Judge Hernán D. Vera
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (Attorneys Fees Motion)
Required
Filings (All filings)
Upon Request
Filings (Memorandum Of Contentions Of Fact And Law, Witness List, Joint Exhibit List, Joint Status Report Regarding Settlement, Proposed Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law, Declarations Containing Direct Testimony, Oppositions To Motions In Limine, Joint Proposed Fptco, Joint Agreed Upon Proposed Jury Instructions, Disputed Proposed Jury Instructions, Proposed Additional Voir Dire Questions, Joint Proposed Verdict Forms, Joint Proposed Statement Of The Case, Evidentiary Objections To Declarations Of Direct Testimony)
Required • Binding: Three Ring Binder
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Proposed New Dates
- 3Affects Other Dates
- 4Detailed Factual Showing Of Good Cause
- 5Due Diligence Demonstration
- 6Description Of Parties Efforts To Advance Litigation
- 7Work Could Not Have Been Accomplished Within Deadlines
- 8Previous Requests Made
- 9Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Rule 26(f) meeting may be telephonic; written correspondence insufficient.
This meeting may occur telephonically and need not occur in person. A written exchange of correspondence will not satisfy this requirement.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Status and scheduling conferences held Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
This Court hears status conferences and scheduling conferences on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
All discovery matters referred to Magistrate Judge.
All discovery matters are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Proposed protective orders must also be submitted to the Magistrate Judge.
Direct to: Magistrate Judge
- Hours9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Motions briefs limited to 25 pages; replies limited to 10 pages.
Pursuant to Local Rule 11-6, Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages absent leave of Court. Replies shall not exceed ten (10) pages.
Briefs over 10 pages require Table of Authorities and Table of Contents.
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.
Document Type
Motion Brief
Briefing must use Times New Roman or Courier font, 12pt text, 10pt footnotes.
All briefing must use Times New Roman or Courier font. Text must be no less than twelve (12) point font; footnotes shall be no less than ten (10) point font and shall be used sparingly.
All documents must be converted to text-searchable PDF format.
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 text-searchable.
Filed documents must allow text selection, copying, and pasting.
Further, all documents shall be filed in a format so that text can be selected, copied, and pasted directly from the document.
Citations to treatises must include volume, section, and pages.
Citations to treatises, manuals, and other materials should include the volume, section, and pages being referenced.
Document Type
Motion Brief
Citations to prior filings must include docket entry number, section, and pages.
Citations to prior filings in the same action shall include the docket entry number, section, and pages referenced.
Document Type
Motion Brief
Motions to amend pleadings must state effect, be serially numbered, and identify proposed changes with page/line numbers.
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; and (3) identify the pages, line numbers, and wording of any proposed change or addition of material.
Document Type
Motion To Amend
Parties cannot evade page limits by filing multiple motions.
The parties shall not attempt to evade the page limitations for briefs by filing multiple motions.
Exception to single motion rule requires leave by noticed motion with detailed showing of good cause.
If a party believes this is one of the rare instances in which good cause exists for more than one motion for summary judgment or to increase page limits, the party shall seek leave by noticed motion setting forth a detailed showing of good cause.
Pre-Motion Conference
Check specific requirements before filing.
Exemptions
Each party limited to 25 pages and 8 footnotes for summary judgment motions.
Each separately represented party shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages, exclusive of tables of contents and authorities. Leave for additional space will be given only in extraordinary cases. Each party is limited to the use of a total of eight footnotes.
No ex parte contact with chambers; limited email contact only for appropriate matters; status inquiries prohibited.
Counsel must not attempt to contact the Court or chambers staff by email, telephone, or by any other ex parte means. Counsel may, for appropriate matters only, contact the Courtroom Deputy via the Court’s chambers email at HDV_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Counsel must not contact the Courtroom Deputy regarding the status of any matter before the Court. Calls or emails regarding the status of submitted motions, stipulations, or proposed orders will not be returned. Counsel may determine the status of any submitted motion, stipulation, or proposed order by accessing the docket sheet through PACER, which can be accessed via the Central District of California website.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredfor appropriate matters only
- Status Inquiries
Notify Courtroom Deputy by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday before trial for custom AV equipment installation.
The court provides audio/visual equipment for use during trial. The parties are encouraged to use it. More information is available at: http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/clerk-services/courtroom-technology. If counsel for any party needs to arrange for the installation of their own equipment, such as video monitors, notebooks, or projection equipment, counsel shall notify the Courtroom Deputy no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before trial so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours4:00 PM Wednesday before trial
Motions in limine and oppositions limited to 10 pages.
Motions in limine and oppositions must not exceed 10 pages in length.
Court reporter must receive list of unusual words 7 days before trial commencement.
At least seven (7) days before the commencement of trial, counsel for the parties shall provide the court reporter with a list of unusual words, phrases, and spellings that may come up during trial.
Document Type
Court Reporter
Counsel must use lectern and prepare all visual aids in advance.
Counsel must use the lectern. Counsel should not consume jury time by writing out words and drawing charts or diagrams. All such aids must be prepared in advance.