What if I miss the deadline?

Missing a statute or local-rule deadline often bars relief; some courts permit relief only under narrow standards such as excusable neglect or extraordinary circumstances.

Can I raise new arguments?

Courts generally disfavor new arguments on reconsideration unless you show good cause, newly discovered evidence, or that the earlier decision rests on a manifest error of law.

Do motions toll appeal deadlines?

Filing certain post-judgment motions under FRCP 59 or 60 can affect the time to appeal; always confirm how the specific motion interacts with appellate timelines.

Is e-signature acceptable?

Electronic signatures are legally valid under ESIGN and UETA in most contexts; verify court or agency local rules and comply with required authentication and service methods.

Do I need a notarized signature?

Notarization is rarely required for a standard motion; declarations or affidavits supporting the motion may require notarization if the jurisdiction or form demands it.

How should exhibits be formatted?

Number exhibits, use a clear exhibit index, and produce searchable PDFs; ensure confidentiality redactions comply with rules and any protective orders.

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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 is a formal written request asking a court or administrative body to review and change an earlier decision. It typically asks the decisionmaker to correct an error of law, reconsider factual findings, or consider newly discovered evidence. Motions for reconsideration follow specific procedural rules and short deadlines set by courts or agencies; they are not a second full appeal but a limited request to revisit the original ruling. Properly framed motions focus on discrete legal or factual issues rather than rearguing the entire case.

Why Filing a Motion for Reconsideration Can Matter

A timely motion preserves legal arguments, can correct clear errors, and may avoid the time and expense of a full appeal.

Who Typically Prepares and Files These Motions

Several parties prepare motions for reconsideration depending on the context and who seeks relief.

Civil litigators and law firms seeking to correct trial-court or magistrate rulings quickly.
Administrative appellants and agency counsel asking an agency to revisit an administrative determination.
Individual litigants or in-house counsel preserving issues before pursuing a formal appeal.

Use the motion when authorized by court or agency local rules and where a narrow error or new evidence supports relief.

Primary Signatories and Their Roles

Lead Counsel — Attorney

An attorney of record typically prepares and signs the motion, certifying compliance with local rules and service requirements and attesting to factual statements in the filing.

Appellant Representative

Where a business or agency is the moving party, an authorized representative may sign supporting declarations but filings generally require counsel signature for procedural filings.

Core Components to Include in a Professional Motion for Reconsideration

A clear, well-structured motion increases the chance it will be accepted for consideration; include essential sections and supporting evidence.

Caption

Case caption with court name, docket number, parties, and title 'Motion for Reconsideration' so the filing is immediately routed and identified by the clerk.

Relief Requested

A concise statement describing exactly what order or ruling you ask the court or agency to modify, reverse, or clarify.

Grounds

Specific legal or factual bases for reconsideration such as controlling law misapplied, manifest error, or newly discovered evidence not previously available.

Argument

Legal analysis applying the cited authorities to the record; limit new factual assertions and explain why reconsideration is warranted under the governing standard.

Supporting Evidence

Identify cited record pages, attach relevant exhibits or declarations, and explain why new materials were not presented earlier.

Signature Block

Attorney signature, printed name, bar number, address, telephone, and a service certificate showing how and when the motion was served.

Required Administrative and Compliance Items

Case Number: Exact docket number

Party Names: Full legal names

Service Certificate: Method and date of service

Supporting Exhibits: Exhibit list included

Signature Block: Attorney or signatory

Filing Fee: Fee paid or waiver

Consequences of a Defective Motion

Missed Deadline: Motion may be rejected

Procedural Dismissal: Court refuses to consider merits

Sanctions Risk: Attorney sanctions possible

Waived Arguments: Failure to preserve appeal issues

Fee Loss: Unrecoverable filing fees

Estoppel: Adverse findings may bind party

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Missing the court or agency deadline because local rules impose strict, often short, filing windows that vary by jurisdiction.
Failing to attach or cite the specific record pages and exhibits that show the claimed error or newly discovered evidence.
Raising arguments that were available earlier without explaining good cause for late presentation, which courts typically reject.
Omitting a proper service certificate or proof of service, leading to clerical rejection or return of the filing.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Filing the Motion

Follow a focused sequence to prepare, sign, serve, and file your motion correctly.

