Lewis Jeffrey Liman at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · Federal
- Judicial service
- Active
Lewis Jeffrey Liman
Judge · U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile.
Service record and verification
Judicial service and assignments
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · Judge · Active · December 31, 2019–present · Assignment source ↗
Appointment and verification
- Appointment method
- Presidential appointment with Senate confirmation
- Appointing authority
- Donald J. Trump
- Source authority
- Federal Judicial Center Biographical Directory
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Biography
Professional career
- Judge, District Court, S.D. New York, 2019-present
- American lawyer and jurist serving as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York since December 31, 2019
- Assistant U.S. attorney, Southern District of New York, 1994-1999
- Law clerk, Hon. John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court of the United States, 1989-1990
- 1989–1990: Law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens, U.S. Supreme Court
- Law clerk, Hon. Pierre N. Leval, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1987-1988
- Lawyer, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, New York City, 1987
Education
- Yale Law School in, where he held the role of editor of the Yale Law Journal and Yale Journal of International Law — J.D. (1987)
- Harvard College — B.A. (1983)
- magna cum laude — Harvard University — 1982
Additional information
- Private practice, New York City, 1990-1994, 1999-2019
- On May 10, 2018, President Donald Trump nominated Liman to replace Judge Paul A. Crotty, who had assumed senior status in 2015.
- with distinction — London School of Economics and Political Science — 1984
- Born December 3, 1960, New York City.
- Date of birth: 1960-12-03
- The younger brother of filmmaker Doug Liman.
- Birth place: New York, NY
Lewis Jeffrey Liman Procedures & Courtroom Rules
Exhibits
Judge Specific
Judge Liman directs electronic exhibit submission by labeled file transfer or consolidated bookmarked PDF, with leave available for hard-copy submission.
All documentary exhibits from each party must also be submitted, when possible, as a consolidated and bookmarked PDF, in addition to individual files. If submission of electronic copies would unduly burden a party, the party may seek leave of Court ... to submit prospective documentary exhibits in hard copy.Judge Liman's Individual Practices in Civil Cases ↗
Remote appearances
Courtwide
In federal district-court civil proceedings, testimony is ordinarily taken in open court; remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause in compelling circumstances and appropriate safeguards.
For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location.Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Courtwide
Federal district courts may not permit courtroom photography or broadcasting during criminal judicial proceedings unless a statute or another federal rule provides an exception.
Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom.Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (1 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
PACER Update: Temporary Fee Increase & Password Standards Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse 500 Pearl St. New York, NY 10007-1312 Please note that the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges prohibits judges from considering communications from the public about pending cases.
Source page web_or_saved_capturePublished judge / part rules (84 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Trial exhibits and witnesses
Unless otherwise ordered by Judge Liman, these Individual Practices apply to all civil matters, including pro se cases. If a case has been referred to a magistrate judge for general pretrial purposes, the magistrate judge’s practices will control with respect to all matters within the scope of the referral. In cases designated to be part of a pilot project or plan (including the protocols set forth in Local Civil Rule 83.10), the procedures in such project or plan shall govern to the extent that they are inconsistent with these Individual Practices.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Unless otherwise indicated, the practices below apply to every party before the Court. However, as indicated throughout, pro se parties—those individuals not represented by counsel—are excepted from certain requirements otherwise set forth. Pro se parties should note, in particular, the pro se rules for communicating and filing papers with the Court set forth in Paragraphs 1(I) and 2(O).
Source page 1Courtroom conduct and technology
Pro se parties are required to maintain their current mailing address on the docket at all times and must notify the Court of any change of address by letter filed pursuant to Paragraphs 1(I) and 2(O) below. Failure to notify the Court of a change of address may result in dismissal of a case brought by a pro se party.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
Pro se parties should be advised that there is a Pro Se Law Clinic available to assist unrepresented parties in civil cases. The Clinic may be able to provide a non-incarcerated pro se party with advice in connection with their case. The Pro Se Law Clinic is run by a private organization called the City Bar Justice Center; it is not part of, or run by, the Court (and, among other things, therefore cannot accept filings on behalf of the Court, which must still be made by any unrepresented party through the Pro Se Intake Unit). Litigants in need of legal assistance should complete the City Bar Justice Center’s intake form to make an appointment. If a litigant has questions about the intake form or needs to highlight an urgent deadline already disclosed in the form, the clinic can be contacted by phone (212-382-4794) or email (fedprosdny@nycbar.org). In-person appointments in the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse are available Monday through Thursday, 10am to 4pm. Appointments are also available remotely Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
A. No Paper Submissions Absent Undue Hardship. No papers, including courtesy hard copies of any filing or document, may be submitted to Chambers unless specifically ordered by the Court or otherwise permitted by these Individual Practices.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
All documents must be filed on ECF or, if permitted or required under the Court’s Individual Practices, emailed to LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
In the event that a party or counsel is unable to submit a document electronically— either by ECF or email—the document may be mailed to the Court. To the maximum extent possible, however, this means of delivery should be avoided.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
B. Letters. Except as otherwise provided below, all communications with Chambers shall be by letter. All letters shall be filed on ECF in text-searchable form and should not exceed three single-spaced pages in length. Letters seeking relief should be filed on ECF as letter-motions in accordance with Paragraph 1(C) below.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
Letters solely between parties or their counsel or otherwise not addressed to the Court may not be filed on ECF or otherwise sent to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document).
Source page 2Motion practice
C. Letter-Motions. Letter-motions may be filed when permitted by the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules and the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions. Motions to amend a case management plan and scheduling order, to file papers under seal or in redacted form, to compel discovery, or for a protective order or confidentiality order may be made by letter-motion. Motions to quash or modify a subpoena pursuant to Fed R Civ P. 45(d)(3) or for contempt pursuant to Fed R Civ P. 45(g) should be made by formal motion. Letters seeking relief should be filed on ECF as text-searchable letter-motions.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
Any party wishing to file a letter-motion shall include in the letter-motion a statement that it first attempted to confer in good faith with the opposing parties, in person or by telephone, in an effort to resolve the dispute. The letter-motion should not indicate the content of the meet-and-confer unless independently relevant.
Source page 3Motion practice
If a letter-motion has consent of all opposing parties, the letter-motion should prominently so indicate. If it does not, any opposing party should submit a letter setting forth its position not later than two business days after the initial letter-motion is filed.
Source page 3Adjournments
D. Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made in writing and filed on ECF as letter-motions, and should state: (1) the original date(s); (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extensions of time; (3) whether these previous requests were granted or denied; (4) whether the opposing parties consent, and, if not, the reasons given by the opposing parties for refusing to consent; and (5) the date of the parties’ next scheduled appearance before the Court.
Source page 3Adjournments
If the requested adjournment or extension affects any other scheduled dates, any non-pro se party moving for relief must attach a proposed revision to the Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order. A pro se party may, but is not required to, submit a proposed revision to the Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order.
Source page 3Adjournments
If the requested adjournment or extension affects the Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order, such request must comply with the requirements set forth in Paragraph 3(A) below.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Any request should be made at least two business days prior to the deadline or scheduled appearance.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
E. Telephone Calls. Except as set forth elsewhere in these Individual Practices, telephone calls to Chambers should be reserved only for urgent matters requiring immediate attention that cannot be answered by reference to the Court’s prior orders in the case, these Individual Practices, the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules, or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
F. Faxes. Faxes to Chambers are not permitted without prior permission.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
Hand-delivered mail should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States District Courthouse at 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 and may not be brought directly to Chambers.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
H. Urgent Communications. As a general matter, the Court reviews materials filed via ECF at the latest on the business day after they have been filed. If a submission requires immediate attention, please notify Chambers by telephone and by email after filing it on ECF. The email should include (1) the word “URGENT” in the subject line; (2) the case name and case number; (3) a brief description of the nature of the urgent issue; and (4) a telephone number at which the party (and any other relevant parties) can be reached.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
Unless a pro se party is approved for ECF filing pursuant to Paragraph 2(O), all communications with the Court by a pro se party must be sent to the Pro Se Intake
Source page 4Communications with chambers
No documents or court filings should be sent directly to Chambers. Copies of correspondence between a pro se party and opposing parties shall not be sent to the Court. Any questions should be directed to the Pro Se Intake Unit at (212) 805-0175;
Source page 4Communications with chambers
pro se parties may not call the Court directly except as provided in Paragraph 1(E). Unless the Court orders otherwise, all communications with the Court by a pro se party will be docketed upon receipt; such docketing shall constitute service on any user of the ECF system. If any other party is not a user of the ECF system (e.g., if there is another pro se party in the case), a pro se party must send copies of any filing
Source page 4Communications with chambers
J. Communications by a Party Opposing a Pro Se Party. Communications with the Court and all ECF filings by a represented party in a pro se case must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Service affirming that the pro se party was served with a copy of the communication.
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
A. ECF. In accordance with the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions, counsel must register promptly as ECF filers and enter appearances. Instructions are available on the S.D.N.Y. website at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/electronic-case-filing.
Source page 5Motion practice
B. Filing of Motion Papers. Motion papers shall be filed promptly after service. They should not include a return date.
Source page 5Motion practice
C. Text-Searchable Submissions. All documents (e.g., motions, briefs, and letters) filed by parties on ECF must be in text-searchable format. Exhibits filed on ECF should be in text-searchable format, where possible. A text-searchable document may be created by converting the document electronically to .pdf by computer (that is, not by scanning a pre-existing document). If a .pdf is created by scanning a pre-existing document (for instance, in the case of a pre-existing documentary exhibit), the party should use software to make the document text-searchable where possible.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
D. Attachments. Exhibits must be filed as attachments to the main document. Each attachment must be clearly titled in the ECF entry so the subject of the exhibit is clear pursuant to Sections 5.1 and 13.3 of the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions. For example: NOTICE OF REMOVAL (Attachments: #1 State Court
Source page 5Communications with chambers
E. Related and Consolidated Cases. 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 (e.g., 12-cv-1234 [rel. 11-cv-4321]). After two or more actions have been consolidated for all purposes under a single docket number pursuant to Rule 42(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, all future court papers and correspondence should be filed only in the docket under which the cases have been consolidated and should reference only that docket number.
Source page 5Motion practice
F. Pre-Motion Letters and Conferences in Civil Cases. Absent order of the Court, neither pre-motion letters nor pre-motion conferences are required.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
G. Protective Orders. All parties wishing to propose a protective order must submit a proposed protective order that conforms as closely as possible with the Court’s Model Protective Order, which is available on Judge Liman’s website. The proposed protective order must be accompanied by a cover letter that states whether the parties have adopted, without alteration, the Court’s Model Protective Order or whether the parties have made alterations. Any changes must be reflected in a redline that should be filed as an exhibit to the proposed protective order.
Source page 6Filing and working copies
i. Redactions/Sealing Not Requiring 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.
Source page 6Motion practice
I. Memoranda of Law. The Court does not impose page limitations on memoranda of law. The parties should agree upon reasonable page limits for principal briefs and reply briefs, exercising their sound judgment so as not to unnecessarily burden the Court. If parties are unable to agree, memoranda in support of and in opposition to motions are limited to 25 pages while reply memoranda are limited to 10 pages.
Source page 6Filing and working copies
Memoranda of more than 10 pages shall contain a table of contents and table of authorities. The Court reserves the right to impose page limits at any point if parties do not appropriately exercise the latitude afforded under this rule.
Source page 6Motion practice
K. Briefing Schedule on Motions. The parties may extend the deadlines set forth in Local Civil Rule 6.1 by an agreed-upon schedule, which, unless the Court orders otherwise, shall govern as long as such schedule is disclosed to the Court in a letter or
Source page 6Motion practice
in the memorandum accompanying the initial motion. Any extensions should be sought pursuant to the procedures set forth in Paragraph 1(D).
Source page 7Motion practice
unless otherwise ordered by the Court, papers filed in opposition to a motion in a pro se case 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.
Source page 7Filing and working copies
L. Courtesy Copies. Do not send courtesy copies unless directed by the Court.
Source page 7Communications with chambers
N. Submission of Large Electronic Files. The Court has a file transfer protocol for the safe electronic transmission of large files. If a party needs to submit large files by email (as opposed to ECF), the party should email the Court (at LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) requesting a link to be used for such transfer. The email should include the name and docket number of the case and the nature and size of the materials to be submitted electronically.
Source page 7Motion practice
O. In a Pro Se Case. Any pro se party that wishes to participate in electronic case filing (“e-filing”) must file a Motion for Permission for ECF (available at https://nysd. uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2019-04/2012-prosemotionecffiling-final.pdf and in the Pro Se Intake Unit). If the Court grants a motion to participate in “e-filing,” that party will not receive hard copies of any document filed electronically via ECF.
Source page 7Filing and working copies
In the event that a pro se party is not participating in e-filing, and notwithstanding anything in the foregoing Individual Practices to the contrary, all papers to be filed with the Court by a pro se party shall be sent to the Pro Se Intake Unit at the
Source page 7Motion practice
A. Motions to Amend Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order. Any motion to amend the Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order shall be accompanied by a letter identifying with particularity why “good cause” exists for such amendment.
Source page 8Discovery
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4) (“A schedule may be modified only for good cause and with the judge’s consent.”). The letter must “describ[e] what discovery [the moving party] conducted in the time period originally scheduled and [whether] there are circumstances that were not foreseen at the time of the order sought to be modified.” Furry Puppet Studio Inc. v. Fall Out Boy, 2020 WL 4978080, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Feb.
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24, 2020). “The movant should also set forth the remaining discovery to be conducted, why it is important and could not have been conducted earlier, why the requested time (and not some lesser time) is necessary, how allowing additional time would contribute to ‘the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination’ of the matter, and any prejudice it would suffer if a modification is not made.” Id. (quoting Fed. R.
Source page 8Motion practice
B. Motions for Preliminary Injunction. The Court generally follows the procedure for the conduct of non-jury trials described in Paragraph 5(C). That is, parties must submit any documentary exhibits, declarations, and/or affidavits in support of or in opposition to such motions at the time they submit their legal memoranda in support of or in opposition to such motions.
Source page 8Courtroom conduct and technology
i. Rule 56.1 Statements. Counsel for a party moving for summary judgment shall provide all other parties with an electronic copy, in word processing format, of the moving party’s Statement of Material Facts Pursuant to Local Rule 56.1. Counsel for opposing parties must reproduce each entry in the moving party’s Rule 56.1 Statement and set out the opposing party’s response directly beneath it. The opposing party need not but may file its own additional Statement of Material Facts.
Source page 8Filing and working copies
As set forth in Paragraph 2(D) of these Individual Practices and Sections 5.1 and 13.3 of the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions, exhibits must be filed as attachments to the main document, and each attachment must be clearly titled in the ECF entry so the subject of the exhibit is clear.
Source page 9Communications with chambers
Under Local Civil Rule 56.1, failure to submit a separate, short and concise statement, in numbered paragraphs, of material facts as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue to be tried may constitute grounds for denial of the motion. L.R. 56.1(a). Each numbered paragraph in a Rule 56.1 Statement must be followed by citation to evidence which would be admissible. L.R. 56.1(d). Each numbered paragraph in a Rule 56.1 Statement will be deemed to be admitted for purposes of the motion unless specifically controverted by a correspondingly numbered paragraph in the statement of the opposing party. L.R. 56.1(c).
Source page 9Motion practice
E. Default Judgments. A plaintiff seeking a default judgment must proceed by way of a Motion for Default Judgment pursuant to the procedure set forth in Local Civil Rules 55.1 and 55.2. A plaintiff seeking a default judgment should not proceed by order to show cause.
Source page 9Communications with chambers
G. Applications for Temporary Restraining Orders (“TROs”). Parties intending to file applications for TROs or other emergency relief must send all of their papers (in text-searchable .pdf format) to Chambers by email. The email should also include (1) the word “URGENT” in the subject line; (2) a telephone number at which the party (and any other relevant parties) can be reached; and (3) the relevant parties’ available for a teleconference in the next few days. As noted above, parties should not hand-deliver any documents without advance permission.
Source page 10Communications with chambers
A. Teleconferences. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all conferences and proceedings in civil cases will be held by telephone. The parties should call the Court’s dedicated conference line at 646-453-4442 and enter the conference ID 358639322, followed by the pound (#) key.
Source page 10Conferences and appearances
i. Decorum and Protocol. Parties are expected to treat teleconferences as they would treat any public court appearance. If another conference or hearing is ongoing, parties shall remain silent (mute the line) until their case is called.
Source page 10Communications with chambers
When speaking during a conference held by telephone, parties should identify themselves each time prior to speaking.
Source page 10Conferences and appearances
B. Initial Pretrial Conference. The Notice of Initial Pretrial Conference will be docketed on ECF. If all parties are represented, plaintiff’s counsel (or, in a matter
Source page 10Motion practice
removed from state court, defense counsel) must notify all counsel of the Notice and must alert the Court via letter-motion two business days in advance of the scheduled time if the conference needs rescheduling. Such letter-motion should include three proposed alternative times. However, the Court reserves the right to set the conference on a date and time convenient to the Court without regard to the requested alternative times. If there is a combination of represented and pro se parties, the represented parties shall take responsibility to notify any pro se parties. If all parties are pro se, there is no responsibility for any party to notify another.
Source page 11Motion practice
All Initial Pretrial Conferences will be held via teleconference unless the Court directs otherwise. Parties may request an in-person Initial Pretrial Conference by submitting a letter-motion in accordance with Paragraph 1(C) no later than one week before the date of the conference.
Source page 11Motion practice
As a general matter, a court reporter will not be present for Initial Pretrial Conferences unless a party requests one via letter-motion no later than one week before the date of the conference.
Source page 11Motion practice
The Notice of Initial Pretrial Conference will direct the parties, inter alia, to jointly submit on ECF at least one week before the conference a proposed Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order, available on Judge Liman’s website at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-lewis-j-liman. The proposed joint Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order should include responses on which the parties have been able to reach agreement. Parties may submit alternative proposals for areas on which they cannot agree. In addition to the matters set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16, counsel for all parties should be prepared at the Initial Pretrial Conference to describe the case, any contemplated motions, and the prospect for settlement. The Court encourages parties to discuss contemplated motions with one another prior to the Initial Pretrial Conference.
