Procedures verified June 25, 2026
Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe -- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 701 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. No reply permitted without court order. If you file a reply without seeking leave first, it will likely be stricken.
- 2. Even if a hearing is scheduled, keep trying to resolve the dispute -- parties may jointly notify chambers of resolution and cancel the scheduled hearing.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standing motion calendar. Court decides whether to hold a hearing after reviewing the fully briefed motion. Parties may jointly contact chambers to report full or partial resolution even after a hearing is scheduled. [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 Not required. |
| 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 Zoom (all three explicitly accepted). Electronic equipment: file motion requesting permission; contact Courtroom Deputy Mary-Yves Etienne for A/V needs. |
| Discovery | This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge McCabe operates under Model C: personal conferral by any means (in-person, phone, or Zoom), then file a discovery motion. [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
No standing motion calendar. Court decides whether to hold a hearing after reviewing the fully briefed motion. Parties may jointly contact chambers to report full or partial resolution even after a hearing is scheduled. [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). [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 5 business days. [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.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not required.
Proposed Orders
Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2)): Word format emailed to chambers per CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. [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. 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 Zoom (all three explicitly accepted). Electronic equipment: file motion requesting permission; contact Courtroom Deputy Mary-Yves Etienne for A/V needs.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact Courtroom Deputy Mary-Yves Etienne for A/V equipment needs. Electronic equipment motions: file motion requesting permission to bring cell phones/laptops into courthouse.
Discovery Referral
This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge McCabe operates under Model C: personal conferral by any means (in-person, phone, or Zoom), then file a discovery motion. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)]
Discovery Dispute Procedure District-default
Model C -- Traditional. Required sequence: (1) Personal conferral (in-person, phone, or Zoom; email alone insufficient). (2) File discovery motion (5-page limit). Motion purpose is to frame the issues, not argue extensively. Must attach all relevant exhibits (pertinent discovery requests and responses). (3) Response within 5 business days (5-page limit); no reply permitted without court order. (4) Court decides whether to hold a hearing. Parties are encouraged to continue pursuing resolution even after a hearing is scheduled. Parties may jointly contact chambers to report full or partial resolution -- the hearing can be canceled if the dispute is resolved. [McCabe Sample Discovery Procedures Order]
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.
Under Seal Filings
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Per Local Rules. Contact chambers to reschedule any hearing set. Parties may jointly report resolution to cancel a scheduled hearing.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Sources: Judge McCabe's chambers page (4 tabs) and Sample Discovery Procedures Order PDF. West Palm Beach division. Model C. Zoom conferral explicitly accepted (unlike some FL-SD magistrates). Courtroom Deputy: Mary-Yves Etienne (contact for A/V equipment needs).
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 25, 2026.
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