Magistrate Judge Diana M. Kwok -- United States District Court, Central District of California

Courtroom 880, 8th Floor, Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Los Angeles

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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

1. IDC request window: movant must email DMK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov within 2 business days of the last meet-and-confer or the informal path is forfeited
2. No discovery motion may be filed before the Zoom IDC — bypassing the IDC without leave risks having the formal motion struck
3. IDC procedure carve-outs: does NOT apply to ex parte applications, non-party motions, or pro se in-custody parties — those must go by formal motion
4. Video/hybrid appearances require an email request to DMK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov at least 48 hours before hearing with opposing counsel cc'd
5. MSJ chambers copies (moving papers and oppositions in civil cases) must be dropped at Room 1200, 12th Floor Roybal by noon the day after filing — no bluebacking
6. Settlement conferences: contact chambers at least 8 weeks before the ADR deadline or the court may be unable to accommodate any workable date
7. Settlement conferences held in person, any day EXCEPT Mondays, typically starting at 10:00 a.m. — settlement papers due 7 days ahead via email
8. Civil motions heard Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. — no clearance needed but check Closed Motion Dates before filing

Quick Reference

Topic	Rule
Motion Days	Civil motions are heard on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Please check the Closed Motion Dates before filing a motion. Other than discovery motions discussed below, or as set forth in an applicable scheduling and case management order, it is not necessary to clear a civil motion date with the Court before filing the motion. [mj-kwok-diana \| motion_hearing_days]
Chambers Copies	Conditional Judge Kwok does not require courtesy copies of electronically filed documents. The only exception is for summary judgment motions and... [mj-kwok-diana \| chambers_copies_details]
Remote Appearances	Remote Appearances: The Court permits video and hybrid appearances at hearings on most non-evidentiary motions with advanced approval. A party wishing to appear by video must email that request to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk at DMK_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov, no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and must cc opposing counsel on the request. Public access is provided in the assigned courtroom. [mj-kwok-diana \| remote_appearances]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times

Civil motions are heard on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Please check the Closed Motion Dates before filing a motion. Other than discovery motions discussed below, or as set forth in an applicable scheduling and case management order, it is not necessary to clear a civil motion date with the Court before filing the motion. [mj-kwok-diana | motion_hearing_days]

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At Filing

Chambers Copies

Conditional Judge Kwok does not require courtesy copies of electronically filed documents. The only exception is for summary judgment motions and oppositions in civil cases. Mandatory chambers copies of those documents must be delivered to Judge Kwok's drop box (outside Room 1200 on the 12th Floor of the Roybal Federal Building) by noon on the day after filing. Chambers copies do not need to be bluebacked. In habeas corpus cases and Social Security disability cases, Judge Kwok does not require hard copies of materials that are lodged electronically. Electronic copies of proposed orders in Microsoft Word must be emailed to the Court at DMK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. [mj-kwok-diana | chambers_copies_details]

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Before the Hearing

Remote Appearances

Remote Appearances: The Court permits video and hybrid appearances at hearings on most non-evidentiary motions with advanced approval. A party wishing to appear by video must email that request to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk at DMK_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov, no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and must cc opposing counsel on the request. Public access is provided in the assigned courtroom. [mj-kwok-diana | remote_appearances]

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Background Rules

Discovery Dispute Procedure

Informal Discovery Conference. Discovery disputes often may be resolved without the need for formal motion papers... First, as Local Civil Rule 37-1 requires, the parties must meet and confer in a good-faith effort to resolve any discovery dispute. Second, if the parties conclude that they have reached an impasse, within two business days of the last meet-and-confer session, the movant must e-mail the Court at DMK_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov seeking a conference with the Court via Zoom to discuss the discovery dispute. The procedure does not apply to ex parte applications, where the motion is filed by a non-party, or where a party to the discovery dispute is in custody and is self-represented. [mj-kwok-diana | discovery_dispute_procedure]

Sources & Currency

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