Opinion ID: 1425563
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denial of request to increase the page limit of S.S.'s response brief

Text: S.S. next argues that the district court arbitrarily restricted the length of his response to Model's motion for summary judgment to 50 pages. Joint Local Rule 7.1 of Civil Practice for the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky imposes a 40-page limit on all memoranda. The interpretation and application of local rules are matters within the district court's discretion, [and] the district court's decision is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Wright v. Murray Guard, Inc., 455 F.3d 702, 714 (6th Cir.2006). In denying S.S.'s request for a further increase in the page limit, the district court provided a reasoned explanation that was based on its knowledge of the case and considerations of fairness. The court pointed out that Model had been able to abide by the expanded 50-page limit in submitting its brief, which addressed the same record and legal issues faced by S.S. It also noted that S.S. had waited until the last minute to make his request, and that Model would be prejudiced if the court increased the page limit as to S.S. when Model had been limited to 50 pages. S.S.'s counsel, moreover, conceded that she could in fact comply with the 50-page limit if required to do so. After denying the request, the district court granted a three-day extension to allow S.S.'s counsel to conform her response to the 50-page limit. These facts belie S.S.'s allegation that the court's refusal to increase the page limit was arbitrary. Furthermore, S.S.'s counsel failed to identify any facts or arguments that she was prevented from asserting as a result of the decision. We therefore conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying S.S.'s request for an increase in the page limit.