Sarah L. Cave at a glance
- Current role
- U.S. Magistrate Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · Federal
- Judicial service
- Active
Sarah L. Cave
U.S. Magistrate Judge · U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Service record and verification
Judicial service and assignments
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · U.S. Magistrate Judge · Active · Assignment source ↗
Appointment and verification
- Source authority
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Biography
Professional career
- United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York, appointed on October 1, 2019, after filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon.
- Before her judicial appointment, Cave was a litigation partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP in New York City from 2007 until her appointment.
- Judge Cave serves in Courtroom 18A of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- She has also co-organized civic education initiatives such as the Justice for All Summer Teachers’ Institute and moot court programs
Education
Additional information
- Magistrate, District Court, S.D. New York, 2019-present
- Appointed by the judges of the S.D.N.Y. to the magistrate bench, and since joining the court has handled a wide range of federal matters, including civil litigation, Social Security appeals, and other procedural cases
- Friends of Governor’s Island and Coalition for the Homeless – First Step Program
- Commercial litigation She also co-chaired the firm’s professional services practice group, personnel committee, and pro bono committee
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
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
Filing and working copies
A. Pre-sentence submissions for misdemeanors should be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the scheduled meeting.
Source page 1Published judge / part rules (14 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
1. Settlement conferences form no part of the record. All communications made as part of the settlement conference process are strictly confidential and may not be used for any purpose either in this litigation or elsewhere.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
2. Magistrate Judge Cave will function as a mediator, attempting to help the parties reach agreement on terms of settlement. This process requires that counsel and their clients be both prepared for the conference and candid with the Court. The Court generally holds only one settlement conference.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
3. Each party must attend the settlement conference in the format prescribed by the Court, accompanied by that party's lead attorney(s), who must be fully knowledgeable concerning the facts of the case, relevant law, and the progress of the case to date, including settlement discussions.
Source page 1Adjournments
4. No later than four business days before the conference, each party must send to the Court and opposing counsel a letter of no longer than four (4) pages marked “Confidential Materials For Use Only At Settlement Conference,” setting forth concisely the following: (1) a discussion of the relevant facts and applicable law, with an emphasis on the issues more pertinent to settlement, including a discussion of liability and damages in the event liability were established; (2) if non‐monetary relief—including a general or specific release of claims—is sought in addition to or instead of money damages, each party must set forth its position as to the provision of such relief; (3) the existence and amount of any lien(s) that may attach to the settlement proceeds; and (4) the history of settlement discussions, including any prior offers or demands.1 This letter must be received by the Court and opposing counsel no later than midnight four business days before the settlement conference. Counsel must immediately provide a copy of the opposing party’s letter to their client and/or insurer, and must also ensure before the conference that the client and/or insurer has read the opposing party’s letter. This letter, along with the Attendance Acknowledgment Form appended to the Settlement Conference Scheduling Order, must be sent to the Court by hand delivery or by email to: cave_nysdchambers@nysd.uscourts.gov. Any application for adjournment or other modification of the conference must be submitted via Letter‐Motion on ECF in accordance
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
5. At the settlement conference, counsel for each side should expect to make a succinct presentation (10–15 minutes) in the presence of all parties and the Court summarizing the
Source page 1Discovery
issues counsel believes are important for the client(s) and/or insurer(s) of the opposing party to consider for purposes of formulating a settlement position. The purpose of the presentation is to address and persuade the opposing party, not the Court. Thus, it is usually (1) unnecessary to recount in full the background of the dispute, and (2) unhelpful to discuss issues raised in the opposing party’s confidential settlement letter. The Court prefers that counsel not use slideware or other summary presentations, although key evidence from discovery in the case, that has previously been disclosed to the opposing party at least five (5) days before the conference or is already in the possession of the opposing party, may be helpful. After the initial statements, counsel may respond and have their clients speak if they choose.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
7. The presence of each party (the client), in addition to counsel, is essential to the settlement process. Also, if an insurance company, litigation funder, or other individual or entity has any role in approving a settlement, the decision‐making representative of the insurer must attend in addition to the insured party. Because it is important that the decisionmakers on settlement hear their adversaries’ presentations and be available to answer questions from the Court, the person who attends the conference must be the person with ultimate responsibility for determining the amount of any settlement. Corporations, and any other party that is not a natural person, and insurers must send to the conference the person ultimately responsible within the organization for giving settlement authority, not someone who has received authority from someone else. If a party believes that the individuals scheduled to attend the conference on behalf of the opposing party do not comply with this requirement, that party shall immediately confer with the opposing party and inform the Court by letter promptly if no resolution is reached.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
a. In cases where the City Comptroller has authority over settlement, the Assistant Corporation Counsel shall arrange in advance of the conference for a representative of the Comptroller either to attend the conference or to be available by telephone.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
b. A client or insurer’s attendance by telephone may be permitted if the party lives and works more than 100 miles from the Courthouse and it would be a great hardship for the party to attend the conference on any date. In these circumstances, if more than one individual will be appearing by telephone, the parties must immediately arrange for a toll‐free conference call number that the individuals and the Court may dial into for the conference.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
c. If a party does not speak fluent English, the party must bring an experienced simultaneous interpreter. Counsel may not serve as the interpreter. Counsel should call Chambers if there is any difficulty securing an interpreter.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
8. If a party fails to attend the settlement conference with all of the required persons—counsel, the client(s), the decision‐making representative from the insurer, if any, and an interpreter, if needed—that party may be required to reimburse all of the other parties for their time and travel expenses, and may face other sanctions.
Source page 3Adjournments
9. If counsel becomes aware of the need or potential need for an adjournment of the date of the conference, counsel must make an application for the adjournment as soon as counsel is aware of the need. If the application is made more than fourteen (14) days in advance of the conference, no cause need be provided. Otherwise, counsel must provide reasons for seeking the adjournment.
Source page 3Adjournments
a. The parties are required to seek an adjournment if (1) an adjournment would permit discovery or exchange of information that would make the conference more fruitful, or (2) for in‐person conferences, a client or insurer who would otherwise participate by telephone would be available to attend in person if the conference were held on another date. To seek a new date within 45 days of the originally‐scheduled conference, counsel must consult with all other counsel as to their, their clients’, and their insurer’s availability. The party must then file a Letter‐Motion via ECF in accordance with Magistrate Judge Cave’s Individual Practices proposing options for a new date and time and indicating that all parties are available. If the party wishes to postpone by more than 45 days, an adjournment sine die should be sought by Letter‐Motion, should provide the position of each party as to the request, and should specify an approximate time period when the conference should be held. The Court notes that the scheduled conference date is not changed unless and until the Court grants the written application to change the date.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
10. If a defendant intends to claim that its financial situation is relevant to any potential or actual settlement offer (either based on the amount offered or a proposal to pay any portion in more than 30 days), the defendant shall inform plaintiff of this fact no later than fourteen (14) days before the conference. The parties should then discuss whether plaintiff seek proof of defendant’s claim and whether the defendant is willing to provide such proof, which must be provided at least three (3) days before the conference. A summary of any discussions on this topic shall be included in the letters required under paragraph 4 of this Standing Order.
Source page 3Shared 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 29, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
U.S. Courts judicial profile or roster
Identity source · HTML · Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts · Source checked July 29, 2026
View U.S. Courts judicial profile or roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · CourtListener / Free Law Project · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · CourtListener / Free Law Project · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