United States District Court
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
SHERMAN DIVISION
STANDING ORDER REGARDING COURTROOM
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGER ATTORNEYS
The Court recognizes a growing trend in which fewer cases go to trial and there are generally
few opportunities for attorneys to speak in court. This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is,
attorneys practicing for less than seven years (Newer Attorney(s)). Opportunities for Newer
Attorneys to speak in federal court are increasingly rare. Accordingly, the Court strongly encourages
litigants to be mindful of opportunities for Newer Attorneys to conduct oral argument, particularly
where a Newer Attorney drafted or contributed significantly to a motion or response. The Court
believes that all attorneys share the responsibility to assist in providing substantive experience to the
next generation of lawyers and that the benefits of doing so accrue to Newer Attorneys, clients, and
the profession generally. The Court strongly encourages all parties to keep this goal in mind.
Recognizing the importance of developing future generations of practitioners through
courtroom opportunities, the Court adopts the following procedures for all oral argument on motions
before Judge Mazzant:
1. If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the briefing is ripe, the
party should contact the law clerk to request oral argument and inform the clerk that
a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.
2. If such a request is made, the Court will:
a. Grant the request for oral argument, if it is at all practicable to do so.
b. Permit sufficient additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court
otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.
c. Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well,
where appropriate, during oral argument.
d. Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and suggest opposing
counsel reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.
All attorneys, including Newer Attorneys, will be held to the highest professional
standards. All attorneys appearing in court are expected to be adequately prepared and
thoroughly familiar with the factual record and applicable law, and to have a degree of authority
commensurate with the proceeding.
The Court recognizes that there may be circumstances in which it is not appropriate
. for a Newer Attorney to argue a motion. The Court draws no inference from a party’s decision
not to have a Newer Attorney argue a motion before the Court. The Court also draws no
inference regarding the importance of a particular motion, or the merits of a party’s argument
regarding the motion, from the party’s decision to have (or not to have) a Newer Attorney
argue the motion.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
SIGNED this 13th day of September, 2023.
___________________________________
AMOS L. MAZZANT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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