Judge Serena R. Murillo
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (All filings)
Required
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
- 7Proposed Rescheduled Date
- 8Affects Other Dates
- 9Emergency Nature
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
- 7Proposed Rescheduled Date
- 8Affects Other Dates
- 9Emergency Nature
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
- 7Proposed Rescheduled Date
- 8Affects Other Dates
- 9Emergency Nature
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Original Date
- 3Number Of Previous Requests
- 4Previous Requests Granted Or Denied
- 5Adversary Position
- 6Proposed New Dates
- 7Affects Other Dates
- 8Emergency Nature
Communication
Letter Ecf
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
In Person
Chambers
Meet And Confer
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
Joint Rule 26(f) Report must include synopsis (max 2 pages), legal issues, and damages.
The Joint Rule 26(f) Report shall report on all matters enumerated below, which include those required to be discussed by Rule 26(f) and Local Rule 26: a. Synopsis: a short synopsis (not to exceed two pages) of the main claims, counterclaims, and/or affirmative defenses. b. Legal issues: a brief description of the key legal issues. c. Damages: the realistic range of provable damages.
Parties may consent to have any Magistrate Judge preside over all proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 636.
Magistrates: Do the parties wish to have a Magistrate Judge preside? Under 28 U.S.C. § 636, the parties may consent to have a Magistrate Judge preside over all the proceedings, not just discovery. They may pick any Magistrate Judge (not just the one assigned to this case) from among those Magistrate Judges who accept these designations. (They are identified on the Central District’s website, which also contains the consent form.)
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Lead trial attorney must attend Scheduling Conference unless excused for good cause.
The lead trial attorney must attend the Scheduling Conference, unless excused for good cause shown in advance of the Scheduling Conference.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Protective orders should be proposed to opposing counsel before Scheduling Conference and submitted to assigned Magistrate Judge.
If you seek a protective order, propose it to opposing counsel before the Scheduling Conference, if at all possible. Protective Order should be submitted to the assigned Magistrate Judge for consideration.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must provide Order to parties appearing after date of Order and known parties not yet appeared.
Plaintiff’s counsel or, if plaintiff is appearing pro se, defendant’s counsel, shall provide this Order to any parties who first appear after the date of this Order and to parties who are known to exist but have not yet entered appearances.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Court orders and Local Rules available on Central District of California website
Copies of this and all other orders of this Court that may become applicable to this case are available on the Central District of California website, at “www.cacd.uscourts.gov,” under “Judge’s Procedures and Schedules.” Copies of the Local Rules are available on the website.
Direct to: Chambers
- Status Inquiries
Support/opposition memoranda limited to 25 pages; replies limited to 12 pages.
Memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed 25 pages. Replies shall not exceed 12 pages.
Court reserves 8:30-9:00 a.m. for matters outside jury presence; counsel should raise issues during this time.
The Court reserves the time from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to handle legal and administrative matters outside of the presence of the jury. The trial before the jury will commence promptly at 9:00 a.m. Counsel are urged to anticipate matters which may need discussion or hearing outside of the presence of the jury and to raise them during this period, during breaks or at the end of the day.
Chambers
Direct to: Chambers
- Hours8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Must have Court's permission to approach Courtroom Deputy, witness box, or enter well.
Do not approach the Courtroom Deputy or the witness box without the Court's permission. Please return to the lectern when your purpose has been accomplished. Do not enter the well of the Court without the Court's permission.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredCourt's permission
- HoursCourt's permission required
- Status Inquiries
All remarks must be addressed to Court, not to Deputy, reporter, or opposing counsel.
Address all remarks to the Court. Do not directly address the Courtroom Deputy, the reporter or opposing counsel. If you wish to speak with opposing counsel, ask permission to talk to counsel off the record. All requests for the re-reading of questions or answers, or to have an exhibit placed in front of a witness, shall be addressed to the Court.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredPermission for opposing counsel
- HoursAll remarks to Court only
- Status Inquiries
Must have advance permission to leave counsel table during court session.
While court is in session, do not leave the counsel table to confer with investigators, secretaries, or witnesses unless permission is granted in advance.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredPermission in advance
- HoursCourt is in session
- Status Inquiries
All trial presentations must be from lectern; no writing/drawing during trial.
