Procedures verified June 25, 2026
Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart -- 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
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Non-waiver provision (unique in the district): Responding to a discovery request -- even in whole -- does NOT waive future objections. Agreeing to limit a demand does not waive the right to seek additional discovery. Parties need not serve reservation-of-rights language. This is explicit in the Standing Discovery Order.
- 2. Deposition scheduling: if parties cannot agree after good-faith conferral, the requesting party may unilaterally schedule the deposition with required notice. The burden then shifts to the deponent to move for a protective order.
- 3. Electronic equipment (cell phones, laptops, A/V): file a motion requesting permission at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
- 4. Read the Standing Discovery Order issued in your specific case -- it is 16 pages and contains the complete procedural framework. Do not assume defaults without reading it.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standing motion calendar. Hearings set after chambers contact and motion filing per Standing Discovery Order. Contact chambers first; file motion same day as hearing confirmation. [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 motion and incorporated memorandum. Consult the Standing Discovery Order for any discovery-specific limits. [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. [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 | Not specified in published procedures. Electronic equipment motions must be filed 48 hours in advance. |
| Discovery | This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge Reinhart operates under the Model B pathway: contact chambers first, then file a discovery motion the same day the hearing date is finalized. [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. Hearings set after chambers contact and motion filing per Standing Discovery Order. Contact chambers first; file motion same day as hearing confirmation. [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). Consult the Standing Discovery Order issued in your case for any case-specific modifications. [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 motion and incorporated memorandum. Consult the Standing Discovery Order for any discovery-specific limits. [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. [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. [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 for routine motions. [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. For discovery disputes, contact chambers after conferral to request a hearing. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2)]
Remote Appearances
Not specified in published procedures. Electronic equipment motions must be filed 48 hours in advance.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact chambers to schedule discovery hearings before filing the motion. Do not file a motion before the hearing date is confirmed. Electronic equipment motions must be filed at least 48 hours in advance.
Discovery Referral
This judge is the assigned magistrate judge for discovery disputes referred by the district court. Judge Reinhart operates under the Model B pathway: contact chambers first, then file a discovery motion the same day the hearing date is finalized. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)]
Discovery Dispute Procedure District-default
Model B -- Chambers-first, then motion same day. A 16-page Standing Discovery Order governs each case upon referral. Required sequence: (1) Conduct good-faith personal conferral (in-person, phone, or videoconference; email alone insufficient). (2) Contact chambers to schedule a hearing date. (3) File the discovery motion on the same day the hearing date is finalized. The Standing Discovery Order contains the complete procedural framework, including deposition scheduling rules, non-waiver provisions, and objection standards. Read the SDO in your case before taking any discovery steps. Additional resources: Judge Reinhart's Best Practices article and a Vimeo CLE (Course No. 8409). [Reinhart Standing Discovery Order (Jan. 2024)]
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 in published procedures.
Under Seal Filings
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4. The Standing Discovery Order contains a detailed FRE 502(d) clawback order template for inadvertent privilege disclosures. [Judge Reinhart -- Chambers Procedures (Attachments tab)]
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 Reinhart's chambers page (6 tabs), 16-page Standing Discovery Order (amended Jan. 2024), Best Practices article, and Vimeo CLE (Course #8409). West Palm Beach division. Practitioner resources available in the Attachments tab include FRE 502(d) clawback order templates (Sedona long form + EDNY short form) and a civil discovery remedies chart.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 25, 2026.
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