judge console · S.D. Fla.
S.D. Fla. · Judge Bloom · Practice Guide

Hon. Beth Bloom

All local rules for S.D. Fla., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Include 'ex parte' in title and explain reasons for ex parte treatment; filing restricted from public view (public docket reflects only that a restricted filing was made) S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d)(1) ↗

Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Bloom — standing order

Counsel may contact chambers, including the courtroom deputy and/or the law clerks, regarding procedures that are specific to Judge Bloom, scheduling a hearing, etc. Chambers will not answer questions regarding substantive matters pertaining to the case or procedures that are otherwise governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and/or the Local Rules for the Southern District of Florida.

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule
Motion

20 pages maximum for motion and incorporated memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Opposition

20 pages maximum for opposing memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Reply

10 pages maximum for reply memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule
Notice period

Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after opposition S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(1) ↗

Hearing days

No hearing held unless set by the court S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1) ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Required for listed routine motions and for all emergency, ex parte, and TRO motions; Word format emailed to chambers per CM/ECF Admin. Procedures §3I(6) S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2) ↗

👤 Judge Bloom — standing order

Proposed Orders: dual requirement -- (1) attach PDF to CM/ECF with the motion; AND (2) email Word format (double-spaced TNR 12pt) to bloom@flsd.uscourts.gov. Both are required; omitting either is noncompliant.

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Bloom — standing order

Please follow CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. A courtesy copy does not need to be provided to chambers.

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Request hearing within motion or opposition in a separate titled section S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2) ↗

Remote appearances
👤 Judge Bloom — standing order

In-person required for all substantive motion hearings. Telephone appearance requires motion at least 1 day before the hearing. Telephone appearances must be made from a landline — cell phones are not accepted.

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Discovery motions may be referred to and heard by the assigned magistrate judge S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3) ↗

👤 Judge Bloom — standing order

Discovery: Judge Bloom refers most (not all) civil discovery to the paired magistrate judge. FLSA and ADA cases are typically placed on an expedited track with separate Initial Orders. Caution: Attachments tab includes 'Magistrate Judge Valle Discovery Procedures' (2017 PDF) -- Valle is not on the current FL-SD magistrate roster; reference is stale.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Bloom — deviations that burn people
  • - Dual proposed order requirement: (1) PDF attached to CM/ECF with the motion AND (2) Word document emailed to bloom@flsd.uscourts.gov -- both required; failing either is noncompliant.
  • - Telephone appearances require a landline; cell phones not accepted.
  • - Attachments tab still references 'Magistrate Judge Valle Discovery Procedures' (2017 PDF) -- Valle is not on the current FL-SD magistrate roster (stale); counsel must verify paired magistrate from case scheduling order.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment