**Judge Fred W. Slaughter** was appointed to the Central District of California by President Joe Biden in 2022. Slaughter was born in 1973 in Santa Monica. His father, Fred Slaughter, was a UCLA basketball player and one of the first African Americans to work as a sports agent. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from UCLA. He began his career as a Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney, then served for 12 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in multiple districts. Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the Orange County Superior Court in 2014. **Education** - UCLA School of Law, J.D., 1999 - University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., 1996 **Career** - Deputy City Attorney, Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, 2000–2002 - Assistant U.S. Attorney: District of Arizona (2002–2004), Central District of California (2004–2008, 2010–2014), District of Oregon (2008–2010) - Judge, Superior Court of California, Orange County, 2014–2022 (appointed by Governor Jerry Brown) - U.S. District Judge, Central District of California, 2022–present
**Courthouse:** Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 411 W. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 **Division:** Southern Division (Santa Ana) **Chambers Staff** - Chambers Email: FWS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing. Two copies of pretrial documents must be delivered to the court, stapled at top left, without blue backing.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. All motions require pre-filing meet and confer with opposing counsel, with no exceptions for pro se parties, futility, or redundancy.
Judge Fred W. Slaughter's rule states these limits: 10 pages; 10 pages. Motions in limine and oppositions are limited to 10 pages each.
Judge Fred W. Slaughter's rule states these limits: 1 pages. Joint Statement of the Case is limited to one page.
Judge Fred W. Slaughter's formatting rule includes times new roman font, 14 point type. All briefing must use Times New Roman font, minimum 14 point size, including footnotes.
The rule requires caption. Joint Rule 26(f) Report must be signed.
The rule requires proposed order. Motions in limine must be accompanied by proposed orders.
Parties may contact Judge Fred W. Slaughter's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email FWS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Counsel must email pretrial documents (except motions in limine, oppositions, settlement report, and direct testimony declarations) in Word format to chambers.
Judge Fred W. Slaughter's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf, file unredacted to clerk, and file unredacted to chambers. File both complete and redacted versions when partial redaction possible.
Requests should be made at least 3 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Fred W. Slaughter. No continuances allowed within 3 business days of scheduled mediation unless extraordinary circumstances.
Yes. Judge Fred W. Slaughter requires bundling for covered papers. The Joint Rule 26(f) Report must be a single report filed jointly by all parties.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Counsel must convert documents to searchable PDF per Local Rule 5-4.3 for electronic filing.
Two copies of pretrial documents must be delivered to the court, stapled at top left, without blue backing.
Counsel must email pretrial documents (except motions in limine, oppositions, settlement report, and direct testimony declarations) in Word format to chambers.
Motions in limine, memoranda, witness lists, exhibit list, and settlement report must be filed at least 21 days before the final pretrial conference.
Certain trial filings (Second Round) must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
If aggregate motions in limine exceed 5, deliver 2 courtesy copies in organized binder with tabs, 7 days before Final Pretrial Conference, to Judge Slaughter's courtesy box.
Counsel must meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.
Motions in limine must be filed at least 21 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Replies to motions in limine are not permitted unless the court determines otherwise.
Motions in limine and oppositions are limited to 10 pages each.
Witness Lists must be filed 21 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Disputed jury instructions must include a redline comparison and the basis for each party's position.
Witness Lists must include specific content for each witness: description, non-duplicative explanation, and time estimate.
Amended Witness Lists must be filed by 12:00 p.m. (noon) the Thursday before trial.
Joint Exhibit List must be filed 21 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Joint Exhibit List must include objections to authenticity and admissibility.
Jury instructions must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
An index is required for proposed jury instructions exceeding 10 pages.
Each jury instruction must be numbered, include a citation, be on a separate page, cover a single subject, and not be duplicative.
Disputed jury instructions must be organized by subject with similar issues presented sequentially.
If parties disagree on jury instructions, they must file both a joint set of agreed instructions and a set of disputed instructions.
Proposed verdict forms must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
If no agreement on verdict form, parties must file a Competing Verdict Forms document with redline comparison and basis.
Joint Statement of the Case is limited to one page.
Joint Statement of the Case must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Proposed voir dire questions must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law must be filed and served no later than 21 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law must be served on opposing counsel.
When ordered, declarations for direct testimony must be filed at least 21 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
Evidentiary objections to declarations must be filed at least 14 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.