Civil motions are heard on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Please check the Closed Motion Dates before filing a motion. Other than discovery motions discussed below, or as set forth in an applicable scheduling and case management order, it is not necessary to clear a civil motion date with the Court before filing the motion.

Judge Kwok does not require courtesy copies of electronically filed documents. The only exception is for summary judgment motions and oppositions in civil cases. Mandatory chambers copies of those documents must be delivered to Judge Kwok's drop box (outside Room 1200 on the 12th Floor of the Roybal Federal Building) by noon on the day after filing. Chambers copies do not need to be bluebacked. In habeas corpus cases and Social Security disability cases, Judge Kwok does not require hard copies of materials that are lodged electronically. Electronic copies of proposed orders in Microsoft Word must be emailed to the Court at DMK_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.

Remote Appearances: The Court permits video and hybrid appearances at hearings on most non-evidentiary motions with advanced approval. A party wishing to appear by video must email that request to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk at DMK_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov, no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and must cc opposing counsel on the request. Public access is provided in the assigned courtroom.

Informal Discovery Conference. Discovery disputes often may be resolved without the need for formal motion papers... First, as Local Civil Rule 37-1 requires, the parties must meet and confer in a good-faith effort to resolve any discovery dispute. Second, if the parties conclude that they have reached an impasse, within two business days of the last meet-and-confer session, the movant must e-mail the Court at DMK_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov seeking a conference with the Court via Zoom to discuss the discovery dispute. The procedure does not apply to ex parte applications, where the motion is filed by a non-party, or where a party to the discovery dispute is in custody and is self-represented.