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. SCHEDULE CHANGE effective June 1, 2026: civil motions moved to WEDNESDAYS at 10:00 a.m. (criminal Wednesdays 1:30 p.m.) — previously Thursdays; check current schedule before noticing
2. Issues WRITTEN TENTATIVE RULINGS available from CRD in courtroom on day of hearing before calendar call — unusual for federal court
3. Motion notice = 28/21/14 days per L.R. 7-10 (28 days before hearing to file, opp 21 days before, reply 14 days before) — motions heard 2 weeks after reply deadline
4. Ex parte opposition due within only 24 HOURS (one court day) after service — tighter than 48-hour default used by many CACD judges
5. Ex parte applications must be emailed as PDF to mwf_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov WITH Word/WordPerfect proposed order; email must state whether opposing counsel will file opposition
6. Chambers copies due to 4th floor First Street Courthouse mailbox by 5:00 p.m. FIRST COURT DAY after filing (same day if priority); NOT blue-backed; voluminous copies need two-hole fastener or binder
7. Chambers copies required for civil MOTIONS, oppositions, REPLIES and exhibits, Rule 26(f) reports, and all pretrial/trial documents (three-hole punched) — broader than most CACD judges
8. Remote/Zoom appearance requests must be submitted at least 3 COURT DAYS before appearance and require good cause/undue hardship showing
9. Counsel appearing remotely must be available for one-half hour BEFORE and one-half hour AFTER the scheduled hearing time
10. Lead trial counsel PREFERRED but NOT required at scheduling conference — substitute must be prepared to discuss case and have scheduling authority
11. Calendar conflict with a MORE SENIOR district judge: email CRD identifying that judge's name, time of appearance, and case name/number

Quick Reference

Topic	Rule
Motion Days	EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026, THE COURT'S LAW AND MOTION DAY WILL BE WEDNESDAY. ALL MOTIONS NOTICED FOR HEARING BEGINNING IN JUNE 2026 MUST FOLLOW THIS SCHEDULE: Civil motions are heard on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal motions are heard on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (If Wednesday is a holiday, the next motion date is the following Wednesday.) It is not necessary to clear a motion date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk ("CRD") before filing the motion. Closed Motion dates are listed on this page. [fitzgerald-michael \| motion_hearing_days]
Motion Limit	Silent on page limits motions. [fitzgerald-michael \| page_limits_motions]
Reply Limit	Silent on page limits replies. [fitzgerald-michael \| page_limits_replies]
Chambers Copies	Conditional MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPIES: All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. The Court requires chambers... [fitzgerald-michael \| chambers_copies_details]
Tentative Rulings	TENTATIVE RULINGS: Generally, prior to argument, written tentative rulings are provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing. The courtroom is open to the public before calendar call, during which time counsel may obtain such written tentative rulings from the CRD, if available. [fitzgerald-michael \| tentative_rulings]
Remote Appearances	TELEPHONIC OR ZOOM APPEARANCES: The Court may permit appearances by Zoom or telephone for status conferences, scheduling conferences, and motion hearings upon a showing of good cause and/or undue hardship. Any request to appear remotely must be submitted by EMAIL to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk AND all opposing counsel. Alternatively, a Request may be FILED on the docket, and it shall include any opposing party's objection. All requests must be submitted at least THREE COURT DAYS before the scheduled appearance. If approved, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk will docket the method of appearance (Zoom or telephone). Counsel must be available for at least one-half hour before and one-half hour after the time of the scheduled hearing. [fitzgerald-michael \| remote_appearances]
Discovery	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. [fitzgerald-michael \| discovery_referral]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026, THE COURT'S LAW AND MOTION DAY WILL BE WEDNESDAY. ALL MOTIONS NOTICED FOR HEARING BEGINNING IN JUNE 2026 MUST FOLLOW THIS SCHEDULE: Civil motions are heard on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal motions are heard on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (If Wednesday is a holiday, the next motion date is the following Wednesday.) It is not necessary to clear a motion date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk ("CRD") before filing the motion. Closed Motion dates are listed on this page. [fitzgerald-michael | motion_hearing_days]

Notice Period

Motions will be heard two weeks after the deadline for filing the Reply. L.R. 7-10. Therefore, Motion papers must be filed and served not later than 28 days before the hearing date. Opposition papers must be filed and served not later than 21 days before the hearing date. Reply papers must be filed and served not later than 14 days before the hearing date. Prior to filing a motion, counsel shall comply with the requirement of conference of counsel under L.R. 7-3. [fitzgerald-michael | motion_notice_days]

Motion Page / Word Limit

Silent on page limits motions. [fitzgerald-michael | page_limits_motions]

Opposition Limit

Silent on page limits oppositions. [fitzgerald-michael | page_limits_oppositions]

Reply Limit

Silent on page limits replies. [fitzgerald-michael | page_limits_replies]

Font & Formatting

All filings should conform to the applicable requirements specified by Local Rule 11. All papers filed with the Court must conform to Local Rule 11-3.1.1, which generally requires typeface of 14 point or larger for Times New Roman and 12 point or larger for Courier. [fitzgerald-michael | font_formatting]

Footnote Policy

Silent on footnote policy. [fitzgerald-michael | footnote_policy]

