**Magistrate Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch** was sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Florida in September 2022, assigned to the Fort Lauderdale division. Before her judicial appointment, she spent fourteen years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce, representing individuals charged with federal criminal offenses across all stages including trials, appeals, and post-conviction matters. She is known for encouraging participation of less-experienced attorneys in court proceedings. **Education** - Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall Law School, J.D., 2000 - Florida Atlantic University, B.A., 1997 **Career** - U.S. Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Florida, 2022–present - Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender's Office, West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce, 2008–2022 - Assistant Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida
**Division:** Fort Lauderdale **Courthouse:** U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse, 299 East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 **Chambers:** Room 205E **Phone:** (954) 769-5460
Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Counsel must confer in good faith before seeking court intervention for discovery disputes.
Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Discovery motions limited to 3 pages.
Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Response to discovery motion limited to 3 pages.
Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's formatting rule includes file format paper. Electronic devices are prohibited in federal courthouses except for specified categories.
The rule requires arguments in briefing. Arguments must be in briefing; cannot reference counsel communications.
The rule requires specific objection grounds. Boilerplate and general objections are prohibited; objections must state specific grounds.
Parties may contact Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's intake unit by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Written judge authorization required for specific electronic device access.
Yes. Judge Panayotta Augustin-Birch's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior attorneys (5 years or less) may have multiple attorneys argue.
Counsel must confer in good faith before seeking court intervention for discovery disputes.
Contact Chambers at (954) 769-5460 to schedule discovery hearings.
Parties must confirm hearing availability with opposing counsel before finalizing with Chambers.
Make multiple attempts to reach opposing counsel within 3 business days before finalizing hearing date.
First discovery hearings typically held via Zoom unless otherwise requested.
Discovery motions limited to 3 pages.
Response to discovery motion limited to 3 pages.
Reply to discovery motion limited to 2 pages.
Parties should focus briefing on legal arguments, not case background.
Arguments must be in briefing; cannot reference counsel communications.
Discovery motions require compliance with pre-filing procedures.
Non-compliant discovery motions will be denied.
Joint motions exempt from pre-filing procedures.
Junior attorneys (5 years or less) may have multiple attorneys argue.
Objections based on 'reasonably calculated' standard are outdated.
Boilerplate and general objections are prohibited; objections must state specific grounds.
Vague, overly broad, or unduly burdensome objections must include specific explanations and supporting evidence.
Parties must confer with opposing counsel before objecting to vague requests and must explain relevance/disproportionate objections.
Formulaic objections followed by answers are prohibited as they waste time and create uncertainty.
Generalized privilege objections are prohibited; parties must follow Local Rule 26.1(e)(2) and prepare privilege logs.
Electronic devices are prohibited in federal courthouses except for specified categories.
Written judge authorization required for specific electronic device access.
Federal courthouse employees with valid ID may bring electronic devices.
Federal prosecutors and defenders with valid ID may bring electronic devices.
Law enforcement officers with valid ID may bring electronic devices.
Attorneys with valid Florida Bar ID or pro hac vice order may bring electronic devices.
Jurors and witnesses with subpoenas may bring phones and e-readers.
News reporters may bring devices with written agreement to use only text mode and no recording.