Judge Dedra Davis
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Trial Binder
- Hand Delivery
Communication
Phone
Clerk, Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must provide the Court with a hardcopy trial binder.
Paper
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A notification of settlement must be filed to remove the case from the active trial docket.
Upon announcing settlement, a notification of settlement must be filed with the Court to remove the case from the active trial docket.
Document Type
Notice Of Settlement
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Rule 106 motions for substituted service must be accompanied by an affidavit verifying that the defendant lives/works at the address, listing each service attempt (minimum seven, including two before 7:30am and two after 7:30pm), identifying persons present, and noting cars or other indications of residence.
All Motions for Substituted Service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit that includes the following information: Efforts taken to verify that defendant actually lives or works at the subject address. Each attempt at service, with date and time, there should be a minimum of seven attempts. Identify of persons who were present at the subject address and what was said. Identify of cars in the driveway or other indications that defendant resides at the subject address. At least two attempts before 7:30am AND two attempts after 7:30pm.
Document Type
Rule 106 Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A proposed order must be filed for a verified motion to retain to be granted and to avoid dismissal for want of prosecution.
A proposed order must be filed in order for a verified motion to retain to be granted and avoidance of DWOP.
Document Type
Motion To Retain
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Motions to withdraw must comply with Rule 10 TRCP; where the party will be pro se, the motion must include the party's phone number, address, email, a statement about consultation, and current deadlines and trial settings.
Motions to withdraw as attorney of record require strict compliance with Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Motions in which the party will be pro-se litigant after the attorney withdraws must include: the party's telephone number; the party's address; the party's email address; a statement regarding consultation with the party regarding the motion; and current deadlines and trial settings.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A certificate of conference is required on all motions, pleas, and special exceptions, except for summary judgments, default judgments, non-suits, post-verdict motions, service-of-citation motions, and writs of sequestration.
A certificate of conference is required on all motions, pleas, and special exceptions EXCEPT for: * Motions for Summary Judgments * Defaults Judgments * Motions for voluntary dismissal or non-suit * Post-verdict motions * Motions involving service of citation * Writ of Sequestration
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
Do not bring a jury questionnaire to the first day of trial.
Document Type
Jury Questionnaire
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
Motions to substitute counsel require signed signature blocks of outgoing and incoming attorneys, or a certificate of conference showing agreement; if not agreed, a hearing is required.
Parties need to have a signed signature block of the outgoing & incoming attorney or attach a Certificate of Conference stating all parties are in agreement of substitution. If not agreed by all, this will need to be set for a hearing.
Document Type
Motion To Substitute Counsel
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
Motions in Limine should not duplicate the Court's standing Order in Limine and should be limited to case-specific items.
The Court has adopted a standing Order in Limine applicable to all cases. Do not duplicate these items in your Motions in Limine. Your motion should be limited to only those items specific to the facts and circumstances in your case.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
The trial binder should contain the motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, and page line designations.
The trial binder should contain the motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, and page line designation.
Document Type
Trial Binder
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
A Guardian ad Litem is required for all settlements involving minor children; parties must submit a motion and order to request one, and the minor must be present at the settlement hearing.
A Guardian Ad Litem will be required for all settlements involving minor children. The parties must submit a motion and order to request a Guardian Ad Litem. * Minor must be present for the minor settlement hearing.
Document Type
Minor Settlement
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
When the withdrawing attorney represents a corporation, counsel must notify the corporate party that corporations cannot proceed pro se in Texas courts.
If the withdrawing attorney represents a corporation, counsel must notify the corporate party that corporations cannot proceed pro-se or self-represented in Texas courts.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Certificates of conference must state how and when parties have conferred on the matters on which relief is sought, and whether the relief is opposed, agreed, or agreed in part.
Summary: A certificate of conference must state how and when parties conferred and whether the relief is opposed, agreed, or agreed in part.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Orders on motions to withdraw also must include contact information for the pro-se litigant.
Summary: Orders on motions to withdraw must include contact information for the pro se litigant.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The Court will pass motions that do not have a certificate stating (1) that the movant has actually talked to opposing counsel, or (2) why counsel have not been able to discuss the motion.
Summary: The Court will pass (not consider) motions whose certificate does not state either that the movant talked to opposing counsel or why counsel could not discuss the motion.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
A certificate of conference stating that you sent a letter or email to opposing counsel and received no response is not a proper certificate of conference.
Summary: A certificate stating only that a letter/email was sent with no response is not a proper certificate of conference.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
Will be submitted to the court for review upon filing.
Summary: Motions to reinstate are submitted to the Court for review upon filing.
Document Type
Motion To Reinstate
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All MSJs must be filed via the District Clerk's online E-hearing portal submission docket.
All MSJs must be put on the MSJ submission docket. 2. The MSJ submission docket is only accessed via the District Clerk's online E-hearing
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Motion For Summary Judgments
Oral hearing requests for the motion docket must be made through the E-Hearing Portal.
Any party requesting an oral hearing for the motion docket should use our E-Hearing Portal. You can go to www.hcdistrictclerk.com; Online Services; My Filings.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | ORAL DOCKET
All other contested motions must be set on the Law Day Docket via the E-hearing portal.
