Court Rules
Judge

Judge Andrea M. Johnson

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida (DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota)

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Email • No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing

Proposed Order

Filters:

Document Format Requirements6 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

Any attachment to a proposed order must simultaneously be submitted through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.

Required Format

PDF A

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

If the document is to be recorded (e.g., judgment), there must be a blank space measuring 3 inches by 3 inches at the top right for Clerk’s recording stamp;

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Formatting

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Note

For ease of readability, Judge Johnson strongly encourages Bookman Old Style, 12-point font with one-inch margins when drafting submitting proposed orders.

Typography
Size12 pt
Layout & Binding
Margins
Top:1"
Left:1"
Right:1"
Bottom:1"
Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Note

The Court prefers exhibits in a tabbed, 3-ring binder.

Layout & Binding
Binding Style
Tabbed Three Ring
Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecG. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

All proposed orders are to be submitted in Word Format only;

Required Format

Word Perfect

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Formatting

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?

The Court encourages text searchable courtesy copies.

Document Filing Requirements14 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

If filing for a continuance, state with specificity the requirements of Rule 1.460(d), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

DocumentMotion

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecI. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing. Please refer to Mandatory Use of Document Identification Number (DIN) section.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecB. Hearing Procedures — Notice of Hearing
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

The Notice of Hearing you must include Judge Johnson’s Zoom credentials and explain that the parties may appear in the courtroom or remotely by Zoom.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecB. Hearing Procedures — Notice of Hearing
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

If you seek to have Judge Johnson take action in your case, you must file a motion. Judge Johnson does not consider an email as a motion.

DocumentMotion

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecC. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

Any motion requesting emergency attention or emergency hearing time must detail in the motion the emergency, the anticipated time needed and, where applicable, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.

DocumentMotion

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|SecF. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

For mandatory in-person hearings, the Notice of Hearing must reflect that the proceeding is in person.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecB. Hearing Procedures — Notice of Hearing
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A Format;

DocumentProposed Order

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing.

DocumentNotice Of Hearing

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecB. Hearing Procedures — Notice of Hearing
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

Judge Johnson expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.

DocumentProposed Order

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

Please include the DIN when referencing any filing, especially on hearing notices and proposed orders.

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecMandatory use of DIN
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

Please do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged.”

DocumentProposed Order

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

The proposed order should also warns that the failure to abide by the Order may result in further sanctions, including, without limitation, striking pleadings, dismissing the case, or other appropriate sanctions.

DocumentProposed Order

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecH. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Failure to Respond to Discovery
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement.

DocumentProposed Order

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecD. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Please comply with this requirement for any motion to compel discovery.

DocumentDiscovery Motion

Fl Twelfth:952583fc855f25c730fcf70b
|SecH. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Compelling Discovery

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Attachments to proposed orders must be submitted simultaneously through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.

Any attachment to a proposed order must simultaneously be submitted through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

Most self-represented litigants and attorneys must register with the E-Filing Portal to file and receive service of court documents as required by Rule 2.516.

Most self-represented litigants (pro se) as well as attorneys must register with the E-Filing Portal to send file and receive service of court documents as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Mandatory Use of the E-Filing Portal

All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.

All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal;

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

An opposing attorney may submit an alternate proposed order through the Portal at the same time.

The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

To seek excusal from the pretrial conference, the parties may submit the proposed pretrial conference order through the E-Filing Portal at least three business days beforehand.

Prior to the Pretrial Conference, the parties may complete a proposed Pretrial Conference Order found on the Civil Division page and submit to Judge Johnson via the E-filing Portal at least three business days prior to the Pretrial Conference to be excused from the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Pretrial Conference

For remote proceedings, parties must submit marked exhibits and confirm the Court received them three business days in advance.

For remote proceedings, parties must submit their marked exhibits three business days in advance and confirm receipt with the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Legally required service on the judge must be made by email to the judicial assistant or hand delivery to the court deputy, followed by a call advising the assistant of service.

Petitions and motions that by law must be served upon the Judge (e.g., writs, appeals, disqualification motions), must be either emailed to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant or hand delivered to the Court Deputy on the 8th floor security office in the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center. Additionally, please call the Judicial Assistant to advise her of the service.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Required Service on the Court

Attorneys are expected to provide each other copies of all exhibits before the hearing or trial.

The Court expects the attorneys to have already provided each other copies of all exhibits before the hearing or trial.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Parties should give Zoom witnesses exhibit copies before the hearing and have electronic copies available for screen sharing.

Parties should provide Zoom witnesses with copies of the exhibits prior to the hearing and have electronic copies available for screen sharing during remote proceedings.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Courtesy Copy Requirements

The submitting attorney must ensure all attorneys and self-represented parties receive courtesy copies of the proposed order and cover letter.

