within 60 days before case management conference.
Since cases involving FLSA claims often benefit from early mediation, it is hereby ORDERED that prior to the case management conference pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b) the Court is referring this case to mediation under Local Civil Rule 83.9 and that mediation shall be scheduled within sixty days.
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Page 1 | MEDIATION REFERRAL ORDER FOR CASES THAT INCLUDE CLAIMS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.
If no settlement, parties must promptly meet and confer under Rule 26(f) for case management conference.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in the event the parties do not reach a settlement, they shall promptly meet and confer pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) in preparation for their initial case management conference.
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Page 1 | MEDIATION REFERRAL ORDER FOR CASES THAT INCLUDE CLAIMS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.
Motions for summary judgment require a written pre-motion conference request within one week after the close of discovery, or the motion is deemed untimely.
Pursuant to the authority of Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(c)(2) and the Court's Individual Rule 2(E), any motion for summary judgment will be deemed untimely unless a request for a pre-motion conference relating thereto is made in writing within one week after the close of discovery. The parties should review the Court's Individual Rule 2(E) for further details on the submission of, and responses to, pre-motion letters. In cases where the Court sets a post-discovery status conference, the parties may request that the previously scheduled conference also serve as the pre-motion conference.
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Page 3 | 10
Oral argument generally not heard in pro se matters unless otherwise ordered.
The Court does not generally hear oral argument in pro se matters. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the parties should not anticipate oral argument.
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Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournment requests affecting other dates require a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order.
If the requested adjournment or extension affects any other scheduled dates, a proposed Revised Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order must be submitted as an attachment to the request.
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Adjournment/extension requests must be made at least 2 business days before the deadline (unless emergency).
Absent an emergency, the request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date.
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Supporting papers not filed via ECF must be filed within 24 hours of Judge Woods signing the order to show cause.
By no later than 24 hours after Judge Woods signs the order to show cause, file any supporting papers that have not previously been filed via ECF.
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Adjournment/extension requests must include original due date, previous requests, reason, adversary consent, and proposed dates.
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
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Adjournment requests must be in writing with specific required elements.
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
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Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Adjournment requests must be made at least 2 business days in advance.
Absent an emergency, the request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date.
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Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Bail modification requests must include Pre-Trial Services Officer consent
In a written request for bail modification by a defendant, the request should also state whether the Pre-Trial Services Officer consents to the request.
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Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Adjournment/extension requests must be in letter form with specific required elements
All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) the reason for the current request; (4) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates.
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Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Adjournment requests require 2 business days notice (3 for sentencing)
Absent an emergency, any such request must be made at least two business days prior to the original due date, with the exception of a request to adjourn sentencing, which must be made at least three business days prior to the proceeding.
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Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Speedy Trial Act exclusions require consent statement and Word format proposed order
If a party seeks an exclusion of time under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, the party must (a) state in its letter whether it and each of the other parties consent to the proposed exclusion of time, and (b) submit to the Court via email to WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov a proposed order (in Microsoft Word format) along with its request for adjournment or extension.
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Page 2 | Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time
Requests for extension must be made at least 2 business days before the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
Individual Rule 1(E) and shall be made no less than 2 business days prior to the expiration of the date sought to be extended.
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Page 5 | Individual Rule 1(E)
The scheduling order may not be modified or its dates extended except by further Court order for good cause shown.
This Order may not be modified or the dates herein extended, except by further Order of this Court for good cause shown. Any application to modify or extend the dates herein (except as
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Page 4 | Final Paragraph
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must identify themselves every time they speak during recorded telephone conferences.
To facilitate orderly teleconferences and the creation of an accurate transcript where a teleconference is held on the record, counsel are required to identify themselves every time they speak.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Recording court conferences is prohibited by law.
The recording of any court conference is prohibited by law.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Telephone conferences use Court’s dedicated line with specific access code.
The Court may designate that a conference will be held telephonically. In some cases, the Court may direct one of the parties to set up a conference line. In all other cases, the parties should call into the Court’s dedicated conference line at (855) 244-8681, and enter Access Code 2318-572-4826, followed by the pound (#) key.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Faxes to Chambers are prohibited unless prior approval is obtained.
Faxes to Chambers are not permitted except with prior approval.
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Communications with the Court must be by letter filed on ECF unless sealed or confidential.
Except as otherwise provided below, communications with the Court must be by letter. Unless there is a request to file a letter under seal or a letter contains sensitive or confidential information (see Rule 4(A), below), letters must be filed electronically on ECF.
