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Judge Sunshine S. Sykes -- United States District Court, Central District of California

Courtroom 2, 2nd Floor, George E. Brown Jr. Federal Building, Riverside, CA

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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

  1. 1. Motion hearings only on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. (afternoon slot) — not the usual morning motion calendar most CA-CD judges run
  2. 2. MSJ, preliminary injunction, and class certification motions REQUIRE reserving a hearing date via chambers email before filing — motion stricken under L.R. 6-1 if you skip this step
  3. 3. Hearings default to Zoom video appearance (except MILs, FPTCs, and trials); in-person requests must be filed at least 1 week before the hearing — telephonic appearances not conducted at all
  4. 4. Reply briefs capped at 10 PAGES — not the 7,000-word L.R. default; a page-limit trap not a word-count trap on replies
  5. 5. All briefing in Times New Roman 14-point minimum; footnotes at least 12-point font
  6. 6. Proposed orders MUST use the template on Sykes' webpage AND be emailed in Word format to SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov the same day filed — failure may result in the motion being stricken without merits consideration
  7. 7. Applications to seal must be filed at LEAST TWO WEEKS before the anticipated motion is filed — build the seal application into the pre-MSJ timeline
  8. 8. Chambers copies required only for class cert, class-action approval, MSJ, preliminary injunction, and trial docs — must include tabs/dividers and be delivered to Riverside courtesy box by 5:00 p.m. the first day after filing
  9. 9. In-person appearance requests require meet-and-confer under L.R. 7-3 — do not file an in-person request without confirming opposing counsel's position

