1. All motions require a proposed order in Microsoft Word format (not PDF) and must be emailed to [email protected], with the case number and the document number of the referenced motion in the subject line (e.g., 4-23-cv-001, ECF No. 1). Click here to view a sample proposed order.
2. Any motion, response, or reply must be formatted as follows: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced text, single-spaced and bolded headings, one-inch margins on all sides, justified, centered page numbers, and single-spaced footnotes. Citations should be in text (not in footnotes), include italicized case names (not underlined) and statutes in small caps, and otherwise comply with the most recent edition of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.

1. Continuance
   See LR 40.1; absent exceptional circumstances, continuances in civil cases are not granted since the trial month is agreed to by counsel for the parties and the Court at the trial-setting conference.
2. In Limine
   Motions in limine are due approximately one month before trial; the deadline for filing them will be set out in the Final Scheduling Order, which will be issued soon after the trial-setting conference.

1. Highlighting of Appendices. Regarding the documentary evidence submitted in an appendix, Judge Pittman requires that, if the appendix is electronically filed, the proponent of the appendix underline (or, as to large passages, bracket in the margin) the portions of the appendix upon which he relies. Similarly, if the appendix is manually filed, the portion of each page of the appendix upon which the proponent relies must be highlighted, underlined (or, for large passages, bracketed in the margins).
2. Exhibit Tabs. If tabs are used to separate exhibits, they must be placed on the right-hand side of the exhibits (i.e., not at the bottom of the page).

The Court construes LR 26.2(a) and (b) to require the exchanging and listing of any exhibit (except impeachment documents) that a party intends to offer in evidence or to use in the presence of the court or jury as a demonstrative aid, regardless of whether the party intends to move its admission into evidence. The judge construes narrowly the impeachment exceptions of FRCP 26(a)(3) and LR 26.2(a) and (b).

1. Stand as Court is opened, recessed, or adjourned.
2. Stand when the jury enters or retires from the courtroom.
3. Stand when addressing, or being addressed by, the Court.
4. Stand at the lectern while examining any witness, except that counsel may approach the clerk's desk or the witness for purposes of handling or tendering exhibits.
5. Stand at the lectern while making opening statements or closing arguments.
6. Address all remarks to the Court, not to opposing counsel.
7. Avoid disparaging personal remarks or acrimony toward opposing counsel and remain wholly detached from any ill-feeling between the litigants or witnesses.
8. Refer to all persons, including witnesses, other counsel, and the parties by their surnames and not by their first or given names.
9. Only one attorney for each party may examine or cross examine each witness. The attorney stating objections, if any, during direct examination will be the attorney recognized for cross examination.
10. Any counsel who calls a witness shall have no further discussions with that witness concerning any aspect of the case or his testimony after the witness has been tendered for cross-examination until such time as the witness has been tendered back for re-direct examination.
11. Request permission before approaching the bench.
12. Any paper or exhibit not previously marked for identification must be marked before it is tendered to a witness for examination, and any exhibit offered in evidence must be handed to opposing counsel when offered.
13. In making objections counsel must state only the legal grounds for the objection and must withhold further comment or argument unless elaboration is requested by the Court.
14. When examining a witness, counsel may not repeat the answer given by the witness.
15. Offers of, or requests for, a stipulation must be made privately, not within the hearing of the jury.
16. In opening statements and in arguments to the jury, counsel may not express personal knowledge or opinion concerning any matter in issue (i.e., don’t say “I think” or “I believe,” etc.) and, may not read or purport to read from deposition or trial transcripts.
17. Counsel must admonish all persons at counsel table that gestures, facial expressions, audible comments, or the like, as manifestations of approval or disapproval during the testimony of witnesses, or at any other time, are absolutely prohibited.
18. No one, including especially attorneys, parties, and witnesses, may bring food or drink (except bottled water) into the courtroom, nor may they chew gum.

All case-inquiry phone calls are referred to Judge Pittman's courtroom deputy at 817-850-6656.

Telephone calls directly to the Court’s law clerks are not permitted.

Many of the questions that the judge’s staff receives from lawyers and litigants are answered by the federal rules of civil procedure, the local civil rules, the judge specific requirements, or the judge’s scheduling orders. It is the judge’s desire that callers receive prompt, courteous, and accurate responses to their questions. To achieve this level of service, it is necessary that callers avoid contacting the staff to ask questions that are answered by the rules and the court's orders.