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Must call chambers at (212) 805-0296 when deciding to seek TRO.
As soon as a party decides to seek a temporary restraining order, he or she must call Chambers at (212) 805-0296 and state clearly (1) whether the adversary has been notified and whether the adversary consents to temporary injunctive relief; or (2) that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are satisfied and no notice is necessary.
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Call Chambers by 11:00 AM on filing day to advise and schedule delivery of hard copies.
Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the day on which you intend to file an order to show cause, call Chambers to advise the Court that you intend to do so, and to schedule an appropriate time to deliver hard copies of the filing to Chambers for review.
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Pro se parties must not send documents directly to Chambers.
No document or filing should be sent directly to Chambers. Absent a request to file a communication under seal, the parties should assume that any communication with the Court will be placed on the public docket.
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Pro se parties must send communications to Pro Se Office with proof of service.
All communications with the Court by a pro se party must be hand delivered or mailed to the Pro Se Office, United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007, and must include an Affidavit of Service or other statement affirming that the pro se party sent a copy to all other parties or to their counsel if they are represented.
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Page 1 | Communications with Chambers
Pro se parties must file papers with Pro Se Office in person or by mail.
All papers to be filed with the Court by a pro se party, along with any courtesy copies of those papers, should be delivered in person or sent by mail to the Pro Se Office, United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007.
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Page 2 | Filing and Service
Faxes to Chambers prohibited without prior approval
Faxes to Chambers are not permitted except with prior approval.
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Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Use landline, headset, and mute when not speaking during telephone conferences.
Counsel should use a landline whenever possible, should use a headset instead of speakerphone, and must mute themselves whenever they are not speaking to eliminate background noise.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Voice-activated systems that don’t show speaking status are prohibited.
Counsel should not use voice-activated systems that do not allow the user to know when someone else is trying to speak at the same time.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Counsel must notify Court by ECF letter if conference not scheduled within 3 months.
If a conference has not been scheduled within three months of the filing of the complaint or notice of removal, counsel must advise the Court by letter on ECF.
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Page 3 | D. Initial Case Management Conference
Counsel must not interrupt or speak over each other during telephone conferences.
Counsel should also take special care not to interrupt or speak over one another.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Phone calls to Chambers should be avoided except for urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
Parties should avoid calling Chambers unless an urgent matter requires immediate attention.
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Must still call chambers to schedule TRO application even when Rule 65(b) notice requirements are met.
If the party requesting relief believes that the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) are met and no notice is necessary, the party must still call Chambers at (212) 805-0296 to schedule a time to bring the application to the Court.
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For urgent matters, counsel may call Chambers after emailing to request contact information.
If an urgent matter requiring immediate attention should arise, counsel may call Chambers directly; in such situations, parties should email the Chambers inbox requesting the Court’s contact information.
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ECF submissions are reviewed the next business day; urgent submissions require telephone notification after filing.
Materials filed via ECF are generally reviewed by the Court the business day after they have been filed. If a submission requires immediate attention, please notify Chambers by telephone after the submission has been filed via ECF.
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Phone calls to Chambers only for urgent matters
Parties should avoid calling Chambers unless an urgent matter requires immediate attention.
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Page 2 | Communications with Chambers
Counsel must spell proper names for the court reporter during telephone conferences.
Counsel should spell any proper names for the court reporter.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Telephone conferences are open to the public and press.
Like in-person conferences, telephone conferences are open to the public. Members of the public or the press may join a telephone conference using the dial-in information above.
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Page 3 | C. Telephone Conferences
Email digital copies of paper filings to chambers at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Digital copies of these documents must also be emailed to chambers (outside the ECF system) at WoodsNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
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ECF help desk should be called for docketing-related issues at (212) 805-0800.
For docketing-related issues, please consider calling the ECF help desk at (212) 805-0800.
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Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Multiple attorneys may argue different issues for each party.
The Court will permit multiple attorneys to argue different issues for each party.
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Court encourages providing speaking opportunities to junior lawyers.
The Court believes it is crucial to provide substantive speaking opportunities to junior lawyers, and that the benefits of doing so will accrue to all members of the profession and their clients.
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Court will entertain requests for senior attorney to supplement junior attorney's argument.
In addition, under circumstances where the more junior attorney is permitted to present the argument to the Court, the Court will entertain reasonable requests for the more senior attorney to supplement any argument that is made.
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