When is a motion timely?

Timeliness depends on the court and motion type; many courts impose short windows (often 10–30 days). Always confirm the applicable local rule or statute to avoid waiver.

Can you add new evidence?

Courts allow newly discovered evidence only if it could not have been found earlier with reasonable diligence; present a declaration explaining discovery timing.

Is notarization required?

Not typically for the motion itself; affidavits or declarations must be properly sworn if required. Check local rules for any signature authentication.

How should exhibits be labeled?

Label exhibits clearly (Exhibit A, B, etc.), refer to them in the motion text, and submit conforming attachments both electronically and in paper if the court requires.

What if the court denies the motion?

A denial may still preserve appellate rights in some jurisdictions; consult appellate counsel promptly about timing and next steps.

Can I e-sign the motion?

Yes — electronic signatures meeting ESIGN and UETA standards are generally accepted for counsel signatures; verify court e-filing requirements and maintain audit trails.

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Motion for Reconsideration

Motion for Reconsideration

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What a Motion for Reconsideration Is and when it applies

A Motion for Reconsideration asks a court to review and change a prior order or decision based on new facts, a change in controlling law, or an argument that the court overlooked material evidence or legal reasoning. It is typically filed after an adverse ruling and is governed by court rules and local procedure rather than a single federal statute. Timeliness, clarity, and a narrow focus on the specific grounds for relief are essential; the motion does not usually permit a full retrial but requests the court reexamine particular findings or legal conclusions.

Why filing a Motion for Reconsideration can matter

Filing a motion can preserve issues for appeal, correct clear errors, and allow the court to revisit decisions without initiating a new lawsuit. When successful, it avoids further costs and delay associated with appeals and can narrow disputed issues for ongoing proceedings.

Who typically prepares and files this motion

The Motion for Reconsideration is usually prepared by an attorney on behalf of a party who believes a court overlooked critical facts or misapplied the law.

Plaintiff’s counsel seeking reversal or clarification of a dismissal or adverse ruling
Defense counsel asking the court to correct factual findings or legal errors
Self-represented litigants preserving appellate rights after an unexpected decision

Parties should check local court rules for page limits, citation requirements, and whether a supporting affidavit or declaration is required.

Core parts every professional Motion for Reconsideration includes

A complete motion is concise, cites the controlling rule, states specific grounds, and attaches supporting evidence or authoritative law that was overlooked.

Caption

Court name, docket number, full party names, and title ‘Motion for Reconsideration’ placed at the top of the document.

Relief Requested

A short statement describing the precise order or ruling you ask the court to amend or vacate and the specific remedy sought.

Grounds

Clear legal grounds such as clear error, newly discovered material facts, or intervening change in controlling law with concise explanation.

Argument

Organized legal analysis showing how the court overlooked evidence or misapplied law, with citations and page references to the record.

Evidence

Relevant exhibits, declarations, or portions of the record attached and identified to support the factual assertions made in the motion.

Certificate

Certificate of service and a proposed order for the judge’s clerk to enter if the motion is granted.

Essential data fields to include on the motion

Docket Number: Case tracking ID

Party Names: Plaintiff and defendant

Judge Assigned: Presiding judge

Relief Sought: Precise remedy

Date of Order: Original order date

Service Method: How parties were served

Step-by-step: preparing and filing your motion

Follow a focused sequence to prepare a compliant, timely motion: identify grounds, gather supporting material, check local rules, draft, serve, and file.

01

Identify Grounds: Confirm the legal basis and cite overlooked facts or law.
02

Gather Record: Collect page citations and exhibits that support your claim.
03

Draft Motion: Write concise argument and attach exhibits; follow page limits.
04

Serve and File: Serve opposing parties and file with the clerk before the deadline.

How to configure an online workflow for this motion

Set up an online workflow to assemble, route for review, and e-file or deliver the motion and exhibits efficiently.

