--- title: "Robyn F. Tarnofsky | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robyn-f-tarnofsky-new-york-us-magistrate" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Robyn F. Tarnofsky U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · U.S. Magistrate Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York - State: New York - Role: U.S. Magistrate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### civil remote testimony Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### criminal recording and broadcasting Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=16) - [Official roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=16) - [U.S. Courts judicial profile or roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=16) - [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) - [Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robyn-f-tarnofsky-new-york-us-magistrate", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robyn-f-tarnofsky-new-york-us-magistrate", "name": "Robyn F. 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Tarnofsky", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robyn-f-tarnofsky-new-york-us-magistrate" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York, serving an eight‐year term appointed in November 2023, and is based at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City ### Education - Graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School (Education). ### Additional information ## Published courtroom rules ### Judge and named-part rules #### Trial exhibits and witnesses When a District Judge approves an all-purposes consent form signed by counsel, the Magistrate Judge assumes the role of the District Judge. Any appeal is made directly to the Court of Appeals and the right to a jury trial is preserved. The following rules apply for proceedings before Judge Tarnofsky if the matter is within the scope of the District Judge’s order of reference or if the case is before Judge Tarnofsky for all purposes pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). These rules do not modify or affect the practices of the District Judge before whom a case may also be pending. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers A) Letters. Communications with the Court should be by letter filed on ECF except for settlement conference submissions and in camera submissions which can be sent to the email address for civil matters at TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers B) Telephone Calls. Telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only for urgent matters requiring immediate attention. If you are encountering difficulties using ECF, call the ECF help desk at (212) 805-0800. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers C) Emails & Faxes. Emails to Chambers are only permitted for urgent matters requiring immediate attention or when otherwise expressly permitted by the Court in advance. In See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers other circumstances, requests or questions to Chambers should be made by letter only, filed on the docket. No faxed communications shall be permitted without prior permission from Judge Tarnofsky’s Chambers. All faxes must simultaneously be delivered to all parties. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments D) Letter-Motions. Letter-motions shall be filed on ECF in accordance with the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules and the S.D.N.Y. Electronic Case Filing Rules and Instructions. Requests that may be made by letter-motion include requests for: discovery conferences to address discovery disputes before formal motion practice, adjournments, extensions of time, pre-motion conferences, sealing, and settlement conferences. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments E) Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. Absent good cause, any request for an extension of time or an adjournment, except those involving adjournments of settlement conferences, shall be made at least one week before the deadline or scheduled appearance. Procedures for requests for adjournments of settlement conferences are set out in Section V(L) below. All other requests for adjournments or See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments (1) the original date(s); (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension; and (3) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers F) Hand Deliveries. Hand-delivered mail should be left with the Court Security Officers at the Worth Street entrance of 500 Pearl Street and may not be brought directly to Chambers. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Filing and working copies G) Courtesy Copies. As a general rule, and except as otherwise specified herein, no physical/paper courtesy copies of documents filed on ECF should be sent to Judge Tarnofsky. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers H) Electronic Device Orders. Orders permitting an attorney to bring an electronic device to Court may be found on the forms page of the SDNY website https://nysd.uscourts.gov/forms and is titled “Fillable Forms for Electronic Devices General Purpose.” Please note that only attorneys are eligible for such an order. These orders should not be filed on ECF. Once completed, they may be emailed to Chambers, TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov, for Court approval. The Court will then email back to counsel a copy of the signed order if approved. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances J) ECF. All counsel are required to register promptly as ECF filers and to enter an appearance in the case. The pertinent instructions are available on the Court website, at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/electronic-case-filing. Counsel are responsible for updating their contact information on ECF, should it change, and they are responsible for checking the docket sheet regularly, regardless of whether they receive an ECF See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 2 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers i) By Standing Order, all communications from a pro se party to the Court must either be physically delivered to the Pro Se Intake Unit located at 500 Pearl Street, Room 230, New York, NY 10007, either by mail or hand delivery, or emailed to ProSe@nysd.uscourts.gov. If emailing, the pro se party must include the docket number of the case in the re: line, and any attachment must be in PDF format. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers Further instructions for emailing submissions are available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/node/846. Settlement conference submissions and in camera submissions may be hand-delivered to Court Security Officers at the Worth street entrance of 500 Pearl Street, mailed to Chambers or emailed to TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. No other materials may be sent directly to Chambers, and pro se parties may not call Chambers without prior permission from the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers ii) Unless the Court orders otherwise, all communications from pro se litigants 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 (for example, if there is another pro se party in the case), the pro se party making the submission must send copies to the other party and include proof of service affirming that he or she has done so. Copies of correspondence between a pro se party and opposing parties or counsel and discovery requests and responses shall not be provided to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice iii) Any nonincarcerated pro se party who wishes to participate in ECF must file a Motion for Permission for Electronic Case Filing, available in the Pro Se Intake unit or at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/node/844. Any nonincarcerated pro se party who wishes to receive documents in their case by email instead of regular mail may consent to electronic service by filing a Pro Se (Nonprisoner) Consent & Registration Form to Receive Documents Electronically, available from the Pro Se Intake Unit or at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/node/845. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 3 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Filing and working copies The Clinic 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 self- represented party through the Pro Se Intake Unit by email (ProSe@nysd.uscourts.gov) or by mail or hand delivery (Pro Se Intake Unit, 500 Pearl Street, Room 205, New York, NY 10007). If a pro se litigant would like legal assistance, they should complete the City Bar Justice Center’s intake form (available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/attorney/legal-assistance) to make an appointment. If a pro se 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 in Manhattan are available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointments are also available remotely Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 4 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery A) Initial Case Management Conference. Before the Initial Case Management Conference, parties must meet and confer on a discovery plan. The parties should cover, as appropriate, the topics contained in the Court’s Discussion Topics for Rule 26(f) Conference, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-robyn-f-tarnofsky. One week before the scheduled conference, the parties shall file on ECF Proposed Case Management Plan and Report on Rule 26(f) Meeting. The parties should use the template form Proposed Case Management Plan and Report on Rule 26(f) Meeting, which is available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-robyn-f-tarnofsky. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 4 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery B) Case Management Conferences. The Court holds regular case management conferences. Counsel are expected to be prepared for such conferences and ready to discuss the status of discovery, the potential for settlement, and any other relevant issue. In some cases, the Court may require a joint pre-conference agenda letter filed a week in advance of a conference unless otherwise specified or permitted by the Court. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 4 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery C) Discovery. Parties shall keep in mind Rule 1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which requires the Court and the parties to construe, administer, and employ the rules of procedure to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 5 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery Parties also shall keep in mind Rule 26(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides that “[p]arties may obtain discovery regarding any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any party’s claim or defense and proportional to the needs of the case, considering the importance of the issues at stake in the action, the amount in controversy, the parties’ relative access to relevant information, the parties’ resources, the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues, and whether the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefit.” The procedure for raising a discovery dispute with the Court is set out in Section III(B) below. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 5 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice A) Conferences of Counsel Before Filing Motions Under Rule 12(b) or (c). Except in cases involving pro se parties, if a motion pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) or 12(c) is contemplated, the plaintiff or counterclaimant must indicate whether it wishes to amend the subject pleading before motion practice, and the parties must consider in good faith a stipulation permitting such amendment. If the parties are unable to reach a resolution, counsel for the moving party shall include the following statement in the notice of motion: “This motion is made following the conference of counsel, which took place on [date]. Plaintiff [or Counter Claimant] declined an opportunity to amend.” See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 5 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice B) Pre-Motion Conferences and Discovery Disputes. A pre-motion conference is not required for any motion except motions seeking relief in connection with discovery disputes (that is, any dispute arising under Rules 26 through 37 or Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This provision applies to both parties and non-parties (for example, those served with a subpoena pursuant to Rule 45). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 6 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers Parties or non-parties seeking to raise a discovery dispute with the Court shall follow Local Rule 37.2 with the following modifications. The party or non-party must first confer in good faith with the opposing party, in person or by telephone, in an effort to resolve the dispute. An exchange of emails or letters is not sufficient to meet this obligation. If this meet-and-confer process does not resolve the dispute, the party may submit an ECF letter-motion to the Court or, if applicable, to the Pro Se Intake Unit explaining the nature of the dispute and requesting a conference. Such letter-motion must include a representation that the meet-and-confer process occurred and state when it occurred. Any responsive letter should be submitted within 3 business days after submission of the letter-motion. The parties’ filings should address Rules 1 and 26(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to the extent applicable. The Court will try to resolve the issue during a conference without the need for formal briefing. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 6 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances However, if formal briefing is required, the Court will set a schedule for such briefing at the conference. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 6 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice C) Letter-Motions. Unless the Court has ordered or approved otherwise, any opposition to a letter-motion, shall be filed within three business days of the moving letter, and any reply shall be filed within one business day of the opposition. The parties may agree to a different briefing schedule, but they must request the Court’s approval of their alternate schedule, either in the moving letter or as soon as agreement is reached. The Court must approve the alternate schedule. Otherwise, the parties must adhere to the schedule as enumerated in these Individual Rules. If the letter-motion requests emergency or expedited relief, opposing counsel is advised to file any opposition as promptly as possible. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 6 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice 1) Briefing Schedule. Unless the Court has ordered or approved otherwise, opposition and reply papers with respect to formal motions will be due in accordance with Local Civil Rule 6.1. The parties are strongly encouraged to agree on a reasonable briefing schedule before the moving papers are filed. If the parties have agreed to such a schedule, they must request the Court’s approval of their schedule, either in the moving party’s notice of motion or by letter-motion as soon as agreement is reached. Should the parties thereafter agree to modify their briefing schedule, they must promptly request that the Court approve the new schedule by letter-motion. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 6 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers 2) Memoranda. The typeface, margins and spacing of motion papers must conform to Local Civil Rule 11.1. Memoranda of 10 pages or more, filed by parties who have lawyers, shall contain a table of contents and a table of authorities. Sur-reply memoranda will not be accepted without prior permission of the Court. All moving papers, letter-motions, and letters filed on ECF or emailed to chambers must be in searchable PDF form. Additionally, to the extent citing unreported cases, parties are requested to use Westlaw citations whenever possible. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Filing and working copies E) Redactions and Filing Under Seal. All Confidential Materials filed with the Court may be redacted or filed under seal only as the Court directs upon appropriate application by either party or as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2, which describes sensitive information that must be redacted from public court filings. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Filing and working copies To avoid the unnecessary filing of documents under seal, counsel for the parties will discuss, in good faith, the need to file Confidential Materials under seal. If the parties agree in writing that a particular document that has been designated Confidential Material shall not be filed under seal, that document can be filed without redaction and such filing will not be a breach of any Stipulation of Confidentiality. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice Any party wishing to file in redacted form any pleading, motion, memorandum, exhibit, or other document, or any portion thereof, based on a party’s designation of information as Confidential, must make a specific request to the Court by letter motion explaining the reasons for seeking to file that submission under seal and addressing the request in light of the Court of Appeals’ opinions in Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2006) and Bernstein v. Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP, 814 F.3d 132 (2d Cir. 2016). See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice Letter-Motions for approval of sealed or redacted filings in civil and miscellaneous cases and the subject documents, including the proposed sealed document(s), must be filed electronically through the court’s ECF system in conformity with the court’s standing order, 19-mc-00583, and ECF Rules & Instructions, section 6. The motion must be filed in public view, must explain the particular reasons for seeking to file that information under seal and should not include confidential information sought to be filed under seal. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice Supporting papers must be separately filed electronically and may be filed under seal or redacted only to the extent necessary to safeguard information to be filed under seal. The proposed sealed document must be contemporaneously filed under seal in the ECF system and electronically related to the motion. The summary docket text, but not the sealed document, will be open to public inspection and should not include confidential information sought to be filed under seal. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 7 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice publicly filed, the filing party shall: (a) publicly file the document with the proposed redactions, and (b) electronically file under seal a copy of the unredacted document with the proposed redactions highlighted. Both documents must be electronically filed through the ECF system and related to the motion. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 8 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice A pro se litigant who is unable to comply with the requirement for electronic filing under seal through the ECF system shall mail or hand-deliver to the Pro Se Intake Unit a submission containing (a) the letter-motion requesting sealing and (b) the proposed sealed document, which shall be enclosed in a separate sealed envelope that is clearly marked “Document To Be Filed Under Seal.” See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 8 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice If the Court approves the filing under seal, no further submissions shall be required. If the Court denies, in part, the motion for filing under seal, the party who made the submission shall be required to refile the document with modified redactions as directed by the Court. The Court will file under seal any clean and unredacted pages for which the Court has approved redactions. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 8 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice F) Oral Argument on Motions. Parties may request oral argument when the motion has been fully briefed. This request should be made by letter in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section I(A) above. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 8 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Trial exhibits and witnesses A) Applicability. The procedures set out below apply only to cases in which the parties have consented pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) to have all proceedings, including trial, occur before Judge Tarnofsky. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 8 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery C) Joint Pretrial Orders. After the close of discovery, the Court will file a Scheduling Order scheduling a pre-trial conference and containing instructions for the parties’ Proposed Joint Pretrial Order. In general, except in pro se cases, a Joint Pretrial Order shall See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 9 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Trial exhibits and witnesses 6) a statement as to how and when the parties will give notice to each other of the order of their trial witnesses and, if the parties cannot agree, the parties statement that they will agree to the Court’s default rule for trials of this length (i.e., that the parties shall advise each other by no later than 48 hours before the start of trial as to the order of their witnesses); See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 9 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers D) Courtesy Copies. The parties shall each send a courtesy copy of all exhibits, pre-marked, to TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. Exhibits should not be filed electronically on ECF. The parties shall also each submit one hard copy of the pre- marked exhibits in a well-organized three-ring binder separated by tab dividers. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 10 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Discovery E) Pro Se Cases. In pro se cases, no Joint Pretrial Order is required. Instead, within 30 days after the completion of discovery each party shall file its own Pretrial Statement. The pro se party’s Pretrial Statement does not need to take any particular form, but it must be concise and contain: (1) a statement of the facts the party hopes to prove at trial; (2) a list of all documents or other physical objects that the party plans to put into evidence at trial; and (3) a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses the party intends to have testify at trial. The Statement must be sworn by the party to be true and accurate based on the facts known by the party. The party must file an original Statement with the Pro Se Intake Unit in a manner specified in Section I(L) above and send a copy to all other parties or their counsel if represented. The original Pretrial Statement must indicate the date a copy was mailed to the other party or parties or their attorney or attorneys. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 10 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances The Court believes the parties should fully explore settlement at the earliest practical opportunity. Early consideration of settlement allows the parties to avoid the substantial cost, expenditure of time and uncertainty that are typically a part of the litigation process. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 10 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers A) Confidentiality. All settlement conferences are “off the record” and strictly confidential. No communications relating to settlement may be used in discovery and will be in-admissible at trial. Parties may sign the confidentiality agreement on the day of the settlement conference, if it is held in-person at the courthouse. Parties attending a virtual settlement conference must email the confidentiality agreement to TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov at least one day before the conference is held. The confidentiality agreement is available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-robyn- f-tarnofsky. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 10 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers D) Exchange of Demand/Offer. If the plaintiff has not already made a settlement demand, such a demand shall be communicated to the opposing party no later than 14 days prior to the conference. If it has not already done so, the opposing party shall respond to any demand no later than seven days prior to the conference. If a defendant intends to claim that its financial situation is relevant to any settlement offer (either based on the amount offered or a proposal to pay any portion in more than 30 days), the defendant shall inform the plaintiff of this fact no later than 14 days prior to the conference. The parties shall then discuss whether the plaintiff seeks proof of the defendant’s claimed financial hardship and whether the defendant is willing to provide such proof, which must be provided no later than five days before the conference. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 11 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers E) Ex Parte Settlement Conference Summary Form and Letter. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, no later than five days before the Settlement Conference, each party must complete the Court’s Ex Parte Settlement Conference Summary Form found at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-robyn-f-tarnofsky. Each party also must provide the Court with an ex parte letter summarizing the issues in the case, the settlement value of the case and rationale for it, case law authority relevant to settlement discussions, and any other facts that would be helpful to the Court in preparation for the conference, including, if applicable, any discussions about the defendant’s financial condition held under Section V(D) above. Parties may attach exhibits to their letters to the extent they believe the exhibits would aid settlement discussions. The Ex Parte Settlement Conference Summary Form and letter should be emailed to TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. Please do not send courtesy copies of exhibits to Chambers. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 11 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Communications with chambers F) Attendance. The parties – not just the attorneys – must attend the Settlement Conference in person. In the event personal attendance is a hardship, a party may make a written request no later than one week in advance of the conference to attend by phone or video conference. Corporate parties or labor unions must send the person with decision-making authority to settle the matter to the conference. Where liability insurance is involved, a decision-making representative of each carrier must attend unless specifically excused by the Court. Where any government agency is a party, counsel of record must be accompanied by a knowledgeable representative from the agency. In addition, in cases where the Comptroller of the City of New York has authority over settlement, the Assistant Corporation Counsel must make arrangements in advance of the conference for a representative of the Comptroller either to attend the conference or to be available by telephone to approve any proposed settlement. If a party believes that the individuals scheduled to attend the conference on behalf of the opposing party do not comply with these requirements, that party shall immediately See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 11 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances I) Conference Location. Unless advised otherwise by the Court, the conference will take place in Courtroom 9B at 500 Pearl Street. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Conferences and appearances 1) Counsel for each party should be prepared to make a brief statement in the presence of all parties and the Court summarizing the issues counsel believes are important for the opposing party to consider in formulating a settlement position. In its discretion, the Court may decide to forgo such statements. After the initial statements, counsel may have their clients speak. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments L) Adjournments: If counsel becomes aware of the need for an adjournment of the date of a settlement conference, they must promptly make an application for an adjournment. If the application is made 7 days after the settlement scheduling order, no cause need to be provided. Otherwise, counsel must provide the reasons for seeking the adjournment. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments The parties should always seek an adjournment if they identify discovery or exchange of information that would make the conference more fruitful. To seek a new date, counsel seeking the adjournment must consult with all other counsel about their availability and that of their clients and insurers and should then email TarnofskyNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov with at least three proposed new dates. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Adjournments The conference date will not be deemed changed until the Court has issued an order setting the new date or adjourning the conference sine die. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Motion practice M) Notification of Settlement: If the parties reach a settlement after a settlement conference has taken place, or while a motion is pending, or shortly before a scheduled conference or hearing, they must promptly so advise the Court, by letter, in order to avoid unnecessary expenditure of judicial resources. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Civil%20Individual%20Rules_2.pdf) · Source page 12 · Collected 2026-10-27 #### Filing and working copies A. Pre-sentence submissions for misdemeanors should be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the scheduled meeting in Courtroom 9B at 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY, 10007. See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding. [Official rules document](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/practice_documents/RFT%20Tarnofsky%20Criminal%20Individual%20Rules.pdf) · Source page 1 · Collected 2026-10-27 ### Shared court rules - [SDNY and EDNY — Joint Local Civil and Criminal Rules](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-201c11a4597834a9a953) — Federal district-court proceedings only. Civil and criminal sections have distinct scope and district-specific exceptions. Not Bankruptcy Court rules. [Official source](https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/local_rules/2026-01-02%20-%20EDNY%20and%20SDNY%20Joint%20Local%20Rules%20As%20Amended.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — 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](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — 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](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.