Judge Michael Valenzuela
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Pleading
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits3 rules
Motions, responses, and related pleadings must comply with the page length requirements set by the Rules.
Motions, responses, and related pleadings shall comply with the page length, font type, and other requirements set by the Rules.
Brief
Page limits will not be exceeded without leave of Court.
Brief
Motions in Limine and responses are each limited to four pages; no replies are permitted.
Motions in Limine are to be no more than four pages in length and responses are to be no more than four pages in length. There are no replies.
Motion In Limine
4 pages
Motion In Limine Response
4 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Motions, responses, and related pleadings must comply with the font type requirements set by the Rules.
Motions, responses, and related pleadings shall comply with the page length, font type, and other requirements set by the Rules.
Proposed orders accompanying motions or stipulations must be in Word format.
Motions or stipulations shall be filed with a proposed order in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Filers using AI must independently verify every citation and legal authority, confirm all facts are supported by the record, and require the AI tool to provide only real and verifiable citations.
To reduce errors (and minimize the risk of sanctions), the Court expects filers using AI to: 1. Independently and carefully verify every citation and legal authority using official or reliable legal sources. Again, the party using AI is responsible for false citations. 2. Confirm all facts are true and supported by evidence in the record. 3. Tell the AI tool to provide only real and verifiable citations with links to the cases when possible.
Document Type
Filing
Motions and stipulations must be filed with a proposed order in Word format; the Court may reject a motion lacking an applicable proposed order.
Motions or stipulations shall be filed with a proposed order in Word format. If a proposed order is applicable to the motion, and it is not submitted with the motion, the Court reserves the right to reject the motion until it is accompanied by a proposed form of order.
Document Type
Motion
No party should file supplemental briefing without leave of Court.
Document Type
Supplemental Brief
Motions in Limine should address only extremely prejudicial, mistrial-risk matters and should not be filed in bench trials without leave, nor to enforce a particular rule of evidence.
Motions in Limine should address only matters that are extremely prejudicial and could result in a mistrial. Motions in Limine should not be filed in bench trials without leave of Court. Motions in Limine asking the Court to enforce a particular rule of evidence should not be filed.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Each party may file only one Motion for Summary Judgment absent leave of Court for good cause shown.
The Court permits only one Motion for Summary Judgment per party absent leave of Court for good cause shown.
Document Type
Summary Judgment Motion
Motions to Strike are strongly discouraged; parties should make their point in a responsive pleading within 10 days.
Motions to Strike: Motions to Strike are strongly discouraged and often are not even countenanced by the Rules. Make your point in your responsive pleading within 10 days.
Document Type
Motion To Strike
A motion for leave to exceed a page limit must provide specific reasons; a generic statement may result in denial.
If you file a motion for leave to exceed the page length of a pleading, you will need to provide specific reasons. A generic statement that you need more pages may result in denial of your motion.
Document Type
Motion For Leave To Exceed
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All exhibits must be submitted through Case Center, and each party must register at digitalevidence.azcourts.gov.
All exhibits must be submitted through Case Center. Each party must register with Case Center at: https://digitalevidence.azcourts.gov.
Page 1 | Joint Pre-Trial Memo and/or Conference; Exhibits and Objections
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A Request for Court Reporter must be filed 10 days before the hearing, and the deposit paid no later than two judicial days before the hearing.
if a party prefers the presence of a court reporter, a "Request for Court Reporter" must be filed 10 days before the hearing. The party must pay the court reporter's deposit (usually the cost of the first day) no later than two judicial days before the hearing.
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made 5 days before the hearing; interpreter requests must be made 10 days in advance.
Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities must be made five days before the hearing. Requests for an interpreter for persons with limited English proficiency must be made 10 days in advance of the hearing.
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Non-emergency filings will be addressed in the normal course of 1 to 2 business days.
Non-emergency filings will be addressed in the normal course (1 to 2 business days).
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The Court accepts courtesy copies of emergency pleadings by email; otherwise it rules only on properly filed pleadings.