Opening statements, examination of witnesses, and summation will be from the lectern only. Counsel must not consume time by writing out words or drawing charts or diagrams. Counsel may do so in advance and explain that the item was prepared earlier as ordered by the Court to save time.
Counsel must not approach clerk or witness box without permission.
Counsel must not approach the Clerk or the witness box without specific permission. When permission is given, please return to the lectern when the purpose of the permission is finished. Counsel must not engage in questioning a witness at the witness stand.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredspecific_permission
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must rise when addressing court or jury enters/exits.
Please rise when addressing the Court and rise when the jury enters or leaves the courtroom.
In Person
Direct to: Court
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must address all remarks to the Court only.
Counsel must address all remarks to the Court. Counsel are not to address the Clerk, the Reporter, persons in the audience, or opposing counsel. If counsel wishes to speak with opposing counsel, counsel must ask permission to talk off the record. Any request for the re-reading of questions or answers shall be addressed to the Court.
In Person
Direct to: Court
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must not use first names for witnesses/parties (except under 14).
Counsel must not address or refer to witnesses or parties by first names alone. Young witnesses (under 14) may, however, be addressed and referred to by their first name.
In Person
Direct to: Witnesses Parties
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must confer with opposing counsel before offering stipulations.
Counsel must not make an offer of stipulation unless counsel has conferred with opposing counsel and has reason to believe the stipulation will be acceptable.
In Person
Direct to: Opposing Counsel
- Advance Notice Requiredconferral_required
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must not leave counsel table without advance permission.
While Court is in session, counsel must not leave counsel table to permission has been granted in advance.
In Person
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredadvance_permission
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must not exhibit opinions through facial expressions or conduct.
Counsel should not by facial expression, nodding or other conduct exhibit any opinion, adverse or favorable, concerning any testimony being given by a witness. Counsel should admonish counsel's own client(s) and witnesses to avoid such conduct.
In Person
Direct to: Witnesses Parties
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Only one lawyer per party may examine a given witness.
Where a party has more than one lawyer, only one may conduct the direct or cross-examination of a given witness.
In Person
Direct to: Witnesses
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must advise court of commitments that may cause absence/late arrival on first day of trial.
The Court makes every effort to commence proceedings at the time set. Promptness is expected from counsel and witnesses. It is counsel's duty of the first day of trial to advise the Court on the first day of any commitments that may result in counsel's absence or late arrival.
In Person
Direct to: Court
- Advance Notice Requiredfirst_day_of_trial
- Hoursfirst_day_of_trial
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must have witness ready to proceed when court resumes after recess.
If a witness is on the stand when a recess is taken, it is counsel's duty to have the witness back on the stand, ready to proceed, when the court session resumes.
In Person
Direct to: Witnesses
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursafter_recess
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must have witness adjacent to stand, ready to proceed after adjournment.
If a witness was on the stand at adjournment, it is counsel's duty to have the witness adjacent to, but not on, the stand, ready to proceed when the court session resumes.
In Person
Direct to: Witnesses
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursafter_adjournment
- Status Inquiries
Counsel must notify courtroom deputy clerk in advance for witness accommodations.
It is counsel's duty to notify the courtroom deputy clerk in advance if any witness should be accommodated by use of the witness stand's
In Person
Direct to: Courtroom Deputy Clerk
- Advance Notice Requiredin_advance
- Hoursduring_court_session
- Status Inquiries
Must give advance notice for anticipated difficult legal questions requiring research/briefing.
If counsel has reason to anticipate that a difficult question of law or evidence will raise legal argument, requiring research and/or briefing, counsel must give the Court advance notice.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredadvance
Must notify clerk at day's adjournment of unexpected legal issues.
Counsel are directed to notify the Clerk at the day's adjournment if an unexpected legal issue arises that could not have been foreseen and addressed by a motion in limine (see Fed. R. Evid. 103).
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Clerk
- Timingday's_adjournment
Notify clerk in advance for witness accommodation needs.
(2) It is counsel’s duty to notify the courtroom deputy clerk in advance if any witness should be accommodated by use of the witness stand’s automated platform which lowers and raises to accommodate witnesses who are unable to otherwise take the witness stand.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Requiredin advance
Professional witnesses may be called out of sequence with advance notice.
