Hon. Jeanine R. Johnson — Part 15 Rules

Hon. Jeanine R. Johnson

Supreme Court, New York County

PART 15, Matrimonial Division

60CentreStreet,Courtroom116

New York, NY 10007

Principal Law Clerk

Ada A George. Chambers telephone: (646) 386-3731

Email

Ageorge1@nycourts.gov Part Clerk:James Moy

Assistant Law Clerk

Eric Donahue Courtroom telephone: (646) 386-4462

Email

edonahue@nycourts.gov Email: SFC-Part15-Clerk@nycourts.gov

ALLCOURT APPEARANCES AREIN-PERSON UNLESS

OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY THECOURT.

Calendar

• Preliminary Conferences: NextAvailableMonday

• Settlement Conferences: Next Available Monday or Wednesday

• Status & ComplianceConferences: Tuesdayor Friday

• Oral Argument on Motions & Trials: Monday,Wednesday & Thursday

VirtualPart 15 Appearance Teams Links:

Part15 Hearing and Trials: Part 15 Conferencelink A: Part 15 Conferencelink B:

https://notify.nycourts.go https://notify.nycourts.gov/ https://notify.nycourts.gov/

meet/00706j meet/00708r

v/meet/007ac0

Dial in Number: 1 (347) Dial in Number: 1 (347)

Dial in Number: 1 (347)

378 –4143 378 –4143

378 –4143

Phone Conference ID: 732 Phone Conference ID: 304

Phone Conference ID: 140

086 120# 219 318#

344 826#

GeneralPart Rules

1. All court appearances shall be assigned a time certain, unless impracticable under the circumstances.

Counsel and their clients are expected to adhere strictly to that schedule. Unless otherwise directed

by the Court, both counsel and their client shall be present for any calendared court appearance.

2. You will NOT receive an individualized calendar invitation for each appearance scheduled with the

Court.

3. You are prohibited from recording video or audio, or taking photos or screenshots (22 NYCRR

Parts 29, 131).

4. All Attorneys and Pro Se litigants must check in with the Court Clerk. Counsel are requested to

leave their cell phone numbers with the Court Clerk in the event they are leaving the Part.

5. Counsel who appear, whether virtually or in person, must be familiar with the case they appear on

and be fully prepared and authorized to discuss and enter a resolution of theissues before the Court.

Failure to comply with this rule may be treated as a default under Rule 202.7 and may be considered

Page 1of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

in the determination of any award of Counsel fees or expenses.

6. Counsel for all parties SHALL consult prior to each appearance about (i) resolution of the case, in

whole or in part; (ii) discovery, including discovery of electronically stored information, and any

other issues to be discussed at the appearance, (iii) the use of alternate dispute resolution to resolve

all or some issues in the litigation; and (iv) any voluntary and informal exchange of information that

the parties agree would help aid early settlement of the case. Counsel SHALL make a good faith

effort to reach agreement on these matters in advance of each appearance.

7. Consent To Change Counsel: If any represented litigant decides to represent themselves, counsel

SHALL file an Order to Show Cause to be relieved. A Consent to Change Form is only permitted

when the party is moving from one attorney to another attorney.

8. Matrimonial Mediation and Neutral Evaluation Program: Part 15 is a matrimonial mediation part,

whichmeansthateligiblecasesmay,attheCourt’sdiscretion,bereferredtomediationorthe neutral

evaluation program. Parties are encouraged to inform the Court at any appearance of their desire to

participate in the program.

Assigned Counsel Eligibility

9. The Court may consider whether a party shall be financially eligiblefor counsel when the parson’s

current available resources are insufficient to pay for various expenses attendant to the litigation.

Any request for the assignment of counsel shall be accompanied by an affidavit or affirmation

declaring inability to afford counsel along with supporting proof, including a SHORT FORM

FINANCIAL STATEMENT (UCS Eff. Rev. 1/1/26), and if available W-2, income tax return

statements and other documents as directed by the Court.

E-filing

10. New contested matrimonial cases in Part 15 are encouraged to be e-filed through the New York

State E-Filing System (NYSCEF). The form to convert a paper case to e-fi ling is at

https://iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us/NYSCEF/live/forms/civilNewYorkCity/convert.to.efiling.p

df

11. Please note that only documents filed after the conversion are accessible through NYSCEF, so early

conversions (including before a preliminary conference) are encouraged.

12. Any questions regarding the e-filing system should be addressed to the NYSCEF Resource Center

at nyscef@nycourts.gov.

13. For all converted cases, any open motions pending before the Court which were previously paper

filed must have their underlying papers uploaded to NYSCEF after conversion.

14. Any questions regarding the procedure for e-filing proposed orders to show cause should be directed

to the Ex Parte Office at (646) 386-3125.

Communications

15. Counseland/or the parties SHALL notsubmit letters totheCourtunless otherwise directed.

16. Counsel and/or the parties SHALL not submit ex parte correspondence, including e-mails, to the

Court regarding any pending matter. They are prohibited and will not receive a response.

17. Counseland/or theparties areprohibited frome-mailing thecourtsubstantiveemails raising issues

of law or fact. LITIGATION BY E-MAIL IS PROHIBITED AND WILL NOT RECEIVE A

RESPONSE.

18. Correspondence, including e-mails, between counsel or between the parties SHALL notbe copied

Page 2of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

toChambers,except as specificallyauthorized.

19. If an issue regarding a pending matter arises, a brief e-mail may be sent to both Law Clerks

requesting a conference.

20. All authorized communication with Chambers, as indicated herein - by NYSCEF, letter or email,

must becopied to all sides and SHALL include case caption, the full names of the parties, the date

the matter next appears on the Court’s calendar, and the index number.

21. If all parties have consented to utilize NYSCEF, all communication to the Court SHALL also be

uploaded to the NYSCEF case file.

Adjournments

22. Adjournment requests require Court approval and must be made at least two days prior to the

scheduled appearance. Direct all adjournment requests to the Part 15 Clerk, James Moy, by e- mail

at SFC-Part15-Clerk@nycourts.gov

23. Consent adjournments: Where there is consent to an adjournment, an e-mail should be sent to the

Part Clerk, copying all attorneys and self-represented litigants, briefly advising of the reason for the

adjournment, and providing three mutually agreed upon dates (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or

Thursdays) and timesfortheadjournment. TheCourtwill adjournthematterto oneofthe proposed

dates and times and will notify counsel and self-represented litigants accordingly.

24. Disputedadjournments:Wherethereisnoconsenttotheadjournment,ane-mailshouldbesent to

both Law Clerks, copying all attorneys and self-represented litigants (if any), requesting a

conference to resolve the issue. Please note, the Court, in its discretion, may grant the adjournment

over objection without the need for a conference.

Preliminary Conferences:

25. Per Uniform Civil Rule 202, all Counsel and Parties SHALL attend the Preliminary Conference

in person and complete the PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE ORDER (UCS Form Eff. 3/1/26)

prior to appearing on the conference date. Preliminary Conferences will not be adjourned absent a

compelling reason. (Counsel are directed to review 22 NYCRR § 202.16(f)).

26. Innewlyfileddivorceactions,apreliminaryconferenceSHALL takeplaceonthereturndateofthe

first appearance, unless otherwise directed by the court.

27. Parties must provide the court with copies of STATEMENTS OF NET WORTH (UCS Form

Rev. 1/1/26) before the preliminary conference. Parties SHALL also submit a child support

worksheetandproposed parenting plan when applicable. Parties and counsel should be prepared to

discuss all substantive issues in the case, including settlement, to the extent possible.

28. The Preliminary Conference form must be completed and ready for the Judge’s signature at the

conference.IfthepartiescannotagreeastothePreliminary Conference form, counsel and/or parties

SHALL come with proposed PC Orders in writing. The Court may deem any item on the form left

without demarcation or explanation waived.

29. Wherever possible, dates certain, such as “on December 31, 2025” SHALL be used. Open ended

dates such as “on or before December 31, 2025,” “within 45 days,” or non-specific directives such

as “all discovery not yet provided” or “unless otherwise provided,” or “to the extent not yet

provided,” may not preserve any rights and are to be used sparingly.

Page 3of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

ComplianceConferences

30. The date for a compliance conference will be set by the court in the Preliminary Conference order.

Absent an extenuating circumstance (and factoring case complexity), a compliance conference will

be scheduled no later than three months after the Preliminary Conference order.

31. Atleastone(1)daypriortoanycomplianceconference,theattorneysand/orpartiesmust upload to

NYSCEF a jointly completed proposed COMPLIANCE CONFERENCE ORDER to be So-

Ordered by the Court. Failure to address any outstanding discovery issue in the proposed

compliance conference order may be deemed a waiver of the right same.

32. Failure to upload a Compliance Conference Order may result, at the Court’s discretion, in the

cancellation and adjournment of the conference.

33. Unexcused or unjustified failures to comply with requirements and deadlines fixed by the court in

the subject orders may result in the imposition of costs, sanctions, penalties or other remedies upon

theoffending party.Counsel SHALL be prepared to discuss, in detail, any discovery disputes which

will be resolved at the conference as discovery motions are strongly discouraged.

34. Counsel SHALL beprepared to discuss, in detail, any other non-discovery issues.

35. Counsel are directed to comply with all Discovery, Certification and Note of Issue dates. Unless

otherwise agreed to in a written, signed STATUS CONFERENCE ORDER and consent by the

Court, discovery dates will not be extended.

Motions

36. ALL MOTIONS SHALL BE BY ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. All motion papers, including

orders to show cause or cross-motion, opposition or reply, memoranda of law, exhibits, affirmations

or affidavits, and proposed orders of settlement, SHALL indicate the motion sequence number on

the first page. Affidavits, affirmations, and memoranda of law (exclusive of table of contents and

table of authorities) must not exceed 25 pages each, double-spaced. The court will not accept sur-

reply papers without prior court approval.

37. Oralargumentis required onallOrders toShow Causeunless otherwisedirected bytheCourt.

38. If all or part of a motion has been settled, Counsel must forward an original Stipulation of Settlement

to the Court along with a letter from the movant, on notice to all sides, indicating the return date of

the motion and setting forth, in detail, what aspects of the motion have been settled and what issues

remain to be decided. In the event the motion has been resolved in its entirety, the movant’s letter

must indicate same and confirm that the motion is either marked “settled” or “withdrawn”.

39. Except in an emergency situation or where an affirmation is presented demonstrating a significant

prejudice to the moving party by giving prior notice,counsel must request a conference (as indicated

above) prior to filing motion papers to allow the Court an opportunity to resolvethe matter.

40. For all emergency applications, the movant must include a separate affirmation that is filed apart

from the other underlying papers affirming compliance with 22 NYCRR 202.7 and setting forth the

emergent circumstances that require immediate court intervention. This affirmation must be

completed by counsel for all represented parties.

41. Pendente liteissues may be resolved at the preliminary conference.

42. Discovery motions are strongly discouraged. Prior to making any motion, counsel must consult one

another in a good faith effort to resolve any discovery disputes and, in the absence of resolution,

requestaconferencewiththecourtpriortofilingany motion.Counseland/ortheparties shall come

Page 4of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

to the conference with a prepared log specifically delineating the specific materials sought.

43. All motions seeking any financial relief SHALL include an updated Net Worth Statement. The

responding party SHALL file an updated Net Worth Statement with their responding papers.

44. References to Exhibits in motion papers should include a pin cite to the specific document (or part

of the document) being referenced.

45. DonotfileCDs, DVDs,or flash drives as partof anymotion.A partymay, pursuant to evidentiary

rules, play a video or audio at a trial or hearing on their own laptop for the court, but we cannot

accept such files as part of a motion, nor scan into scanned paper files with the County Clerk or

NYSCEF when a motion is resolved or decided.

46. Applications for Sanctions may not be abused. “Frivolous conduct shall include the making of a

frivolous motion for costs or sanctions under this section.” 22 NYCRR 130-1.1.

47. ItistheresponsibilityofcounseltofollowuponallopenmotionspendingbeforetheCourt. Failure

to properly follow up may result in the Court denying the motion without prejudice.

48. For all motions, the Court will, at its discretion, set an initial briefing schedule and return date. If

counsel and/or the parties require an adjournment with regards to briefing or the return date, it is

counsel and/or theparties’responsibilitytoworkwiththeothersidetofindamutuallyagreedupon

time. Counsel and/or the parties must email the Court promptly with their proposed adjourn dates

withopposing counsel included on the e-mail.

49. For all non-NYSCEF cases, papers requiring filing must be filed with either Ex Parte office,

MatrimonialOffice, County Clerk, orPart15clerk (as appropriate) at60CentreStreet, N.Y., N.Y.

10007, with a courtesy pdf email to Principal Law Clerk, copying all sides.

Trials

50. Cases scheduled fortrial, hearing or fact-finding,willbein-person unless otherwisedirected.

51. All cases scheduled for trial in Part 15 will be scheduled for a pre-trial conference. Absent

extraordinary circumstances, trial dates set by Part 15 are final and may only be modified or

extended by Court order.

52. No later than three weeks prior to the pre-trial conference, counsel or the parties SHALL file and

exchange the following documents:

a. Unless excused by the Court for good cause, STATEMENTS OF PROPOSED

DISPOSITION, in conformity with (22NYCRR 202.16(h) as amended on 12/1/25.

b. Unless excused by the Court for good cause, EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION

WORKSHEETS (UCS Form Eff. 12/01/25)

c. Achild supportworksheet (if applicable), updated net worth statements, and most recently

filed income tax returns.

d. A proposed parenting plan where custody is at issue.

e. A witness list, with meaningfuloffer of proof foreach witness.

f. A list of documents which counsel may stipulate into evidence. The documents to be pre-

marked as exhibits.

g. Any expertreports notpreviously exchanged.

h. Marked pleadings and any pre-trialmemoranda.

i. Proofof filing of thenote of issue.

53. Failure to file and exchange the above in a timely manner is subject to preclusion.

Page 5of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

54. After meaningful consultation, counsel may, where necessary, file motions in limine no later than

two weeks before the pre-trial conference.

55. Subpoenas SHALL not direct a party to appear for trial unless consented to by both parties or

specifically authorized by the Court. Instead, subpoenas may direct the production of documents

and certified records and production of a witness must be directed/permitted by the Court.

56. This PartSHALL makeuseof theVirtualEvidence Room. Counseland/or theparties arerequired

to use the Virtual Evidence room for all trials (whether in-person or virtual) unless otherwise

directed by the Court.

57. If a party or counsel anticipates the need to use audio/visual technology for the presentation of

evidence, the Court must be given at least one week’s notice, and the party must provide its own

technology.

58. At the completion of the trial, counsel or the parties are to submit proposed Findings of Fact and

Conclusions of Law; and, if necessary, updated equitable distribution worksheets listing each item

of marital property with its value and proposed distribution as established at trial. The Court may

also request a post-trialmemorandum of no more than 15 pages.

59. At the conclusion of trial each party must retrieve exhibits from the courtroom within 30 days. If

any items are not retrieved by the parties within a reasonable time they will be discarded.

Decorum forAppearances

60. TheCourtexpects everyonetodress and conduct themselves appropriately forcourt.

61. Only oneperson may speak at a time. Counsel and parties will have an opportunity to speak in the

normal course and are prohibited from interrupting or speaking over one another.

62. Objections mustbemade audibly, and with grounds thereforestated.

63. Non-participantsandpotentialwitnessesmay notjoinanyproceedingunlessanduntildirectedto do

so by the Court.

64. Theuseof demonstrativeexhibits isprohibited outsideofatrial absentleaveof court.

VirtualAppearances

65. Virtual appearances are conducted via Microsoft TEAMS on the links provided above. Counsel

must ensure that they and their clients are familiar with the Microsoft TEAMS technology and

appear on video via the Teams Links. Any questions concerning virtual court appearances can be

answered at: https://portal.nycourts.gov

66. Counsel and parties are responsible for keeping track of the Virtual Part 15 links for any appearance.

Please download and store these links for your ready access to make your appearances.

67. Please contact the courtroom if you are waiting in the virtual lobby in excess of 5 minutes.

68. You are prohibited from recording video or audio, or taking photos or screenshots (22 NYCRR

Parts 29, 131).

69. The Court expects everyone to dress and conduct themselves with the same level of civility and

professionalism as if they were in the actual courtroom.

70. All counsel and parties should download the Microsoft Teams Program and any other necessary

electronic software well in advance of court appearances and test their microphones and cameras,

also in advance, to ensure that they are able to participate in the court conference.

71. Video appearances are required. The telephone dial-in numbers are to be used as a backup option

and/or where absolutely necessary due to technological issues.

Page 6of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26

72. Allparties and counsel aretostay connected fortheentireappearance.

73. When entering aconferenceallparties andcounselshouldhavetheir cameraonand remain muted,

unless addressed or directed otherwise. During the conference, counsel and parties are to mute their

microphones when not speaking.

74. Counselmay requestthataproceeding bepaused to privately consultwith aclient.

75. Parties should be alone, in an appropriate and quiet location for the conference without any

backgroundnoiseor distractions andremain seated andinthesamelocation fortheduration of the

conference. Parties appearing in virtual court must take reasonable steps to ensure that their

child(ren) are not present in the room or within hearing range of the proceedings.

76. CounselistoensurethataremotewitnessisinasuitablelocationandabletofullyutilizeMicrosoft

Teams. Counsel must ensure that a remote witness is not being coached, assisted and/or signaled in

any way.

77. Witnesses should not read from notes and witnesses are to be advised that during testimony any

communications, via electronic means or otherwise, between a witness, party and/or counsel are

prohibited. Witnesses are not permitted to read or refer to anything other than what is provided to

them by counsel in the course of direct or cross-examination. Unless approved by the Court, use of

other documents or information by the witness is prohibited.

78. No other individual may be present, either physically or electronically, in the same room as the

testifying witness unless that person is needed to assist the witness with technology or medical

issues;theseissuesmustberaisedinadvanceofthewitness’stestimonyatthepre-trialconference.

Miscellaneous

79. Part 15 is a paperless part. However, if the filing is voluminous the parties should consult with the

Court to determine whether working or courtesy copies of any papers are desired.

80. If a forensic report has been ordered the report will be made available, upon filing the required

affirmation, to either counsel of record or another attorney from the counsel of record’s office

picking up the forensic report in person in Room 116; or by all counsel filing the affirmation and

the Court providing the report by email. The report SHALL not be forwarded. If an e-filed case,

the completed affirmations must bee-filed.

81. If either party is pro se, all litigants may arrange with the Part Clerk a date and time to review the

forensic report inthe courtroom. Litigants may take notes butareprohibited from taking photos or

video of the report.

82. Items such as stipulations, subpoenas, transcripts and proposed Orders and Judgments that need to

be “so ordered,” may be submitted via hard copy directly to the Part Clerk or upload to NYSCEF

with email notice to the Part Clerk of the filing and request for it to be “so ordered.”

83. All Judgments of Divorce must be submitted within 60 days, or the action may be deemed

abandoned and dismissed.

84. All Qualified Domestic Relations Orders not submitted with the Judgment must be submitted within

45days of the signing of the Judgment and must be accompanied by written plan of approval.

Page 7of 7

Sup. Ct. NY -Part 15 Rules

Rev. 4/24/26