Procedures verified June 25, 2026
Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis -- 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. Sanctions motions (including motions to exclude undisclosed material) CANNOT use the informal hearing pathway -- they require a formal written motion under Pathway 1. Using the informal pathway for a sanctions motion is procedurally improper.
- 2. Providing discovery 'subject to and without waiving' an objection is improper. If you provide the material, the objection is waived. Decide before responding: object OR produce.
- 3. 'Not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence' is an outdated and disregarded objection under the current rules. Using it signals unfamiliarity with Rule 26.
- 4. Rule 30(b)(6) scope objections: serve them in advance of the deposition (do not file them); they are adjudicated after the deposition, not used to cancel it.
- 5. The 28-day window is strictly enforced and all discovery disputes must be FULLY COMPLETED before the discovery cutoff date -- not just initiated.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Two-pathway system. Informal pathway: parties propose 2+ dates within the next 14 days by email to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov; court confirms hearing. Written motion pathway: no hearing guaranteed; court decides after briefing whether a hearing is warranted. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1)] |
| Motion Limit | Written motion pathway: 10 pages per L.R. 26.1(g)(3). Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)] |
| Reply Limit | Written motion pathway: 5 pages per L.R. 26.1(g)(3). Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 10 pages for non-discovery motions. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)] |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Not required for general motions. For Pathway 2 informal hearings: materials sent to chambers by email within 24 hours of hearing... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. FL-SD does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | Not specified in published procedures. |
| Discovery | This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge Louis is the only FL-SD magistrate with a formal two-pathway discovery dispute system. [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.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Two-pathway system. Informal pathway: parties propose 2+ dates within the next 14 days by email to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov; court confirms hearing. Written motion pathway: no hearing guaranteed; court decides after briefing whether a hearing is warranted. [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; all discovery disputes must be fully completed before the cutoff date. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(1)]
Motion Page / Word Limit
Written motion pathway: 10 pages per L.R. 26.1(g)(3). Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum for non-discovery motions. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)]
Opposition Limit
Written motion pathway: 10 pages per L.R. 26.1(g)(3). Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages for non-discovery motions. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)]
Reply Limit
Written motion pathway: 5 pages per L.R. 26.1(g)(3). Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 10 pages for non-discovery motions. [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.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not required for general motions. For Pathway 2 informal hearings: materials sent to chambers by email within 24 hours of hearing confirmation.
Proposed Orders
Email proposed order in Word to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov. Court will omit any provision that would allow parties to bypass L.R. 5.4 sealing requirements. Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2)) for routine motions. [Judge Louis Discovery Practices and Procedures PDF] [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2)]
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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. Informal hearing pathway is available for discovery disputes by email request. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2)]
Remote Appearances
Not specified in published procedures.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
For Pathway 2 informal hearings: one email to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov with all parties copied. Do not send multiple emails or call chambers for scheduling under this pathway.
Discovery Referral
This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge Louis is the only FL-SD magistrate with a formal two-pathway discovery dispute system. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)]
Discovery Dispute Procedure District-default
TWO PATHWAYS AVAILABLE (unique among FL-SD magistrates). Pathway 1 -- Written Motion (Traditional): Any party may file a written discovery motion without seeking leave. Motion and response briefs no more than 10 pages each (per L.R. 26.1(g)(3)); reply no more than 5 pages. Filing a written motion does NOT guarantee a hearing. If the court sets a hearing on a written motion, the email-to-chambers procedure (Pathway 2) does NOT apply. Pathway 2 -- Informal Discovery Hearing (optional, faster): (1) Parties confer and identify 2 or more jointly agreed dates within the next 14 days. (2) Movant sends ONE email (copying all parties) to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov with subject 'Request for Discovery Hearing,' including: case number, caption, jointly proposed dates, anticipated duration, and certificate of conferral. (3) Court confirms hearing. (4) Within 24 hours of confirmation, parties send materials to chambers via email. CRITICAL: Motions for sanctions (including exclusion of undisclosed material) CANNOT use the informal pathway -- they must be written motions under Pathway 1. [Judge Louis Discovery Practices and Procedures 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.
Under Seal Filings
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4. Proposed protective orders emailed to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov in Word -- court will remove any provision allowing bypass of L.R. 5.4 sealing requirements.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Per Local Rules. Contact chambers to reschedule any hearing set.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Sources: Judge Louis's Discovery Practices and Procedures PDF (9 pages, 3 parts). Miami division. The two-pathway system is unique in the district. Pathway 2 (informal) is faster but unavailable for sanctions motions. Chambers email for all matters: louis@flsd.uscourts.gov.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 25, 2026.
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