Southern District of Florida Document Format Requirements

Orders must be drafted on 8.5 x 11 inch paper in portrait orientation.

Source text: Draft the order on an 8 x 11 page in portrait orientation.

All page margins must be set to 1 inch.

Source text: Set all page margins (top, sides, and bottom) to 1” (one inch).

First page must have 4 inches of blank space from the top edge for the judge's signature.

Source text: On the FIRST page, add 3 more inches of blank space (in addition to the one-inch margin) for a total of 4” from the top of the page. The first page of the order must have a blank space of 4” from the top edge of the page to allow room for the judge's signature.

Orders should use 12-point font (10-point for footnotes), with Times New Roman or Century Schoolbook preferred.

Source text: Although any 12-point regular font is generally acceptable, Times New Roman and Century Schoolbook are preferred. Footnotes may contain 10-point font.

Order titles must be centered, bold, in all capital letters, underlined on the bottom line, and single-spaced if the title exceeds one line.

Source text: Center the title and use bold font. Use all capital letters. Underline the bottom line of the title. Use single spacing between lines if the title is more than one line long.

Body text of orders must be double-spaced, except footnotes and quotes longer than 50 words which must be single-spaced.

Source text: Double-space the lines of text in the body of the order, except for footnotes and quotes longer than 50 words, which must be single-spaced.

All orders must be submitted in text-searchable PDF format.

Source text: All orders must be in text-searchable PDF format.

Multiple factual finding paragraphs must be designated with letters instead of numbers.

Source text: If multiple paragraphs of factual findings are required, use letters (rather than numbers) to designate the paragraphs.

The phrase 'It is ordered …' may only be used once, at the start of the decretal section.

Source text: This phrase should only be used ONCE, at the beginning of the decretal section.

Numbered paragraphs must follow the introductory 'It is ordered …' phrase in the decretal section.

Source text: Use numbered paragraphs after the introductory phrase.

Findings of fact are prohibited in the decretal paragraphs of orders.

Source text: Do not include findings of fact in the decretal paragraphs.

The decretal section must end with three centered hashmarks (###) on the page.

Source text: End the decretal section with three hashmarks (###) centered in the middle of the page.

The post-judgment interest memorandum must use a table format to list dates, applicable rates, and amounts due.

Source text: Use a table format to clearly designate dates, applicable rates, and amounts due for each period and in total.

Orders filed via CM/ECF (ECF) must be in searchable PDF format.

Source text: Upload orders to CM/ECF in pdf format. The Court requires searchable pdf files.

Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be submitted in Microsoft Word (DOCX) format when directed by the judge.

Source text: If the judge directs submission of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, submit the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in Microsoft Word to the judge’s chambers inbox.

Proposed orders must be in Word format, 12-pt Palatino Linotype, double-spaced, justified, with page numbers starting on page 2.

Source text: If a party submits a proposed order to the Undersigned, then it must be in Microsoft Word format in 12-point Palatino Linotype font. The proposed order must be double spaced, justified, and the case style must mirror the case style used in this Order. If the proposed order is more than one page, then it must include page numbers, beginning on the second page.

Pro se litigants must file documents in person or by U.S. mail with no exceptions.

Source text: Section 2C of the Southern District of Florida CM/ECF Administrative Procedures requires pro se litigants to file their documents in a conventional manner, which means in person or by U.S. mail. There are no exceptions.

Agreed jury instructions must use Times New Roman 14 point typeface.

Source text: Where the parties do agree on a proposed instruction or question, that instruction or question shall be set forth in Times New Roman 14 point typeface.

Objected instructions must be italicized (plaintiff) or bold-faced (defendant).

Source text: Instructions and questions proposed only by the plaintiff(s) to which the defendant(s) object shall be italicized. Instructions and questions proposed only by defendant(s) to which plaintiff(s) object shall be bold-faced.

Each jury instruction must be on a separate page with citations to authority (except pattern instructions).

Source text: Each jury instruction shall be typed on a separate page and, except for Eleventh Circuit pattern instructions clearly identified as such, must be supported by citations to authority.

Bench trial findings must be emailed in Word format with citations to authority.

Source text: An additional copy of all proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (the date for filing the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law is set forth in the pretrial scheduling order) shall be sent in Word format to the chambers e-mail account listed above. Proposed Conclusions of Law must be supported by citations to authority.

Exhibits must use numerical labels only with case number, exhibit number, and offering party.

Source text: All exhibits shall be pre-labeled in accordance with the proposed exhibit list, and only numerical sequences are permitted—alphabetical designations shall not be used. Exhibit labels must include the case number, the exhibit number, and the party offering the exhibit.

