Judge Josephine L. Staton -- United States District Court, Central District of California

Courtroom 8A, 8th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles

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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

1. Reply briefs capped at 4,200 words — NOT the 7,000-word L.R. 11-6 default; this is a Staton-specific reduction that will get a reply stricken if defaulted
2. Motion hearings only on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; check the Closed Motion Dates list on the court's website before noticing
3. Chambers copies NOT required in any case notwithstanding Local Civil Rule 5-4.5 — do NOT deliver paper copies (including for sealed documents)
4. All hearings default IN-PERSON; requests to appear by phone or Zoom require an application filed at least 5 days in advance — an email to the CRD does NOT excuse in-person appearance
5. Proposed orders MUST be in Microsoft Word format (not WordPerfect or any other) emailed to chambers, even though L.R. 5-4.4.2 allows other formats
6. AI disclosure required: any generative AI use in a filing requires a separate declaration certifying Rule 11 verification of accuracy
7. Discovery motions must be filed no later than 10 days AFTER the discovery cut-off — hard back-end deadline separate from the cutoff itself
8. Settlement notice triggers a 30-day stay to file the dismissal; the court will NOT stay for 'tentative' or 'in principle' settlements — do not report prematurely
9. Sealed filings need FIVE documents (3 public, 2 non-public) including a yellow-highlighted unredacted version — bare L.R. 79-5 compliance is not enough
10. Ex parte replies are NOT permitted absent leave of court

Quick Reference

Topic	Rule
Motion Days	8.a. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7. This Court hears motions on Fridays, beginning at 10:30 a.m. It is not necessary to clear a hearing date with the Court Clerk before filing a motion in a civil motion. Counsel must check the Court's website for Closed Motion Dates. [staton-josephine \| motion_hearing_days]
Motion Limit	8.c. Limitations on Briefing. Limitations on the length of briefs are specified in Local Civil Rule 11-6.1. A certification of compliance is required as set forth in Local Rule 11-6.2. In addition, because reply briefs should by their nature be shorter than motion and opposition briefs, the Court imposes an additional limitation on reply briefs, limiting those to 4,200 words rather than 7,000 words. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. No supplemental briefs may be filed without prior leave of court. [staton-josephine \| page_limits_motions]
Reply Limit	8.c. Limitations on Briefing. Because reply briefs should by their nature be shorter than motion and opposition briefs, the Court imposes an additional limitation on reply briefs, limiting those to 4,200 words rather than 7,000 words. [staton-josephine \| page_limits_replies]
Chambers Copies	Conditional Mandatory Chambers Copies. Notwithstanding Local Civil Rule 5-4.5, and in the absence of a case-specific order to the contrary, the Court... [staton-josephine \| chambers_copies_details]
Tentative Rulings	Silent on tentative rulings. Not applicable: federal court does not issue tentative rulings. [staton-josephine \| tentative_rulings]
Remote Appearances	Absent extraordinary circumstances, all hearings before the Court are conducted in person. Requests to appear by telephone or Zoom videoconference must be made by filing an application no fewer than five days in advance of the hearing. Sending an email to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk ("CRD") is NOT the proper way to request to appear by telephone or by Zoom and does not excuse the in-person appearance by a party or by counsel. [staton-josephine \| remote_appearances]
Discovery	6.a. Discovery Matters Referred to Magistrate Judge. All discovery matters have been referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. Any party may move for review and reconsideration of a discovery ruling within fourteen days after such ruling. See Local Rule 72-2. [staton-josephine \| discovery_referral]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times

8.a. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7. This Court hears motions on Fridays, beginning at 10:30 a.m. It is not necessary to clear a hearing date with the Court Clerk before filing a motion in a civil motion. Counsel must check the Court's website for Closed Motion Dates. [staton-josephine | motion_hearing_days]

Notice Period

8.a. Time for Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7. [staton-josephine | motion_notice_days]

Motion Page / Word Limit

8.c. Limitations on Briefing. Limitations on the length of briefs are specified in Local Civil Rule 11-6.1. A certification of compliance is required as set forth in Local Rule 11-6.2. In addition, because reply briefs should by their nature be shorter than motion and opposition briefs, the Court imposes an additional limitation on reply briefs, limiting those to 4,200 words rather than 7,000 words. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. No supplemental briefs may be filed without prior leave of court. [staton-josephine | page_limits_motions]

Opposition Limit

Reply Limit

8.c. Limitations on Briefing. Because reply briefs should by their nature be shorter than motion and opposition briefs, the Court imposes an additional limitation on reply briefs, limiting those to 4,200 words rather than 7,000 words. [staton-josephine | page_limits_replies]

Font & Formatting

7. LENGTH AND FORMAT OF MOTIONS AND PROFFERED EVIDENCE (CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES). Additionally, Local Rule 11-3 governs the format of documents presented to the Court, including the specifications regarding font size (Rule 11-3.1.1) and spacing (Rule 11-3.6). Documents submitted for filing in paper format or as mandatory chambers copies need not be blue-backed in the manner specified in Local Rule 11-3.5. [staton-josephine | font_formatting]

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At Filing

Chambers Copies

Conditional Mandatory Chambers Copies. Notwithstanding Local Civil Rule 5-4.5, and in the absence of a case-specific order to the contrary, the Court does not require mandatory chambers copies in any case. This provision applies equally to civil and criminal cases. Additionally, paper copies of documents to be filed under seal (and supporting applications and declarations) need not be provided. [staton-josephine | chambers_copies_details]

