SO §13 Ex Parte Applications: The Court considers ex parte applications on the papers and does not usually set these matters for hearing. If a hearing is necessary, the parties will be notified. Ex parte applications are solely for extraordinary relief, are rarely granted, and should be used with discretion. Sanctions may be imposed for misuse of ex parte applications. See Mission Power Eng'g Co. v. Cont'l Cas. Co., 883 F. Supp. 488 (C.D. Cal. 1995). Ex parte applications that fail to conform to Local Rule 7-19 will not be considered, except on a specific showing of good cause. Counsel for the applicant must provide advance notice of the application by telephone and email to all other parties. In addition to the information required by Local Rule 7-19.1, the notice must advise the other parties of the anticipated deadline to oppose the application. The applicant must serve the application by facsimile, email, or personal service, even if electronic service is effected under Local Rule 5-3.2.1. Oppositions to ex parte applications must be filed within 24 hours of the filing of the application, subject to Rule 6(a)(2). If an opposing party does not intend to oppose the ex parte application, counsel must inform the Courtroom Deputy Clerk by email as soon as possible.

SO §5 Presence of Lead Counsel: The attorney attending any proceeding before this Court, including all status and settlement conferences, must be the lead trial counsel. All requests to substitute another attorney in place of lead counsel must be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the Court proceeding. Scheduling Order §III.C Participation: If the Court elects to conduct a Scheduling Conference, lead trial counsel must attend unless excused by the Court for good cause before the conference.

SO §16 Communications with Chambers: Counsel shall not attempt to contact the Court or its staff by telephone or by any other ex parte means unless contact has been first initiated by chambers staff. Counsel must not contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk regarding the status of any matter before the Court. Counsel may contact the Courtroom Deputy Clerk with appropriate inquiries only. The Court cannot provide legal advice. The preferred method of communication with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk is email to the Chambers email address MWC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. To facilitate communication with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, counsel should list their email addresses along with their telephone numbers on all papers.

(JPS) Settlement: When a motion is calendared or under submission, counsel are required to inform the Court promptly of any finalized or imminent settlement that may render the motion moot.

SO §8c Length and Format of Motion Papers: Memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed 25 pages. Replies shall not exceed 12 pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations.

SO §8c Length and Format of Motion Papers: Memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed 25 pages. Replies shall not exceed 12 pages.

SO §8c: Replies shall not exceed 12 pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations.

SO §8c Length and Format of Motion Papers: Pursuant to the Local Rules, either a proportionally spaced or monospaced font may be used. A proportionally spaced face must be 14-point or larger, or as the Court may otherwise order. A monospaced face may not contain more than 10-1/2 characters per inch. These typeface requirements apply to footnoted material. Counsel shall adhere to Local Rule 5-4.3 with respect to the conversion of all documents to PDF format so that when a document is electronically filed, it is in proper size and is text-searchable. Further, all documents shall be filed in a format so that text can be selected, copied, and pasted directly from the document. See C.D. Cal. Local Rule 5-4.3.1. Failure to comply with formatting requirements may result in the Court striking the motion.

SO §8a Time for Filing and Hearing Motions: Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rules 6 and 7. This Court only hears motions on Fridays, beginning at 1:30 p.m. If the motion date selected is not available, the Court will continue the hearing to the next available date on the Court's calendar. (Counsel are advised to check the availability of a selected date immediately prior to filing the motion.) Opposition or reply papers due on a holiday must be filed the preceding business day (i.e., Thursday)--not the following business day (i.e., Monday)--and must be hand-delivered or emailed to opposing counsel on the preceding business day.

SO §8a Time for Filing and Hearing Motions: Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rules 6 and 7. This Court only hears motions on Fridays, beginning at 1:30 p.m. If the motion date selected is not available, the Court will continue the hearing to the next available date on the Court's calendar. (JPS) Civil motions are heard on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. Criminal motions are heard on Fridays at 10 a.m.

Yes

SO §11 Chambers Copies: Please do not provide chambers/courtesy copies. In the rare instance in which the Court would like chambers copies for a particular situation, the Court will issue an order requesting them.

SO §10 Proposed Orders: Each party filing or opposing a motion or seeking the determination of any matter shall serve, and electronically lodge, a proposed order setting forth the relief or action sought and a brief statement of the rationale for the decision with appropriate citations. Proposed Orders must be on pleading paper and must not include attorney information on the caption page, should not contain a footer with the document name or other information, and should not contain a watermark or designation of the firm name in the margin. In addition, a copy of the proposed order in Word format shall be emailed directly to the Court's chambers email address at MWC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on the date the document is electronically filed. If the proposed order is based on a stipulation or an ex parte application, counsel must email both the order and the stipulation or ex parte application. Otherwise, accompanying documents (such as motions) should not be emailed to chambers.

Silent on under seal requirements.

SO §8g Oral Argument: The Court strongly prefers in-person appearances. Requests for a remote appearance will only be considered upon a written application filed at least seven (7) days before the hearing and supported by an appropriate declaration establishing good cause. The Court typically disfavors holding hearings on civil motions. If the Court requires oral argument, counsel are allocated ten (10) minutes per side total, including time for rebuttal arguments. If the Court deems a matter appropriate for decision without oral argument, the Court will notify the parties at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance. (JPS) Unless otherwise notified, oral argument will be heard for all noticed motions.

SO §8g Oral Argument: The Court strongly prefers in-person appearances. Requests for a remote appearance will only be considered upon a written application filed at least seven (7) days before the hearing and supported by an appropriate declaration establishing good cause. SO §12 Telephonic Hearings: The Court does not permit appearances or arguments by way of telephone conference calls. Scheduling Order fn.1: By default, all scheduling conferences shall proceed in-person, unless a request is made by the parties and granted by the Court. Requests to appear via Zoom must be e-filed seven (7) days before the conference.

SO §15 Continuances: This Court has a strong interest in keeping scheduled dates certain. Changes in dates are strongly disfavored and rarely granted. Trial dates set by the Court are firm and will rarely be changed. Therefore, a stipulation to continue the date of any matter before this Court must be supported by a sufficient basis that demonstrates good cause why the change in the date is essential. Without such compelling factual support, stipulations continuing dates set by this Court will not be approved. Counsel requesting a continuance must lodge a proposed stipulation and order including a detailed declaration of the grounds for the requested continuance or extension of time. The requesting party must also set forth: (1) whether there have been prior requests for extension, (2) whether these requests were granted by the Court, (3) a description of the diligence of the party seeking the continuance, and (4) any prejudice that may result if the continuance is denied. Failure to comply with the Local Rules and this Order will result in rejection of the request.

SO §7 Discovery: All discovery matters have been referred to a United States Magistrate Judge to hear all discovery disputes. (The Magistrate Judge's initials follow the Judge's initials next to the case number.)

SO §7 Discovery: All discovery matters have been referred to a United States Magistrate Judge to hear all discovery disputes. (The Magistrate Judge's initials follow the Judge's initials next to the case number.) All documents must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to ensure proper routing. Counsel are directed to contact the Magistrate Judge's Courtroom Deputy Clerk to schedule matters for hearing.