Quick Reference

Topic Rule
Motion Days §VII. Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions must be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7. This Court hears civil motions on Fridays beginning at 2:00 pm. If Friday is a national holiday, motions will be heard on the next Friday. [sykes-sunshine | motion_hearing_days]
Motion Limit §VII. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Pursuant to Local Rule 11-6, Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions, absent leave of Court, must not exceed 7,000 words, including headings, footnotes, and quotations, but excluding the caption, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the signature block, the certification required by Local Rule 11-6.2, and any indices and exhibits. [sykes-sunshine | page_limits_motions]
Reply Limit §VII. Replies must not exceed ten (10) pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. [sykes-sunshine | page_limits_replies]
Chambers Copies Conditional §II. Mandatory Chambers Courtesy Copies. Chambers Copies must be delivered to the 'Courtesy Box' located outside of Courtroom 2 on the 2nd... [sykes-sunshine | chambers_copies_details]
Tentative Rulings JPS: Tentative Rulings: The Court does not typically issue tentative rulings. [sykes-sunshine | tentative_rulings]
Remote Appearances §I. Telephonic and Video Appearances. The Court does not conduct telephonic hearings. By default, all hearings, with the exception of hearings on motions in limine, Final Pretrial Conferences, and trials, must proceed remotely by video appearance on Zoom, unless a request is made by the parties to appear in person and this request is granted by the Court. Requests for an in-person appearance must be filed one (1) week before the hearing and must indicate that counsel has met and conferred with opposing counsel consistent with Local Rule 7-3. Hearings on motions in limine, Final Pretrial Conferences, and trials must be heard in person. [sykes-sunshine | remote_appearances]
Discovery §VI. All discovery matters are hereby referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. The assigned Magistrate Judge's initials follow the Judge Sykes' initials next to the action number. [sykes-sunshine | discovery_referral]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
§VII. Filing and Hearing Motions. Motions must be filed in accordance with Local Rule 7. This Court hears civil motions on Fridays beginning at 2:00 pm. If Friday is a national holiday, motions will be heard on the next Friday. [sykes-sunshine | motion_hearing_days]
Notice Period
§VII. It is not necessary to clear a hearing date with Judge Sykes' CRD before filing a motion, except for motions for summary judgment, motions for preliminary injunction, and motions for class certification. For these three motions, contact the CRD via the Court's chambers email address at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov to reserve a hearing date. There are limited available hearings on any given date. If the moving party fails to obtain a date, the motion will be stricken for failure to notice a hearing under Local Rule 6-1. [sykes-sunshine | motion_notice_days]
Motion Page / Word Limit
§VII. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Pursuant to Local Rule 11-6, Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions, absent leave of Court, must not exceed 7,000 words, including headings, footnotes, and quotations, but excluding the caption, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the signature block, the certification required by Local Rule 11-6.2, and any indices and exhibits. [sykes-sunshine | page_limits_motions]
Opposition Limit
§VII. Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions, absent leave of Court, must not exceed 7,000 words, including headings, footnotes, and quotations, but excluding the caption, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the signature block, the certification required by Local Rule 11-6.2, and any indices and exhibits. [sykes-sunshine | page_limits_oppositions]
Reply Limit
§VII. Replies must not exceed ten (10) pages. Only in rare instances and for good cause shown will the Court grant an application to extend these page limitations. [sykes-sunshine | page_limits_replies]
Font & Formatting
§VII. All briefing must use Times New Roman font. Text must be no less than fourteen (14) point font; footnotes must be no less than twelve (12) point font. [sykes-sunshine | font_formatting]
Footnote Policy
§VII. Length and Format of Motion Papers. Pursuant to Local Rule 11-6, Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions, absent leave of Court, must not exceed 7,000 words, including headings, footnotes, and quotations… footnotes must be no less than twelve (12) point font. [sykes-sunshine | footnote_policy]
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional §II. Mandatory Chambers Courtesy Copies. Chambers Copies must be delivered to the 'Courtesy Box' located outside of Courtroom 2 on the 2nd floor at the United States District Court, 3470 12th Street, Riverside, California 92501, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first day following the filing. All Mandatory Chambers Copies must comply with the document formatting requirements of Local Rule 11-3, except for the blue-backing requirement of Local Rule 11-4.1, which is waived. If the filing party and its counsel fail to deliver a Mandatory Chambers Copy in full compliance with this Order and Local Rule 11-3, the Court may, on its own motion, reschedule any related hearing and impose sanctions. Pro se parties are exempt from this requirement. [sykes-sunshine | chambers_copies_details]
ECF Stamp Requirements
Silent on ecf stamp requirements. [sykes-sunshine | ecf_stamp_requirements]
Proposed Orders
§II. Electronic Filings and Proposed Orders. Each party filing a motion, opposing a motion, or seeking the determination of any matter must serve and electronically lodge a proposed order setting forth the relief or action sought and a brief statement of the rationale for the decision with appropriate citations. Proposed Signature Items: must be filed as an attachment to the main document in PDF format. All proposed signature items must also be emailed in Microsoft Word ('Word') format to the chambers email at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on the day the document is filed. A template for proposed orders is available on Judge Sykes' webpage. The parties must use this template. Failure to submit a proposed order via email in Word format may result in the Court striking the motion, application, or stipulation without consideration of the request on its merits. [sykes-sunshine | proposed_orders]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
JPS: Tentative Rulings: The Court does not typically issue tentative rulings. [sykes-sunshine | tentative_rulings]
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Silent on tentative ruling prohibition. [sykes-sunshine | tentative_ruling_prohibition]
Oral Argument
§VII. Matters Under Submission. If the Court deems a matter appropriate for decision without oral argument, the Court will take the matter under submission and notify the parties before the hearing. [sykes-sunshine | oral_argument_default]
Remote Appearances
§I. Telephonic and Video Appearances. The Court does not conduct telephonic hearings. By default, all hearings, with the exception of hearings on motions in limine, Final Pretrial Conferences, and trials, must proceed remotely by video appearance on Zoom, unless a request is made by the parties to appear in person and this request is granted by the Court. Requests for an in-person appearance must be filed one (1) week before the hearing and must indicate that counsel has met and conferred with opposing counsel consistent with Local Rule 7-3. Hearings on motions in limine, Final Pretrial Conferences, and trials must be heard in person. [sykes-sunshine | remote_appearances]
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
§III. Communications with Chambers. Counsel must not contact the Court or chambers staff by email, telephone, or by any other ex parte means. Counsel may, for appropriate matters only, contact the CRD via the Chambers' email at SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Counsel must not contact the CRD regarding the status of any matter before the Court. Calls or emails regarding the status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders will not be returned. [sykes-sunshine | chambers_contact_restrictions]
Discovery Referral
§VI. All discovery matters are hereby referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. The assigned Magistrate Judge's initials follow the Judge Sykes' initials next to the action number. [sykes-sunshine | discovery_referral]
Discovery Motion Process
§VI. Discovery Matters Referred to United States Magistrate Judge. All discovery matters are hereby referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. The assigned Magistrate Judge's initials follow the Judge Sykes' initials next to the action number. All discovery-related documents must include the words 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption to ensure proper routing. Counsel are directed to contact the Magistrate Judge's CRD and must follow the Magistrate Judge's procedures to schedule matters for hearing. [sykes-sunshine | discovery_motion_process]
Ex Parte Applications
JPS: Ex Parte Applications: Counsel's attention is directed to Local Rule 7-19. The Court considers ex parte applications on the papers. Accordingly, counsel need not set ex parte applications for a hearing date. If counsel does not intend to oppose the ex parte application, they must inform the CRD by telephone at (951) 328-4462. Any opposition to an ex parte application should be filed within 24 hours of receipt of the ex parte application. [sykes-sunshine | ex_parte_notice]
Settlement Notification
Silent on settlement notification. [sykes-sunshine | settlement_notification]
Lead Counsel
§IV. Presence of Lead Counsel. Lead trial counsel must attend any proceeding before this Court, including all Scheduling, Pretrial, and Settlement Conferences. Failure of lead counsel to appear for those proceedings is a basis for sanctions. [sykes-sunshine | lead_counsel_requirement]
Under Seal Filings
§VII. Under Seal Filings. Local Rule 79-5 governs applications to file documents under seal. Local Rule 79-5.2.2 explains how to apply to file under seal and how to proceed if leave is granted. Parties must comply with all provisions of Local Rule 79-5. There is a strong presumption of access to judicial records in civil actions. For each document or other type of information a party seeks to file under seal, the party must identify the factual and/or legal justification that establishes 'good cause' or 'compelling reasons' for the information to be protected. Sealing must be justified for each individual item. Blanket claims of confidentiality will result in the application to seal being denied. The parties must also meet and confer before filing an application to seal. All applications to seal must be filed at least two weeks before the anticipated motion is filed. [sykes-sunshine | under_seal_requirements]
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
§III. Continuances. Counsel requesting a continuance must lodge, prior to the date to be continued, a proposed stipulation and order including a detailed declaration of the ground for the requested continuance or extension of time. The Court grants continuances only upon a showing of good cause, focusing on the diligence of the party seeking the continuance and any prejudice that may result if the continuance is denied. Counsel are required to meet and confer with opposing counsel regarding the substance of the continuance before filing the anticipated request, and any request must include a statement of compliance with Local Rule 7-3. [sykes-sunshine | continuances_calendar_conflicts]

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