Judge Susan Hightower
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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Filing & Service rules
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
After a motion is ripe, a party seeking oral argument by a Newer Attorney should contact the courtroom deputy and identify the attorney and intended scope of argument.
If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the motion is ripe, the party should contact the courtroom deputy to request oral argument and inform the deputy that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
The Court strongly encourages litigants to have Newer Attorneys argue when they drafted or significantly contributed to a motion or response.
Accordingly, the Court strongly encourages litigants to be mindful of opportunities for Newer Attorneys to conduct oral argument, particularly where a Newer Attorney drafted or contributed significantly to a motion or response.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
The Court may permit more experienced counsel of record to speak during the same oral argument when appropriate.
Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
The Court will strongly consider allowing additional oral-argument time when a Newer Attorney argues.
Strongly consider allocating additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
Newer Attorneys are attorneys practicing for less than seven years.
This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is, attorneys practicing for less than seven years ("Newer Attorney(s)").
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
If the request is granted, the Court will notify opposing counsel and ask them to permit a Newer Attorney to argue for their side.
Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
When practicable, the Court will grant a Newer Attorney’s oral-argument request even if argument ordinarily would not be allowed, and the representation favors a hearing when the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs.
Grant the request for oral argument, if it is practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on the motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will weigh in favor of holding a hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys