Valerie Elaine Caproni at a glance
- Current role
- Senior Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · Federal
- Judicial service
- Active
Valerie Elaine Caproni
Senior 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 · Judge · Senior · December 2, 2013–present · Assignment source ↗
Appointment and verification
- Appointment method
- Presidential appointment with Senate confirmation
- Appointing authority
- Barack Obama
- Source authority
- Federal Judicial Center Biographical Directory
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Biography
Professional career
- Judge, District Court, S.D. New York, 2013-present
- Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of New York, 1992-1998
- Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of New York, 1985-1989
- Law clerk, Hon. Phyllis Kravitch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 1979-1980
- Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY)
Education
- H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College
- University of Georgia School of Law
Additional information
- Current position: Senior Judge, SDNY (since January 7, 2025)
- chief, Special Prosecutions Unit, 1993-present
- Vice president and deputy general counsel, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2011-2013
- General counsel, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2003-2011
- Private practice, New York City, 2001-2003
- Regional director, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Los Angeles, CA, 1998-2001
- chief, Criminal Division, 1994-1998
- chief, Organized Crime and Racketeering Unit, 1993-1994
- General counsel and senior vice president, New York State Urban Development Corporation, 1989-1992
- Private practice, New York City, 1980-1985
- Born August 13, 1955, in Lee County, Alabama.
- Date of birth: 1955-01-01
- Birth place: Lee County, AL
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 (66 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Conferences and appearances
1. Notices of Appearance. All counsel must file Notices of Appearance on ECF before appearing for a conference or filing any materials on ECF. Attorneys who intend to file for admission pro hac vice should make all efforts to do so before appearing for a conference or filing any materials. Counsel must also ensure that their ECF profiles reflect up-to-date employment and contact information. ECF instructions are available on the Court website at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
A. Letters. Except as otherwise provided below, all communications with the Court should be by letter. Letters must be filed electronically on ECF unless there is a request to file a letter under seal or a letter contains sensitive or confidential information (see Rule 5, below). Absent a request to file a letter under seal, any substantive letter or email received by the Court that is not filed electronically on ECF will be docketed by the Court. Copies of correspondence between counsel must not be filed on ECF or otherwise sent to the Court (except as exhibits to an otherwise properly filed document). In all correspondence with the Court containing a request, the requesting party must indicate whether its adversary consents to the request. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court or in exceptional circumstances, letters should generally not exceed five pages in length.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
B. Telephone Calls. For questions that cannot be answered by reference to these Rules or the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules, or for docketing, scheduling, and calendar matters, counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy, Angela Caliendo, at the Chambers inbox listed above. For situations requiring immediate attention from the Court, counsel should email the Chambers inbox requesting the Court’s contact information. The Re line of the email should be marked “URGENT” and the text should provide a short explanation of the emergency and should be copied to all parties.
Source page 1Adjournments
C. Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the reason for the proposed adjournment or extension; (2) the original due date;
Source page 2Adjournments
(3) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (4) whether the other party or parties consent and, if not, the reason given for refusing to consent; and (5) proposed alternative dates. Requests for adjournment of a Rule 16 conference must comply with Rule 3.A of these Individual Practices.
Source page 2Adjournments
Absent an emergency, the request must be made at least 48 business hours prior to the original due date. Failure to comply with this rule may be grounds for denying an adjournment or extension request.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
D. Proposed Orders and Stipulations. All proposed orders, stipulations, and judgments must be submitted as attachments or exhibits to a letter to the Court filed on ECF explaining the purpose of the proposed order, stipulation, or judgment. The parties must also email a Microsoft Word version to the Court at CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
E. Urgent Communications. Materials filed via ECF are not necessarily reviewed the same day they are filed. If a submission requires immediate attention, please notify Chambers by an email to the Chambers inbox; the Re line should be marked “URGENT.”
Source page 2Adjournments
A. Initial Case Management Conference. The Court will generally schedule a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16 conference on a Friday morning approximately six weeks from the filing of the Complaint. Plaintiff’s counsel (or, in a matter removed from state court, defendant’s counsel) is responsible for distributing copies of the Notice of Initial Pretrial Conference to all parties. The Notice will direct the parties to submit to the Court, approximately one week prior to the conference date, a joint proposed Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order and a joint letter. Requests for adjournments of the initial pretrial conference must be made in accordance with Rule 2(C) of these Individual Practices and must include proposed alternative dates that fall on Friday mornings.
Source page 2Motion practice
All parties should be prepared to discuss at the initial pretrial conference any pending or anticipated motions as well as the basis for subject matter jurisdiction.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
B. Discovery Disputes. In the event of a discovery dispute: Any party wishing to raise a discovery dispute with the Court must first meet and confer in good faith with the opposing party, in person or by telephone, in an effort to resolve the dispute. If this process fails and the Court’s intervention is required, the parties must jointly call Chambers to hold a joint teleconference with the Court for prompt resolution of the dispute. The parties should email the Chambers inbox
Source page 2Discovery
i. Discovery disputes that cannot be resolved by the parties must be brought to the Court’s attention in a timely fashion. If the parties have failed to do so, the Court is unlikely to grant a request for an extension of the discovery deadline because of the existence of outstanding, disputed discovery requests.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
ii. When calling Chambers to resolve a discovery dispute, counsel for all parties must appear on the line and be prepared to: (a) provide a brief synopsis of the dispute to a law clerk; (b) propose mutually convenient times for a teleconference with Judge Caproni in the event she is not immediately available at the time of the call; and (c) state whether the parties would like the call to be recorded or transcribed. All teleconferences will be conducted off the record unless all parties consent otherwise.
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iii. The Court will determine during the teleconference whether written submissions will be required. Parties should not make written submissions regarding discovery disputes absent Court permission.
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iv. If, with the Court’s permission, a party submits documents for in camera review to resolve a dispute regarding redactions to documents to be produced in discovery, the party must submit those documents as instructed in Rule 5 below.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
ii. At least one attorney for each party who appears for a conference must have sufficient knowledge to discuss all matters relating to the case.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
iv. Any attorney who intends to speak on behalf of a party at a conference must file a Notice of Appearance prior to the conference.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
A. Pre-Motion Submissions. Written pre-motion submissions are not required for any motion. Before filing a Motion to Strike, the moving party must coordinate a teleconference with Chambers to discuss the proposed motion.
Source page 4Motion practice
i. Page and Word-Count Limits. If filed by an attorney or prepared with a computer, unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, memoranda of law in support of and in opposition to motions are limited to 8,750 words and reply memoranda are limited to 3,500 words. If filed by a party who is not represented by an attorney and handwritten or prepared with a typewriter, in support of and in response to a motion must not exceed 25 pages, and reply briefs must not exceed 10 pages. These limits will be enforced strictly, and any requests for page or word-count enlargements must be filed in advance of the motion. If a memorandum is filed by an attorney or prepared with a computer, it must include a certificate by the attorney, or party who is not represented by an attorney, that the document complies with the word‐count limitations. The person preparing the certificate may rely on the word count of the word‐processing program used to prepare the document. The certificate must state the number of words in the document. The text in the certificate does not count toward the word- count limitation.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
C. Courtesy Copies. Not later than two (2) business days after the reply has been served, the movant must mail or hand-deliver to the Court one courtesy copy of all papers relevant to the motion, including those opposing the motion, in a tabbed three-ring binder. Exhibits (if any) must also be organized in a tabbed three-ring binder. Unless doing so would be unduly burdensome, the movant must also email Chambers (CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a link to a password-protected file-sharing site (e.g., Sharefile) that contains text-searchable copies of any hearing or deposition transcripts, as well as any other item on which the parties rely that cannot be submitted as a single file on ECF (e.g., videos or very long documents). The same rules apply to appellants seeking review of a bankruptcy court decision.
Source page 4Motion practice
i. Amending the Complaint or Cross- or Counter-claims. If a motion to dismiss is filed, the Plaintiff (or cross- or counter-claimant) has a right to amend its pleading within 21 days of the motion, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(1)(B). If the Plaintiff (or cross- or counter- claimant) elects to amend its pleading, the previously filed motion to dismiss will be denied as moot, and the moving party shall, within 21 days of such amendment: (1) answer or (2) again move to dismiss. If the Plaintiff (or cross- or counter-claimant) elects to amend its pleading, it must file a redlined version of the amended pleading comparing the revisions made to the prior version of the pleading.
Source page 5Motion practice
ii. Briefing Schedule. If the Plaintiff (or cross- or counter-claimant) elects not to amend its pleading in response to a motion to dismiss, the motion will proceed in the normal course, pursuant to the briefing schedule set by the Court (or, in the absence of a specific order, pursuant to the briefing schedule set forth in Local Civil Rule 6.1(b)). In that situation, the non- moving party must address in its response whether it seeks leave to amend in the event the motion is granted.
Source page 5Motion practice
F. Motions to Exclude the Testimony of Experts. Motions to exclude the testimony of experts should not be treated as motions in limine. If the parties anticipate that there will be a dispute over the admissibility of expert testimony, the issue must be raised at the status conference following the close of fact discovery so that the Court may set an appropriate briefing schedule. If such a dispute arises after that status conference, the party disputing the admissibility of the expert’s testimony must promptly notify the Court so that an appropriate briefing schedule may be set.
Source page 5Motion practice
i. Generally Not Available in Non-Jury Cases. Absent good cause, the Court generally will not consider summary judgment motions in non-jury cases. If a party wishes to move for summary judgment in a non-jury case, that party should raise the issue in the parties’ joint letter submitted before the status conference following the close of fact discovery.
Source page 5Motion practice
In short: at the time the motion is fully briefed, the Court should have one, final consolidated 56.1 Statement.
Source page 6Motion practice
c. Multiple Parties Must Coordinate Statements. If multiple parties are submitting 56.1 Statements in support of or opposition to the same motion, they must coordinate their statements to provide for consecutive, non-overlapping, numbered paragraphs in their respective statements.
Source page 6Motion practice
H. Motions for Default Judgment. A party seeking a default judgment must proceed by way of an Order to Show Cause pursuant to the procedure set forth in Attachment A in addition to the requirements set forth by Local Rule 55.2.
Source page 7Motion practice
A. Any party seeking to file any pleading, motion, memorandum, exhibit, or other document, or any portion thereof, in redacted form or under seal, must follow the below instructions for Electronic Filing, unless the party is (1) unable to file documents under seal through the ECF system or (2) has reason to believe that a particular document should not be electronically filed. If either of those conditions are met, the parties must follow the instructions for Non-Electronic Filing.
Source page 7Motion practice
B. Electronic Filing. 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.
Source page 7Communications with chambers
i. Sealing/Redactions Not Requiring Court Approval. Redactions made pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(a) do not require Court approval, but the parties must either file the unredacted document(s) under seal on ECF or email the unredacted document(s) to Chambers, at CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Source page 7Communications with chambers
If a case is entirely under seal or if the Court previously ordered that certain documents be filed under seal or with specific redactions, a party need not again request permission to file under seal. The party must file any such document electronically on ECF, under seal, and provide, via mail or hand-delivery, a courtesy copy to Chambers if the document exceeds 20 pages.
Source page 7Motion practice
ii. Sealing/Redactions Requiring Court Approval. Any party wishing to file any document, or any portion thereof, in redacted form or under seal for reasons other than Rule 5.2(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure must file a letter motion requesting permission from the Court to do so.
Source page 8Communications with chambers
Unless a party seeks to file a redacted or sealed document ex parte, opposing counsel must have access to all communications with the Court.
Source page 8Motion practice
b. File, as a separate entry on ECF, any papers in support of the letter motion. Supporting papers may be filed under seal or redacted only to the extent necessary to safeguard information sought to be filed under seal.
Source page 8Motion practice
c. File, under seal on ECF, the documents that are the subject of the sealing or redaction request. If a party is filing a motion for redactions, the proposed redactions must be highlighted in the unredacted document(s) filed under seal. The sealed documents must also be marked in the ECF system as related to the letter motion. Note: the summary docket text associated with the sealed document will be visible to the public and should not include any information sought to be filed under seal.
Source page 8Communications with chambers
f. If any document containing sensitive information is filed in public view by mistake, the party must promptly contact Attorney Services at the Clerk’s Office at 212-805-0800, and notify Chambers by phone or email if the issue is not resolved.
Source page 9Motion practice
i. Procedure to Request Non-Electronic Sealing. Any party seeking to seal or redact a document without filing the relevant documents on ECF must explain in the party’s letter motion requesting sealing or redactions why the party is unable or unwilling to use electronic sealing on ECF.
Source page 9Communications with chambers
a. Follow the instructions for Electronic Filing (Rule 5(B)), except that any documents that would otherwise be filed under seal on ECF must be emailed to Chambers (CaproniNYSDChambers@ nysd.uscourts.gov). The party may transmit documents as attachments or via a link to a drop box from which the Court may download the documents. Any documents that do not contain sensitive information must be electronically filed on ECF, in addition to being emailed to Chambers. Unless a party seeks to file a redacted or sealed document ex parte, opposing counsel must be copied on to all communications with the Court.
Source page 9Communications with chambers
A. Applications for a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”). A party must confer with his or her adversary before making an application for a TRO unless the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(b) are met. As soon as a party decides to seek a TRO, he or she must call Chambers at (212) 805-6350 to schedule a time to present its application to the Court and state clearly whether (1) he or she has notified the adversary, and whether the adversary consents to temporary injunctive relief; or (2) the requirements of Rule 65(b) are satisfied and no notice is required. If a party’s adversary has been notified but does not consent to temporary injunctive relief, the party seeking a restraining order must bring the application to the Court at a time mutually agreeable to the party and its adversary, so that the Court may have the benefit of advocacy from both sides in deciding whether to grant temporary injunctive relief.
Source page 10Conferences and appearances
A. Maintaining Jurisdiction. If the parties would like the Court to retain jurisdiction to enforce their settlement agreement, the parties must either publicly file the terms of that agreement or submit a request to file the agreement under seal in accordance with Rule 5. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Court will not retain jurisdiction to enforce a confidential settlement agreement. The Court will determine whether to retain jurisdiction after the settlement agreement is filed.
Source page 10Conferences and appearances
i. Attorneys Receiving Fees. Counsel seeking preliminary approval of a class action settlement that includes payment of attorneys’ fees must identify all attorneys with whom counsel intends to share the fees, regardless of whether those attorneys have filed Notices of Appearance.
Source page 10Motion practice
ii. Factors to Address. Any motion for preliminary approval of a class action settlement must provide sufficient information regarding: (i) the complexity, expense, and likely duration of the litigation; (ii) the litigation risk, including the risks of establishing liability and damages; (iii) the damages class members allegedly suffered; (iv) the reasonableness of the settlement in light of the best possible recovery and the attendant risks of
Source page 10Motion practice
iii. Certification of a Settlement Class. Motions for conditional certification of a class action settlement must establish that the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 are met. The motion must show that the requirements of Rule 23(a) and (b) are satisfied, as well as provide facts that would support a preliminary conclusion that the settlement is procedurally and substantively fair pursuant to Rule 23(e).
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C. Approval of FLSA Settlements. Parties may not dismiss a FLSA action with prejudice unless the settlement agreement has been approved by either the Court or the Department of Labor (“DOL”). See Cheeks v. Freeport Pancake House, Inc., 796 F.3d 199, 206 (2d Cir. 2015). To the extent parties wish to dismiss a settled FLSA action with prejudice, they must either file a copy of the settlement agreement and a joint letter motion requesting that the Court approve the settlement agreement and attorneys’ fees as fair and reasonable or, alternatively, provide documentation of the approval by DOL.
Source page 11Conferences and appearances
i. If the parties wish to proceed without Court or DOL approval, they must submit a stipulation pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A). Any such stipulation must be accompanied by an affirmation from Plaintiff’s counsel: (1) stating that the Plaintiff(s) have been clearly advised that the settlement of the case does not preclude them from filing another lawsuit against the same Defendant(s); and (2) affirming that the settlement agreement does not contain a release of the Defendant(s).
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When the parties notify the Court of settlement, the Court will issue an order detailing the information the parties must include in either their joint letter motion or stipulation.
Source page 11Conferences and appearances
ii. Parties may also proceed without Court or DOL approval pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68(a). Any such Offer of Judgment must be filed on ECF and accompanied by a Proposed Judgment that contains the agreed-upon settlement amount. See Mei Xing Yu v. Hasaki Rest., Inc., 944 F.3d 395 (2d Cir. 2019).
Source page 11Motion practice
A. Motions in limine. In both jury and non-jury cases, unless a different schedule has been set by the Court, the parties shall file any motions that address evidentiary issues or other matters that should be resolved in limine no later than four weeks before trial. Responses to motions in limine shall be filed no later than
Source page 11Motion practice
three weeks before trial. Unless instructed otherwise, the parties are not to file reply briefs in support of motions in limine.
Source page 12Conferences and appearances
C. Final Pretrial Conference. The Court will generally hold a Final Pretrial Conference (“FPTC”) within one week of trial. Trial counsel must appear for this conference and be prepared to discuss all aspects of the case. If the parties settle the case after the FPTC, they must immediately notify the Court. If any case settles after 12:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the day on which jury selection will commence, the parties will be taxed the cost of the jury panel.
Source page 12Communications with chambers
D. Joint Pretrial Order. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no later than two weeks prior to trial and one week prior to the FPTC the parties must submit to the Court on ECF a proposed joint pretrial order (“JPTO”). The parties must also mail or hand-deliver to the Court two (2) courtesy copies of the JPTO, in addition to emailing a Microsoft Word version to CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts .gov. In addition to the materials required in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
Source page 12Trial exhibits and witnesses
vi. A statement as to whether all parties have consented to trial by a magistrate judge, without identifying which parties do or do not consent;
Source page 12Trial exhibits and witnesses
xi. In jury cases, joint proposed requests to charge, joint proposed voir dire questions, and joint proposed verdict sheets. Proposed requests to charge may not be submitted after the due date for the JPTO unless they meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 51(a)(2)(A). Proposed requests to charge must include citations to supporting legal authority.
Source page 13Trial exhibits and witnesses
Proposed voir dire questions should be limited to questions tailored to issues of significance to the particular case. The parties should not include questions designed to adduce standard biographical information, to learn about potential conflicts related to the parties or the attorneys, or to ascertain biases regarding civil cases generally.
Source page 13Trial exhibits and witnesses
xii. Exhibit Lists. A list by each party of exhibits to be offered in its case-in- chief, any objections by the opposing party and the grounds therefor, and responses, if any, to those objections. Exhibit lists must take the following
Source page 13Trial exhibits and witnesses
When preparing objections, the opposing party should assume that the proponent of the exhibit will be able to authenticate the document and lay an evidentiary foundation for its admission into evidence. If, however, based on discussions with counsel or knowledge of the case, the opposing party has a good faith basis to believe the exhibit cannot be authenticated or that a foundation cannot be established, then the opposing party should object on that basis.
Source page 13Discovery
xiii. Deposition Designations. With respect to any deponent who will not be testifying in person at trial, a designation by each party of deposition testimony to be offered in its case-in-chief and any counter-designations, the grounds for any objections, and any responses to those objections.
Source page 14Discovery
Deposition designations must be organized chronologically by witness and
Source page 14Communications with chambers
Full transcripts of any depositions from which designations have been made must be submitted electronically in a text-searchable format, either on ECF or by email to CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov on the same day as the JPTO is due. Designated testimony must be highlighted in yellow if there is no objection and in pink if there is an objection. Objections to deposition designations will be addressed at the FPTC unless otherwise ordered.
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Impeachment. To the extent a party intends to use, for impeachment purposes, a deposition transcript of any witness who will be testifying in person at trial, the full transcript of the appropriate deposition must also be electronically submitted to the Court with the JPTO in a text-searchable format either on ECF or by email.
Source page 14Communications with chambers
E. Trial Exhibits. Trial exhibits are due on the same day as the parties’ proposed JPTO. Each party shall submit to the Court electronic, text-searchable copies of all exhibits sought to be admitted with pre-marked exhibit numbers by emailing Chambers (CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov) a link to a password- protected file-sharing site (e.g., Sharefile).
Source page 14Filing and working copies
F. Required Pretrial Filings. Each party shall file on ECF and serve with the
Source page 14Communications with chambers
ii. 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 evidence as there may be no opportunity for post-trial submissions. The parties must also mail or hand-deliver to Chambers two (2) courtesy copies of the Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, as well as email Microsoft Word versions of these items to CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov.
Source page 15Courtroom conduct and technology
A. Pre-Approved Personal Electronic Devices. Attorneys’ use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices within the Courthouse and its environs is governed by Revised Standing Order M10-468. Subject to security screening, any attorney who is a member of this Court’s Bar, obtains the necessary service pass from the District Executive’s Office, and shows the service pass upon entering the Courthouse may bring some personal electronic devices into the Courthouse. Mobile phones are permitted inside the Courtroom, but they must be kept turned off at all times. Non-compliance with this rule may result in forfeiture of the device for the remainder of the proceedings.
Source page 15Communications with chambers
B. Other Electronic Devices. Prior court order is required for an attorney to bring into the Courthouse any general-purpose computing device, such as a laptop or tablet, or any other electronic equipment that does not qualify as a “personal electronic device” pursuant to Revised Standing Order M10-468. In addition, prior court order is required for any attorney who has not obtained a service pass from the District Executive’s Office and wishes to bring a personal electronic device into the Courthouse. Any attorney seeking to bring such equipment into the Courthouse should e-mail a proposed order to Chambers at least 10 business days in advance of the relevant trial or hearing requesting permission to use such equipment. A fillable version of the order is available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Electronic%20Dev.pdf.
Source page 15Communications with chambers
If the request is granted, Chambers will file the Order with the District Executive’s Office. Counsel must bring a copy of the Order and present it to security upon bringing the equipment into the Courthouse. It is solely the attorney’s responsibility to ensure they have proper clearance to bring electronic equipment into the Courthouse.
Source page 15Published judge / part rules (30 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Conferences and appearances
1. Notices of Appearance. Counsel are required to register in accordance with the Procedures for Electronic Case Filing and to file a Notice of Appearance within one week of the Defendant’s initial appearance. Complete instructions on how to register are available on the Court’s website (www.nysd.uscourts.gov).
Source page 1Communications with chambers
A. Letters. Communications with Chambers should generally be by letter filed electronically on ECF, unless the communication falls within an exception set forth below. Absent such an exception, any substantive letter received by the Court that is not filed on ECF will be docketed by the Court. In all correspondence with the Court containing an application or request, the requesting party must indicate whether its adversary consents to the request.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
B. Telephone Calls. For questions that cannot be answered by reference to these Rules or the S.D.N.Y. Local Rules, or for docketing, scheduling, and calendar matters, counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy, Angela Caliendo, at the Chambers inbox listed above. For situations requiring immediate attention from the Court, counsel should email the Chambers inbox requesting the Court’s contact information. The Re line of the email should be marked “URGENT” and the email must be copied to all parties in the case.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
C. Courtesy Copies. When a submission (including letters, briefs, motions, and other documents) exceeds 20 pages in length, the submitting party must both file the submission on ECF and deliver a courtesy hard copy to Chambers by mail or hand delivery. Courtesy copies must be organized in tabbed, three-ring binders.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
If submissions include exhibits, the submitting party must also provide Chambers with a CD or a file transfer link containing electronic, text-searchable copies of any exhibits that cannot be submitted as a single file on ECF (e.g., video files or very long documents). Parties may not submit materials on flash or thumb drives.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Requests for authorization to seek interim payments may be made ex parte and under seal, via email to Chambers at the email address above.
Source page 2Motion practice
E. Discovery Motions. In submitting discovery motions, counsel are expected to comply with this District’s Local Criminal Rule 16.1. Any discovery motion must contain the required Rule 16.1 affidavit.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
A. General Procedures. Any party wishing to file a submission in redacted form or under seal must request permission to do so. Unless delayed docketing is
Source page 2Communications with chambers
iii. Email to Chambers a copy of the document that the party seeks to redact or to file under seal and, if the document exceeds 20 pages, deliver to Chambers a courtesy copy (following Rule 2.B above). Information to be redacted must be highlighted. Unless the requesting party seeks leave to file the submission ex parte, all counsel of record must be copied on the email to Chambers.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
A. Counsel are expected to be present and prepared to begin all court proceedings at their scheduled times, with no exceptions. If Defense counsel wish to confer with their clients, they must do so in advance of any scheduled conference, so that the conference may begin on time.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
A. Arraignments and presentments should be conducted in Magistrate Court. When a case is assigned to this Court, the Government must call Chambers to arrange a time for an initial conference. When calling, the Government must be prepared to inform Chambers: (1) the times that it and Defense counsel are available for the conference; (2) whether the conference will be conducted under seal; and (3) whether an interpreter is required. The Government must email all charging 2
Source page 2Communications with chambers
instruments to Chambers, if they are not available on ECF, at least 48 hours prior to the conference.
Source page 3Motion practice
A. All parties must submit motion papers on ECF and must submit courtesy copies to the Court, following Rule 2.B above. If multiple Defendants in a case have filed pretrial motions, the Government must respond to all motions in a single, omnibus brief, unless otherwise ordered.
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B. If any party intends to call an expert witness at trial, it must provide its adversary with notice sufficiently far in advance to allow for any Daubert motions. If any party intends to file a Daubert motion, the party must notify the Court of the anticipated motion well in advance of trial.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
A. Judge Caproni prefers to conduct all change-of-plea hearings herself, when possible. If a Defendant intends to enter a disposition to a charge, the Government must call Chambers to schedule a time for a change-of-plea hearing.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
The Government must be prepared to inform Chambers: (1) the times that it and Defense counsel are available for the hearing; (2) whether the hearing will be conducted under seal; and (3) whether an interpreter is required.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
B. At least 48 hours prior to the hearing, the Government must email to Chambers any plea agreement, cooperation agreement, Pimentel letter, and/or superseding charging instrument.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
A. If a Defendant wishes to relieve or substitute his counsel of record, the Defendant’s counsel of record must submit a letter on ECF requesting the substitution. The letter must indicate the times that the Defendant’s counsel of record and the Government are available to appear for a conference with the Court. If a Defendant is represented by the Federal Defender or by CJA counsel, the Court will not grant the Defendant more than one request to substitute counsel, absent compelling circumstances.
Source page 3Adjournments
A. Adjournments. Any request for an adjournment of sentencing must be made by letter on ECF no later than three business days before the scheduled proceeding. 3
Source page 3Adjournments
The request must state the reason for the adjournment and whether opposing counsel consents.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
B. Written Submissions on Sentence. Unless otherwise ordered, the Court requires both parties to file their written sentencing submissions on the same day. The Court generally does not permit written responses or replies to sentencing submissions. The parties’ sentencing submissions must be filed at least two weeks prior to sentencing, unless otherwise ordered. Courtesy copies of written sentencing submissions and letters must be submitted to Chambers, following Rule 2.B above. Any requests for redactions or sealing must comply with Rule 3 above.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
C. Letters. Except for submissions requested to be filed under seal, 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 MEMORANDUM,” with the caption and docket number clearly indicated. The Defendant is responsible for filing all letters submitted on behalf of him- or herself, including letters from friends and relatives. The Government is responsible for filing all letters from victims.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
A. Requests to Charge and Proposed Voir Dire Questions. Requests to charge and proposed voir dire questions must be submitted to the Court at least two weeks prior to trial, unless otherwise ordered. The parties must submit these materials on ECF and must submit courtesy copies to the Court in Word by the Court-ordered deadline. Proposed voir dire questions should include only those questions unique to the facts of the case being tried. Proposed voir dire questions should also include a list of persons and places that may be mentioned during the trial. If multiple Defendants will be tried, all Defendants must, unless otherwise ordered, submit a single request to charge and a single set of proposed voir dire questions.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
i. At least one week prior to trial, the Government must submit to the Court an exhibit list and copies of all exhibits that it intends to use in its case-in-chief by file transfer portal (e.g., USAfx). The exhibit list must be in large font and consist of a chart with four columns labeled: “Exhibit Number,” “Document Description,” “Identified,” and “Admitted” (with the last two columns left blank). The exhibit list must be emailed to the Court in both PDF and Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel formats. All exhibits must be pre-marked.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
ii. During trial, if either the Government or the Defense identify or admit any exhibit that has not previously been submitted to the Court, that party must
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
C. Section 3500 Material. The Government is encouraged to adhere to its customary practice of producing § 3500 material prior to trial. If the Government adheres to this practice, it must submit all § 3500 material to the Court in electronic format by file transfer portal (e.g., USAfx) at least one week prior to trial.
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
F. Objections. The Court strongly prefers to resolve objections to exhibits prior to the time that trial sessions begin each day. If the parties anticipate prolonged arguments regarding the admissibility of any evidence, they are urged to raise the issue with the Court in advance, so that the Court can hold a conference prior to the time that the trial session is scheduled to begin. All parties must be prepared to appear for such a conference as early as 9:00 a.m. on any day during trial.
Source page 5Courtroom conduct and technology
A. Pre-Approved Personal Electronic Devices. Attorneys’ use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices within the courthouse and its environs is governed by Revised Standing Order M10-468. Subject to security screening, any attorney who is a member of this Court’s Bar, obtains the necessary service pass from the District Executive’s Office, and shows the service pass upon entering the courthouse may bring some personal electronic devices into the courthouse. Mobile phones are permitted inside the courtroom, but they must be kept turned off at all times. Non-compliance with this rule may result in forfeiture of the device for the remainder of the proceedings.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
B. Other Electronic Devices. Prior court order is required for an attorney to bring into the courthouse any general purpose computing device, such as a laptop or tablet, or any other electronic equipment that does not qualify as a “personal electronic device” pursuant to Revised Standing Order M10-468. In addition, prior court order is required for any attorney who has not obtained a service pass from the District Executive’s Office and wishes to bring a personal electronic device into the courthouse. Any attorney seeking to bring such equipment into the courthouse should e-mail a proposed order to Chambers at least 10 business days in advance of the relevant trial or hearing requesting permission to use such equipment. A fillable version of the order is available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Electronic%20Dev.pdf.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
If the request is granted, Chambers will file the order with the District Executive’s Office. The order must be shown upon bringing the equipment into the courthouse.
Source page 6Published judge / part rules (16 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
A. ECF Filing by Pro Se Parties. Any nonincarcerated pro se party who wishes to participate in electronic case filing (“ECF”) should complete a Motion for Permission for Electronic Case Filing, available in the Pro Se Intake Unit or at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2019-04/2012-prosemotionecffiling- final.pdf. The form should be mailed to the Pro Se Intake Unit, 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY, 10007.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
A. By a Pro Se Party. Pro se parties who are registered on ECF should file all letters and motions, absent a request to file a document under seal, via ECF. By Standing Order, a pro se party who is not registered on ECF must mail all communications with the Court to the Pro Se Intake Unit located at 500 Pearl Street, Room 200, New York, NY 10007. A pro se party must not send any document or filing directly to Chambers. Submissions requiring immediate attention should be hand-delivered to the Pro Se Intake Unit. Unless the Court orders otherwise, all communications with the Court 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 to the party and include proof of service affirming that he or she has done so. Copies of
Source page 1Communications with chambers
correspondence between a pro se party and opposing parties shall not be sent to the Court.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
B. By Parties Represented by Counsel. Except as otherwise provided below, communications with the Court by a represented party shall be governed by Judge Caproni’s Individual Practices in Civil Cases, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-valerie-e-caproni.
Source page 2Adjournments
C. Requests for Adjournments or Extensions of Time. All requests for adjournments or extensions of time must be made by letter and must state: (1) the original due date; (2) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension of time; (3) whether the adversary consents and, if not, the reason given by the adversary for refusing to consent; and (4) proposed alternative dates.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
B. Sensitive Information. Unless relevant to the case, parties must not include in submissions to the Court (1) social security numbers, (2) names of minor children, (3) dates of birth, (4) financial account numbers, or (5) nonparties’ home addresses. Pro se parties wishing to file a document already containing this information must submit a version to the Pro Se Intake Unit with this information blacked out or otherwise unidentifiable. If this information is relevant to the case, the filing party must request permission from the Court prior to filing and explain why the information needs to be included. More information regarding the Southern District’s privacy policy is available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/privacy-policy.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
C. Papers Filed by Pro Se Parties. If the pro se party is not participating in ECF, then the pro se party must send all papers to be filed with the Court to the Pro Se Intake Unit.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
D. Service on Pro Se Parties. Except for cases in which the pro se party has received permission to participate in ECF or has consented to electronic service, counsel in cases involving pro se parties must serve the pro se parties with paper copies of any document that is filed electronically or otherwise submitted to the Court and must attach a separate proof of service. Submissions without such proof of service will not be considered.
Source page 2Discovery
4. Discovery. Pro se parties should send all requests for discovery to the opposing party or, if the opposing party is represented, to his or her counsel. Discovery requests should not be sent to the Court.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
A. An incarcerated pro se party may not be able to attend this or other conferences, but may be able to participate by telephone. If an incarcerated pro se party does not have counsel and is unable to participate by telephone, a family member or a representative may attend the conference. In such instances, the incarcerated pro se party may submit in advance of the conference a letter regarding any issue he or she wishes to have addressed at the conference. If a representative is designated, he or she should contact Chambers at (212) 805-6350 to determine the location of the conference. The Court will also have a transcript of the conference sent to the incarcerated pro se party.
Source page 3Motion practice
A. Filing and Service. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, papers filed by a pro se party in opposition to a motion must be served and filed within four weeks of service of the motions papers, and reply papers, if any, must be served and filed within two weeks of receipt of opposition papers. In cases using ECF where both paper and electronic copies are served, the date of service is the date of electronic service. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, filing deadlines for counseled parties are governed by Local Rule 6.1
Source page 3Motion practice
C. Pro Se Notices. Parties who file a motion to dismiss, a motion for judgment on the pleadings, or a motion for summary judgment must provide the pro se party with a copy of the notices required under Local Civil Rules 12.1 or 56.2.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
D. Courtesy Copies. One courtesy copy of all formal motion papers, marked as such, should be submitted to Chambers by the non-pro se party at the time the reply is fully briefed. Courtesy copies should not be submitted to chambers at the time of filing. If all parties are pro se, then courtesy copies of formal motion papers are not required.
Source page 3Motion practice
E. Oral Argument. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the Court will not hear oral argument in pro se matters.
Source page 3Trial exhibits and witnesses
A. Pretrial Statement. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no later than four weeks prior to trial, a pro se party must file a concise, written Pretrial Statement. This Statement must contain the following: (1) a statement of the facts the pro se party hopes to prove at trial; (2) a list of all documents or other physical objects that the pro se party plans to put into evidence at trial; and (3) a list of the names and addresses of all witnesses the pro se party intends to have testify at trial. The pro se party must swear that the Statement is true and accurate based on the facts known by the pro se party. The pro se party must file an original of this Statement with the Pro Se Intake Unit with a certificate stating the date a copy was mailed to each other party, or, for any party who is represented, to his or her attorney. Two weeks after service of the pro se party’s Statement, the other party or his or her counsel must file and serve a similar Statement containing the same categories of information.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
B. Other Pretrial Filings. In cases tried before only a Judge without a jury, pro se parties may, but are not required to, submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. In cases tried before a jury, pro se parties may, but are not required to, submit proposed questions to be asked of prospective jurors during jury selection, a proposed jury charge to be read to jurors at the close of trial, and a proposed verdict form. Any parties represented by counsel must submit materials in accordance with Judge Caproni’s Individual Practices in Civil Cases, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-valerie-e-caproni.
Source page 4Shared 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 2, 2026.
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · Federal Judicial Center Biographical Directory · effective December 2, 2013 · 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 ↗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 ↗