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At Filing

Chambers Copies

Conditional MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPIES: All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. The Court requires chambers copies of the documents specified below. Copies shall be delivered to Judge Fitzgerald's mailbox outside the Clerk's Office on the Fourth Floor of the First Street Courthouse, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first court day after the filing date, or on the same day if priority processing is requested. Exhibits, declarations, etc. to chambers copies must be tabbed, where applicable. Mandatory chambers copies shall NOT be blue-backed. Voluminous copies should be secured with a two-hole punch fastener or in a binder. [fitzgerald-michael | chambers_copies_details]

ECF Stamp Requirements

Silent on ecf stamp requirements. [fitzgerald-michael | ecf_stamp_requirements]

Proposed Orders

ELECTRONIC FILING: Counsel shall e-file all criminal and civil filings pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(d)(3) and Local Rule 5-4 as follows: Step 1: All non-signature items shall be E-FILED in PDF format. All proposed signature items shall be E-FILED as an attachment to the main document in PDF format. Step 2: All proposed signature items shall be E-MAILED to the chambers' (not the CRD's) e-mail address at mwf_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect format. The case number should be reflected in the subject line. ONLY proposed order signature items should be emailed to the chambers' e-mail address. [fitzgerald-michael | proposed_orders]

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Before the Hearing

Tentative Rulings

TENTATIVE RULINGS: Generally, prior to argument, written tentative rulings are provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing. The courtroom is open to the public before calendar call, during which time counsel may obtain such written tentative rulings from the CRD, if available. [fitzgerald-michael | tentative_rulings]

Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives

Silent on tentative ruling prohibition. [fitzgerald-michael | tentative_ruling_prohibition]

Oral Argument

Silent on oral argument default. [fitzgerald-michael | oral_argument_default]

Remote Appearances

TELEPHONIC OR ZOOM APPEARANCES: The Court may permit appearances by Zoom or telephone for status conferences, scheduling conferences, and motion hearings upon a showing of good cause and/or undue hardship. Any request to appear remotely must be submitted by EMAIL to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk AND all opposing counsel. Alternatively, a Request may be FILED on the docket, and it shall include any opposing party's objection. All requests must be submitted at least THREE COURT DAYS before the scheduled appearance. If approved, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk will docket the method of appearance (Zoom or telephone). Counsel must be available for at least one-half hour before and one-half hour after the time of the scheduled hearing. [fitzgerald-michael | remote_appearances]

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Background Rules

Chambers Contact

Calls regarding the status of submitted motions, stipulations or proposed orders will not be returned. Counsel may determine the status of any submitted motion, stipulation, or proposed order by accessing the docket report through PACER. Counsel should not contact Judge Fitzgerald's law clerks or judicial assistant unless responding to an inquiry initiated by chambers. [fitzgerald-michael | chambers_contact_restrictions]

Discovery Referral

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. [fitzgerald-michael | discovery_referral]

Discovery Motion Process

Ex Parte Applications

EX PARTE APPLICATIONS: Ex parte applications can be submitted for routine exceptions to the Local Rules. Ex parte applications solely for extraordinary relief are rarely granted. Applications must be e-filed pursuant to the Local Rules. All ex parte applications shall be sent in PDF version to chambers' e-mail at mwf_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov along with a Word or WordPerfect version of the proposed order. Both the e-mail to the Court and the application should advise whether opposing counsel will be filing opposition. Applications that fail to conform to Local Rule 7-19 and 7-19.1, including a statement of opposing counsel's position, will not be considered. In addition to the requirements of Local Rules 7-19 and 7-19.1, the moving party shall serve the opposing party by e-mail, facsimile transmission or personal service and shall notify the opposing party that opposition papers must be filed no later than 24 hours (or one court day) following such service. [fitzgerald-michael | ex_parte_notice]

Settlement Notification

Silent on settlement notification. [fitzgerald-michael | settlement_notification]

Lead Counsel

2. Scheduling Conference. a. Participation: Although the Court would prefer lead trial attorney's attendance at the scheduling conference, it is not required. However, if lead trial counsel does not attend, any attorney appearing on his or her behalf must be prepared to discuss the case and authorized to address scheduling with the Court and opposing counsel. [fitzgerald-michael | lead_counsel_requirement]

Under Seal Filings

UNDER SEAL FILINGS (CIVIL CASES): Counsel are ORDERED to follow the procedures outlined in L.R. 79-5. 79-6 and 79-7. Documents may not be filed under seal in matters pending before the district judge based on a discovery protective order signed by the magistrate judge. A separate and additional showing of good cause as to each category of document or information is required. An application to file documents under seal must meet the requirements of Local Rule 79-5 (Confidential Court Records). Documents that are not confidential or privileged in their entirety should not be filed under seal if the confidential portions can be redacted and filed separately with reasonable amount of effort. Sealing must be justified for each individual item to be sealed or redacted; blanket claims of confidentiality are not allowed and will result in the denial of the application to seal. [fitzgerald-michael | under_seal_requirements]

Continuances & Calendar Conflicts

CONTINUANCES: Continuances are granted only on a showing of good cause. Requests for continuances must be by motion, stipulation or application and must be accompanied by a declaration setting forth the reasons for the requested continuance. The declaration also should include whether there have been any previous requests for continuances and whether these requests were granted or denied by the Court. Stipulations extending dates set by this Court are not effective unless approved by the Court. Continuances will not be granted routinely. If counsel has a conflicting appearance in the court of a more senior district judge, counsel must e-mail the CRD indicating the time of the appearance, the case name and number, and the name of the other judge. [fitzgerald-michael | continuances_calendar_conflicts]

Sources & Currency

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