Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge George H. Wu — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 9D, 9th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. MSJ, motions to dismiss, and preliminary injunctions require pre-clearing a hearing date with the CRD — other motions do not; dual Monday/Thursday schedule means more candidate dates but also more potential for scheduling errors
- 2. Dual civil motion hearing days (Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.) — unusual scheduling that affects notice calculation and deadline management
- 3. Ex parte opposition deadline is 24 hours after FILING of the ex parte application, plus a mandatory chambers copy must be hand-delivered to the judge's mail box at the 1st Street Courthouse
- 4. Evidentiary objections in MSJ context must be in a separate document entitled 'Request for Evidentiary Ruling on Specified Objections' — objections not in this format will be disregarded by the Court
- 5. Tentative rulings issued but may only be available with the clerk on the day of the hearing — not guaranteed to be posted in advance online
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. (civil). If Monday or Thursday is a federal holiday, the next available Monday or Thursday. Motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and preliminary injunctions require pre-clearing a date with the CRD. |
| Motion Limit | Follows Local Rules (25 pages unless otherwise ordered). |
| Reply Limit | Follows Local Rules (15 pages unless otherwise ordered). |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Courtesy copies are not required at this time. Exception for ex parte applications: conformed mandatory chambers copy of moving, opposition,... |
| Tentative Rulings | Yes — 'Tentative rulings are issued in advance of the hearing date but may be available with the clerk on the day of the hearing.' |
| Remote Appearances | Telephonic appearances permitted ONLY if the matter need not be reported OR attorneys do not wish to make oral argument. Request by contacting CRD Javier Gonzalez at javier_gonzalez@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than 2 days prior to the scheduled hearing. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the Magistrate Judge.' Civil discovery governed by Magistrate Judge's procedures. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. (civil). If Monday or Thursday is a federal holiday, the next available Monday or Thursday. Motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and preliminary injunctions require pre-clearing a date with the CRD.
Notice Period
Follows Local Rules. MSJ, motions to dismiss, and preliminary injunctions require pre-clearing a hearing date with the CRD.
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
✗ Not required
Courtesy copies are not required at this time. Exception for ex parte applications: conformed mandatory chambers copy of moving, opposition, or notice of non-opposition papers must be delivered to the judge's mail box outside the Clerk's Office of the 1st Street Courthouse.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specified.
Proposed Orders
Sufficient copies of any forms of order should be provided for conforming along with a self-addressed stamped envelope (not more than two). Criminal under seal proposed documents emailed to GW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. (No specific email-Word requirement stated in JPS procedures for civil motions generally.)
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Yes — 'Tentative rulings are issued in advance of the hearing date but may be available with the clerk on the day of the hearing.'
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Oral argument held unless matter need not be reported or attorneys waive argument; telephonic appearance available in that case upon request 2 days in advance.
Remote Appearances
Telephonic appearances permitted ONLY if the matter need not be reported OR attorneys do not wish to make oral argument. Request by contacting CRD Javier Gonzalez at javier_gonzalez@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than 2 days prior to the scheduled hearing.
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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 will not be returned regarding status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders — check PACER. Contact CRD Javier Gonzalez at Javier_Gonzalez@cacd.uscourts.gov or (213) 894-0191.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the Magistrate Judge.' Civil discovery governed by Magistrate Judge's procedures.
Discovery Motion Process
Calendar before the Magistrate Judge. (Source materials include a criminal discovery order only; civil discovery procedures follow the assigned Magistrate Judge's protocols.)
Ex Parte Applications
Moving party must immediately serve opposing party by fax or hand service and notify them that any opposition must be filed not later than 24 hours after the filing of the ex parte application. Conformed mandatory chambers copy of moving, opposition, or notice of non-opposition papers must be delivered to the judge's mail box outside the Clerk's Office of the 1st Street Courthouse.
Settlement Notification
If counsel received ADR-08 notice, Court will refer case to Court Mediation Panel or private mediation at initial scheduling conference. Include ADR preferences in Joint Rule 26(f) Report.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Criminal under seal: all proposed documents must be submitted via email to GW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov; file Notice of Manual Filing. Civil under seal: refer to 'Preparing Sealed Documents for Filing' on the Court's website (Local Rule 79-5.2.2 procedures).
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Civil: granted only upon showing of good cause. Must be by motion, stipulation, or application with separate proposed order and declaration stating reasons, prior requests and outcomes. Stipulations not effective unless approved by Court. Submit well in advance. Criminal: no continuance considered unless properly filed with separate proposed order at least 3 calendar days prior to the hearing date.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
MSJ standing order requires moving party's Reply/Response to Statement of Genuine Disputes to include each initially designated uncontroverted fact along with the moving party's response to the opposing party's dispute. Evidentiary objections must be in a separate document ('Request for Evidentiary Ruling on Specified Objections') citing evidentiary item by document name, docket number, page and line, plus concise basis for objection. Trial: original exhibits with Court exhibit tags, one bench book copy for the Court, and three copies each of exhibit lists and witness lists submitted to CRD on the first day of trial. Plaintiff uses yellow exhibit tags; defendant uses blue. All exhibits returned to counsel at end of trial. Criminal continuances: must be filed at least 3 calendar days before hearing date; if not timely filed or not ruled upon, counsel and defendant(s) must appear on the scheduled date.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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