**Judge Hernán D. Vera** was appointed to the Central District of California by President Joe Biden in 2023. Vera received his undergraduate degree with distinction from Stanford University and his law degree from UCLA. He clerked for Judge Consuelo B. Marshall of the Central District of California and worked at O'Melveny & Myers before joining Public Counsel, where he served as the first Latino leader in the organization's history, rising to President and CEO from 2008 to 2014. He later practiced complex civil litigation at Bird Marella in Los Angeles. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2020. **Education** - UCLA School of Law, J.D., 1994 - Stanford University, B.A., 1991 (with distinction) **Career** - Law clerk, Judge Consuelo B. Marshall, U.S. District Court, Central District of California - Education Staff Attorney, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) - Attorney, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 1994–2002 - Directing Attorney, Consumer Law Project, Public Counsel, 2002–2008 - President and CEO, Public Counsel, 2008–2014 (first Latino leader) - Principal, Bird Marella, Los Angeles, 2014–2020 - Board member, State Justice Institute; California State Bar (2013–2016); Los Angeles County Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Commission (2016–2020) - Judge, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, 2020–2023 (appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom) - U.S. District Judge, Central District of California, 2023–present
**Courthouse:** First Street U.S. Courthouse, 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 **Division:** Western Division (Los Angeles) **Chambers Staff** - Chambers Email: HDV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 1 copy, delivery within 24 hours, by hand delivery. Mandatory chambers copies due by noon next business day; binder-ready format required.
The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Counsel must meet and confer to resolve discovery disputes informally before filing discovery motions.
Judge Hernán D. Vera's rule states these limits: 2 pages. Statement of Case limited to 2 pages.
Judge Hernán D. Vera's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 12 pages. Motions (non-limine) limited to 25 pages; replies to 12 pages.
Judge Hernán D. Vera's formatting rule includes each instruction must cite authority, each instruction must be on a separate page, each instruction must be numbered, each instruction must cover only one subject, instructions must not repeat other instructions, and blanks/options in standard instructions must be filled in. Jury instructions must cite authority, be on separate pages, numbered, cover one subject, and not repeat other instructions.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Rebuttal expert disclosure due 19 days after scheduling conference.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Expert discovery must be completed 172 days after scheduling conference.
Parties may contact Judge Hernán D. Vera's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email HDV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Ex parte applications must be sent in PDF and Word formats to chambers email with notice of opposition.
Judge Hernán D. Vera's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Documents filed under seal/in camera must have outer envelopes identifying case by first-listed defendant and case number, stating seal/in camera status.
Judge Hernán D. Vera's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Class certification motion timing: 3 weeks reply-hearing, 4 weeks opposition, 2 weeks reply.
Bundling is optional for covered papers before Judge Hernán D. Vera. Large PDFs may be split; only include materials to be filed under seal.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Attorneys must electronically file sealed documents in public/non-sealed civil cases using CM/ECF.
Rebuttal expert disclosure due 19 days after scheduling conference.
Expert discovery must be completed 172 days after scheduling conference.
Last date to hear motions is 11 days after scheduling conference.
Settlement conference must be completed 6 days after scheduling conference.
Plaintiff must serve complaint and file proof of service within 3 days; defendants must serve responsive pleadings and comply with L.R. 5-3.2.
Pro Se litigants must comply with all orders, FRCP, and Local Rules and must participate in scheduling conference.
Counsel must provide this order to all parties who have not yet appeared or who appear after the order date.
Class certification motion timing: 3 weeks reply-hearing, 4 weeks opposition, 2 weeks reply.
Motions In Limine hearing scheduled for Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Trial and FPTC must occur within 18 months of complaint filing.
Final Pretrial Conference must be 21 days before trial.
Motions In Limine hearing must be 28 days before trial.
Motion to amend pleadings must be heard 6 weeks before FPTC.
Fact discovery must be completed 22 weeks after scheduling conference.
Statement of Case limited to 2 pages.
Parties must make initial disclosures without awaiting discovery request and confer on discovery plan at least 21 days before scheduling conference.
Continuance requests for scheduling conference require good cause.
Joint Rule 26(f) Report due date remains unchanged if continuance granted.
Scheduling conference not continued for settlement exploration.
Joint Rule 26(f) Report due 14 days before scheduling conference.
Plaintiff drafts Joint Rule 26(f) Report unless pro se or parties agree otherwise.
Joint Rule 26(f) Report must include scheduling conference date on caption page.
Initial expert disclosure due 21 days after scheduling conference.
Class certification motion due within 120 days of original scheduling conference.
Additional time for class certification requires detailed plan as exhibit.
Failure to provide Class Certification Plan results in denial of additional time.
Counsel must complete the Schedule of Pretrial and Trial Dates Worksheet.
Parties must agree on all pretrial and trial dates.
Counsel must deliver order to clients.
Parties must agree on all dates.