Reported / Citable
Background
Joel Hernandez, Jr. filed his original complaint in Texas state court on March 11, 2026. A defendant removed the action to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on May 20, 2026.
The parties had not submitted a proposed scheduling order. Western District of Texas Local Rule CV-16(c) requires parties to submit one no later than 60 days after any defendant appears.
The Court’s Holding
The court ordered the parties to submit a joint proposed scheduling order by August 14, 2026. The parties must use District Judge Robert Pitman’s form, available through the Western District of Texas website under the Austin Division’s standing orders.
The one-page order addresses only compliance with the court’s scheduling requirements. It does not decide any claim, defense, or other issue on the merits.
Key Takeaways
- Parties in the Western District of Texas must comply with Local Rule CV-16(c)’s deadline for submitting a proposed scheduling order.
- The parties must jointly file their proposed scheduling order by August 14, 2026.
- The filing must use District Judge Robert Pitman’s designated form.
Why It Matters
The order underscores that removal to federal court brings procedural obligations under the district’s local rules, including an early deadline for a proposed case schedule.
Although the order does not affect the merits, counsel must meet the court-imposed deadline to bring the case into procedural compliance.