Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Clerk
Letter via ECF
Chambers
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Without leave of Court any brief or memorandum shall be limited to 25 pages.
Summary: Without leave of Court, any brief or memorandum is limited to 25 pages.
Brief
25 pages
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel requiring exhibit authentication must notify offering counsel in writing within five business days after the exhibit is made available, or authenticity is admitted.
Any counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit must so notify the offering counsel in writing within five business days after the exhibit is made available to opposing counsel for examination. Failure to do so is an admission of authenticity.
Document Type
Exhibit Authentication Notice
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits listed in the final pretrial order will be admitted unless opposing counsel files written objections with authorities at least three business days before trial.
The Court will admit all exhibits listed in the final pretrial order into evidence unless opposing counsel files written objections with authorities at least three business days before trial.
Document Type
Exhibit Objection
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each counsel must attach two copies of an exhibit list in the Attachment A or similar form to the joint pretrial order and make the exhibits available for opposing counsel’s examination.
Each counsel will attach to this joint pretrial order two copies of a list (in the form shown by Attachment A or a similar form) of all exhibits to be offered and will make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each counsel must attach two copies of a witness-name-only list to the joint pretrial order for Court personnel.
Each counsel will also attach to the joint pretrial order two copies of a list of witnesses' names only for use by Court personnel.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The offering party must mark its exhibits before trial and place the party’s name, case number, and exhibit number on each exhibit.
The offering party will mark his own exhibits prior to trial and include the party's name, case number, and exhibit number on each exhibit to be offered.
Document Type
Exhibit
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The trial paragraph must state whether the trial is jury or non-jury, its probable length, and witness availability.
Include in this paragraph the following: a. Whether the trial will be Jury or Non-Jury; b. Probable length of trial; and c. Availability of witnesses.
Document Type
Statement Of The Case
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Nonjury-trial submissions must include proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, and a memorandum of law.
For a Nonjury trial: a. Proposed Findings of Fact. b. Proposed Conclusions of Law. c. Memorandum of Law.
Document Type
Nonjury Trial Attachments
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The statement must address exhausted settlement efforts, the current demand and offer, and the likelihood of settlement.
Include a statement that all settlement efforts have been exhausted, the current settlement demand and offer, and whether the case can reasonably be expected to settle.
Document Type
Statement Of The Case
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Jury-trial submissions must include duplicate copies of proposed jury instructions, definitions, interrogatories, and a memorandum of law; each requested instruction, definition, and interrogatory must be numbered, on a separate sheet, and supported by cited authority.
For Jury Trials include the following IN DUPLICATE: a. Proposed jury instructions, definitions, and interrogatories. Each requested instruction, definition, and interrogatory must be numbered and presented on a separate sheet of paper with the citation and authority upon which counsel rely. b. Memorandum of Law.
Document Type
Jury Trial Attachments
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
all requests for extensions of deadlines for completion of discovery or for postponement of the trial [must] be signed by the attorney and the party making the request.
Summary: Requests for extensions of discovery deadlines or postponement of trial must be signed by both the attorney and the party making the request.
Document Type
Continuance Request
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The Court will not hear discovery motions unless moving counsel advises the Court, in the motion, that counsel have conferred in a good faith effort to resolve the matters in dispute but are unable to reach an agreement. The statement shall recite the date, time, and place of such conferences, and the names of all parties participating therein. If counsel has been unable to confer because of unavailability or unwillingness of opposing counsel to do so, the statement shall recite the facts concerning attempts to confer.
Summary: The Court will not hear discovery motions unless the motion includes a statement that counsel conferred in good faith, reciting the date, time, place, and participants, or the facts of attempted conferral.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Any brief or memorandum that has more than 10 pages of argument must contain the following items. All briefs and memoranda must contain items (3), (4), (6), and (7). (1) A table of contents setting forth the page number of each section, including all headings designated in the body of the brief or memorandum.
Summary: Briefs or memoranda with more than 10 pages of argument must include a table of contents with page numbers for each section and heading.
Document Type
Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Briefly set out why the Court has full and complete jurisdiction of the subject matter and the parties. If there is an unresolved jurisdictional question, state the problem.
Summary: The Jurisdiction section must explain the basis for subject-matter and personal jurisdiction and identify any unresolved jurisdictional question.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Give a brief statement of the case for the information of the Court and/or which the Court may read to the jury panel to see if the panel is acquainted with the facts of or parties to the case. Include names, dates and places.
Summary: The Statement of the Case must briefly describe the case and include names, dates, and places.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
List each party, its counsel, and counsel's address and telephone number in separate paragraphs.
Summary: The Appearance of Counsel section must list each party, counsel, and counsel’s address and telephone number in separate paragraphs.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State concisely in separate paragraphs what each party claims.
Summary: The Contentions of the Parties section must concisely state each party’s claims in separate paragraphs.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Identify any pending motions.
Summary: The Motion section must identify any pending motions.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Delineate the legal propositions not in dispute.
Summary: The Agreed Applicable Propositions of Law section must identify the legal propositions that are not disputed.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State briefly the issues of law in dispute. A memorandum of authorities should be filed which addresses these issues.
