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

Hon. Yeney Hernandez

Verified 2026-06-25verify at the court's site ↗

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 Hernandez — standing order

Email Chambers_Hernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov within the 28-day discovery window; copy opposing counsel. Subject line must read: "Request for Discovery Hearing on [Case Number and Case Name]." Email must NOT contain any argument or background about the dispute -- only scheduling logistics (provide >=3 available dates within next 10 days with AM/PM/all-day designation).

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) ↗

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) ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Hernandez — standing order

Model A -- No motion without leave. Email Chambers_Hernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov within 28-day window; provide >=3 available dates within next 10 days with AM/PM/all-day designation. Within 1 business day of court confirming hearing, file Notice of Hearing (<=5 pages per side) framing issues only -- no argument in the Notice. Notice must attach: (A) proposed order with specific relief requested; (B) all source materials (interrogatories, responses, etc.); (C) list of legal citations + copies of authorities (may highlight passages and add parentheticals -- no argument). No additional materials after Notice is filed without leave. Email communications between counsel are not evidence; do not file conferral emails.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Hernandez — deviations that burn people
  • - The initial email to chambers requesting a discovery hearing must NOT contain any argument or background about the dispute -- only scheduling logistics.
  • - Strictly enforces L.R. 26.1(d): no Court intervention after discovery cutoff date.
  • - 28-day window strictly enforced.
  • - Rule 30(b)(6): scope objections must be served (not filed) in advance of deposition; adjudicated after deposition.
  • - Do not wait until end of discovery period -- failure to complete depositions before cutoff is not good cause for extension.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment