FILED
June 15, 2022
CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT J. Galindo-Beaver
BY: ________________________________
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS DEPUTY
WACO DIVISION
STANDING ORDER REGARDING COURTROOM
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGER ATTORNERYS
The Court recognizes a growing trend in which fewer cases go to trial and there generally
are 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 and discovery disputes before Judge Gilliland:
1. If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion or discovery dispute, 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, even if the
Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on the motion. Where the Court
is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be
handled by a Newer Attorney will strongly weigh in favor of holding a hearing.
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
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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.
SIGNED this 15th day of June, 2022.
____________________________________
DEREK T. GILLILAND
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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