Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 5A, 5th Floor, First Street Courthouse, Los Angeles
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Motion day changed to Wednesday effective June 1, 2026 — verify current schedule before noticing any motion.
- 2. Do NOT email anything other than proposed orders to mwf_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov — never use for communication.
- 3. Under seal documents filed under a magistrate protective order are NOT automatically sealable before the district judge — each category requires a separate good cause showing.
- 4. Mandatory chambers copies of pretrial/trial documents must be three-hole punched.
- 5. Chambers copies must be delivered by 5:00 p.m. the first court day after filing, not noon — different from many other CACD judges.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. (effective June 1, 2026; criminal Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.) |
| Motion Limit | Not specified — Local Rule 25-page default applies. |
| Reply Limit | Not specified — Local Rule default applies. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Delivered to Judge Fitzgerald's mailbox outside Clerk's Office on Fourth Floor of First Street Courthouse, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the... |
| Tentative Rulings | Yes — written tentative rulings provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing; picked up from CRD before calendar call, if available |
| Remote Appearances | Permitted for status conferences, scheduling conferences, and motion hearings upon showing of good cause and/or undue hardship. Request must be submitted by EMAIL to CRD AND all opposing counsel (or filed on docket), at least THREE COURT DAYS before the scheduled appearance. Zoom login information available on judge's JPS page. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery motions and stipulations, including those relating to protective orders, are to be calendared before the magistrate judge whose initials appear in parentheses after the case number.' |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. (effective June 1, 2026; criminal Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.)
Notice Period
28 days before hearing (motion); opposition 21 days; reply 14 days
Motion Page / Word Limit
Not specified — Local Rule 25-page default applies.
Opposition Limit
Not specified — Local Rule default applies.
Reply Limit
Not specified — Local Rule default applies.
Font & Formatting
Typeface of 14 point or larger for Times New Roman; 12 point or larger for Courier, per L.R. 11-3.1.1.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Delivered to Judge Fitzgerald's mailbox outside Clerk's Office on Fourth Floor of First Street Courthouse, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first court day after filing (or same day if priority processing requested). No blue backs. Exhibits/declarations must be tabbed. Voluminous copies secured with two-hole punch fastener or binder. Civil: motions, opposition, replies, and exhibits; Joint Rule 26(f) Reports; all pretrial and trial-related documents (three-hole punched). Criminal: motions, opp, replies, exhibits; PSR objections and sentencing memos; all pretrial/trial documents (three-hole punched).
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specified.
Proposed Orders
E-mail proposed orders in Word or WordPerfect format to mwf_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Case number in subject line. Only proposed orders — do not email other documents or use this address for communication.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Yes — written tentative rulings provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing; picked up from CRD before calendar call, if available
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Hearing held; written tentative rulings provided on day of hearing. Parties may submit on tentative.
Remote Appearances
Permitted for status conferences, scheduling conferences, and motion hearings upon showing of good cause and/or undue hardship. Request must be submitted by EMAIL to CRD AND all opposing counsel (or filed on docket), at least THREE COURT DAYS before the scheduled appearance. Zoom login information available on judge's JPS page.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel should not contact Judge Fitzgerald's law clerks or judicial assistant unless responding to an inquiry initiated by chambers. CRD prefers email. Calls regarding status of motions, stipulations, or proposed orders will not be returned — check PACER.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery motions and stipulations, including those relating to protective orders, are to be calendared before the magistrate judge whose initials appear in parentheses after the case number.'
Discovery Motion Process
Calendared before assigned magistrate judge per standing referral. Magistrate judge handles all discovery disputes.
Ex Parte Applications
Opposing party must be served by email, fax, or personal service; opposition due no later than 24 hours (one court day) following service.
Settlement Notification
Counsel must notify Court at least 2 weeks before scheduled hearing if parties are conducting settlement discussions that may render the motion moot; notify Court immediately if settlement is reached.
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel attendance at scheduling conference preferred but not required; attorney appearing must be prepared to discuss case and authorized to address scheduling.
Under Seal Filings
Civil: Must follow L.R. 79-5, 79-6, and 79-7. Strong presumption of access. Documents may not be filed under seal based solely on magistrate discovery protective order — separate showing of good cause required per category. Blanket confidentiality claims not allowed. Criminal: email MWF_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with PDF of application, Word proposed order with alternative denied instructions, and PDF of document to be sealed with 'UNDER SEAL' caption. Subject line: '[Case No.] UNDER SEAL REQUEST.'
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances granted only on showing of good cause. Request by motion, stipulation, or application with declaration stating reasons and prior continuance history. Stipulations not effective unless approved. Calendar conflicts: email CRD with time, case name/number, and other judge's name.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Joint Rule 26(f) Report due 14 days before scheduling conference; chambers copies by noon the first court day after e-filing. Trial dates set Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.; FPTC Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. (20 days before trial). Motions in limine filed 3 weeks before FPTC; oppositions 2 weeks before; no reply briefs. Default judgment motions must be served on all defendants (including non-appearing) at least 28 days before hearing. MSJ motions must be heard 14 weeks before trial.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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