Unless the presiding judge otherwise directs, during a trial or hearing, attorneys must:
(a) stand when making objections or otherwise addressing the presiding judge;
(b) use the lectern while examining or cross-examining witnesses;
(c) when examining a witness, refrain from making statements, comments, or remarks
before or after asking a question;
(d) limit to one attorney for each party the examination or cross-examination of a
witness; and
Effective September 2, 2025
(e) in making an objection, state plainly and briefly the grounds for objecting and not
offer argument unless requested by the presiding judge.
LR 83.4.1 Compliance with Standards of Litigation Conduct.
An attorney appearing in a civil action must comply with the standards of litigation conduct
adopted in Dondi Properties Corp. v. Commerce Savings & Loan Ass’n, 121 F.R.D. 284 (N.D.
Tex. 1988) (en banc).
