Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Otis D. Wright II — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 5D, 5th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. When the Court continues a motion date, the briefing schedule (Local Rules 7-9 and 7-10) applies to the ORIGINALLY noticed date, not the continued date; Local Rule 7-11 does not apply unless Court expressly orders otherwise — calculate deadlines from the original date
- 2. MSJ requires at least 35 days minimum notice (not the standard 28 days)
- 3. Generative AI disclosure certificate required on the last page of all memoranda, pretrial briefs, trial briefs, and posttrial briefs — specific certification language required and cannot be omitted
- 4. Proposed orders must be sent to ODW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect — failure results in the document being stricken for non-compliance
- 5. No communication with chambers unless first contacted by the CRD — absolute chambers contact restriction; calls and emails regarding status will not be returned
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Mondays at 1:30 p.m. (civil motions and civil pre-trial conferences); Mondays at 10:00 a.m. (criminal). If Monday is a national holiday, the following Monday. |
| Motion Limit | 7,000 words (memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions). |
| Reply Limit | 3,300 words. |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional Required ONLY for: motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, pretrial documents, and other evidence-heavy motions. One mandatory... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not specified. |
| Remote Appearances | Telephonic appearances available for counsel located outside the Central District ONLY. Must arrange at least one week prior to hearing by contacting CRD Sheila English at Sheila_English@cacd.uscourts.gov for Court's permission. Requesting attorney must coordinate and initiate the call. No cellular or speaker telephones permitted. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All non-patent discovery matters have been referred to a United States Magistrate Judge.' Patent discovery is not referred. All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption. Contact Magistrate Judge's CRD to schedule hearings. Do not deliver courtesy copies of discovery papers to this Court. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Mondays at 1:30 p.m. (civil motions and civil pre-trial conferences); Mondays at 10:00 a.m. (criminal). If Monday is a national holiday, the following Monday.
Notice Period
28 days before hearing (Local Rules 6-1, 7-1 et seq.) for most motions. MSJ requires at least 35 days minimum notice. No need to clear motion dates with the CRD prior to filing.
Motion Page / Word Limit
7,000 words (memoranda of points and authorities in support of or in opposition to motions).
Opposition Limit
7,000 words.
Reply Limit
3,300 words.
Font & Formatting
Times New Roman, 14-point. All other typeface and spacing governed by Local Rules 11-3.1.1, 11-3.2, 11-3.6, and 11-3.7.
Footnote Policy
12-point font; shall be used sparingly.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Required ONLY for: motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, pretrial documents, and other evidence-heavy motions. One mandatory chambers copy. USB flash drives in lieu of compact discs. No blue-backs required. Delivery: judge's courtesy box, outside the Clerk's office on the 4th floor. Under-seal chambers copies placed in manila envelope labeled 'UNDER SEAL.' All courtesy copies of pretrial documents (witness lists, exhibit lists, pretrial conference orders, jury instructions, etc.) shall be three-hole punched and placed in a three-ring binder.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specified.
Proposed Orders
Must be emailed to ODW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect. Failure to do so will result in the document being stricken for non-compliance. Sufficient copies for conforming plus self-addressed stamped envelope should be provided.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not specified.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Not specified; all matters held in person.
Remote Appearances
Telephonic appearances available for counsel located outside the Central District ONLY. Must arrange at least one week prior to hearing by contacting CRD Sheila English at Sheila_English@cacd.uscourts.gov for Court's permission. Requesting attorney must coordinate and initiate the call. No cellular or speaker telephones permitted.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel are not to communicate with chambers unless first contacted by Judge Wright's Courtroom Deputy Clerk. Calls and emails WILL NOT be returned regarding status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders — check PACER. Contact CRD Sheila English at Sheila_English@cacd.uscourts.gov or (213) 894-8266. Proposed orders in Word or WordPerfect must be sent to ODW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All non-patent discovery matters have been referred to a United States Magistrate Judge.' Patent discovery is not referred. All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption. Contact Magistrate Judge's CRD to schedule hearings. Do not deliver courtesy copies of discovery papers to this Court.
Discovery Motion Process
Calendar before the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case (initials in case number). Magistrate Judge's decision is final, subject to modification only where clearly erroneous or contrary to law. Motion for reconsideration must be filed within 10 days of written or oral ruling.
Ex Parte Applications
Moving party must notify opposing party that opposing papers must be filed within 24 hours following service (48 hours if opposing party has not yet appeared in the case). Applications decided on papers without hearing. No reply unless expressly authorized by the Court. Applications must conform to Local Rules 7-19 and 7-19.1. If no opposition intended, email CRD at Sheila_English@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Settlement Notification
ADR participation mandatory under Local Rule 16-15.1. Failure to participate in good faith in a formal settlement conference on or before the date set in the Case Management Order may result in sanctions.
Lead Counsel
The attorney attending any proceeding must be thoroughly knowledgeable about the case, responsible for its conduct, and have authority to enter into stipulations. Lead counsel who will actually try the case must attend the Pretrial Conference.
Under Seal Filings
Civil only: refer to Local Rule 79-5.2. Criminal sealed and in camera: email to ODW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov; file Notice of Manual Filing on docket only. For civil under seal: if application and order are not under seal, e-file application with proposed order, then email chambers with PDF of application, proof of service, Word/WP proposed order, and PDF of documents under seal. If application itself is sealed: e-file Notice of Manual Filing, then email same documents. When submitting exhibits not attached to a document, prepare a caption page for each exhibit.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances: good cause required. Must be by stipulation with detailed declaration or ex parte application if no stipulation possible. Must set forth: (1) existing due date and all scheduling dates; (2) specific concrete reasons for good cause; (3) prior extension requests and outcomes. Court will not necessarily grant continuances even if all parties stipulate. Calendar conflicts: leave voice mail at (213) 894-8266 indicating time of appearance and name of other judge; on day of appearance, request other judge's clerk to update Wright's clerk.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Trials held Tuesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with 30-minute lunch break (or alternative 8:00/8:30 a.m.–3:00/3:30 p.m. schedule). Each side limited to 5 motions in limine unless otherwise ordered. Title page of all motions must state the Pretrial Conference date and Trial date. Opposition or reply papers due on a holiday must be filed the preceding Friday and hand-delivered or faxed to opposing counsel that Friday. If evidence in support of or against MSJ exceeds 20 pages, separately bound volume with Table of Contents; if exceeds 50 pages, Slant D-Ring binder with tabs. Patent discovery not referred to Magistrate Judge. Settlement conference mandatory under Local Rule 16-15.1.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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