Procedures verified June 25, 2026
Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II -- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
Miami Division
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. CRITICAL: Unopposed motions require a proposed order submitted on the SAME DAY the motion is filed -- not after it's granted.
- 2. CRITICAL: If no response is filed, you must still submit a proposed order within 7 days of the response deadline. The Court does not prompt you.
- 3. Telephone/video appearance requires a motion filed at least 1 day before the hearing -- not a request, a motion.
- 4. All discovery disputes go to the assigned magistrate. Do not contact Judge Ruiz's chambers about discovery.
- 5. Mediation is mandatory; virtual mediation requires a motion before the Notice of Mediator Selection is filed.
- 6. Multiple defendants must file a single combined response absent clear conflicts of position.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No standing motion calendar. Counsel must appear in person for hearings on all substantive motions. No hearing held unless set by the Court. To request a hearing, follow Local Rule 7.1(b)(2). [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. Every motion, response, and reply shall be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point typeface. [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 | Counsel may request to appear by telephone or video teleconference by Motion filed at least one (1) day before the scheduled hearing. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2] |
| Discovery | All discovery referred to assigned magistrate judge. Follow that magistrate's discovery procedures to determine whether written discovery motions are permitted. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2] [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. Counsel must appear in person for hearings on all substantive motions. No hearing held unless set by the Court. To request a hearing, follow Local Rule 7.1(b)(2). [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1)]
Notice Period
Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after service of opposition. Per Local Rules. [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. Every motion, response, and reply shall be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point typeface. [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
Double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point typeface. Required for all motions, responses, and replies. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2]
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not required.
Proposed Orders
All proposed orders in Microsoft Word format to ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov. CRITICAL ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (1) Unopposed motions: submit proposed order granting the requested relief in Word format on the SAME DAY the motion is filed. (2) Motions with no response filed: moving party must submit proposed order granting relief within SEVEN (7) DAYS after the response deadline passes with no filing. Do not wait to be reminded. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2] [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. To request a hearing, follow Local Rule 7.1(b)(2). In-person required for substantive motions. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2)]
Remote Appearances
Counsel may request to appear by telephone or video teleconference by Motion filed at least one (1) day before the scheduled hearing. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2]
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Chambers email (ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov) is the preferred method. Phone for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. Chambers will not answer questions about procedures governed by the Federal Rules or Local Rules.
Discovery Referral
All discovery referred to assigned magistrate judge. Follow that magistrate's discovery procedures to determine whether written discovery motions are permitted. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2] [S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3)]
Discovery Dispute Procedure Submission-first
Governed entirely by the assigned magistrate judge's procedures. The Court refers all discovery matters to the paired magistrate. Check the magistrate's individual procedures for the operative model.
Ex Parte Applications
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d). Title must include 'ex parte.' Filing restricted from public docket upon submission. [S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d)]
Settlement Notification
Immediately contact chambers by telephone (305-523-5730) and/or email (ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov) and file a notice of settlement on CM/ECF. Mediation required in all cases; virtual mediation requires a motion before filing the Notice of Mediator Selection. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2]
Lead Counsel
Multiple plaintiffs or defendants shall file joint motions with co-parties unless there are clear conflicts of position. [Ruiz Policies & Procedures p. 2]
Under Seal Filings
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1 and any case-specific scheduling orders. Calendar calls typically held Tuesday before two-week trial period at 11:00 a.m. No pretrial conference unless requested for good cause.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Sources: Judge Ruiz's Policies and Procedures (2-page PDF, revised June 2024). All discovery governed by paired magistrate's individual procedures.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 25, 2026.
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