Court Submission Checklist

Note the court (federal district, state superior, appellate, etc.), case number, judge, and statutory or scheduling-order deadline. Calendar the filing date plus a 4-hour buffer before the midnight cutoff — filings stamped 12:01am count as next-day in most local rules.

Federal matters file through PACER / CM/ECF; state filings route through the state's portal (NYSCEF, Texas eFile, File & ServeXpress, Tyler Odyssey, etc.). The portal drives format requirements — PDF/A vs. text-searchable PDF, exhibit size limits, redaction rules.

Local rules govern font, margins, page or word limits, courtesy-copy requirements, and exhibit numbering. Many judges publish standing orders that override the local rule (e.g., 25-page limit instead of 30, mandatory hyperlinked citations). Read both before formatting.

Typical federal: 1-inch margins, double-spaced body, 14-point Times New Roman or Century Schoolbook. State rules vary — California uses line-numbered pleading paper; New York permits 12-point in some courts. Confirm against the specific local rule before applying styles.

Pagination must be continuous including tables, caption, and signature block. Caption and table-of-contents pages use roman numerals in many federal courts. California pleadings require line numbers in the left margin (CRC 2.108).

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32(a)(7) and many district local rules now use word counts (e.g., 13,000 words for principal briefs). Word count excludes caption, signature, certificates, and tables. Over-limit filings get rejected at the clerk's desk; if you need an over-limit, file the motion for leave first.

Party names, case number, judge designation, and document title must match the PACER docket exactly. A misspelled party or wrong case number gets the filing kicked back and burns the deadline.

Run every cite through Westlaw KeyCite or Lexis Shepard's to catch reversed, overruled, or distinguished cases. Confirm pinpoint cites resolve to the cited proposition. A cite to a vacated case in a federal brief is sanctionable under Rule 11.

Standard is Bluebook 21st edition; California uses California Style Manual; some state courts permit ALWD. Watch parallel citations, signal use (e.g., see, cf., but see), and short-form citations after first reference.

Every factual assertion needs a record cite — deposition page:line, exhibit number, declaration paragraph. Reviewing partner should be able to put a finger on the record support for every sentence in the statement of facts.

Read the brief out loud or use a different reader than the drafter — fresh eyes catch transposed party names, missing negatives, and broken cross-references. Check defined terms are used consistently throughout.

Number exhibits sequentially (Exhibit A, B, C... or 1, 2, 3 — match the court's convention). Match each exhibit on the list to a tabbed attachment. Cross-check that every exhibit cited in the brief appears in the list and vice versa.

FRCP 5.2 requires redaction of SSNs (last four only), birth dates (year only), minors' names (initials only), and financial account numbers (last four only). Use Acrobat's redaction tool — not black highlighting, which can be lifted. State courts often layer additional rules (HIPAA, family-court sealing orders).

Most e-filing portals require text-searchable PDF and reject image-only scans. Flatten annotations and form fields so they don't print as comment bubbles. Confirm total combined file size is under the portal limit (often 35MB per document, 100MB per submission).

For CM/ECF, the /s/ Name convention satisfies the signature requirement when the filer's login is used. State portals vary — some require a wet signature scanned in, some accept DocuSign, some require notarization of accompanying declarations.

Verified pleadings and affidavits need notarization; 28 U.S.C. § 1746 declarations under penalty of perjury do not. Check the underlying statute or rule — verified complaints in shareholder derivative suits and replevin actions require true notarization, not unsworn declarations.

Federal civil filing fee is $405 as of 2024; appellate is $605; motions vary. State fees range widely. Confirm the firm credit card on the portal has sufficient limit — a declined card at 11:55pm has missed the deadline. Costs are typically advanced from the operating account and billed back to the client.

Original plus the clerk's required number of copies (often 1-3), plus a conformed copy for the firm file. Bluebacks required in some state courts. Bring an extra date-stamp copy for opposing counsel if serving at the courthouse.

Build in a 4-hour buffer before the midnight cutoff. Watch for the portal's confirmation screen — close the browser too early and the filing may not complete. Save the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) the moment it arrives.

Read the clerk's rejection notice carefully — common reasons are missing certificate of service, wrong document-type code, or unsearchable PDF. Fix the defect and refile under the original deadline; in most jurisdictions a timely-rejected filing does not get a grace period unless local rules say otherwise.

CM/ECF service via NEF is automatic for registered counsel; pro se parties and non-registered counsel require separate service (email per stipulation, mail, or hand delivery). The certificate of service must list method, date, and recipient for each party.

Save the Notice of Electronic Filing PDF to the matter folder in the DMS (NetDocuments, iManage, Clio Documents). Update the docket in the practice-management system with filing date, document number, and next response deadline. Calendar any responsive-pleading or reply deadline triggered by this filing.