All local rules for M.D. Fla., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Contacting Chambers Counsel may call chambers with procedural questions and for other assistance. However, the law clerks will not give legal advice, interpret the rules, provide time estimates for the court's written rulings, or discuss the merits of a case.
(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) ↗
Does the court accept proposed orders? No, unless requested by the court. In the limited cases in which the court requests a proposed order, it should be emailed to the chambers inbox in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
(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) ↗
Does the court refer discovery matters to the assigned magistrate judge? Yes.
Local Rule 3.01(g) Certification Local Rule 3.01(g) requires a moving party to confer with opposing counsel in a good-faith effort to resolve the issue to be raised in a motion before filing a motion in a civil case. Source ↗
Should courtesy copies of pleadings and motions be forwarded to chambers? No, unless a pleading or motion exceeds 100 pages, including exhibits and attachments. A courtesy copy should be mailed or delivered to chambers as soon as practicable after filing. Source ↗
Requests for Extensions of Time Because the Middle District of Florida is one of the busiest trial courts in the country, extensions of court-imposed dates and deadlines will be granted only for compelling reasons. The court's permission is required to extend court-imposed dates and deadlines. The court encourages the parties to work together in a collegial manner with respect to all pending matters; however, it is solely the court's province to grant an extension of time. Notably, after a defendant has been served, if that defendant needs additional time to respond to the complaint, that defendant should file a motion requesting an extension of time, rather than informally seeking an extension of time from plaintiff's counsel. An informal agreement without the benefit of a court order is insufficient. Counsel should consult the Local Rules about admission to practice before the court. If defense counsel does not meet the requirements for being admitted to practice in this court, defense counsel should retain local counsel and seek admission on a pro hac vice basis. Source ↗
What is the court's policy on alternative dispute resolution such as court-annexed, nonbinding arbitration and mediation? Mediation is required in almost all civil cases. Source ↗
Does the court set aside time in a given week or month to hear oral arguments on pending motions? The court will schedule oral arguments on selected pending motions as its trial calendar permits. Source ↗
Does the court require a statement of material facts in support of a motion for summary judgment? Yes. (See the Motions for Summary Judgment section under the Civil Motions section of the Preferences tab.) Source ↗