Judge John D. Rainey
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Response
- Chambers Drop Off • Upon Filing
Urgent Document
- After Originals Filed
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The exhibit notebook provided to the Court must be tabbed and indexed.
E. Counsel for each party is required to provide the Court with a properly tabbed and indexed notebook which contains a copy of each exhibit.
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
All counsel must sign the Joint Pretrial Order.
Joint Pretrial Orders must be signed by all counsel.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The Pretrial Order must have exhibit and witness lists attached.
Exhibit and witness lists are to be attached to the Pretrial Order.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
For jury trials, the required pretrial materials include proposed voir dire questions, jury instructions with definitions and authority citations (excluding customary prefatory instructions), proposed interrogatories, and a memorandum of law.
Jury Trials: - Proposed questions for voir dire examination - Proposed jury instructions, including definitions, with a citation of authority. Omit the customary, prefatory instructions as the Court will use its own. - Proposed interrogatories. - Memorandum of Law.
Document Type
Jury Trial Pretrial Materials
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
For non-jury trials, the required pretrial materials are proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and a memorandum of law.
Non-Jury Trials: - Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. - Memorandum of Law.
Document Type
Non Jury Trial Pretrial Materials
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each party’s counsel must provide the Court a properly tabbed and indexed notebook containing a copy of every exhibit.
E. Counsel for each party is required to provide the Court with a properly tabbed and indexed notebook which contains a copy of each exhibit.
Document Type
Exhibit Notebook
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The Joint Pretrial Order must include exhibit lists.
B. Exhibit lists are to be included in the Joint Pretrial Order.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must identify deposition portions to be read at trial by page and line citations in the Joint Pretrial Order.
C. Counsel will designate the portion of a deposition to be read by citing pages and lines in the Joint Pretrial Order.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Counsel must ensure that every exhibit cited in a brief is in the record.
D. Counsel are to ensure that all exhibits referred to in their briefs are in the record.
Document Type
Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the document was filed electronically, attach a copy of the Notice of Electronic Filing indicating the document number and date of filing.
Summary: For an electronically filed motion or response requiring a courtesy copy, attach the Notice of Electronic Filing showing the document number and filing date.
Document Type
Courtesy Copy
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Written objections with supporting authority must be filed at least three business days before trial to prevent admission of an exhibit listed in the Joint Pretrial Order.
C. Exhibits will be offered and admitted into evidence as the first item of business at the trial. The Court will admit all exhibits listed in the Joint Pretrial Order unless opposing counsel has filed written objections with supporting authority at least three (3) business days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 5 | 9. EXHIBITS
Counsel must submit closing papers within 30 days as directed by the order entered after settlement.
An order will be entered advising counsel to submit closing papers within 30 days.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 7 | 14. SETTLEMENTS AND ORDERS OF DISMISSAL
Objections to deposition portions, with page and line citations and supporting authority, must be filed three business days before trial.
Objections to those portions (citing pages and lines) with supporting authority must be filed three (3) business days before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 7 | 13. DEPOSITIONS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Exhibits must be marked and exchanged among counsel before trial.
A. All exhibits must be marked and exchanged among counsel before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 5 | 9. EXHIBITS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of urgent documents may be sent to Chambers after the originals are filed with the Clerk.
G. Courtesy copies of urgent documents may be sent to Chambers after originals are filed with the Clerk of Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
A courtesy copy of every opposed motion and its response must be forwarded to chambers.
C. A courtesy copy of all opposed motions and responses thereto shall be forwarded to chambers.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | 5. MOTION PRACTICE
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Witness unavailability is not grounds to continue trial; counsel should plan to present the testimony by deposition or stipulation.
B. A trial will not be continued because of the unavailability of a witness. Counsel are to anticipate such a possibility and present testimony by deposition or stipulation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3. CONTINUANCES
A joint motion for continuance does not bind the Court, which decides whether to grant it.
A. Joint Motions for Continuance are not binding and will be granted only at the Court's discretion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3. CONTINUANCES
Counsel may extend a motion submission date by agreement unless doing so violates a court-imposed deadline, and must notify the Case Manager in writing.
B. The submission date may be extended by agreement of counsel except when the extension violates a court-imposed deadline. Notify the Case Manager, in writing, of an agreement.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | 5. MOTION PRACTICE
An extension of the 30-day period for submitting closing papers may be granted upon written request.
An extension of the 30-day period may be granted upon written request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 7 | 14. SETTLEMENTS AND ORDERS OF DISMISSAL
Chambers Communication Rules
Applications for restraining orders or other immediate relief must be made through the Clerk's Office.
A. Applications for restraining orders or other immediate relief must be made through the office of the Clerk.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. EMERGENCIES
Telephone inquiries about a case should go only to the Case Manager; inquiries about motions or case status should be made by letter unless there is a real emergency.
A. Case related telephone inquiries should be made only to the Case Manager in the Office of the Clerk of Court. B. The caseload will not allow the Case Manager to respond to telephone inquiries regarding motions and case status. Inquiries to the Case Manager should be made by letter unless a real emergency exists.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Counsel should contact the Case Manager at the U.S. District Clerk's Office about emergency matters.
B. Counsel should contact the Case Manager on emergency matters at the U.S. District Clerk's Office, 312 S. Main St., Room 406, Victoria, TX 77901.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. EMERGENCIES
Call the U.S. District Clerk's Office for information about document filings and entry of orders.
C. Information regarding the filing of documents and entry of orders can be obtained by calling the U.S. District Clerk's Office in Victoria, Texas as 361-788-5000.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL
Upon settlement of a case set for conference, hearing, or trial, counsel must immediately notify the Case Manager.
Upon the settlement of any case set for conference, hearing or trial, counsel will immediately notify the Case Manager.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 7 | 14. SETTLEMENTS AND ORDERS OF DISMISSAL
Law clerks may contact counsel at the Court's direction and may discuss only the subject of the call.
D. At the Court's direction, law clerks may contact counsel, however, they will not discuss matters other than the subject of the call.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 1. CONTACT WITH COURT PERSONNEL