Counsel may contact chambers, including the courtroom deputy and/or the law clerks, about procedures specific to Judge Elfenbein and for scheduling hearings. Chambers will not answer questions regarding substantive matters pertaining to the case or procedures that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and/or the Local Rules for the Southern District of Florida otherwise govern. Likewise, chambers will not provide advice on how to handle legal questions. When contacting chambers, please have all counsel of record or pro se parties, as applicable, on the telephone call and be ready to provide the case number and presiding Judge so that we may better assist you. Absent a true emergency, counsel of record shall not contact chambers to ask questions concerning the status of pending matters. Except for any confidential statements submitted pursuant to the Court's Order Scheduling Settlement Conference, any communications via email should copy all counsel of record or any pro se parties, as applicable. Any proposed orders or scheduling matters can be communicated via email to Elfenbein@flsd.uscourts.gov

Settlement conferences generally start at 9 a.m. and continue until at least 12 p.m. The Court requires in-person appearances of parties with full authority to resolve the case. Counsel may move for Zoom appearances if there are truly extraordinary circumstances. Except for cases filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Court requires each party to submit a pre-conference, confidential settlement memorandum. Additional details will be outlined in the Court's Order Scheduling Settlement Conference.

Model A -- No motion without leave. Written discovery motions not permitted without leave of court. Personal conference (in-person or telephone) required; email alone insufficient. Court issues standing discovery order upon referral with specific procedures. Counsel shall not call chambers to seek an immediate ruling during a deposition.