The submitting attorney must ensure that all attorneys and pro se parties receive a courtesy copy of both the proposed order and cover letter;

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

The scheduling party should email the judicial assistant one bookmarked PDF of courtesy copies no later than three business days before the hearing.

The Court requests the scheduling party to submit electronically, one bookmarked PDF document of courtesy copies no later than 3 business days prior to the hearing, emailed to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies

Do not send paper copies to the Court, except for evidence at evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials.

Please do not send paper copies of anything to the Court. The only exception is for paper copies of evidence at evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

All motions, including Daubert, summary judgment, and in limine motions, must be resolved by the Case Management Order deadline and scheduled for hearing before that deadline.

All motions, including Daubert, Summary Judgment, and In Limine motions, must be resolved in accordance with the deadline set forth in the Case Management Order. Please plan accordingly and schedule for hearing before any applicable deadline.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Daubert, Summary Judgment, and In Limine Motions

A non-emergency continuance motion should generally be set for hearing.

Generally, for non-emergencies, the motion should be set for hearing.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances

A substitution-of-attorney motion does not require a hearing if client consent is filed with the motion.

If you are substituting as an attorney, no hearing is needed on a substitution if a client consent is filed with the Motion.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Substitution as Attorney

A withdrawal motion may be submitted for decision without a hearing if the client consents and waives the hearing, and opposing counsel does not object.

If you file a client consent in which the client consents to the withdrawal and waives the hearing requirement under Rule 2.505(f)(1), you may submit a proposed order for approval without a hearing if there is no objection from opposing counsel.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Withdrawal of Attorney

Do not schedule reconsideration, rehearing, or new-trial motions for hearing; send the filed motions and a cover letter to the judicial assistant.

Do not set these motions for hearing. Please send a copy of the filed motions to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant with a cover letter.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Reconsideration, Rehearing, and New Trial motions

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Trial continuance motions are disfavored, should rarely be granted, and require good cause.

Pursuant to Rule 1.460, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, motions to continue trial are disfavored and should rarely be granted and then only upon good cause shown.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances

Successive trial continuances are highly disfavored.

Successive continuances are highly disfavored.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances

A lack of due diligence in trial preparation is not grounds for a continuance.

Lack of due diligence in preparing for trial is not grounds to continue a case.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances

Chambers Communication Rules

The judicial assistant cannot give legal advice, help prepare filings, or communicate on behalf of a self-represented litigant.

However, the Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice, cannot help prepare filings, and cannot communicate on your behalf.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)

Do not ask the judicial assistant about a hearing’s outcome or whether an order has been signed.

Please do not ask the Judicial Assistant for the outcome of a hearing or whether an order has been signed.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)

The filer of an emergency motion must telephone the judicial assistant and email the assistant a copy of the motion.

The attorney or party filing the motion must (1) telephone Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant regarding the motion, and (2) email a copy of the motion to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters

Self-represented litigants may communicate with the judge about their case at a hearing, not by contacting the judge directly outside court.

Your opportunity to communicate with Judge Johnson about your case is at a hearing. The Judge cannot discuss your case outside of the courtroom, so please do not call or attempt to speak with the Judge directly.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 113 rules apply across Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida (DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 31
  • Applies to
    County civil complaint

    County civil complaints must be filed with the Standing Order and Case Management Report, except eviction complaints and other section 51.011 summary proceedings.

  • Applies to
    County civil complaint or petition

    The clerks must require the Standing Order and Case Management Report to be attached to county civil complaints or petitions, except eviction complaints and other section 51.011 summary proceedings.

  • Applies to
    County civil complaint or petition

    The clerk must reject a new county civil complaint or petition that omits the Standing Order or Case Management Report, except an eviction or other summary proceeding.

Adjournments

All 18
  • Attorneys should cooperate on reasonable rescheduling, cancellation, extension, and postponement requests when they will not prejudice the client or unduly delay a proceeding.

  • Attorneys should ordinarily grant a first reasonable extension to respond to a litigation deadline when it will not prejudice the client, unduly delay a proceeding, or when time is not of the essence.

  • Additional extension requests should be evaluated by balancing expediency, deference to the adversary, and the likelihood that the court would grant the extension.

Service

All 15
  • Plaintiffs must serve the Standing Order and Case Management Report on all defendants with the initial process.

  • Service
    Email to all parties

    When the Case Management Report is filed, the parties must email a copy to the assigned judge’s designated email and copy all parties.

  • Applies to
    Complaint

    For all small claims PIP cases, serve a copy of the Civil Cover Sheet and the Addendum with the Complaint.

E-Filing

All 12
  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    Judges and magistrates may accept proposed orders through the Portal for review and signature without filing them in the court file.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    Judges and magistrates are encouraged to set Portal procedures, and proposed orders must be submitted through the Portal if their requirements do not address them.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The court allowed a three-month transition period before requiring attorneys to submit proposed orders through the Portal whenever feasible.