Field	Configuration
Document Template	Preload caption, standard arguments, and exhibit placeholders
Reviewer Routing	Sequential reviewer order: associate counsel then lead attorney
Signature Authentication	Email or SMS code for counsel signature verification
Export Format	PDF/A for court filing and paper-ready print

Typical filing and delivery flow for the motion

A reliable end-to-end process reduces errors: prepare, review, sign, serve opposing counsel, and submit to the court per local rules.

Prepare: Assemble motion, exhibits, and proposed order
Internal Review: Route to supervising counsel for edits
Service: Serve opposing counsel by approved method
File: E-file or lodge with the clerk according to rules

Digital signing and e-submission considerations

Ensure the platform you use supports secure signatures, audit trails, and outputs acceptable to the court or clerk’s office.

Authentication: Use email verification or stronger multi-factor authentication
Audit Trail: Retain timestamp, IP, and signer attribution records
Export Formats: Produce PDF/A and flattened PDFs when required

Platforms with court-ready audit trails and industry compliance help demonstrate attribution and retention consistent with ESIGN and local e-filing rules.

Common timing rules and deadlines to watch

Deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court type; confirm local rules, as missing a filing deadline can forfeit appellate rights or result in denial.

Federal Rule:

Typically 14 days for some motions; check local rules

State Courts:

Varies widely — 10–30 days commonly observed

Appellate Preservation:

File promptly to preserve issues for appeal

Service Deadline:

Serve opposing counsel before or at the time of filing

Clerk Processing:

Allow additional clerk processing days after filing

Key risks and consequences of a defective motion

Untimely Filing: Waived issues

Insufficient Grounds: Immediate denial

Improper Service: Return or rejection

Missing Exhibits: Weakened argument

False Statements: Sanctions risk

Procedure Errors: Motion stricken

Representative user stories showing how digital signing fits litigation workflows

Practical examples illustrate the role of e-signing and secure document assembly in busy legal and corporate environments.

Optica Ventures LLC — Brian Fitzgibbons

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team.

Quick customer access reduced turnaround time.
Using a secure e-sign platform let the team collect signatures remotely while keeping records organized for downstream filings and client billing.

BIS — Dan Rotelli

We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification.

Compliance reassured our legal team.
The audit trail and security controls simplified internal review and retention, and helped the company manage repetitive court filings consistently.

Practical tips for a stronger, defensible motion

Adopt clear drafting habits and checklists so motions meet procedural and evidentiary expectations the first time they are filed.

Be Narrow and Specific

Focus on discrete legal errors or overlooked evidence rather than rearguing the entire case; specificity improves the court’s willingness to reconsider.

Cite the Record

Provide exact record or exhibit citations; cite page ranges and attach the referenced pages to avoid confusion.

Check Local Rules

Confirm page limits, required local forms, and whether a supporting declaration or oral argument is permitted or required.

Preserve Service Proof

Keep delivery receipts or e-service confirmations to demonstrate timely and proper notice to opposing counsel.

Frequently asked questions about Motions for Reconsideration

Answers to common procedural and practical questions that arise when preparing and submitting a Motion for Reconsideration.

Need help? Contact support

When is a motion timely?
Timeliness depends on the court and motion type; many courts impose short windows (often 10–30 days). Always confirm the applicable local rule or statute to avoid waiver.
Can you add new evidence?
Courts allow newly discovered evidence only if it could not have been found earlier with reasonable diligence; present a declaration explaining discovery timing.
Is notarization required?
Not typically for the motion itself; affidavits or declarations must be properly sworn if required. Check local rules for any signature authentication.
How should exhibits be labeled?
Label exhibits clearly (Exhibit A, B, etc.), refer to them in the motion text, and submit conforming attachments both electronically and in paper if the court requires.
What if the court denies the motion?
A denial may still preserve appellate rights in some jurisdictions; consult appellate counsel promptly about timing and next steps.
Can I e-sign the motion?
Yes — electronic signatures meeting ESIGN and UETA standards are generally accepted for counsel signatures; verify court e-filing requirements and maintain audit trails.

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