**Federal Judicial Service:** Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court Southern District of California Appointed on April 27, 2026 **Education:** * University of Notre Dame, J.D. (1993) * Wright State University, B.A. (1990) **Professional Career:** * Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California - Chief, Civil Division (2025-2026) - Civil Division (2020-2026) - Project Safe Childhood Program Coordinator (2016-2020) - Criminal Division (2012-2020) * Administrative Law Clerk to the Hon. Irma E. Gonzalez (S.D. Cal.) (2005-2012) * Law Clerk to the Hon. Anthony J. Battaglia (S.D. Cal.) (1993-2001, 2002-2005) * Law Clerk to the Hon. David R. Thompson (9th Cir.) (2001-2002) 
| | | | --- | --- | | [**Courtroom: 3D (3rd Flr)**](../_directions/directions.aspx?bc%3d1%26rm%3d3D "Click for direction instructions") **Chambers Rm. #:** **Telephone:** (619) 557-5874 Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse 221 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 | | ### Court Staff **Courtroom Deputy - F. Pacho** Tel.: (619) 557-7099 (Contact for Criminal Matters) Send a Message ### Chambers Rules & Procedures * [Chambers Rules](cabral/docs/Chambers%20Rules.pdf "Chambers Rules") * [Electronically Stored Information Checklist](cabral/docs/Electronically%20Stored%20Information%20Checklist.pdf "Electronically Stored Information Checklist") ### Hearing Calendars [* June 29, 2026](cabral/calendar/cabral_062926.pdf "cabral_062926.pdf")
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Janet A. Cabral. Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.
Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.
Judge Janet A. Cabral's formatting rule includes file format docx, email copy to efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov, and file as joint motion. Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Counsel must file a Notice of Settlement upon case settlement.
Parties may contact Judge Janet A. Cabral's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Janet A. Cabral. Process: file redacted on ecf. Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.
Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.
The rule states a noon filing cutoff. Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.
Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.
Yes. Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.
Contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho via email or phone for criminal matters and transcript requests.
Contact Judge Cabral’s chambers via phone or email for civil matters (excluding transcript requests).
Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.
Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.
Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.
Deposition disputes require immediate meet and confer; unresolved disputes may be called in to chambers for ruling.
If Judge unavailable for deposition dispute, mark deposition at dispute point, continue, then meet and confer again post-deposition and follow discovery dispute procedures.
After meet and confer exhaustion, movant must email chambers to request pre-motion conference, including required content and copying all counsel.
Discovery dispute briefs should only attach necessary exhibits, excluding meet and confer correspondence.
Discovery dispute procedures must be initiated within 45 calendar days of the dispute event (deposition completion or written response service/due date).
Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.
Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.
Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.
Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.
Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.
Designating parties must join sealing motions within 4 business days of service; oppositions also due within 4 business days of service.
Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.
Entire sealed documents must be lodged in full; partial redactions must be highlighted in yellow.
Public version of a sealed or partially redacted document must be a slip sheet.
Counsel must email chambers to notify of case settlement.
Counsel must file a Notice of Settlement upon case settlement.
Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.
Proposed orders must be submitted by email to chambers in Word format.
Proposed orders must be in Word format and free of attorney/firm names or insignia in caption, margins, or footer.
Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.