Judge Kathleen M. Williams — United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Proposed Orders

Proposed orders are submitted in Microsoft Word format to williams@flsd.uscourts.gov after filing on the docket. Scheduling orders must use the judge's standard format, attached to the procedures document as Attachment A.

Formatting

The procedures do not expressly set a formatting standard (the document is dated 2019). Local Rules default applies: double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point.

Extensions of Time

Extensions must be filed by motion. Agreement of counsel alone is not sufficient. Absent emergency, an extension request must be presented no later than 48 hours before the deadline. Sanctions may be imposed for non-emergent requests filed less than 48 hours out.

A motion for extension must include:

1. A list of all prior extensions of the deadline.
2. The specific circumstances supporting the requested extension.
3. The conferral statement required by Local Rule 7.1.
4. The specific period of time requested. Indefinite extension requests will be denied.

Motions for Summary Judgment

Judge Williams specifically calls out Local Rule 56.1 by name. The moving party must contemporaneously file a statement of undisputed material facts, with citations to the record. The opposing party's response must correspond numerically to the moving party's statement, and disputed facts must include an explanation of why the dispute is material. "All material facts set forth in the movant's statement will be deemed admitted unless controverted by the opposing party's statement."

Motions in Limine

One motion in limine per side, identifying up to ten numbered evidentiary issues, with a maximum length of 20 pages. Responses must use the same numbering scheme as the motion. Counsel must confer on all issues before filing and may only present remaining contested issues to the court.

Settlement

The court will not retain jurisdiction to enforce confidential settlement agreements. If parties want the court to retain enforcement jurisdiction, the settlement terms must be placed on the record. Any retention is for a finite period only — indefinite retention requests will be denied.

Communications with Chambers

Opposing counsel must be on the line for any call to chambers. Emails to chambers must copy all counsel.

Compliance Traps

• Extension requests filed less than 48 hours out risk sanctions, even if uncontested.
• Notices of unavailability will be stricken.
• The court will not hold the docket open to enforce confidential settlements.

View source on SDFL.uscourts.gov →