Source page 11Communications with chambers
C. Discovery Disputes in Non-Pro Se Cases. Notwithstanding Local Rule 37.2, discover disputes shall be governed by the following procedures. Any party wishing to raise a discovery dispute with the Court must first attempt to confer in good faith with the opposing party, in person or by telephone, to try and resolve the dispute. If, after attempting to meet and confer, the dispute has not been resolved, any party may file a letter-motion on ECF, no longer than three single-spaced pages, explaining the nature of the dispute and the relief requested. Such letter shall include a certification that it has, in good faith, conferred or attempted to confer with the party failing to make disclosure or discovery pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(1). If the opposing party wishes to respond to the letter-motion, the opposition (which should take the form of a letter, not to exceed three single-spaced pages) must be filed
Source page 11Communications with chambers
on ECF within two business days. Counsel should be immediately prepared to discuss with the Court the matters raised by such letters, as the Court will seek to resolve discovery disputes quickly by order, conference, or telephone. The Court may seek such resolution before any opposition is submitted.
Source page 12Communications with chambers
D. Discovery Disputes in Pro Se Cases. Any party wishing to raise a discovery dispute with the Court must first attempt to confer in good faith with the opposing party, in person or by telephone, to try and resolve the dispute. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute, or if, after attempting to meet and confer, the non-moving party is unavailable to meet and confer, the moving party may file a letter-motion requesting an informal conference. The letter-motion should explain the nature of the dispute and set forth the efforts made to meet and confer and the reasons they were unsuccessful.
Source page 12Trial exhibits and witnesses
viii. A statement as to whether all parties have consented to trial by a magistrate judge, without identifying which parties do or do not consent. In a jury case, the parties should memorialize any such stipulations or agreed statements of fact or law in a standalone document that can be marked and admitted at trial;
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ix. A list of all trial witnesses, indicating whether such witnesses will testify in person or by deposition, whether such witnesses will require an interpreter (and, if so, which party will pay the costs for the interpreter), and a brief summary of the substance of each witness’s testimony;
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xi. A list by each party of exhibits to be offered in its case in chief, with one asterisk indicating exhibits to which no party objects on any ground. If a party objects to an exhibit, the objection should be noted by indicating the Federal Rule of Evidence that is the basis for the objection. If any party believes the Court should rule on such objection in advance of trial, that party should indicate a notation to that effect (e.g., “Advance Ruling Requested”);
Source page 13Filing and working copies
B. Required Pretrial Filings. Each party shall file and serve with the Joint Pretrial
Source page 13Motion practice
i. In all cases, motions addressing any evidentiary issues or other matters which should be resolved in limine. Absent leave of the Court, each party must file a single memorandum of law, consistent with Paragraph 2(I) above, in support of all motions in limine filed by that party.
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ii. In all cases, no pretrial memorandum of law shall be submitted absent express permission from the Court.
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iii. In jury cases, joint requests to charge, joint proposed verdict forms, and joint proposed voir dire questions. For any request to charge, portion of a verdict form, or proposed voir dire question on which the parties cannot agree, each party should clearly set forth its proposal and briefly state why the Court should use it, with citations to supporting authority.
Source page 14Filing and working copies
iv. In non-jury cases, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The proposed findings of fact should be detailed and should include citations to the proffered trial testimony and exhibits, as there may be no opportunity for post-trial submissions. They should not be argumentative.
Source page 14Communications with chambers
At the time of filing, parties should submit copies of these documents to the Court by email (LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov), both in .pdf format and in word processing format.
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C. Additional Submissions in Non-Jury Cases. At the time the Joint Pretrial Order is filed, each party shall submit to the Court by email (LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.
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ii. Any deposition excerpts that will be offered as substantive evidence, as well as a one-page synopsis of those excerpts for each deposition. Each synopsis shall include page citations to the pertinent pages of the deposition transcripts;
Source page 14Filing and working copies
iii. All documentary exhibits when they are few in number. When documentary exhibits are voluminous or are too large to email, the parties shall submit each documentary exhibit in a labeled file (ex: “PX-1,” “DX- 1,” etc.) under the file transfer protocol as described in Paragraph 2(N).
Source page 14Motion practice
Irrespective of the method of transfer, all documentary exhibits from each party must also be submitted, when possible, as a consolidated and bookmarked PDF, in addition to individual files. If submission of electronic copies would unduly burden a party, the party may seek leave of Court (by letter-motion filed on ECF) to submit prospective documentary exhibits in hard copy. Hard copies, if expressly permitted by the Court, shall consist of tabbed and indexed three-ring binders; and
Source page 14Trial exhibits and witnesses
iv. A document in word processing format listing all exhibits sought to be admitted. The list shall contain four columns labeled as follows: (1) “Exhibit Number”; (2) “Description” (of the exhibit); (3) “Date Identified”; and (4) “Date Admitted.” The parties shall complete the first two columns, but leave the third and fourth columns blank, to be filled in by the Court during trial.
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E. Pretrial Statement in a Pro Se Case. In a pro se case, in lieu of a Joint Pretrial Order, a pro se plaintiff shall file a concise, written Pretrial Statement. This Pretrial 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.
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The Pretrial Statement must be sworn by the pro se party to be true and accurate based on the facts known by the pro se party. A pro se plaintiff shall file an original of this Pretrial Statement with the Pro Se Intake Unit. Two weeks after service of the pro se party’s Pretrial Statement, counsel for any represented party must file and serve a similar Pretrial Statement containing the same information.
Source page 15Motion practice
6. Participation by Junior Attorneys, Generally. The Court encourages the participation of less experienced attorneys in all proceedings—including pretrial conferences, hearings on discovery disputes, oral arguments, and examinations of witnesses at trial—particularly where that attorney played a substantial role in drafting the underlying filing or in preparing the relevant witness. Nevertheless, all attorneys appearing before the Court must have authority to bind the parties they represent consistent with the proceedings (for example, by agreeing to a discovery or briefing schedule), and should be prepared to address any matters likely to arise at the proceeding. The ultimate decision of who speaks on behalf of the client is for the lawyer in charge of the case, not for the Court.
Source page 15Motion practice
Letter-motions for approval of redacted or sealed filings and the subject documents, including the proposed sealed document(s), must be filed electronically through ECF in conformity with the Court’s standing order, 19-mc-00583, and S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions, Section 6.
Source page 16Motion practice
1. File a letter-motion in public view, explaining the particular reasons for seeking to file the document with redactions or under seal. A separate explanation must be provided for each and every portion of the document sought to be redacted (or for why the document in full should be maintained under seal). The letter-motion should not include confidential information sought to be redacted or filed under seal.
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2. File the document under seal with the text sought to be redacted highlighted and visible (or otherwise prominently marked so that it is clear what is sought to be redacted). Electronically relate the sealed document to the letter-motion. The summary docket text will be open to public inspection and should not include confidential information sought to be redacted or filed under seal. The sealed document itself will not be viewable by the public.
Source page 16Trial exhibits and witnesses
a. Multiple Attachments. If a document has a number of attachments, some of which have confidential information and some of which do not (e.g., a declaration with confidential and non-confidential exhibits), in Step 2 above, file the document and all of the attachments under seal, including those that do not have confidential information, but follow Step 3 and file the document on the public docket with only
Source page 16Motion practice
b. Confidential Information of Another Party. If a party seeks to file a document with redactions or under seal because the document contains information marked confidential by another party, the letter-motion filed in Step 1 must so indicate and may request that the Court not rule on the letter-motion for one week. The filing party must meet and confer with the party who produced the confidential information (the “Producing Party”). If the Producing Party does not seek to keep that information redacted or under seal, the filing party must so inform the Court by letter to be filed within one week of the letter-motion. If the Producing Party seeks continued redaction or sealing of any materials, the Producing Party shall within one
Source page 17Filing and working copies
c. Non-ECF Filing. Any party unable to comply with the requirements 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 by other means.
Source page 17Published judge / part rules (32 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Filing and working copies
Counsel are required to register for Electronic Case Filing (“ECF”) promptly after being retained or assigned. Counsel can obtain instructions on how to register at https://nysd.us courts.gov/electronic-case-filing.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
A. Initial Pretrial Conference. Upon assignment of a criminal case to Judge Liman, the Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) shall immediately call Chambers to arrange for a prompt conference. The AUSA shall email a courtesy copy of the Indictment and the criminal Complaint, if one exists, to the Court (LimanNYSD Chambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) as soon as practicable.
Source page 1Adjournments
B. Letters. Except for docketing, scheduling and calendar matters, or matters requiring immediate attention, communications with Chambers shall be by text-searchable letter filed on ECF. Letters seeking relief, including requests for extensions, adjournments, or bail modification, should be filed on ECF as letter-motions in accordance with Paragraphs 2(C) and 3(A) below, not as ordinary letters. Parties should not submit courtesy copies of letters filed on ECF.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Letters to be filed under seal or containing sensitive or confidential information may be emailed as a text-searchable .pdf attachment to the Court (LimanNYSDChambers @nysd.uscourts.gov) with a copy simultaneously delivered to all counsel. Any such email shall state clearly in the subject line: (1) the caption of the case, including the lead party name and docket number, and (2) a brief description of the contents of the letter. Parties shall not include substantive communications in the body of the email.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Letters may not exceed five (5) pages in length. Copies of correspondence between counsel may not be filed on ECF or otherwise sent to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document).