Designated testimony in notebook must be highlighted and easy to locate.

Source text: Third, the designated (or counter-designated) testimony for each witness must be highlighted and easy to locate and identify.

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked with P/D prefixes and listed with descriptions by calendar call.

Source text: Trial Exhibits. All trial exhibits must be pre-marked. The Plaintiff’s exhibits must be marked numerically with the letter “P” as a prefix; the Defendant’s exhibits must be marked numerically with the letter “D” as a prefix. The parties must submit a list setting out all exhibits by the date of the calendar call. This list must indicate the pre-marked identification label (e.g., P-1 or D-1) and include a brief description of the exhibit. The exhibit list shall refer to specific items and shall not include blanket statements such as all exhibits produced during depositions or Plaintiff reserves the use of any other relevant evidence. Exhibits omitted from the list will not be allowed at trial.

Electronic devices are prohibited in federal courthouses except for specified categories.

Source text: All electronic devices including but not limited to Cellular Phones, Pagers, Personal Data Assistants (PDA), Laptop Computers, Tape Recorders, etc., are prohibited from being brought into any federal courthouse facility within the Southern District of Florida with the following exceptions:

Proposed protective orders for joint motions must be in Word (DOCX) format.

Source text: If the parties file a joint motion for entry of a protective order, the parties shall promptly send to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov the proposed protective order in Word format. See S.D. Fla. CM/ECF Admin. Proc. 3I(6).

Source Materials sent to chambers for Informal Discovery Hearings must use specific, simple titles instead of generic 'Exhibit 1' or 'Exhibit A' labels.

Source text: Labeling a Source Material as “Exhibit 1” or “Exhibit A” generally is not helpful for an Informal Discovery Hearing; please use specific, simple descriptions to title the Source Materials sent to chambers (i.e., “Plaintiff’s Supplemental Answers to Defendant’s Interrogatories”).

Electronic devices are prohibited in federal courthouses except for specified categories.

Source text: All electronic devices including but not limited to Cellular Phones, Pagers, Personal Data Assistants (PDA), Laptop Computers, Tape Recorders, etc., are prohibited from being brought into any federal courthouse facility within the Southern District of Florida with the following exceptions:

All pleadings must be double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, single-sided, and paginated.

Source text: In accordance with Local Rule 5.1.a.4, all pleadings, motions, and other papers tendered for filing shall be plainly typed or written on one (1) side with one (1) inch margins on each side and properly paginated at the bottom of each page. In addition, all such papers shall be double-spaced and typed papers shall appear in twelve (12) point font size.

Trial scheduled to commence during two-week period beginning 120 days after dispositive motions deadline.

Source text: Trial is scheduled to commence during the two-week period beginning Monday, [counsel to input date that is 120 days after the filing deadline for dispositive motions] 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Courthouse, 400 N. Miami Avenue, Courtroom 11-4, Miami, Florida 33128.

Calendar call scheduled for Tuesday prior to trial commencement at 8:30 a.m.

Source text: Calendar Call: Tuesday, [counsel to input date that is the Tuesday prior to the first day of trial], at 8:30 a.m. at the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Courthouse, 400 N. Miami Avenue, Courtroom 11-4, Miami, Florida 33128.

Federal courthouse employees with valid ID exempt from device restrictions.

Source text: B. Any federal courthouse employee (United States Probation, Clerk's Office, Chambers Staff, and United States Marshals Service) with valid permanent government employee identification; or,

Federal prosecutor/public defender/bankruptcy trustee staff with valid ID exempt.

Source text: C. Any attorney or employee of the United States Attorney's Office, the Federal Public Defender's Office or the United States Bankruptcy Trustee with a valid identification card issued from that office; or,

Law enforcement officers with valid ID and official business exempt.

Source text: D. Any Special Agent for the United States Government or other law enforcement officer authorized to enforce the law within the Southern District of Florida, having official business within the courthouse facility and possessing a valid agency/department issued identification badge; or,

Attorneys with valid Florida Bar ID or pro hac vice order exempt.

Source text: E. Any attorney permitted to practice law within the Southern District of Florida with a valid Florida Bar identification card or pro hac vice order having business within the facility. This applies to attorneys only and precludes staff, investigators, clients, etc.; or,

Jurors and witnesses with subpoenas may bring phones and e-readers.

Source text: F. Prospective jurors and seated jurors and witnesses with subpoenas shall be permitted to bring in their cellular phones (with or without their integrated cameras) and electronic book readers of any kind, including but not limited to Kindles, Nooks, iPads, and any type of electronic tablet reading device; or,