The Court will accept a courtesy copy of emergency pleadings by email. Except in true emergency situations, the Court will rule only on properly filed pleadings.
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences
All special requests must be filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the Division at CVJ21@JBAZMC.MARICOPA.GOV.
All special requests must be in filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the Division: CVJ21@JBAZMC.MARICOPA.GOV
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Do not email courtesy copies of non-emergency pleadings because it overloads the email system and delays emergency response.
Please do not email courtesy copies of non-emergency pleadings, as this will overload the email system and delay the time to respond to emergencies.
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences
Courtesy hard copies of pleadings are not required except for deposition designations submitted per the Trial Setting Minute Entry procedure.
Judge Valenzuela does not require courtesy hard copies of any pleading, unless you are submitting deposition designations per the procedure noted in the Trial Setting Minute Entry.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Filing Bundling Requirements
All motions, responses, replies, and court-requested filings must be submitted individually; omnibus or combined filings are not accepted.
The Division requires that all motions, responses, replies, and other Court requested filings in this case be submitted individually. Do not combine any motion with a responsive pleading (No omnibus motions). All motions are to be filed separately and designated as such. No pleadings will be accepted if filed in combination with another.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Discovery disputes must first proceed under the Rule 26(d) expedited procedure; full briefing requires advance permission and otherwise subjects the motion to summary denial.
This Division requires strict compliance with Ariz. R. Civ. P. 26(d), the Expedited Procedure for Resolving Discovery and Disclosure Disputes. All disputes between parties that could be addressed in motions for protective order under Rule 26(c) or motions to compel discovery or disclosure under Rule 37(a) must first proceed pursuant to Rule 26(d). The Court may decide to later permit full briefing under Ariz. R. Civ. P. 26(d)(1), but the parties may not engage in full briefing without the advance permission of the Court. Attempted full briefing without advance permission of the Court subjects any such motion by a party to summary denial.
Page 1 | Discovery or Disclosure Disputes and/or Sanctions
Substantive evidentiary hearings or oral arguments not set during a hearing will be scheduled through a virtual status conference.
In regard to any substantive evidentiary hearings or oral arguments that are not set during a hearing, the Court will set a virtual status conference in order to schedule a date and time for the substantive hearing.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A written motion or stipulation is required to schedule, reschedule, or vacate hearings; the Court will not act without a proper motion.
The Court requires a written motion or stipulation to schedule, reschedule, or vacate hearings. The Court will not schedule, reschedule, or vacate hearings without the filing of a proper motion.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
For extensions of response or reply time, counsel should try to reach an agreement and submit a stipulation.
If an extension of response or reply time is necessary, try to reach an agreement among the parties, and submit a stipulation.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex parte emails are deleted with no action; court staff cannot provide legal advice or explain rulings and will respond only to urgent matters and emergencies.
Emails that are ex parte will be deleted with no further action taken. Court staff cannot provide legal advice, clarify, or explain rulings issued by the Court. Due to a high volume of emails received daily, Court staff will only respond to urgent matters and emergencies, and in the order that they were received.
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences
All special requests must be in filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the Division: CVJ21@JBAZMC.MARICOPA.GOV
All special requests must be in filed and a courtesy copy emailed to the Division: CVJ21@JBAZMC.MARICOPA.GOV
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Parties with technical difficulties appearing by video may appear by phone at 1 917-781-4590, Conference ID 105 414 319#; video appearance is preferred.
If you have technical difficulties appearing by video, you may appear by phone by dialing: 1 917-781-4590 Conference ID: 105 414 319# However, video appearance is the preference of the Court.
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences
The Division may be reached by phone at 602-372-5812 or by email at CVJ21@JBAZMC.Maricopa.gov.
Judge Valenzuela’s Division may be reached by phone at 602-372-5812. The Division’s email address is: CVJ21@JBAZMC.Maricopa.gov
Page 1 | Specific Requirements or Preferences