I. SCHEDULING AND COURT HOURS
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Motions. Motions are heard on Mondays. It is not necessary to clear a date with the Courtroom Clerk prior to filing a motion.
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Civil Motions, Status Conferences, and Pre-Trial Conferences are set for Mondays at 8:30 a.m.
Criminal Motions, Status Conferences, Pleas, and Sentencings are set for Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
Trials. Trials are held Tuesday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until the Court recesses for the day.
II. MOTION PRACTICE
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Filing in Santa Ana. Counsel are encouraged to file all motions and other papers in the Southern Division in Santa Ana, not Los Angeles, as doing so means that the papers reach chambers more quickly.
Continuances. Continuances are rarely granted. To request a continuance of a hearing date, a stipulation signed by all parties should be filed, setting forth in detail the reason for the requested continuance. Ex parte applications for continuances will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Tentative rulings. The Court may issue a tentative ruling on a motion. If so, copies will be distributed to counsel the morning of the hearing.
Court appearances. Parties shall be represented at all court appearances by the counsel expected to be in charge of conducting trial on behalf of the parties. Under no circumstances should counsel, or a party if the party is appearing pro se, fail to appear at a court appearance unless their appearance has been waived by prior order of the Court. Even if a settlement has been reached, counsel for all parties, or the party if appearing pro se, must appear at court appearances until a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties has been lodged with the Court.
III. THE COURT’S STANDARD ORDERS
Early in the litigation of a case, the Court sends out an Order Setting a Scheduling Conference. This Order provides important guidance regarding the procedures counsel should follow. At or after the Scheduling Conference, the Court provides counsel with a Scheduling Order. This Order confirms the dates selected by counsel and the Court and provides further guidance regarding the procedures that counsel should follow. Both Orders should be read and attended to carefully, as compliance with the Orders is required. Samples of the Orders can be obtained by clicking on the attachments below.
IV. LAW CLERK AND EXTERN APPLICATIONS
Law clerk and extern applications should be mailed to chambers (United States Courthouse, 411 West Fourth Street, Suite 9-160, Santa Ana, CA 92701-4516). Questions should be directed to the Judge’s law clerks, who can be reached by calling 714-338-4545. Clerkship applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, brief writing sample (suggested length is under 15 pages), and 2-3 letters of recommendation. Externship applicants should submit the same materials, except that letters of recommendation are not required.
Other information:
Counsel are directed to comply with all Local Rules. If counsel have received a "Notice to Parties of ADR Pilot Program" (form ADR-08, ADR-10, or ADR-11 with attached "ADR Pilot Program Questionnaire" form ADR-09), please see the section on the Court's website entitled "ADR," General Order 02-07, for further information. The ADR section also contains Attorney Settlement Officer information.
To obtain a transcript of any reported or digitally recorded proceeding, please contact the assigned court reporter/recorder. To determine the court reporter/recorder for a particular proceeding, go to the Court Reporter Schedule web page and click on View by Date. Once you've determined the correct court reporter/recorder for the desired session, click on Court Reporter Phone and Email List for contact information.
Mandatory Chambers Copies of all e-filed documents shall be delivered to the courtesy copy box on the 9th Floor. It is imperative that mandatory chambers copies be delivered by noon following the date of filing as required by General Order 08-11.IV.D. Failure to deliver timely mandatory chambers copies may result in a delay in hearing a motion or ordering the matter off calendar. |