01

Review Rules: Confirm local and federal deadlines and required format
02

Draft Motion: State relief, grounds, and cite record pages
03

Attach Evidence: Include declarations and exhibits with exhibit list
04

File & Serve: File with clerk and serve all parties per rule

Where to File and How the Filing Is Processed

Filing channels vary by court and agency; confirm the accepted delivery method before submission.

Court Electronic Filing: File via the court's eFiling portal when required
Clerk's Office: Paper filings accepted where eFiling is unavailable
Agency E-Portal: Submit motions through agency online docket systems
Certified Mail / In-Person: Use certified mail or hand-delivery if rules permit

Technical Considerations for Digital Completion and Submission

Check format, file type, and authentication requirements before e-filing or e-submitting.

File Types: PDF or PDF/A preferred
Integrations: Supports Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
Authentication: Use required signer authentication

Ensure the platform you use produces an audit trail, searchable PDF, and preserves metadata per court or agency standards.

Typical Deadlines and Timing to Watch

Deadlines for motions for reconsideration differ by forum; check local rules and the applicable procedural code immediately.

Federal Rule 59(e):

28 days to alter or amend final judgment

Federal Rule 60(b):

Relief for mistake or new evidence; certain grounds within 1 year

State Court Windows:

Often 7–30 days depending on local rules

Administrative Agencies:

Commonly 30 days for reconsideration or appeal

Service Deadlines:

Service and filing must be contemporaneous under many rules

Practical Examples of Motion Use Across Contexts

Two concise examples show typical factual patterns where a motion for reconsideration is appropriate.

Solo Practitioner Example

An attorney files a short motion pointing out a court's overlooked controlling decision

The motion cites the missed case and attached pages from the record
The court grants reconsideration without full briefing, correcting the legal standard and altering the final order to the client's benefit.

Administrative Appeal Example

A regulated entity submits new evidence showing measurement error in an agency determination

The new test report was unavailable before the deadline
The agency reopens the matter, considers the new data, and issues a revised determination consistent with the evidence.

Key Filing Milestones and Sequence

Track these numbered milestones to meet procedural and service obligations for a reconsideration motion.

01

Prepare Motion

Draft motion and gather exhibits promptly after the triggering decision

02

Serve Parties

Serve all opposing parties consistent with local rules and certificate of service

03

File with Clerk

File via eFiling or deliver to clerk before the deadline

04

Await Ruling

Court may rule, schedule briefing, or set hearing on a short timeline

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Preparing and Signing Motions

Core pricing and feature differences among common eSignature providers; signNow is listed first for comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Motions for Reconsideration

Answers to common procedural and technical questions when preparing a motion for reconsideration.

Need help? Contact support

What if I miss the deadline?
Missing a statute or local-rule deadline often bars relief; some courts permit relief only under narrow standards such as excusable neglect or extraordinary circumstances.
Can I raise new arguments?
Courts generally disfavor new arguments on reconsideration unless you show good cause, newly discovered evidence, or that the earlier decision rests on a manifest error of law.
Do motions toll appeal deadlines?
Filing certain post-judgment motions under FRCP 59 or 60 can affect the time to appeal; always confirm how the specific motion interacts with appellate timelines.
Is e-signature acceptable?
Electronic signatures are legally valid under ESIGN and UETA in most contexts; verify court or agency local rules and comply with required authentication and service methods.
Do I need a notarized signature?
Notarization is rarely required for a standard motion; declarations or affidavits supporting the motion may require notarization if the jurisdiction or form demands it.
How should exhibits be formatted?
Number exhibits, use a clear exhibit index, and produce searchable PDFs; ensure confidentiality redactions comply with rules and any protective orders.

Practical Tips to Improve Acceptance and Consideration

Follow these recommended practices to reduce clerical issues and increase the likelihood a court will consider the motion on its merits.

Check Local Rules

Confirm page limits, formatting, filing method, and service details in the court or agency local rules before drafting; nonconforming filings may be rejected.

Be Concise and Specific

Limit the motion to discrete errors or newly discovered items; courts deny motions that merely rehash prior arguments without showing manifest error.

Support with Record

Cite precise record pages and attach verified exhibits or declarations explaining why evidence was not available earlier.

Preserve Proof of Service

Include a signed certificate of service showing how and when each party received the motion and all supporting materials.

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