Southern District of Florida
Local rules, motion practice, and judge procedures for S.D. Fla. practitioners.
Orientation
At a Glance
Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Southern District of Florida. | Topic | Rule | Key...
Judge-Specific Procedures
SDFL judges maintain individual standing orders that supplement and sometimes modify local rules. If judge's discovery...
Pro Hac Vice
SDFL pro hac vice: $250 per attorney per case. Local counsel (SDFL bar member, authorized CM/ECF filer) required. PHV...
Filing
Filing & Service (CM/ECF)
All SDFL bar members must file electronically via CM/ECF. No fax filing. Registration requires mandatory online training...
Proposed Orders
SDFL requires proposed orders with specific motions (habeas, default, pro hac vice, stipulation approval, emergency/ex...
Formatting
Motion Practice
Briefing Schedule & Deadlines
Opposition due 14 days after service. Reply due 7 days after service of opposition. Failure to file may be deemed cause...
Motion Practice & Hearings
SDFL uses a no-hearing-unless-set-by-the-Court model (L.R. 7.1(b)(1)). To request oral argument, include a separate...
Conferral / Meet and Confer
Before filing any motion in a civil case, counsel must confer (orally or in writing) with all affected parties in good...
Court-Annexed Mediation
Mediation is mandatory in virtually every SDFL civil case. Parties select mediator within 14 days of referral order; if...