District of Massachusetts Exhibit Requirements
The District of Massachusetts is a single-district covering the entire state, with courthouses in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester. The district is renowned for handling complex biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation, securities cases, and significant commercial disputes. Boston's federal court has developed sophisticated procedures for technical and scientific cases.
- The District of Massachusetts's primary exhibit rule is L.R. 16.1, 16.4, 26.2.
- Plaintiffs in the District of Massachusetts mark exhibits Ex. 1, Ex. 2, Ex. 3....
- Defendants in the District of Massachusetts mark exhibits Ex. A, Ex. B, Ex. C....
- The District of Massachusetts accepts e-filings through CM/ECF (PACER), with a limit of 50 MB per document.
- Exhibits in the District of Massachusetts are exchanged per scheduling order (typically 30 days).
- The District of Massachusetts (D. Mass.) sits within the First Circuit.
- ExhibitPrep applies D. Mass. exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the attorney's computer.
Quick Reference
| E-Filing System | CM/ECF (PACER) |
| File Size Limit | 50 MB per document |
| Plaintiff Marking | Ex. 1, Ex. 2, Ex. 3... |
| Defendant Marking | Ex. A, Ex. B, Ex. C... |
| Exchange Deadline | Per scheduling order (typically 30 days) |
| Primary Rule | L.R. 16.1, 16.4, 26.2 |
What This Guide Covers
Divisions & Courthouses
Boston
- •John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse
- •Main division - most cases
- •Biotech and pharma patent cases
- •Major commercial litigation
Springfield
- •Western Massachusetts cases
- •Same local rules apply
- •Smaller caseload
Worcester
- •Central Massachusetts cases
- •Same local rules apply
- •Limited sitting schedule
Judge-Specific Practices
D. Mass. judges have varying approaches to case management and exhibits. Some judges have specific formatting preferences for exhibits submitted with summary judgment motions. For patent cases, judges often issue scheduling orders with detailed exhibit exchange procedures. Always review the assigned judge's individual practices on the court website.
Pro Tips for D. Mass.
- 1D. Mass. has developed sophisticated procedures for complex scientific cases
- 2Patent cases follow specialized Patent Local Rules with Markman procedures
- 3Summary judgment motions require careful exhibit organization
- 4Check assigned judge preferences - some require specific exhibit formats
- 5Biotech cases often require technical tutorials - prepare exhibits accordingly
- 6L.R. 7.1 governs motion practice including exhibit requirements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
D. Mass. Exhibit FAQ
How are exhibits marked in the District of Massachusetts?
D. Mass. uses "Ex. 1, Ex. 2, Ex. 3" for plaintiff exhibits and "Ex. A, Ex. B, Ex. C" for defendant exhibits, a numbers-then-letters convention set out in L.R. 16.1, 16.4, and 26.2.
What is the ECF file size limit for the District of Massachusetts?
D. Mass. accepts documents up to 50 MB per file through CM/ECF (PACER), one of the more generous limits among federal districts.
Does D. Mass. have special rules for biotech and pharma patent exhibits?
Yes. Biotech and pharmaceutical patent cases follow the district's Patent Local Rules, which typically require Markman hearing procedures and technical tutorial exhibits given Boston's concentration of life-sciences litigation.
Which courthouses handle exhibits in the District of Massachusetts?
D. Mass. is a single statewide district with courthouses in Boston (John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, handling most cases), Springfield, and Worcester, all operating under the same local rules.
What local rule governs exhibits filed with summary judgment motions in D. Mass.?
L.R. 7.1 governs motion practice, including how exhibits supporting summary judgment motions must be organized, and individual judges often layer additional formatting preferences on top of it.
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