Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 6C, 6th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez U.S. Courthouse, Los Angeles
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Tentative rulings posted but MAY NOT be filed as exhibit or introduced into the record
- 2. Meet-and-confer must be in person or by videoconference — telephone or written-only is not sufficient
- 3. Word limits apply (7,000/7,000/4,000) — not page limits
- 4. Footnote cap: 8 in opening/opposition brief; 5 in reply
- 5. Ex parte: 48 hours OR 3:00 p.m. first court day — whichever is LATER (compound deadline)
- 6. AI disclosure required for any generative AI use — must be filed as separate document
- 7. Chambers copies required — >200 pages use Slant D-Ring binder with 13/32" holes
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Fridays at 8:30 a.m. (criminal: Fridays at 11:00 a.m.) |
| Motion Limit | N/A — word limits apply: 7,000 words |
| Reply Limit | N/A — word limits apply: 4,000 words |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Required for: all motion papers (opening, opposition, reply, and all supporting documents); ex parte applications and TRO applications and... |
| Tentative Rulings | Yes — posted by 6:00 p.m. on the court day before the scheduled hearing. |
| Remote Appearances | Remote appearance requires good cause. Must file a declaration establishing good cause concurrently with the filing that triggers the appearance obligation. General preference is in-person. |
| Discovery | Yes — all discovery matters referred to Magistrate Judge. All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption. |
mail Subscribe to Judge Blumenfeld procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Fridays at 8:30 a.m. (criminal: Fridays at 11:00 a.m.)
Notice Period
L.R. 7-9 and 7-10 govern. MSJ/MJOP: filed at least 5 weeks before hearing; opposition 3 weeks before; reply 2 weeks before.
Motion Page / Word Limit
N/A — word limits apply: 7,000 words
Opposition Limit
N/A — word limits apply: 7,000 words
Reply Limit
N/A — word limits apply: 4,000 words
Font & Formatting
14-point Times New Roman only. No other typeface permitted. Word limits apply: 7,000 words opening/opposition, 4,000 words reply.
Footnote Policy
Maximum 8 footnotes in opening or opposition brief; maximum 5 footnotes in reply. Footnotes count toward word limit.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Required for: all motion papers (opening, opposition, reply, and all supporting documents); ex parte applications and TRO applications and all related papers; pretrial documents. Deliver to mailbox on 4th floor of First Street Courthouse, Attn: Chambers of Judge Blumenfeld. Must comply with L.R. 11-3 formatting. If more than 200 pages, place in Slant D-Ring binder with 13/32" holes.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specified.
Proposed Orders
Word file AND PDF must be emailed to SJB_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on the same day as filing. Must use Court's standard proposed order template. Must not contain footer, watermark, or text after judge's signature line.
chevron_right
Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Yes — posted by 6:00 p.m. on the court day before the scheduled hearing.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Tentative rulings may not be filed as an exhibit or otherwise introduced into the record. Not for citation. Parties must not discuss tentative ruling in filings or at hearing unless ordered by Court.
Oral Argument
Tentative rulings posted by 6:00 p.m. the day before. Hearing proceeds unless Court orders otherwise.
Remote Appearances
Remote appearance requires good cause. Must file a declaration establishing good cause concurrently with the filing that triggers the appearance obligation. General preference is in-person.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel shall not contact Court or chambers staff by telephone or other ex parte means. Email only — must copy all other parties on every email to chambers. Do not contact to inquire about status of motions, stipulations, or proposed orders.
Discovery Referral
Yes — all discovery matters referred to Magistrate Judge. All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption.
Discovery Motion Process
Referred to assigned Magistrate Judge.
Ex Parte Applications
Opposition due 48 hours after service OR by 3:00 p.m. on the first court day after service — whichever is later. Moving party must notify all other parties immediately upon filing. PDF of application and Word proposed order must be emailed to chambers. No reply without Court order.
Settlement Notification
Notify Court immediately upon reaching settlement.
Lead Counsel
Not separately specified beyond local rule requirements.
Under Seal Filings
Local Rule 79-5 governs. Must minimize requests to file under seal. Justify sealing for each individual item — blanket claims denied. Meet and confer required before filing sealing application.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Good cause required. Stipulations must include proposed order. Not effective unless Court orders.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Counsel must disclose use of generative artificial intelligence in preparation of any court filing. Must state which AI tools were used and how they were used. Filed as a separate document.
Additional Notes
Standing order updated January 6, 2026. CRD contact: email only, all parties copied. SJB_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. MSJ/MJOP briefing schedule: 5 weeks/3 weeks/2 weeks (same as Birotte). 14-pt Times New Roman is the only permitted font.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
Verify now →