**Judge Darrin P. Gayles** was appointed to the Southern District of Florida by President Barack Obama in 2014, confirmed by the Senate on June 17, 2014 by a 98–0 vote. Born in 1966 in Peoria, Illinois, he made history as the first openly gay African-American federal judge in the United States. He served in both Miami-Dade County Court and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida before his elevation to the federal bench. **Education** - George Washington University Law School, J.D., 1993 - Howard University, B.A., 1990 **Career** - Circuit Court Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, 2011–2014 - County Court Judge, Miami-Dade County, 2004–2011 - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Florida, 1999–2004 - Assistant District Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1997–1999 - Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, 1993–1997
**Division:** Miami **Courthouse:** Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse, 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128 **Chambers:** Room 11-1 **Phone:** (305) 523-5170 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: (305) 523-5171 - Court Reporter: Patricia Diaz, (305) 523-5178
Courtesy copies are required for notice of hearings. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. Source materials must be provided via hand-delivery or email to CM/ECF mailbox on hearing date.
Judge Darrin P. Gayles's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery. Before raising a discovery dispute, parties must confer in good faith as required by Local Rule 7.1(a)(3).
Judge Darrin P. Gayles' formatting rule includes palatino linotype font, 12 point type, double spacing, margins top 1 inches, bottom 1 inches, left 1.25 inches, right 1.25 inches, file format docx, justified, case style must mirror the case style used in this order, and page numbers beginning on the second page. Proposed orders must be in Word format, 12-pt Palatino Linotype, double-spaced, justified, with page numbers starting on page 2.
The rule requires certificate of conference. Counsel must include a certificate of conference certifying good faith efforts to resolve the discovery dispute.
The rule requires notice of electronic filing. File Notice of Hearing and serve opposing counsel via ECF on same day Chambers confirms discovery calendar placement.
Parties may contact Judge Darrin P. Gayles' chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Letters requesting relief are prohibited unless invited or directed by the judge.
Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Darrin P. Gayles. Motions and memoranda are rarely needed.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Discovery disputes must be raised within thirty days, with a possible seven-day agreed extension, as required by Local Rule 26.1(g)(1).
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Objections to the scope of a 30(b)(6) deposition notice must be served (not filed) timely before the deposition.
Parties must not make boilerplate discovery objections; objections must state all grounds with specificity and explain how a request is vague, overly broad, or unduly burdensome.
Objections that a discovery request is irrelevant or not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence must include a specific explanation of why the request lacks relevance.
Parties should avoid formulaic objections followed by answers; counsel must include a clear statement that all responsive documents or information identified have been produced or provided.
Objections to the scope of a 30(b)(6) deposition notice must be served (not filed) timely before the deposition.
Before raising a discovery dispute, parties must confer in good faith as required by Local Rule 7.1(a)(3).
Counsel must include a certificate of conference certifying good faith efforts to resolve the discovery dispute.
Discovery disputes must be raised within thirty days, with a possible seven-day agreed extension, as required by Local Rule 26.1(g)(1).
Notice of objection to a deposition notice must be served (not filed) on the opposing party within five days of receipt, and failure to timely preserve may result in waiver.
A good faith conference following service of written notice of objections preserves deposition scheduling issues without waiver until the Court resolves the dispute at a discovery conference.
Objections to the scope of a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice will only be adjudicated after the deposition is taken.
Parties must have actual conversation (in person or phone) before filing discovery hearing notice.
Email/telefax demands for same-day response are not good faith confer efforts.
Court may impose sanctions for improper discovery, bad faith withholding, or failure to confer in good faith.
Discovery motions (compel, protective order, sanctions) require Court authorization.
Unauthorized discovery motions and memoranda will be stricken.
Discovery hearings scheduled every Friday afternoon.
Contact Chambers at (305) 523-5720 to schedule discovery hearing.
Must disclose if attorneys are local (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) or not local when scheduling discovery hearing.
No hybrid hearings - all counsel must participate via same method (Zoom or in-person).
Chambers provides available dates for parties to confer and confirm availability.
File Notice of Hearing and serve opposing counsel via ECF on same day Chambers confirms discovery calendar placement.
Each side limited to 30 minutes for discovery hearings.
Hearing notice must include certificate of good faith per Local Rule 7.1(a)(3).
Source materials must be provided via hand-delivery or email to CM/ECF mailbox on hearing date.
Source materials must be actual discovery documents, not memoranda or letters.
Notices and source materials cannot be used to submit memoranda or arguments.
Non-routine disputes may include one-paragraph explanation in hearing notice.
Notice of authorities may list authorities with one-sentence summaries, no arguments.
Motion for leave to file discovery motion/memoranda may be filed for complex disputes.
Motions and memoranda are rarely needed.