Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Cynthia Valenzuela — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 10B, 10th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Documents may NOT be filed under seal before the District Judge based solely on a Magistrate Judge's protective order — a separate and additional good cause showing is required for each category of document
- 2. Proposed orders must use the Court's template and must be emailed in Word to CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on the day of filing — failure may result in the motion being stricken
- 3. Do not calendar on a Friday that is a court holiday — the Court will re-calendar; counsel should not assume the holiday-adjacent Friday is available
- 4. Attorney fees tables must be in Excel (editable, restrictions removed) and emailed to chambers — not just filed as PDF
- 5. Meet and confer must be in person, by telephone, or by videoconference — written correspondence alone is insufficient to satisfy Local Rule 7-3
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Fridays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Fridays at 10:30 a.m. (criminal). Do not calendar on a Friday that is a court holiday — Court will re-calendar to the next Friday. |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages (Local Rule default). |
| Reply Limit | 15 pages. (MSJ governed by separate Order Re: Motions for Summary Judgment.) |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional Court requires (1) one mandatory chambers copy of motions for summary judgment, motions for class certification, and any associated briefing... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not specified. |
| Remote Appearances | In-person required for all hearings and trials unless otherwise instructed by the Court. Court may permit telephone or video conference for status conferences upon showing of undue hardship. Request procedure: (1) email CRD and copy opposing counsel at least 3 court days in advance with detailed statement of undue hardship; (2) use landline or hardline internet connection; (3) be available at least 15 minutes before the hearing. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery matters are hereby referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes.' All discovery-related documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption to ensure proper routing. Proposed protective orders also go to the Magistrate Judge. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Fridays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Fridays at 10:30 a.m. (criminal). Do not calendar on a Friday that is a court holiday — Court will re-calendar to the next Friday.
Notice Period
28 days before hearing (Local Rule 6-1) for most motions. MSJ, TRO, and preliminary injunction require pre-clearing a date with CRD.
Motion Page / Word Limit
25 pages (Local Rule default).
Opposition Limit
25 pages.
Reply Limit
15 pages. (MSJ governed by separate Order Re: Motions for Summary Judgment.)
Font & Formatting
Times New Roman no less than 14-point; Courier no less than 12-point. Follows Local Rule 11-3.1.1.
Footnote Policy
Footnotes shall be in the same font and the same size as the body of the memorandum.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Court requires (1) one mandatory chambers copy of motions for summary judgment, motions for class certification, and any associated briefing (oppositions and replies); and (2) one mandatory chambers copy of overlength briefs when leave granted. Delivery: 'Mandatory Chambers Copies' box, fourth floor, 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Format: must comply with Local Rule 11-3; need not be blue-backed. Must be prominently labeled 'MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPY' on face page. Court discourages all other chambers copies.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specified.
Proposed Orders
Required for every filing. E-file in PDF as attachment to main document. Also email in Microsoft Word format to CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on day of e-filing. Must use the Court's template (available on Judge Valenzuela's webpage). Failure to email Word format using template may result in the motion being stricken. Attorney fees tables must be in Excel (all restrictions removed, editable) and emailed to CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not specified.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Oral argument held unless Court deems matter appropriate for decision without oral argument, in which case Court takes matter under submission and notifies parties before hearing.
Remote Appearances
In-person required for all hearings and trials unless otherwise instructed by the Court. Court may permit telephone or video conference for status conferences upon showing of undue hardship. Request procedure: (1) email CRD and copy opposing counsel at least 3 court days in advance with detailed statement of undue hardship; (2) use landline or hardline internet connection; (3) be available at least 15 minutes before the hearing.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel must not contact the Court or chambers staff by email, telephone, or ex parte means. For appropriate matters only, contact CRD via CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov or (213) 894-0239. Do not contact CRD regarding status of any matter. Include email address and telephone number on all papers.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery matters are hereby referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes.' All discovery-related documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption to ensure proper routing. Proposed protective orders also go to the Magistrate Judge.
Discovery Motion Process
Calendar before the Magistrate Judge. Follow Magistrate Judge's procedures for scheduling. Magistrate Judge's decision is final; Court will not reverse unless clearly erroneous or contrary to law. Critical: documents may NOT be filed under seal before the District Judge based solely on a Magistrate Judge protective order — a separate good cause showing as to each category of document is required.
Ex Parte Applications
Applicant must notify opposing party that opposition must be filed no later than 24 hours following service. Court considers applications on the papers; usually no hearing. Applications must conform to Local Rules 7-19 and 7-19.1, including statement of opposing counsel's position. All applications must include a proposed order. If no opposition intended, counsel must inform CRD at (213) 894-0239.
Settlement Notification
Counsel shall notify the CRD as soon as settlement is reached. Court may assess jury fees under Local Rule 40-3 if notification occurs after 4:00 p.m. on the last business day before trial without good cause. ADR participation mandatory — Court will not hold FPTC or convene trial until all parties (including corporate principals) have completed ADR.
Lead Counsel
Court requires lead counsel to appear for scheduling conferences, settlement conferences, and the Final Pretrial Conference.
Under Seal Filings
Strong presumption of access in civil cases. For each document, must identify and discuss factual and/or legal justification establishing 'good cause' or 'compelling reasons' (Kamakana standard). Blanket claims denied. Sealing justified per individual item. Parties must meet and confer before filing any application to seal. Documents NOT fileable under seal based solely on Magistrate Judge's protective order — separate showing required. Follows Local Rule 79-5.2.2.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances: file electronically with detailed declaration of grounds. Proposed order in Word emailed to CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov on day of e-filing. Avoid submitting requests less than 5 business days before expiration. Expired deadlines constitute presumptive lack of due diligence. Trial dates firm. Calendar conflicts: notify CRD via CV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov; if conflict is with another CD Cal Western Division judge, notify both CRDs and appear before most senior judge first. 'Notice of Unavailability' has no legal effect — do not file.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Motion for class certification deadline set at scheduling conference or in Scheduling Order; no separate request to depart from Local Rule 23-3 required. Discovery not stayed while any motion is pending (including motions to dismiss). Motions in limine noticed not later than 4 weeks before FPTC; each party limited to 5 MILs. Daubert motions noticed not later than 9 weeks before FPTC. MSJ governed by separate Order Re: Motions for Summary Judgment. Filing and exhibit attachments must be separately docketed attachments to the main docket entry.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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