Ex Parte Applications: Ex parte applications must be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7-19, and they must identify in the caption whether it is "OPPOSED" or "UNOPPOSED." Any opposition must be filed within 24 hours of electronic filing of the application. Ex parte applications will ordinarily be decided on the papers without oral argument. The Court will notify the parties if it desires a hearing, including a remote hearing. If the opposing party is in custody, the requesting party need not provide oral notice before filing but must undertake reasonable efforts to provide notice in writing. Any party relying on this procedure must state in the application that the party is in custody and describe the steps that have been (or will be) taken to provide the person in custody with prompt notice.

Civil Motions: Hearings are held IN PERSON by default, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Counsel and parties should not assume a hearing will be held remotely, if not specifically ordered. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, civil motions are heard on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM. Counsel should check the Closed Motion Dates before filing a motion; otherwise, it is unnecessary to clear a civil motion hearing date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (CRD) before filing a motion. The Court may continue a motion sua sponte or take a motion under submission without oral argument at any time.

Mandatory Chambers Copies: Electronic copies of proposed orders must be emailed to chambers in Microsoft Word format to SK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Physical copies are not required, unless otherwise ordered, except for emergency motions or requests. If a physical copy is necessary, please deliver to Judge Kim's drop box located outside Suite 1200 (Roybal Clerk's Office) on the 12th Floor. If mailing a courtesy copy, please address as follows: Clerk to Judge Steve Kim, Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 255 E. Temple Street, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Under Seal Documents: Parties and counsel in civil cases shall follow the procedures outlined in Local Rule 79-5 for filing under seal documents. Parties and counsel may consult the Guide to Electronically Filing Under Seal Documents in Civil Cases, which is available for download below. In criminal cases, all proposed sealed documents shall be submitted via e-mail to the Chambers e-mail address at SK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov and comply with the procedures set forth in the Order regarding the Pilot Project for Electronic Submission and Filing of Under Seal Documents for Criminal Cases, which is also available for download below.

Court Appearances: Unless otherwise ordered, counsel of record must appear in person for all court proceedings. Remote appearances (by telephone or video) for civil court proceedings—except for ex parte applications as ordered below—will not be permitted if counsel for both sides are located within Los Angeles County, unless there are extraordinary reasons. Counsel wishing to request a remote appearance in civil cases must do so in writing by no later than 14 calendar days before the noticed hearing date, with the understanding that in certain cases the Court may be limited by any applicable bans or restrictions on live streaming or broadcasting of audio or video to the public. All criminal court proceedings must be conducted in person, except as otherwise authorized by law and ordered by the Court. Fed. R. Crim. P. 53.

Extensions or Continuances: Requests to extend any deadlines or to continue any hearings (either by ex parte application or stipulation) must be filed at least three business days before the scheduled deadline or hearing. The request must detail good cause for the extension or continuance, whether any extensions or continuances were sought before, and whether those were granted or denied. If it is absolutely necessary for a party to file an opposed ex parte application to request an extension of time or continuance of a hearing, the application must forthrightly describe the basis and details of the opposing party's position.

Discovery Motions: Discovery filings should include in the caption: '[Discovery Document: Referred to Magistrate Judge Steve Kim].' Unless otherwise ordered, parties must file discovery motions in accordance with Local Rules 37-1 to 37-3. Disputed discovery requests involving the same issue(s) should be logically grouped under one section in the parties' Joint Stipulation with a consolidated position statement by each side. L.R. 37-2.1. The Court may take a discovery motion under submission without oral argument at any time. Absent an emergency, ex parte applications are not an allowed method of bringing a discovery dispute to the attention of the Court. L.R. 37-3.

IMPORTANT: Before filing a discovery motion, all counsel must read and be familiar with Judge Kim's Standing Order on Civil Discovery, available for download below. No discovery motion may be filed unless the Notice of that motion attaches a completed Supplemental Certification of Counsel, which is available below. Any discovery motion filed without that completed Supplemental Certification may be struck with no further notice or warning. Discovery motions filed without enough time to hold a hearing and to permit the parties to comply with any associated order before the fact discovery cutoff set by the district judge may be summarily dismissed as untimely without prejudice to renewing the motion if the parties later obtain an extension of that cutoff by the district judge for good cause under F.R.C.P. 16. N.B. Judge Kim has no authority to alter a Rule 16 scheduling order set by another judge.