Summary: The contested-law section must briefly identify disputed legal issues, and a memorandum of authorities should be filed addressing them.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
In the event there are any other witnesses to be called at the trial, their names, addresses, and subject matter of their testimony will be reported to opposing counsel as soon as they are known. This restriction shall not apply to rebuttal or impeachment witnesses, the necessity of whose testimony cannot reasonably be anticipated before the time of trial.
Summary: Newly identified trial witnesses’ names, addresses, and testimony subject matter must be reported to opposing counsel as soon as known, except for rebuttal or impeachment witnesses whose need could not reasonably have been anticipated before trial.
Document Type
Witness Notice
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
List all facts which have been stipulated and admitted and require no proof.
Summary: The Admissions of Fact section must list stipulated and admitted facts that require no proof.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
List all factual issues in controversy necessary to the final disposition of this case.
Summary: The Contested Issues of Fact section must list all disputed factual issues necessary to the case’s final disposition.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
List the names and addresses of witnesses who will or may be called and include a brief statement of the subject matter and substance of their testimony. If a witness is to appear by deposition, cite the inclusive pages and lines to be read. Objectinos to those portions (citing pages and lines) with supporting authority must be filed at least three business days before trial.
Summary: The Witnesses section must provide witness names and addresses, testimony summaries, and deposition page-and-line citations; objections to deposition portions with supporting authority must be filed at least three business days before trial.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
This rule does not apply to rebuttal exhibits which cannot be anticipated.
Summary: The exhibit-list and availability requirement does not apply to rebuttal exhibits that cannot be anticipated.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Instruments filed within seven days before docket call will not be considered at docket call.
No instrument filed within 7 days before the at 4:00 p.m. Docket Call will be considered at Docket Call.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | AMENDED DOCKET CONTROL ORDER
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The attorney adding new parties must provide them with copies of the order.
The Attorney causing the addition of new parties will provide copies of this Order to new parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | AMENDED DOCKET CONTROL ORDER
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Applications for restraining orders or immediate relief must be made through the Case Manager and require an in-chambers conference; ex parte applications are not entertained unless Rule 65(b) is satisfied.
Applications for restraining orders or for other immediate relief shall be made through the Case Manager. Such applications shall be presented to the Court by the Case Manager following counsel's affirmation that the opposing party has been contacted and that both parties can be available for an in-chambers conference before the Court. Ex parte applications for restraining orders will not be entertained by the Court unless the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) have been satisfied.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. EMERGENCIES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions for extension of discovery must be filed far enough in advance of the deadline to allow opposing counsel to respond before the deadline.
Motions for extension of discovery must be filed far enough in advance of the deadline so that opposing counsel may respond prior to the deadline.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 4 | MOTION PRACTICE
Joint motions for continuance are not binding and are granted only at the Court's discretion.
Joint motions for continuance are not binding, and they will be granted only at the Court's discretion.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | CONTINUANCES
The motion submission date may be extended by agreement of counsel unless it violates a court-imposed deadline, and the Case Manager must be notified in writing.
The submission date may be extended by agreement of counsel except when the extension violates a court-imposed deadline. Counsel should immediately notify the Case Manager, in writing of such an agreement.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 4 | MOTION PRACTICE
Motions for extension of deadlines or cut-off dates are not treated as emergencies.
Motions for extension of deadlines or cut-off dates are not emergencies.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. EMERGENCIES
Bona fide vacation requests will be respected.
Bona fide vacation requests will be respected.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | CONTINUANCES
Chambers Communication Rules
Substantive issues must not be raised in letter form because letters are not docketed or included in the appellate record.
Do not address substantive issues in letter form because they are not docketed or included in the appellate record.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Case-related telephone inquiries must be directed only to the Case Manager, not to the Court's secretary or law clerk.
Case-related telephone inquiries should be made only to the Case Manager. Inquiries should not be made to the Court's secretary or law clerk.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Case-related correspondence must be addressed to the United States District Clerk at the specified Houston address.
Case related correspondence must be addressed to: United States District Clerk Post Office Box 61010 Houston, Texas 77208
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Counsel must immediately notify the Case Manager of the resolution of any matter set for trial or hearing.
Counsel will notify the Case Manager immediately of the resolution of any matter that is set for trial or hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | APPEARANCES
The Case Manager will not respond to casual telephone inquiries about motions and case status.
The case load will not allow the Case Manager to respond to casual telephone inquiries about motions and case status generally.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Copies of urgent documents, including letters, may be sent to chambers.
Copies of urgent documents (including letters) may be sent to chambers.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Information about filings, orders, and docket entries may be obtained from the Clerk's Office at 713-250-5500 or the Court's website.
Information about the filing of documents, entry of orders, or docket entries may be obtained from the Clerk's Office at 713-250-5500 or from the Court's website at www.txs.uscourts.gov.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Law clerks may contact counsel at the Court's direction but will only discuss the subject of the call.
At the Court's direction, law clerks may contact counsel; however, they will not discuss matters other than the subject of the call.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Out-of-town counsel seeking to appear by telephone must submit a written request to the Case Manager as far in advance as reasonably possible.
If out-of-town counsel desire to appear by telephone, a written request should be made to the Case Manager as far as reasonably possible in advance of the conference.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | APPEARANCES