D. The Court attempts to cooperate with physicians, scientists, and all other professional witnesses and will, except in extraordinary circumstances, accommodate them by permitting them to be put on out of sequence. Counsel must anticipate any such possibility and discuss it with opposing counsel. If there is objection, confer with the Court in advance.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Court
- Advance Notice Requiredin advance
Counsel must advise Clerk of exhibit agreements.
E. Counsel are to advise the Clerk of any agreements they have with respect to the proposed exhibits and as to those exhibits that may be received so that no further motion to admit need be made.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Clerk
Two procedures for using adverse party depositions for impeachment.
In using depositions of an adverse party for impeachment, either one of the following procedures may be adopted: (1) If counsel wishes to read the questions and answers as counsel shall first state the page and line where the reading begins and the page and line where the reading ends, and allow time for any objection. Counsel may then read the portions of the deposition into the record. (2) If counsel wishes to ask the witness further questions on the subject matter, the deposition is placed in front of the witness and the witness is told to read silently the pages and lines involved. Then counsel may either ask the witness further questions on the matter and thereafter read the quotations or read the quotations and thereafter ask the further questions. Counsel should have an extra copy of the deposition for this purpose.
Document Type
Deposition
Motions in limine and oppositions limited to 10 pages.
Motions in limine and oppositions must not exceed ten (10) pages in length.
Special court reporter services require 14-day advance notice.
Any party requesting special court reporter services for any hearing, such as "Real Time" transmission or daily transcripts, shall notify Court Reporting Services at least fourteen (14) days before the hearing date.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Clerk
- Advance Notice Required14 days before hearing date
Parties must notify Courtroom Deputy in advance of any reasonable accommodation needs.
The parties must notify the Courtroom Deputy in advance if any party, counsel, or witness requires a reasonable accommodation based on a disability or other reason.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredin advance
Court may permit witnesses to be called out of sequence; counsel should meet and confer in advance.
The Court generally will accommodate witnesses by permitting them to be called out of sequence. Counsel should meet and confer in advance and make every effort to resolve the matter.
Meet And Confer
- Advance Notice Requiredin advance
Counsel must inform Courtroom Deputy of exhibit agreements and exhibits admitted without motion.
Counsel must inform the Courtroom Deputy of any agreements reached regarding any proposed exhibits, as well as those exhibits that may be received into evidence without a motion to admit.
Direct to: Chambers
Two procedures for using adverse party deposition testimony for impeachment: reading with page/line citation or silent reading with follow-up questions.
In using deposition testimony of an adverse party for impeachment, counsel may adhere to either one of the following procedures: a. If counsel wishes to read the questions and answers as alleged impeachment and ask the witness no further questions on that subject, counsel shall first state the page and line where the reading begins and the page and line where the reading ends and allow time for any objection. Counsel may then read the portions of the deposition into the record. b. If counsel wishes to ask the witness further questions on the subject matter, the deposition shall be placed in front of the witness and the witness told to read the relevant pages and lines silently. Then, counsel either may ask the witness further questions on the matter and thereafter read the quotations or read the quotations and thereafter ask further questions. Counsel should have available for the Court and the witness extra copies of the deposition transcript for this purpose.
Document Type
Deposition Impeachment
Advance notice required for difficult legal issues; notify Courtroom Deputy immediately of unexpected issues; inform before jurors excused to minimize waiting.
If any party anticipates that a difficult question of law or evidence will necessitate legal argument requiring research or briefing, that party must give the Court advance notice. The parties must notify the Courtroom Deputy immediately of any unexpected legal issue that could not have been foreseen and addressed in advance. To the extent such issue needs to be addressed outside the jury’s presence, the relevant party must inform the Courtroom Deputy before jurors are excused for the day to minimize the time jurors are kept waiting. The Court expects all parties to work diligently to minimize delays and avoid keeping jurors waiting.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requiredimmediately
- Hours
- Status Inquiries
Hearings are in-person by default; Zoom requests must be filed by Friday before hearing with meet and confer certification
By default, all hearings shall proceed in-person, unless a request is made by the parties and granted by the Court. Requests to appear via Zoom must be e-filed by the Friday before the hearing and must indicate that counsel has met and conferred per Local Rule 7-3.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice RequiredFriday before hearing