Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge John F. Walter — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 7A, 7th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. 2 copies of EVERY electronically filed document required (chambers copy + courtesy copy) — due by 10:00 a.m. the next business day; applies to all filings, not just MSJ or major motions
- 2. Both chambers copies must include the ECF running header on every page plus e-file date and document number on the first page — a specific format requirement
- 3. Proposed orders require a specific subject line format for the email: divisional office/year/case type/case number/document control number/judge initials/party name
- 4. All matters are in person — remote appearance requires an ex parte application or stipulation with declaration of good cause filed at least 3 court days before the proceeding
- 5. Documents filed after 4:00 p.m. on the due date are considered late and may be stricken by the Court
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Mondays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Mondays at 8:00 a.m. (criminal). If Monday is a federal holiday, the next available Monday. |
| Motion Limit | Follows Local Rules (25 pages unless otherwise ordered). |
| Reply Limit | Follows Local Rules (15 pages unless otherwise ordered). |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required 2 copies of ALL electronically filed documents required. One marked 'CHAMBERS COPY' and one marked 'COURTESY COPY.' Both copies must include... |
| Tentative Rulings | No — 'Tentative rulings are not issued.' |
| Remote Appearances | No remote appearances. 'All civil and criminal matters will be held in person unless instructed otherwise. At this time the Court is not conducting any telephonic or video conference hearings.' To request a remote appearance: file ex parte application and proposed order, or stipulation and proposed order, no later than 3 court days before the proceeding, supported by a declaration of good cause. If granted, type of remote appearance at the Court's discretion. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the Magistrate Judge.' (No standing order PDFs available; specific Magistrate Judge procedures apply.) |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Mondays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Mondays at 8:00 a.m. (criminal). If Monday is a federal holiday, the next available Monday.
Notice Period
Follows Local Rules. No need to clear motion dates with CRD prior to filing.
Motion Page / Word Limit
Follows Local Rules (25 pages unless otherwise ordered).
Opposition Limit
Follows Local Rules (25 pages unless otherwise ordered).
Reply Limit
Follows Local Rules (15 pages unless otherwise ordered).
Font & Formatting
Follows Local Rules.
Footnote Policy
Follows Local Rules.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
2 copies of ALL electronically filed documents required. One marked 'CHAMBERS COPY' and one marked 'COURTESY COPY.' Both copies must include the ECF running header on every page. On the first page of each copy, in the space between lines 1-7 to the right of the center, include the date the document was e-filed and the document number. Copies delivered to Chambers no later than 10:00 a.m. on the next business day after electronic filing. For non-electronically-filed documents: 1 conformed copy marked 'COURTESY COPY' to Chambers at the time of filing.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Both chambers copies must include on each page the running header created by the ECF system. On the first page of each copy, in the space between lines 1-7 to the right of the center, include the date the document was e-filed and the document number.
Proposed Orders
WordPerfect or Word copy of proposed order, plus a copy of the PDF electronically filed main document, must be e-mailed to the Chambers email address listed on the ECF website. Subject line format: court's divisional office, year, case type, case number, document control number assigned to the main document at the time of filing, judge's initials, and filer (party) name. Failure may result in denial, striking, or withholding of ruling until documents are received.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
No — 'Tentative rulings are not issued.'
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Not specified; all matters held in person.
Remote Appearances
No remote appearances. 'All civil and criminal matters will be held in person unless instructed otherwise. At this time the Court is not conducting any telephonic or video conference hearings.' To request a remote appearance: file ex parte application and proposed order, or stipulation and proposed order, no later than 3 court days before the proceeding, supported by a declaration of good cause. If granted, type of remote appearance at the Court's discretion.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel not permitted to contact judge's law clerks or secretary unless responding to their inquiry. Calls or emails will not be returned regarding status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders — check PACER. CRD prefers email at JFW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Phone/(213) 894-5396. Messages without case name, number, and brief message will not be returned. Do not leave multiple messages regarding the same issue.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the Magistrate Judge.' (No standing order PDFs available; specific Magistrate Judge procedures apply.)
Discovery Motion Process
Calendar before the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case.
Ex Parte Applications
Refer to Local Rules and Court's Standing Order (full Standing Order not available). Local Rule 7-19 governs.
Settlement Notification
Not specified.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Civil documents under seal: Refer to Local Rules and Court's Standing Order. (Full Standing Order not available in raw files.)
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances granted only upon showing of good cause. Must be by motion, stipulation, or application with a separate proposed order and declaration stating: reasons for continuance, whether prior requests were made and their outcomes, and all pending dates set by the Court. Stipulations not effective unless approved by the Court. Submit well in advance.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
JPS procedures only — no civil standing order PDFs available in raw folder. JPS page states: 'Information on this page is not intended to take the place of Judge Walter's Standing Order and/or Scheduling and Case Management Order.' Counsel must review the full Standing Order for complete requirements. Criminal matters heard Mondays at 8:00 a.m. The CRD will not file documents in Court. All filed documents must contain counsel's 'E-mail Address of Record.'
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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