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

Hon. David S. Leibowitz

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 Leibowitz — standing order

Email (leibowitz@flsd.uscourts.gov) is the preferred method of communication. Counsel may contact chambers, including the courtroom deputy and/or the law clerks, regarding procedures specific to Judge Leibowitz. 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. All communications must copy all opposing counsel or pro se parties.

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 Leibowitz — standing order

As required by Local Rule 7.1(a)(2), a Microsoft word version of all proposed orders must be emailed to leibowitz@flsd.uscourts.gov after being filed on the docket.

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) ↗

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) ↗

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Leibowitz — deviations that burn people
  • - Only criminal procedures are published; civil practice follows the Local Rules and the case scheduling order entirely.
  • - Do not assume the published criminal procedures (72-hour extension/continuance deadline) apply to civil cases -- confirm the applicable deadline in the civil scheduling order.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment