Hon. Philip M. Halpern.
Southern District of New York.
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601. A reference guide for civil litigators, and pro hac vice local counsel for attorneys admitted out of state.
Pro Hac Vice Local CounselHon. Philip M. Halpern
United States District Judge, Southern District of New York.
Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601
Quick Reference
| Court | U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (SDNY) |
| Courthouse | Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601 |
| Role | United States District Judge, Southern District of New York |
| Appointed | 2020, by President Donald J. Trump |
| Confirmed by the U.S. Senate | February 12, 2020 |
| Law School | Pace University School of Law (now Elisabeth Haub School of Law) (1980) |
| Undergraduate | Fordham University (1977) |
| Individual Practices | Chambers page and Individual Rules of Practice (SDNY judges directory) |
About Hon. Philip M. Halpern
Hon. Philip M. Halpern has served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York since 2020. Halpern was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on February 12, 2020, receiving his commission on February 21, 2020.
Halpern earned a J.D. from Pace University School of Law (now Elisabeth Haub School of Law) in 1980, after a B.S. from Fordham University in 1977. Before joining the federal bench, he served as a litigator in private practice.
Biographical details above are drawn from the Federal Judicial Center and are provided for reference. For Halpern's current Individual Rules of Practice and chambers information, consult the official SDNY judges directory.
The Civil Docket Before Judge Halpern
Like every district judge in the Southern District of New York, Judge Halpern presides over a mixed federal docket. For civil litigators, that docket is the heart of the matter: breach of contract and commercial disputes, securities and shareholder litigation, business torts, employment and civil-rights claims, and the full range of federal civil matters that come through the district. (Federal district judges also carry criminal cases as part of the same mixed docket; those are outside the scope of this guide, which is written for civil practitioners.)
Each judge in the SDNY sets individual rules of practice governing motions, pre-motion letters, discovery disputes, and courtroom conduct. Before appearing before Judge Halpern, confirm the current individual practices and the assigned courtroom. A civil appearance in a federal part should assume strict adherence to those rules, not a routine calendar call.
Practitioner Notes
General reference for counsel. Always confirm against Judge Halpern's current Individual Rules of Practice before appearing.
What to Expect
- Read the individual practices first. SDNY judges each publish their own rules governing motions, pre-motion letters, discovery disputes, and courtroom procedure. They are posted through the official SDNY judges directory. Do not rely on the general local rules alone.
- Electronic filing is mandatory. All federal civil filings run through the court's CM/ECF system. Out-of-state counsel not yet admitted here cannot file until admission or pro hac vice status is in place.
- Confirm the courtroom and conference type. Verify the assigned courtroom and whether the appearance is an initial conference, a status conference, or oral argument before you plan coverage.
- Come prepared on the merits. Federal civil conferences and arguments are substantive. A covering attorney should know the record, not just the calendar posture.
Out-of-State Attorney with a Matter Before Judge Halpern?
If you are admitted in another state and have a civil case in the Southern District of New York, you will generally need to be admitted pro hac vice and to associate local counsel who is a member of the bar of this court. The Law Office of Frederic R. Abramson serves as pro hac vice sponsoring and local counsel for out-of-state attorneys in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Fred Abramson has been admitted to the SDNY and EDNY since 1997 and has practiced in New York's courts for 28 years.
Phone: 212-233-0666 | Text/Emergency: 917-686-3827 | Email: fabramson@abramsonlegal.com
Pro Hac Vice Local Counsel in the Southern District of New York
The Law Office of Frederic R. Abramson serves as local counsel for out-of-state attorneys admitted pro hac vice in New York's state and federal courts. 28 years in these courthouses. Admitted to SDNY and EDNY since 1997.
Pro Hac Vice Overview · How Long Does PHV Take? · PHV by Order to Show Cause
Browse the full Southern District of New York judges directory and the Eastern District of New York judges directory, or return to our civil litigation overview.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is an independent reference guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the judge named. The Law Office of Frederic R. Abramson, 160 Broadway, Suite 500, New York, NY 10038. 212-233-0666.
Court rules and procedures change frequently. Information on this page is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current rules. Verify all information against the judge's Individual Rules of Practice and with the Clerk of Court before your appearance.