All local rules for M.D. Fla., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Contacting Chambers Counsel of record and pro se litigants may contact chambers about procedures specific to Judge Dudek, scheduling, and other non-substantive matters. Law clerks will not discuss the merits of any case ex parte. Nor will they give legal advice, interpret federal and local rules, explain court orders, or provide time estimates on orders. Before contacting chambers, counsel and pro se litigants must review this website, the docket, and the federal and local rules. When calling chambers, counsel and pro se litigants must provide (1) the case number, (2) their name and party they represent, (3) whether opposing counsel has been consulted, and (4) why they are contacting chambers. For emails, all parties must be copied.
(b) LENGTH AND CONTENT OF A MOTION, A BRIEF, OR AN OBJECTION. A motion must include — in a single document no longer than twenty-five pages — a concise statement of the precise relief requested, a statement of the basis for the request, and a legal memorandum supporting the request. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(b) ↗
(c) LENGTH AND CONTENT OF A RESPONSE. A party responding to a motion or brief may file a legal memorandum no longer than twenty pages. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(c) ↗
(e) NO REPLY AS A MATTER OF RIGHT. Except for a reply to a motion for summary judgment or a reply brief in a social security action, no party may reply without leave. A motion for leave to reply must not exceed three pages; must specify the need for, and the length of, the proposed reply; and must not include the proposed reply. No response to a motion for leave to reply is permitted. A party may reply to a response to a motion for summary judgment within fourteen days after service of the response. A reply must not exceed seven pages. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(e) ↗
(d) TIME TO RESPOND. A party may respond to a motion within fourteen days after service of the motion. However, a party may respond within twenty-one days after service to a motion to dismiss, for judgment on the pleadings, for summary judgment, to exclude or limit expert testimony, to certify a class, for a new trial, or to alter or amend the judgment. If a party fails to timely respond, the motion is subject to treatment as unopposed. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(d) ↗
Silent on motion hearing days. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01 (silent) ↗
(k) NO PROPOSED ORDER. Unless otherwise permitted by these rules, no party in a civil action may submit a proposed judgment or other order without leave. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(k) ↗
Proposed Orders Parties should not submit a proposed order unless directed. If the court requests a proposed order, a copy should be emailed in Microsoft Word format to chambers' email.
(i) ORAL ARGUMENT OR EVIDENTIARY HEARING. A party must request oral argument or an evidentiary hearing in a separate document accompanying the party’s motion or response and stating the time necessary. M.D. Fla. Local Rule 3.01(i) ↗
Local Rule 3.01(g) Local Rule 3.01(g) requires a moving party to confer with opposing counsel in a good-faith effort to resolve an issue to be raised in a motion before filing it. Source ↗
Courtesy Copies of Motion Papers Courtesy copies of motions and briefs are not required. Source ↗
The Court REQUIRES at least 4 months before the final pretrial meetingDeadline for participating in mediation. See Local Rules, ch. 4. Source ↗
Oral Argument The court decides most, if not all, motions on the papers. The court holds oral arguments only if it grants a party's request or sets them sua sponte. Local Rule 3.01(g) Local Rule 3.01(g) requires a moving party to confer with opposing counsel in a good-faith effort to resolve an issue to be raised in a motion before filing it. The term "confer" in Local Rule 3.01(g) requires a substantive conversation. Exchanges of ultimatums by e-mail or by letter do not satisfy the good-faith conference requirement. Similarly, mere attempts to confer that do not result in a meaningful and productive exchange between counsel do not satisfy Local Rule 3.01(g). The court will deny motions that fail to include a Local Rule 3.01(g) certificate. Source ↗