All other types of contested motions must be set under the Law Day Docket using the E-hearing portal.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | SUBMISSION DOCKET
All motions for summary judgments must be set on the submission docket.
ALL motions for summary judgments must be set on the submission docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | SUBMISSION DOCKET
Default judgment motions are set on the oral docket only, using the E-Hearing System.
Can be set on the oral docket ONLY. Utilize the E-Hearing System for an available date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT
A hearing must also be set on the Law Day Docket.
A hearing must also be set on the Law Day Docket.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | MOTION TO WITHDRAW
Pro se litigants set MSJ hearings on the Law Day Docket under 'Other Type of Motions' instead of the submission docket.
If a party is a pro-se litigant, then the MSJ hearing must be set on the Law Day Docket, under Other Type of Motions.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | SUBMISSION DOCKET
Temporary injunction hearings are scheduled through the District Clerk's E-Hearing Portal.
Please use the District Clerk's E-Hearing Portal to obtain a hearing date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | TEMPORARY INJUNCTION HEARINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Failure to appear at the virtual docket call may result in dismissal for want of prosecution.
Failure to appear the virtual docket call will be grounds for dismissal for want of prosecution.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | VIRTUAL DOCKET CALL
The virtual docket call is held 2 weeks before trial on Mondays at 8:00 am via Zoom.
The virtual docket call is held 2 weeks before trial on Monday at 8:00 am via ZOOM.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | VIRTUAL DOCKET CALL
MSJ submission dockets are held on Tuesdays.
MSJ submission dockets are on Tuesdays.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Motion For Summary Judgments
All summary judgments should be set and heard at least thirty days before trial.
ALL Summary Judgments should be set and heard at least thirty days PRIOR to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Motions challenging deposition excerpts or expert witnesses must be set for hearing before the trial date if an advance ruling is sought.
If you seek an advance ruling on deposition excerpts or expert witness challenges, please set all motions to challenge for hearing before the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | PRETRIAL
Parties must inform the Court of their ADR strategy by the DCO deadline.
The DCO will have a deadline for the parties to inform the Court of their ADR strategy.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Objections to ADR should be filed by the deadline in the DCO.
An objection to ADR should be filed by the deadline specified in the DCO.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Parties should exchange and file motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts, and objections before the assigned trial.
The parties should exchange and file motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts, and any objections before the assigned trial.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | PRETRIAL
Cases on the two-week docket may be called to trial with three hours' advance notice.
Cases on the docket during a two-week period may be called to trial with a three (3) hour advance notice.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | VIRTUAL DOCKET CALL
Hearing dates must be selected within the court's 30-day scheduling window.
When selecting a date please stay within the courts 30-day window to select a date.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | ORAL DOCKET
Counsel has fourteen days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit after announcing settlement.
Counsel has fourteen days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit with the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | SETTLEMENTS
A summary judgment hearing notice must be sent no less than 21 days before the hearing date.
a hearing Notice must sent NO LESS THAN 21 days prior to the hearing date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Service and Proof of Service Rules
All parties must be served before a temporary injunction hearing proceeds.
All parties need to be served to go forward with the TI.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | TEMPORARY INJUNCTION HEARINGS
The Court will not hear default motions lacking a green card on file, proof of service of the notice of hearing, or the returned mail envelope or an approved substitution.
The court will NOT hear any default motions that does not have a green card on file, have proof of service of the notice of hearing, or have the returned mail envelope or any approved substitution.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Trial courtesy-copy binders must be delivered to the trial coordinator no later than 4pm on the Thursday before the two-week trial period.
The TRIAL courtesy copy Binders are to be delivered to the trial coordinator, NO LATER THAN 4pm on the Thursday before the two-week trial period.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | TRIAL BINDERS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Emergency hearings are granted only if the parties have conferred about the matter.
An emergency hearing will not be granted unless the parties have conferred about the matter.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | HOW DO I CONTACT THE COURT FOR AN EMERGENCY HEARING?
All cases must mediate before a temporary injunction hearing is heard.
The 270th REQUIRES ALL cases to mediate before the Temporary Injunction is heard.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | TEMPORARY INJUNCTION HEARINGS
The movant must confer person-to-person with opposing counsel before the Court will consider a motion that requires a conference.
The movant must confer person-to-person with opposing counsel before the Court will consider a motion that requires a conference.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
All cases must be mediated before trial.
All cases are required to be mediated before trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions for continuance are suspended until further notice.
Motions for Continuance are suspended until further notice.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE
Chambers Communication Rules
Contact the Court at 832-927-2270 for further assistance.
For further assistance, please contact the Court at 832-927-2270.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | 270th Zoom Video Conference Link
To request an emergency hearing, call the court clerk during court hours.
Call the court clerk during court hours.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | HOW DO I CONTACT THE COURT FOR AN EMERGENCY HEARING?
Contact the Court at 832-927-2270 for assistance with the e-hearing features.
For further assistance, please contact the Court at 832-927-2270.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | ORAL DOCKET