The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas is recruiting for a term law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney. The term law clerk assists the magistrate judge with the civil docket by preparing the judge for hearings, researching legal issues, and drafting initial drafts of orders and reports and recommendations. The term law clerk also supports the magistrate judge with the criminal docket by managing warrant and other requests from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and by researching criminal law and Continue reading →

The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas is seeking applicants for a Term Judicial Law Clerk position to support a Magistrate Judge in the El Paso Office. The law clerk’s primary responsibility is to assist the magistrate judge in actively managing the civil docket, ensuring that cases reach trial or settlement through efficient discovery and motion practice. The law clerk also supports the magistrate judge in their criminal duties by providing research and drafting on criminal law and procedure issues as Continue reading →

On October 6, 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardons federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses. The proclamation applies only to federal convictions, including D.C. Code offenses, and does not apply to convictions under state or local law. Under President Biden’s proclamation, individuals with qualifying convictions are fully and completely pardoned for their marijuana possession offense. The pardon applies only to the qualifying offense of simple possession of marijuana and not to any other offense(s) for which the individual has been charged Continue reading →

Effective immediately, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas has implemented a threshold on its ECF website to limit the number of data retrieval attempts for a single connection. Any connection that exceeds the court’s threshold will be temporarily blocked and re-directed to an explanation page.  This action is being taken to improve the site’s stability and ensure quality service to the public. We do not anticipate that customers who are logged into our ECF site on a day-to-day basis will Continue reading →

Orders have been entered regarding office closures during the upcoming holiday season. These orders effect the U.S. District Court, U.S. Magistrate Court, U.S. District Clerk’s Office, Executive Offices of the Clerk, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Pretrial Services Office and the Federal Public Defender. To get more information about the closures, you can find the orders under the Court Info menu and then click on Court Holidays.

Beginning in 2022, the new federal courthouse has been open for court business. Counsel practicing in federal court in the San Antonio Division of the Western District of Texas should be aware that the Court can set hearings to proceed either (1) remotely via videoconference on Zoom or by teleconference, or (2) in person, COVID permitting. Counsel should always carefully review orders from the Court, including those setting hearings. And counsel should report for hearings either in person or virtually, as instructed in any order Continue reading →

On June 24, 2021, Chief Judge Orlando L. Garcia entered an order adopting and enacting proposed amendments to the Local Court Civil Rules for the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. In accordance with Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, these amendments were unanimously approved by the district judges of this Court after being posted for 30 days for review and comment by the bar. The Court was recently informed by the Office of the Circuit Executive for the Fifth Continue reading →

Affecting El Paso This announcement is for all attorneys practicing criminal law in The Western District of Texas, specifically the El Paso division. Beginning June 28, 2021, the U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Texas will modify the method used to disclose Pre-Sentence Reports, Addendums, and Violation Reports. You will no longer receive a notification (NEF) from CM/ECF but will instead receive an email directly from the U.S. Probation Services Office for the Western District of Texas containing a link to access your report. Continue reading →

In accordance with Part IV of the Standing Order Establishing A+, A, and B Panels for Civil Appointments in the San Antonio Division and Supplementing Amended Plan for Reimbursement of Counsel (W.D. Tex. Apr. 1, 2021), all attorneys in private practice admitted in the San Antonio Division will be placed on one of three panels for pro bono appointment in civil cases. As indicated by the Order, placement depends on each attorney’s experience, expertise, and interest in handling pro bono matters. This page allows you Continue reading →