ECF Stamp Requirements

Silent on ecf stamp requirements. [staton-josephine | ecf_stamp_requirements]

Proposed Orders

2. PROPOSED ORDERS (ALL REQUESTS FOR RELIEF). Whether related to ex parte applications, stipulations, motions, or any other request for relief, the parties must prepare, lodge and email proposed orders setting forth the relief they seek. See Local Rule 5-4.4. A word processing version of the proposed order must be emailed to the chambers address. See Local Rule 5-4.4.2. Although Local Rule 5-4.4.2 allows for another format, proposed orders emailed to Judge Staton's chambers address must be in Microsoft Word format. [staton-josephine | proposed_orders]

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Before the Hearing

Tentative Rulings

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

Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives

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

Oral Argument

5. CIVIL MOTIONS. The Court may resolve civil motions on the parties' written submissions, without oral argument. If the Court does not believe that oral argument will be helpful, the Court will advise the parties in advance. Unless the Court orders otherwise, civil motions will proceed IN PERSON. Telephonic or video conference appearances by counsel are disfavored and require truly exceptional circumstances. [staton-josephine | oral_argument_default]

Remote Appearances

Absent extraordinary circumstances, all hearings before the Court are conducted in person. Requests to appear by telephone or Zoom videoconference must be made by filing an application no fewer than five days in advance of the hearing. Sending an email to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk ("CRD") is NOT the proper way to request to appear by telephone or by Zoom and does not excuse the in-person appearance by a party or by counsel. [staton-josephine | remote_appearances]

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Background Rules

Chambers Contact

29. NO CONTACT WITH CHAMBERS. Parties and counsel shall direct their communications to the CRD rather than chambers. The Courtroom Deputy Clerk ("CRD") reviews emails sent to this address. Neither Judge Staton nor members of chambers staff review these communications directly. Unless counsel or parties have been expressly authorized to communicate with chambers, all appropriate oral and written communications are to be submitted to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk. [staton-josephine | chambers_contact_restrictions]

Discovery Referral

6.a. Discovery Matters Referred to Magistrate Judge. All discovery matters have been referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. Any party may move for review and reconsideration of a discovery ruling within fourteen days after such ruling. See Local Rule 72-2. [staton-josephine | discovery_referral]

Discovery Motion Process

12. DISCOVERY MOTIONS IN A CIVIL CASE. All discovery motions in civil cases are to be calendared before the magistrate judge. Parties and counsel are directed to the procedures for discovery motions set forth in Local Rule 37 and are advised to consult the procedures page of the magistrate judge assigned to their case. Discovery motions must be filed no later than ten days after the discovery cut-off date. [staton-josephine | discovery_motion_process]

Ex Parte Applications

3. EX PARTE APPLICATIONS (CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES). The parties and counsel are directed to Local Civil Rule 7-19. Ex parte applications are for extraordinary relief only. Where appropriate, the movant shall serve the opposing party by electronic filing (see Local Rule 5-3.2.1); otherwise, the party seeking relief shall serve by email, fax, or personal service. The party seeking relief must also notify the opposing party that any opposition must be filed no later than 24 hours after service. Absent leave of court, replies are not permitted. [staton-josephine | ex_parte_notice]

Settlement Notification

19. SETTLEMENT OF CIVIL CASES. The parties are to advise the Court promptly when a settlement is reached. In an ordinary civil case, upon being advised that the parties have reached a resolution as to all parties and all claims, the Court will issue an order staying all proceedings pending a stipulation of dismissal by the parties. No stay will be issued for "tentative" settlements or settlements "in principle." The parties are expected to finalize the terms of the settlement and file a stipulation of dismissal within thirty days of the entry of the Court's stay order. [staton-josephine | settlement_notification]

Lead Counsel

8. APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL (CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES). Lead trial counsel is expected to appear at all conferences and hearings, including motion hearings. Special appearances are not permitted, and only counsel of record may appear. In situations in which one attorney makes a telephone appearance, but his or her co-counsel is present in Court, only one of the two may address the substance of any matter pending before the Court. [staton-josephine | lead_counsel_requirement]

Under Seal Filings

III. FILE A PROPERLY SUPPORTED APPLICATION (L.R. 79-5.2.2(a)). A properly supported application usually consists of five documents: three documents filed publicly and two documents filed non-publicly. Public documents: Application for Leave to File Document Under Seal; Public Redacted Version of the Document to be Filed Under Seal; Proposed Order. Non-public documents: Declaration in Support of Filing Under Seal; Unredacted Version of Document to be Filed Under Seal (confidential portions highlighted in yellow). [staton-josephine | under_seal_requirements]

Continuances & Calendar Conflicts

17. CONTINUANCES IN CIVIL CASES. After the Court issues a scheduling order, continuances in civil cases are granted only upon a showing of good cause. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). Applications or stipulations for continuances must be supported by detailed declaration attesting to the grounds for continuance. Parties and counsel must in all instances demonstrate good cause; they may not simply stipulate that good cause has been shown. The Court does not modify Scheduling Orders to accommodate mediation or settlement negotiations, which occur in every case. [staton-josephine | continuances_calendar_conflicts]

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AI & Style Preferences

AI Disclosure Requirement

8.f. Use of Artificial Intelligence. Any party who uses any form of generative artificial intelligence 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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