Judge Anne Hwang -- United States District Court, Central District of California

Courtroom 9C, 9th Floor, First Street Courthouse, Los Angeles

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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

1. Reply page limit is 12 PAGES, not the 15 pages typical for other CACD judges — opposition/motion still capped at 25
2. Civil motions heard Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. — verify hearing date is not closed on judge's webpage before filing
3. Generative AI disclosure required — separate declaration certifying accuracy and Rule 11 compliance for any AI-generated content
4. Ex parte opposition due 48 hours after service OR 3:00 p.m. first court day after service, WHICHEVER IS LATER
5. Only 14-pt Times New Roman font (no Courier alternative) — footnotes must be same font and size as body text
6. Remote appearances DISFAVORED; telephonic appearances SELDOM permitted — must file application detailing exceptional circumstances; strong in-person preference
7. Oral argument limited to 10 MINUTES per side unless Court states otherwise
8. Continuance stipulation MUST list precise dates being moved and precise new dates — stipulations lacking specific dates will be DENIED
9. Lead counsel not required to attend if other counsel is more knowledgeable and has authority to resolve matters — departs from strict lead-counsel rule
10. Proposed order in Microsoft Word AND PDF main-document copy must be emailed to AH_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov

Quick Reference

Topic	Rule
Motion Days	F.1. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rules 6 and 7. This Court hears civil motions on Wednesdays, beginning at 1:30 p.m. [hwang-anne \| motion_hearing_days]
Motion Limit	F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. Replies shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. [hwang-anne \| page_limits_motions]
Reply Limit	F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Replies shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. [hwang-anne \| page_limits_replies]
Chambers Copies	Conditional E.4.(a) Timeliness and Location. Deliver Chambers Copies promptly to Judge Hwang's mailbox outside the Clerk's Office on the fourth floor of... [hwang-anne \| chambers_copies_details]
Tentative Rulings	Silent on tentative rulings. Not applicable: federal court does not issue tentative rulings. [hwang-anne \| tentative_rulings]
Remote Appearances	F.4.(c) Remote Appearances. Remote appearances are disfavored absent good cause shown. (d) Telephonic Hearings. The Court seldom permits telephonic appearances. The Court strongly prefers counsel to appear in person. If exceptional circumstances exist, counsel may file an application to appear telephonically detailing such circumstance. [hwang-anne \| remote_appearances]
Discovery	D.1. Magistrate Judge Referral for All Discovery Matters. All discovery matters are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. All documents relating to discovery matters must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to ensure proper routing. [hwang-anne \| discovery_referral]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times

F.1. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rules 6 and 7. This Court hears civil motions on Wednesdays, beginning at 1:30 p.m. [hwang-anne | motion_hearing_days]

Notice Period

F.1. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rules 6 and 7. [hwang-anne | motion_notice_days]

Motion Page / Word Limit

F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. Replies shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. [hwang-anne | page_limits_motions]

Opposition Limit

F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. [hwang-anne | page_limits_oppositions]

Reply Limit

F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Replies shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. [hwang-anne | page_limits_replies]

Font & Formatting

F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Typeface and spacing shall comply with Local Rule 11-3.1.1, except that the parties are required to use only 14-point Times New Roman font. Footnotes shall be in the same font and the same size as the body of the memorandum. 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. [hwang-anne | font_formatting]

Footnote Policy

F.3. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Footnotes shall be in the same font and the same size as the body of the memorandum. [hwang-anne | footnote_policy]

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At Filing

Chambers Copies

Conditional E.4.(a) Timeliness and Location. Deliver Chambers Copies promptly to Judge Hwang's mailbox outside the Clerk's Office on the fourth floor of the First Street Courthouse. Applicable documents will not be considered until Chambers Copies are submitted. Delay in submitting such copies will delay consideration of the submission. (b) Format. Chambers Copies, which do not need to be submitted with blue backing, should be copies of the filed document—i.e., they should have the docket information on the top of each page. Filings that include highlighting, color photographs, "redlining," or the like should be printed in color. [hwang-anne | chambers_copies_details]

ECF Stamp Requirements

E.4.(b) Format. Chambers Copies, which do not need to be submitted with blue backing, should be copies of the filed document—i.e., they should have the docket information on the top of each page. [hwang-anne | ecf_stamp_requirements]

Proposed Orders

E.3. Proposed Orders. (a) Proposed Orders Must be Lodged and Served. Each party filing or opposing a motion or seeking the determination of any matter shall serve and lodge a proposed order setting forth the relief or action sought and a brief statement of the rationale for the decision with appropriate citations. (b) Email Proposed Orders to Chambers. The Court enforces strict compliance with Local Rule 5-4.4.2, which instructs: "After a document requiring a judge's signature has been lodged under L.R. 5-4.4.1, a. . . Microsoft Word copy of the proposed document, along with a PDF copy of the electronically filed main document, must be emailed to the assigned judge's generic chambers email address," namely, AH_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. [hwang-anne | proposed_orders]

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Before the Hearing

Tentative Rulings

Silent on tentative rulings. Not applicable: federal court does not issue tentative rulings. [hwang-anne | tentative_rulings]

Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives

Silent on tentative ruling prohibition. Not applicable: federal court does not issue tentative rulings. [hwang-anne | tentative_ruling_prohibition]

Oral Argument

F.4. Oral Argument. (a) Time Limits. If oral argument is permitted, the parties will have ten (10) minutes each for oral argument, unless the Court states otherwise. If the Court believes that the matter warrants less or more time, it will advise counsel at the hearing. (b) Submission Without Oral Argument. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 78 and Local Rule 7-15, the Court may deem a matter appropriate for decision without oral argument. [hwang-anne | oral_argument_default]

Remote Appearances

F.4.(c) Remote Appearances. Remote appearances are disfavored absent good cause shown. (d) Telephonic Hearings. The Court seldom permits telephonic appearances. The Court strongly prefers counsel to appear in person. If exceptional circumstances exist, counsel may file an application to appear telephonically detailing such circumstance. [hwang-anne | remote_appearances]

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Background Rules

Chambers Contact

A.4. Communications with Chambers. Neither counsel nor a party shall initiate contact with the Court or its Chambers' staff by telephone, or by any other improper ex parte means. Counsel may contact the CRD with appropriate inquiries. Contacting the CRD to inquire about the status of a pending matter or to continue a proceeding is not appropriate. Nor should counsel contact the CRD to inquire about court procedure when the answer is readily available by consulting the Local Rules and the Court's Standing Orders. The preferred method of communication with the CRD is by email. Counsel must copy all parties on any such email. [hwang-anne | chambers_contact_restrictions]

Discovery Referral

D.1. Magistrate Judge Referral for All Discovery Matters. All discovery matters are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. All documents relating to discovery matters must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to ensure proper routing. [hwang-anne | discovery_referral]

Discovery Motion Process

Ex Parte Applications

G.10. Ex Parte Applications (Including Temporary Restraining Orders and Applications for Injunctive Relief). The Court considers ex parte applications on the papers and does not usually set these matters for a hearing. If a hearing is necessary, the parties will be notified. Ex parte applications are solely for extraordinary relief and should be used with discretion. Any party seeking ex parte relief, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions under Fed. R. Civ. P. 65, must comply with Local Rule 7-19 (and Local Rule 65 for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions). The moving party must also serve the opposing party by email, fax, or personal service, and notify that party that opposing papers must be filed not later than forty-eight (48) hours following service or by 3:00 p.m. on the first court day after the service, whichever is later. [hwang-anne | ex_parte_notice]

Settlement Notification

A.5. Duty to Notify of Settlement. Counsel must advise the Court immediately if (1) the case or any pending matter has been resolved or (2) a motion is pending, and the parties are engaged in serious negotiations that appear likely to resolve the case or the pending motion. Failure to provide timely notice of settlement may result in sanctions. [hwang-anne | settlement_notification]

Lead Counsel

A.3. Presence of Counsel if a Party Has More Than One Attorney. Only one attorney for a party may be designated as lead counsel (and the designation must appear on the docket if a party has more than one attorney). Counsel who is most knowledgeable may address and resolve all matters within the scope of the proceeding. The Court does not require lead counsel to attend all proceedings if other counsel have more knowledge about and are more prepared to address the matters within the scope of the proceeding, so long as counsel has sufficient authority to resolve all matters within the scope of the proceeding. [hwang-anne | lead_counsel_requirement]

Under Seal Filings

Silent on under seal requirements. [hwang-anne | under_seal_requirements]

Continuances & Calendar Conflicts

G.3. Motions and Stipulations to Continue. Continuances are granted only on a showing of good cause. Requests for continuances must be made before the date to be continued and by motion or stipulation, along with a proposed order. Motions and stipulations must be accompanied by a detailed declaration setting forth the specific reasons for the requested continuance and the precise deadline(s) the parties propose. A stipulation that fails to list the precise date(s) the parties wish to move, and the new date(s) they propose, will be denied for failure to comply with this Standing Order. [hwang-anne | continuances_calendar_conflicts]

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AI & Style Preferences

AI Disclosure Requirement

E.5. Artificial Intelligence. Any party who uses generative artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT, Harvey, CoCounsel, or Google Bard) to generate any portion of a brief, pleading, or other filing must attach to the filing a separate declaration disclosing the use of artificial intelligence and certifying that the filer has reviewed the source material and verified that the artificially generated content is accurate and complies with the filer's Rule 11 obligations.

Sources & Currency

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