Source page 1Adjournments
C. Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made in writing and filed on ECF as letter-motions in accordance with Paragraph 3(A), not as ordinary letters. (If a request contains
Source page 1Adjournments
sensitive or confidential information, it may be submitted by email in lieu of being filed electronically.) The letter-motion must state: (1) the original date(s), (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension, (3) whether these previous requests were granted or denied, (4) the reason for the extension or adjournment, (5) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusal to consent, and (6) the date of the parties’ next scheduled appearance before the Court.
Source page 2Adjournments
If a party seeks an exclusion of time under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161, it must confer with the opposing party and indicate in its letter-motion whether the parties consent. The party seeking exclusion must include in its request for adjournment or extension facts that would permit the Court to make an independent finding whether or not to exclude time in conformance with 18 U.S.C. § 3161, and must also submit to the Court by email (LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a proposed order (in Microsoft Word format). Any party opposing the request may file a short reply within two business days in accordance with Paragraph 3(A).
Source page 2Adjournments
Any request for extension or adjournment should be made as early as possible and, absent an emergency, should be made at least 48 hours prior to the deadline, scheduled appearance, or scheduled proceeding. Requests for extensions will ordinarily be denied if made after the expiration of the original deadlines.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
E. Telephone Calls. Except as set forth elsewhere in these Individual Practices, telephone calls to Chambers should be reserved only for questions that cannot be answered by reference to these Individual Practices or the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules, or for urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
G. Hand Deliveries. Hand-delivered mail should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States District Courthouse at 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 and may not be brought directly to Chambers, except by representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office or the Federal Defenders of New York. Hand deliveries are continuously retrieved from the Worth Street entrance by Courthouse mail staff and then forwarded to Chambers. If the hand-delivered letter is urgent and requires 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.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
H. Faxes. Faxes to Chambers are not permitted without prior permission.
Source page 2Adjournments
A. Letter-Motions. Letter-motions may be filed via ECF if they comply with the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules and the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions. In particular, in accordance with Paragraph 2(C) above, all requests for adjournments and extensions should be filed as letter-motions. All letter-motions should be text-searchable and may not exceed five (5) pages in length. A courtesy copy should not be provided to Chambers.
Source page 3Motion practice
B. Discovery Motions. In making discovery motions, counsel must comply with S.D.N.Y. Local Criminal Rule 16.1. Any discovery motion must contain the Rule 16.1 affidavit.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
A. Benefactor Payments. Whenever defense counsel has received, or is receiving, a benefactor payment that subjects counsel to a conflict of interest, said counsel should inform the Court and request a Curcio hearing in advance of the first conference.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
C. Substitution of Counsel. When there is a substitution of defense counsel, counsel of record must contact the Courtroom Deputy to schedule a conference as soon as possible. At the conference, the Court will address the application by defense counsel to be relieved. The defendant, replacement counsel, and the AUSA must also attend the conference.
Source page 3Motion practice
Any written request for a bail modification shall be filed on ECF as a letter-motion in accordance with Paragraph 3(A) and shall indicate whether the Government and the Pretrial Services Officer consent to the request.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
A. Plea / Cooperation Agreements and Pimentel letters. Where a defendant is pleading guilty pursuant to a plea agreement or a cooperation agreement, a copy of the agreement ordinarily must be received by Chambers at least two business days before the scheduled plea. Where the Government is providing a Pimentel letter, a copy must be received by Chambers at least two business days before the scheduled plea. The Government shall email these documents to the Court (Liman NYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov). The Court requests that, when feasible, the plea or cooperation agreement submitted by the Government be signed by both the defendant and defense counsel.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
A. Pretrial Submissions. The Court’s practice is to enter an order scheduling a final pretrial conference and setting deadlines for the submission of proposed voir dire, proposed verdict forms, proposed requests to charge, and any motions in limine. At the time of filing, each party shall submit one courtesy hard copy of these materials to the Court. In addition, each party should email these materials, with the exception of in limine motions, in Microsoft Word format to the Court (LimanNYSD Chambers@nysd.uscourts.gov). The parties need not include proposed language for standard instructions (about, for example, the role of the Court and the jury, the standard of proof, etc.), as the Court is likely to use its own standard instructions;
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
B. Exhibits and Section 3500 Material. At the start of the trial, each of the parties must provide the Court with two (2) hard copies of the exhibit list with a brief description of each exhibit, and binders containing two (2) sets of pre-marked documentary exhibits (and Section 3500 material from the Government), in sequential order separated by numbered tabs. If practicable, the parties shall also submit a CD-ROM containing electronic .pdf copies of all exhibits.
