Southern District of California Filing Rules
1798 individual rules extracted from judicial documents in SDCA
These rules are extracted from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Southern District of California. They supplement the court's local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Requirements vary significantly between judges in the same district, so always verify the specific rules for your assigned judge.
- Judge Jeffrey T. Miller
Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
- Judge Allison H. Goddard
Parties must file the joint case management statement at least ten calendar days before the initial case management conference.
- Judge Anthony J. Battaglia
Proposed orders for joint motions must be emailed in Word, not filed on CM/ECF
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Proposed jury instructions encouraged by first day of trial.
- Judge David D Leshner
Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format without identifying information.
- Judge Anthony J. Battaglia
Counsel must contact CRD for equipment details and preview scheduling.
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Contact chambers well in advance if filing cross-motion to summary judgment.
- Judge Jill L. Burkhardt
Letters, faxes, or emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested by the Court.
- Judge Allison H. Goddard
Criminal calendars held Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9:30 AM; notify CRD of conflicts/priority requests in advance.
- Judge Guillermo Cabrera
Chambers communication limited to administrative matters and discovery disputes
- Judge Guillermo Cabrera
Meet and confer required before bringing matters to court, in person or videoconference
- Judge Jinsook Ohta
Reply briefs must be filed within 2 weeks of the opposition brief.
- Judge Andrew G. Schopler
Meet-and-confer required before filing most motions.
- Judge Linda Lopez
7-day meet-and-confer conference required before filing most motions.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Motion hearing dates must be obtained from law clerk before filing; sur-replies require ex parte leave.
- Judge Anthony J. Battaglia
Continuance requests require 7-day advance notice, meet-and-confer, and detailed declaration
- Judge Jill L. Burkhardt
Non-emergency travel motions must be filed 72 hours before travel.
- Judge Allison H. Goddard
Nebbia/surety hearings require 24-hour advance calendaring and notice; defense must provide bail package to CRD and USAO 24 hours in advance.
- Judge Guillermo Cabrera
Deposition disputes require immediate meet and confer, then call chambers if unresolved
- Judge Linda Lopez
Motions must be noticed for hearing 35 days after filing.
- Judge Anthony J. Battaglia
Parties must follow CASD ECF Policies for filing sealed documents.
- Judge Jill L. Burkhardt
Sealed filings require redacted public version and unredacted submission to chambers.
- Judge David D Leshner
Moving party must file public version with redactions when seeking to seal documents.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Presumptive right of public access to court records.
- Judge Linda Lopez
Documents filed under seal must be accompanied by a motion authorizing the sealing.
- Judge Anthony J. Battaglia
All exhibits must be digitized and submitted on thumb drive; CDs/DVDs not accepted.
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Courtesy copies must be bound at the top.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Filings with more than 3 exhibits must have tabbed exhibits.
- Judge Linda Lopez
Witness examinations must be conducted from podium; approaching witnesses requires court permission.
- Judge Michael M. Anello
Jury trials generally scheduled 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Courtesy copies required for filings over 20 pages.
- Judge Jill L. Burkhardt
Documents over 20 pages must be delivered directly to chambers.
- Judge David D Leshner
Chambers courtesy copies not required unless specifically requested.
- Judge Linda Lopez
Courtesy copies required for filings over 75 pages, delivered within 3 days.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Courtesy copies required for filings over 20 pages via mail/courier.
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Class certification motions must be filed 60 days before motion cut-off date.
- Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks
Trial briefs are limited to 25 pages.
- Judge Linda Lopez
Separate statements for summary judgment motions limited to 15 pages.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Summary judgment separate statements limited to 15 pages.
- Judge Michael M. Anello
Motions in limine brief limited to 30 pages.
- Judge M. James Lorenz
Multiple motions by same party must be bundled.
- Judge Linda Lopez
Stipulations must be filed as joint motions, except for certain dismissals under FRCP 41(a)(1)(A)(ii).
- Judge Todd W. Robinson
All stipulations must be filed as joint motions.
- Judge James E. Simmons, Jr.
Multiple parties must coordinate timing and consolidate briefing for similar motions.
- Judge Cynthia A. Bashant
Parties may select Friday hearing dates 30-60 days after filing, or following Monday if Friday is federal holiday; do not contact chambers.
- Judge David D Leshner
Parties may request oral argument if lawyer has fewer than 10 years' experience.
- Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel
Court encourages opportunities for young lawyers to conduct hearings.
- Judge Dana M. Sabraw
Only one lawyer per party may examine a witness and make objections for that witness.
- Judge Cynthia A. Bashant
Junior attorneys (≤5 years) may request oral argument on noticed motions.
- Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz
Judge will hold oral argument for junior attorneys (under 5 years) if requested by opposing counsel.