About Judge Andrea M. Johnson

- **Judicial Service:** Circuit Court Bench, July 2026 - **Education:** JD, Stetson University College of Law

- **Division Assignment(s):** Circuit Civil Division C - Sarasota County - **Judicial Assistant:** Jessica - **Email:** JSherman@jud12.flcourts.org - **Phone:** (941) 861‐7967 - **Physical Address:** 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236 - **Mailing Address:** P.O. Box 48927, Sarasota, FL 34230 - **Courtroom:** Courtroom 6C

Common questions about Judge Andrea M. Johnson's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

Details: delivery no later than 3 business days before hearing, by email. The scheduling party should email the judicial assistant one bookmarked PDF of courtesy copies no later than three business days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section E. Courtesy Copies

Does Judge Andrea M. Johnson require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Andrea M. Johnson's rules set a pre-motion procedure for daubert. All motions, including Daubert, summary judgment, and in limine motions, must be resolved by the Case Management Order deadline and scheduled for hearing before that deadline.

View ruleSource: page 1, section H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Daubert, Summary Judgment, and In Limine Motions

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

Judge Andrea M. Johnson's formatting rule includes file format word perfect. Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format only.

View ruleSource: page 1, section D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A Notice of Hearing must include the judge’s Zoom credentials and explain that parties may appear in person or remotely.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Hearing Procedures — Notice of Hearing

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An emergency motion must explain the emergency, anticipated time needed, and, when applicable, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

View ruleSource: page 1, section F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters

How may parties contact Judge Andrea M. Johnson's chambers?

The filer of an emergency motion must telephone the judicial assistant and email the assistant a copy of the motion.

View ruleSource: page 1, section F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Trial continuance motions are disfavored, should rarely be granted, and require good cause.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances

Is electronic filing required before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders

What filing deadlines does Judge Andrea M. Johnson set?

For remote proceedings, parties must submit marked exhibits and confirm the Court received them three business days in advance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

What rule applies to serving the court before Judge Andrea M. Johnson?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the court. Legally required service on the judge must be made by email to the judicial assistant or hand delivery to the court deputy, followed by a call advising the assistant of service.

View ruleSource: page 1, section K. Other Division Procedures — Required Service on the Court
Complete rules summary for Judge Andrea M. Johnson

Include the DIN when referencing filings, particularly in hearing notices and proposed orders.

A Notice of Hearing must include the judge’s Zoom credentials and explain that parties may appear in person or remotely.

A Notice of Hearing for a mandatory in-person hearing must state that the proceeding is in person.

A Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when it references a filing.

A substitution-of-attorney motion does not require a hearing if client consent is filed with the motion.

A withdrawal motion may be submitted for decision without a hearing if the client consents and waives the hearing, and opposing counsel does not object.

Do not schedule reconsideration, rehearing, or new-trial motions for hearing; send the filed motions and a cover letter to the judicial assistant.

When referencing a filing, a hearing notice must include its DIN.

The scheduling party should email the judicial assistant one bookmarked PDF of courtesy copies no later than three business days before the hearing.

The Court encourages courtesy copies to be text searchable.

Do not send paper copies to the Court, except for evidence at evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials.

An emergency motion must explain the emergency, anticipated time needed, and, when applicable, good-faith efforts to resolve the matter without court intervention.

The filer of an emergency motion must telephone the judicial assistant and email the assistant a copy of the motion.

The Court prefers exhibits to be submitted in a tabbed three-ring binder.

Attorneys are expected to provide each other copies of all exhibits before the hearing or trial.

For remote proceedings, parties must submit marked exhibits and confirm the Court received them three business days in advance.

Parties should give Zoom witnesses exhibit copies before the hearing and have electronic copies available for screen sharing.

A motion to compel discovery must quote in full each discovery request at issue and the opposing party’s objection and grounds.

A proposed discovery order should warn that noncompliance may result in sanctions, including striking pleadings or dismissing the case.

To seek excusal from the pretrial conference, the parties may submit the proposed pretrial conference order through the E-Filing Portal at least three business days beforehand.

All motions, including Daubert, summary judgment, and in limine motions, must be resolved by the Case Management Order deadline and scheduled for hearing before that deadline.

Trial continuance motions are disfavored, should rarely be granted, and require good cause.

Successive trial continuances are highly disfavored.

A lack of due diligence in trial preparation is not grounds for a continuance.

A continuance motion must specifically state the requirements of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.460(d).

A non-emergency continuance motion should generally be set for hearing.

All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format only.

The Court strongly encourages proposed orders to use Bookman Old Style, 12-point font, and one-inch margins.

A proposed order to be recorded must leave a three-by-three-inch blank space at the top right for the Clerk’s stamp.

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