Source page 4Adjournments
A. Sentencing Adjournments. Any request for an adjournment of a sentencing should be made as early as possible and should be made no later than 72 hours before the sentencing proceeding, in accordance with Paragraph 2(C) above. Requests made fewer than 72 hours before the sentencing proceeding will be viewed with disfavor.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
B. Sentencing Submissions. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a defendant’s sentencing submission shall be filed and served fourteen (14) days prior to sentencing. The Government’s sentencing submission shall be filed and served seven (7) days prior to sentencing. If a party does not intend to file a substantive sentencing submission, the Court nevertheless requires a written statement to that effect submitted by the date that party’s sentencing submission is due.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
C. ECF Filing. Except for submissions to be filed under seal or in redacted form, every document in a sentencing submission, including letters, must be filed on ECF. Letters should be grouped and filed together as attachments to a single document marked SENTENCING SUBMISSION with the caption and docket number clearly indicated.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
D. Privacy Policy. Unless permission to the contrary has been obtained, every document in a sentencing submission, including letters, shall be filed in the public record.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
E. Redactions Not Requiring Court Approval. The parties are referred to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 and the Southern District’s ECF Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) and reminded not to include, unless necessary, two categories of information that may be redacted from public court filings without prior permission from the Court: “sensitive information” and information requiring “caution.”
Source page 5Filing and working copies
i. Parties should not include in their public filings, unless necessary, the five categories of “sensitive information” (i.e., social security numbers [use the last four digits only], names of minor children [use the initials only], dates of birth [use the year only], financial account numbers [use the last four digits only], and home addresses [use only the City and State]).
Source page 5Filing and working copies
F. Redactions and Sealed Filings Requiring Court Approval. If a party redacts information beyond the eleven categories of information identified in the Privacy Policy, an application to do so must be served and filed at the time the sentencing submission is served. The application should clearly identify the redaction and explain the reasons for the redaction.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
i. ECF Filing of the Redacted Document(s). The party should file the redacted version of the document on ECF.
Source page 5Motion practice
ii. Filing or Emailing of a Letter-Motion Seeking Leave to File with Redactions. If the party is seeking leave of the Court to redact the document (i.e., if the redactions are not among the categories of redactions that can be made without Court approval), the party should simultaneously file on ECF a
Source page 5Motion practice
letter-motion seeking leave to file the document with those redactions. The letter-motion must explain the purpose of the redactions, and why the redactions are consistent with the standards discussed in Paragraphs 8(E)(i)-(ii) above. (The party should endeavor to draft the letter-motion in a form that can be filed publicly on ECF. If, however, the party believes that the letter-motion itself should be sealed or redacted, the party should include an unredacted copy of the letter-motion as an attachment to the email described in Paragraph 8(G)(iii) below, and—if possible—file a redacted version of the letter-motion on ECF.)
Source page 6Communications with chambers
iii. Emailing of Documents to Chambers. At the same time, the party should email to Chambers (LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) (1) a clean (i.e., unredacted) copy of the document, (2) a copy of the document highlighting the information that has been redacted in the ECF filing, and (3) an unredacted copy of the letter-motion described in Paragraph 8(G)(ii), should the party also be seeking leave to file that letter-motion with redactions or under seal.
Source page 6Communications with chambers
H. Procedures for Filing Sealed Documents. Any party seeking leave to file under seal an entire submission (with or without exhibits) should not file anything on ECF in the first instance. Instead, the party should email an unredacted copy of the submission to Chambers (LimanNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) and should include as an attachment to the email a letter-motion seeking leave to file the document under seal. The letter-motion must explain why sealing is justified in light of the standards discussed in Paragraph 8(E) above. If the party believes that the letter-motion itself should be sealed or redacted, the letter-motion should so state and should provide the justification therefor. The Court will include instructions for filing sealed or redacted versions of the document and accompanying letter-motion, if necessary, in any order disposing of the motion to seal.
Source page 6Shared court rules
SDNY and EDNY — Joint Local Civil and Criminal Rules
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Federal district-court proceedings only. Civil and criminal sections have distinct scope and district-specific exceptions. Not Bankruptcy Court rules.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · Federal Judicial Center Biographical Directory · effective December 31, 2019 · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Federal Judicial Center biography ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · CourtListener / Free Law Project · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Judge Liman's Individual Practices in Civil Cases
Judge Specific source · PDF · U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · effective April 7, 2025 · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Judge Liman's Individual Practices in Civil Cases ↗Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court
Courtwide source · HTML · Supreme Court of the United States and Judicial Conference of the United States · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court ↗Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited
Courtwide source · HTML · Supreme Court of the United States and Judicial Conference of the United States · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited ↗