Subpoena Objection Letter Template
[Your Name / Law Firm Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Date: [Date]
To: [Issuing Attorney / Law Firm / Party Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Re: Written Objections to Subpoena
Case Name: [Case Name]
Case Number: [Case Number]
Court: [Court Name]
Dear [Name]:
I am writing in response to the subpoena dated [Date of Subpoena] and served on [Date of Service], which commands [me / my client / my organization] to [produce documents / produce electronically stored information / produce tangible things / permit inspection] on [Compliance Date].
1. General Objection
[The recipient / I] object to the subpoena to the extent it seeks information or materials that are improper, overly broad, unduly burdensome, not reasonably limited, privileged, protected, confidential, outside the permissible scope, or otherwise objectionable under applicable law.
2. Specific Objections
The following objections are asserted, as applicable:
☐ the subpoena does not allow a reasonable time to comply
☐ the subpoena is overly broad
☐ the subpoena is unduly burdensome or expensive
☐ the subpoena seeks irrelevant material
☐ the subpoena seeks privileged or protected information
☐ the subpoena seeks confidential commercial, private, proprietary, medical, or personal information
☐ the subpoena seeks documents not in the possession, custody, or control of the recipient
☐ the subpoena requests electronically stored information in an improper form
☐ the subpoena exceeds applicable geographic or procedural limits
☐ the subpoena is vague or ambiguous
☐ other: [Describe]
3. Request-Specific Objections
Request No. 1: [Describe request]
Objection:
[State objection clearly]
Request No. 2: [Describe request]
Request No. 3: [Describe request]
Additional request-specific objections, if any:
[Insert details]
4. Privilege and Protected Material
[The recipient / I] object to the extent the subpoena seeks information protected by the attorney-client privilege, work-product doctrine, privacy protections, trade secret protections, statutory confidentiality, or other applicable privilege or protection.
If appropriate, privileged or protected material will be withheld and identified in a privilege log or similar disclosure as required by applicable rule, agreement, or court order.
5. ESI Objection, if Applicable
To the extent the subpoena seeks electronically stored information, [the recipient / I] object to the requested form or forms of production as follows:
[Describe objection to format, metadata, burden, accessibility, duplication, or scope]
6. Materials Withheld, if Applicable
Subject to these objections:
☐ no materials will be produced unless required by agreement or court order
☐ non-objectionable materials may be produced subject to reservation of rights
☐ some responsive materials are being withheld on the basis of the objections stated above
☐ other: [Describe]
7. Reservation of Rights
These objections are made without waiver of any other objection, privilege, protection, or right. [The recipient / I] expressly reserve all rights to supplement these objections, seek a protective order, move to quash or modify the subpoena, or otherwise seek appropriate relief.
8. Meet and Confer, if Desired
If you wish to discuss narrowing the subpoena, the time for compliance, search parameters, confidentiality protections, or a mutually acceptable production plan, please contact [me / us] promptly.
9. Closing
Please treat this letter as timely written objection to the subpoena. No waiver is intended by this response.
Sincerely,
Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Attorney / Authorized Representative / Self-Represented Party / Other]
10. Optional Copy Notice
Copy to: [Client / Opposing Counsel / Other]
11. Optional Proof of Service
I certify that on [Date], this objection letter was served on the following person(s):
[Name] – [Address / Email]
Method of Service:
☐ email
☐ mail
☐ hand delivery
☐ other: [Specify]
Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]