Judge Fred W. Slaughter

Counsel are ordered to meet and confer in person or by telephone at least seven calendar days prior to the filing of an application in which the basis for the requested sealing is stated to determine if they can agree on the proposed under seal filing. Not later than two calendar days after the meet and confer process has concluded, the non-proposing party shall confirm whether it agrees to having such information designated as confidential or whether it opposes an under seal filing.

After electronically filing the application and related documents, email mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with an attachment containing: (i) an Adobe PDF version of the application to seal with the CM/ECF-generated header; (ii) a Word or WordPerfect version of the proposed order (including the proposed action to be taken if the application is denied; and (iii) an Adobe PDF of the document(s) to be filed under seal with a caption page clearly marked “UNDER SEAL.”

Send an email to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with an attachment containing: (i) an Adobe PDF version of the application to seal with the CM/ECF generated header; (ii) a Word or WordPerfect version of the proposed order (including the proposed action to be taken if the application is denied); and (iii) an Adobe PDF of the document(s) to be filed under seal with a caption page, clearly marked “UNDER SEAL.”

All motions shall be filed 14 days prior to the hearing date. The supporting memorandum shall not exceed 10 pages. Any opposition shall be filed seven days prior to the hearing date and shall not exceed 10 pages.

The Court does not require a reply. However, if a party elects to file one, it shall be filed three days prior to the hearing date by 12:00 p.m., and shall not exceed five pages.

The last day to hear motions is the date of the Final Pretrial Conference. All motions shall be set in accordance with this Order and the Local Rules.

Lead trial counsel shall attend any scheduling, pretrial, or settlement conference set by the Court unless engaged in trial. The Court does not permit special appearances; only counsel of record may appear at any proceeding.

The Court expects counsel to appear in person at any hearing. The Court does not permit remote appearances. A party whose lead counsel cannot appear at a hearing for good cause may request leave to appear by non-lead counsel, an order advancing the hearing, or an order continuing the hearing no longer than one week. Such a request must be made by the Wednesday before the subject hearing and be supported by a declaration demonstrating good cause.

Counsel for the applicant must provide advance notice of the application by telephone and email to all other parties. In addition to the information required by Local Rule 7-19.1, the notice must advise the other parties of the anticipated deadline to oppose the application.

Counsel shall call the Courtroom Deputy Clerk no later than 30 minutes after filing the documents.

All discovery matters, including all discovery motions, are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge. The Magistrate Judge's initials follow the District Judge's initials next to the case number on this Order. All discovery-related documents must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to ensure proper routing. Counsel are directed to contact the Magistrate Judge's Courtroom Deputy Clerk to schedule matters for hearing.

Reply briefs may not exceed 3,000 words, excluding indices and exhibits. A handwritten or typewritten reply brief may not exceed 10 pages, excluding indices and exhibits.

Counsel shall adhere to Local Rule 5-4.3.1 with respect to the conversion of all documents to a PDF so that when a document is filed, it is in the proper size and format that is text-searchable. Further, all documents shall be filed in a format so that text can be selected, copied, and pasted directly from the document.

The nonmoving party’s additional facts must be numbered sequentially to follow the last numbered fact presented by the moving party.

The parties shall ensure that electronically filed copies of evidence in support of, or in opposition to, a motion for summary judgment are in the proper format. Thus, all documents must be text-searchable and have selectable text that may be copied and pasted directly from the filed document.

Additionally, testimony cited in a statement of uncontroverted facts, statement of genuine material facts, or statement of additional material facts shall be highlighted and/or underlined.

(a) The document shall be prepared so that it complies with the requirements set forth in Local Rule 11-3, i.e., legibility, font, paper, pagination, spacing, title page, page limits, etc.

(b) The document shall be emailed as a PDF document to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than the date it is due. The Court will deem the date the document is emailed as the filed or lodged date. The subject line of the email shall contain: (i) the case number; (ii) case name; and (iii) “Pro Se Filing” to ensure it will be filed/lodged properly.

(c) Pro se/self-represented parties may use the chambers email solely to present documents for filing. The chambers email is not to be used in any way to communicate with the Judge or Clerk. All parties, including pro se/self-represented parties, shall refrain from writing letters to the Court, sending email messages, making telephone calls to chambers, or otherwise communicating with the Court unless opposing counsel is present. All matters must be called to the Court’s attention by appropriate application or motion. C.D. Cal. R. 83-2.5.

All briefing must use Times New Roman font. Text must be no less than fourteen (14) point font; footnotes shall be in the same font and the same size as the body of the memorandum.

All discovery matters have been referred to a Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes. The Magistrate Judge’s initials follow the District Judge’s initials next to the case number. All discovery documents must include the words “DISCOVERY MATTER” in the caption to ensure proper routing. Please do not deliver courtesy copies of discovery documents to Judge Slaughter’s chambers.

Counsel shall adhere to Local Rule 5-4.3 with respect to the conversion of all documents to .pdf format so that when a document is electronically filed, it is in proper size and is .pdf searchable. Further, all documents shall be filed in a format so that text can be selected, copied, and pasted directly from the document.

Pursuant to Local Rule 11-6, absent leave of court Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed 7,000 words, including headings, footnotes, and quotations but excluding the caption, the table of contents, the table of authorities, the signature block, the certification required by L.R. 11-6.2, and any indices and exhibits.

Pursuant to Local Rule 11-8, all Memoranda of Points and Authorities exceeding ten (10) pages must be accompanied by a Table of Authorities and a Table of Contents.

All documents—including pleadings, motions, and exhibits—submitted to the court must be text-searchable (i.e., “OCR’d”).

Statutory references must identify with specificity the sections and subsections referenced. Citations to treatises, manuals, and other materials should include the volume, section, and pages being referenced. Citations to prior filings in the same action shall include the docket entry number, section, and pages referenced. Bluebook style is required.

In addition to the requirements of Local Rule 15-1, all motions to amend pleadings shall: (1) state the effect of the amendment; (2) be serially numbered to differentiate the amendment from previous amendments (i.e., “First Amended Complaint,” “Second Amended Complaint”); and (3) identify the pages, line numbers, and wording of any proposed change or addition of material.

Counsel must not contact the Courtroom Deputy regarding the status of any matter before the court or seek any legal advice. Nor should counsel contact the Courtroom Deputy to inquire about court procedure when the answer is readily available by consulting the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, or the court’s standing orders.

Motions in limine and oppositions must not exceed 10 pages in length.

Counsel will review the exhibit list and the exhibit binders with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (“CRD”) before the admitted exhibits are given to the jury.

The Court does not permit exhibits to be “published” by passing them up and down the jury box. Exhibits may be displayed briefly using the screens in the courtroom, unless the process becomes too time-consuming.

Counsel must meet and confer not later than 10 days before trial to stipulate as far as possible to foundation, to waiver of the best evidence rule, and to exhibits that may be received into evidence at the start of the trial.

On the first day of trial, court will commence at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m., with a 1-hour lunch break. Counsel must appear at 8:30 a.m. to discuss preliminary matters with the Court.

Counsel must use the lectern. Counsel must not consume time by writing out words, drawing charts or diagrams, etc. Counsel may prepare such materials in advance. The Court will establish and enforce time limits for opening statements and closing arguments, and for examination of witnesses.

If any counsel anticipate that a difficult question of law or evidence will necessitate legal argument requiring research or briefing, counsel must give the Court advance notice. Counsel are directed to notify the CRD at the day’s adjournment if an unexpected legal issue arises that could not have been foreseen and addressed in advance. Counsel must also advise the CRD at the end of each trial day of any issues that must be addressed outside the presence of the jury so that there is no interruption of the trial. THE COURT WILL NOT KEEP JURORS WAITING.