Procedures verified June 25, 2026
Magistrate Judge Ellen Frances D'Angelo -- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse, 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. The 4-exhibit structure is mandatory -- a motion missing any of the four exhibits (proposed order, source materials, hearing documents, legal citations) is deficient. This is the most structured discovery briefing requirement in the district.
- 2. Response deadline is 3 BUSINESS DAYS -- shorter than the 5-day deadline at McCabe, Sanchez, and Matthewman. Calendar carefully.
- 3. Failure to file a certificate of good faith conferral with the motion means the motion will be stricken.
- 4. Electronic equipment (cell phones, laptops, A/V): file motion 72 hours in advance. Equipment tests can be scheduled 24 hours before the hearing -- do not assume equipment works without testing it.
- 5. All emails to chambers must copy all counsel. Sending a unilateral email without copying opposing counsel is a violation.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standing motion calendar. Court decides whether to hold a hearing after reviewing the fully briefed motion. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1)] |
| Motion Limit | Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. Discovery disputes: 5-page limit. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)] |
| Reply Limit | Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 10 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. Discovery replies: not permitted without court order. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)] |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Exhibit A of the discovery motion must be emailed in Word to DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov. All email communications must copy all counsel -- no... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. FL-SD does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | Conferral may be conducted in-person, by phone, or via videoconference. Electronic equipment: motions must be filed at least 72 hours in advance; equipment testing can be scheduled 24 hours before the hearing. |
| Discovery | This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge D'Angelo operates under Model C with a distinctive 4-exhibit filing structure. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)] |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
mail Subscribe to Judge D'Angelo procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
No standing motion calendar. Court decides whether to hold a hearing after reviewing the fully briefed motion. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1)]
Notice Period
Per Local Rules. Discovery disputes governed by the 28-day window under S.D. Fla. L.R. 26.1(g). The 28-day window is strictly enforced. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(1)]
Motion Page / Word Limit
Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. Discovery disputes: 5-page limit. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)]
Opposition Limit
Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. Discovery responses: 5 pages within 3 BUSINESS DAYS (shorter than other FL-SD magistrates). [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)]
Reply Limit
Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 10 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. Discovery replies: not permitted without court order. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)]
Font & Formatting
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.1 (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Exhibit A of the discovery motion must be emailed in Word to DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov. All email communications must copy all counsel -- no exceptions for non-confidential matters.
Proposed Orders
Email proposed orders in Word to DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov. For discovery motions, the proposed order is Exhibit A to the motion. All emails to chambers copy all counsel. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2)]
chevron_right
Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. FL-SD does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
No hearing unless set by the Court. Court decides after full briefing. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2)]
Remote Appearances
Conferral may be conducted in-person, by phone, or via videoconference. Electronic equipment: motions must be filed at least 72 hours in advance; equipment testing can be scheduled 24 hours before the hearing.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Chambers Contact
All email communications to chambers copy all counsel (except confidential settlement statements). Email DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov for proposed orders and scheduling. Electronic equipment motions must be filed 72 hours in advance; schedule equipment test by contacting chambers 24 hours before hearing. [Judge D'Angelo -- Chambers Page]
Discovery Referral
This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge D'Angelo operates under Model C with a distinctive 4-exhibit filing structure. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)]
Discovery Dispute Procedure District-default
Model C -- Traditional with 4-exhibit structure (most structured of any FL-SD magistrate). Required sequence: (1) Personal conferral (in-person, phone, or videoconference; email alone insufficient). (2) Court issues a standing discovery order upon referral -- read it before taking any steps. (3) File discovery motion (5-page limit) within the 28-day window, with a certificate of good faith conferral (failure = stricken). Attach FOUR mandatory exhibits: Exhibit A = proposed order with specific relief requested (also email Word version to DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov); Exhibit B = all source materials (interrogatories, responses, etc.); Exhibit C = all documents either party intends to rely on at the hearing; Exhibit D = list of legal citations plus copies of authorities (may highlight passages and add parentheticals, but no argument). (4) Response within 3 BUSINESS DAYS (5-page limit; note: 3 days, not 5 like McCabe/Sanchez); no reply without court order. (5) Court decides whether to hold a hearing. If district judge's discovery order conflicts, district judge's order prevails. [D'Angelo Civil Standing Discovery Order PDF]
Ex Parte Applications
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d): Include 'ex parte' in title; restricted from public docket upon submission. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d)]
Settlement Notification
Not specifically addressed in published procedures. Follow the district judge's settlement instructions in your case.
Lead Counsel
Not specified. Next-gen attorneys policy is present; file Notice of Appearance before any hearing.
Under Seal Filings
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Per Local Rules. Contact chambers to reschedule any hearing set. All communications copy all counsel.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Sources: Judge D'Angelo's chambers page (6 tabs including Employment) and Civil Standing Discovery Order PDF (8 pages). Miami division. Model C with 4-exhibit structure -- most structured discovery briefing in the district. Response within 3 business days. Chambers email: DAngelo@flsd.uscourts.gov. All non-confidential emails copy all counsel.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified June 25, 2026.
Verify now →