**Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg** was appointed to the Southern District of California by the district court judges in 2018. Judge Berg was appointed on November 5, 2018, filling the vacancy created by the passing of Hon. David Bartick. Prior to his judicial appointment, he was a criminal defense attorney in San Diego for 36 years, successfully handling some of the highest-profile criminal cases in the district, including the first death penalty case ever filed in the Southern District of California. He has served as incoming chairman of the California Board of Legal Specialists and president of the Rancho Coastal Humane Society Board of Directors. **Education** - University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 1981 - University of South Dakota, B.A., 1978 **Career** - Criminal defense attorney, San Diego, California (1981–2018)
**Courthouse:** James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep U.S. Courthouse, 333 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 **Chambers:** Courtroom 2C **Phone:** (619) 557-6632 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: C. Lopez, (619) 557-6695
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Parties must attempt to resolve discovery disputes through meet and confer before filing a motion.
Judge Michael S. Berg's formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed orders must be lodged in Word format.
The rule requires in person appearance. All key parties must appear in person at settlement conferences.
The rule requires proposed order and signature blocks. Stipulated protective order motions require order language and all counsel signatures.
Parties may contact Judge Michael S. Berg's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Letters and e-mails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested by the Court.
Judge Michael S. Berg's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf. Redacted documents must be filed simultaneously with sealing motion.
Requests should be made at least 7 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Michael S. Berg. The request must include reason for request, original date, number of previous requests, previous requests granted or denied, adversary position, proposed new dates, affects other dates, and emergency nature. Continuance requests require 7 calendar days advance written notice.
Letters and e-mails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested by the Court.
Telephone calls to chambers are limited to scheduling/calendaring matters.
Court personnel cannot provide legal advice or discuss case merits.
Only counsel familiar with the case may contact chambers.
Lodged documents can be emailed or hand-delivered to chambers.
Proposed orders must be lodged in Word format.
Transcript requests must be submitted online through CM/ECF.
All key parties must appear in person at settlement conferences.
Travel distance alone is not extraordinary circumstance for absence.
Excusal requests must be filed 7 days before settlement conference.
Discovery disputes unresolved in conference will receive briefing schedule.
Redacted documents must be filed simultaneously with sealing motion.
Continuance requests require 7 calendar days advance written notice.
Joint continuance requests require pre-filing call to chambers.
Stipulated protective order motions require order language and all counsel signatures.
Proposed protective orders must be emailed to Judge Berg's chambers in Word format.
Protective orders must include specific sealing language requirements.
Sealed filings must comply with ECF Manual Section 2.j and Local Rule 79.2.
Sealed filings require redacted version with specific title format.
Ex parte motions must comply with Civ. LR 83.3(g) and include meet-and-confer declarations.
Opposing counsel has until 5:00 PM next business day to respond to ex parte motions.
Court will issue order or set hearing on ex parte motions.
Legal citations must follow latest Bluebook guidelines.
Citations must consistently use one legal research database per document.
Unreported cases not in database require docket number citation.
Parties must attempt to resolve discovery disputes through meet and confer before filing a motion.