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

Hon. Lauren F. Louis

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 Louis — standing order

The parties shall confer and identify at least two (2) dates within the next fourteen (14) days at which they are available for a hearing. The movant shall send one (1) email, copying all parties, to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov. The subject line of the email shall include: "Request for Discovery Hearing." The email shall provide the case number, case caption, the jointly proposed dates for the hearing, and the anticipated duration of the hearing. The email shall certify that the parties have conferred in a good faith attempt to resolve their dispute but have been unable to do so. The Court will respond to the email, confirming the date and time at which the Informal Discovery Hearing will take place. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the Court confirming the hearing, the movant shall file a Notice of Hearing and simultaneously calendar a "Discovery Hearing" when prompted by the CM/ECF system.

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 Louis — standing order

By no later than 12:00 P.M. two business days before the Informal Discovery Hearing, each party shall send an email to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov, attaching copies of all materials relevant to the discovery dispute(s) ('Source Materials') and a proposed order setting forth the specific relief desired for each discovery request / category of discovery requests at issue.

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Louis — standing order

Proposed protective orders must be emailed to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov in Word format. Court will omit any provision that would allow parties to bypass L.R. 5.4 sealing requirements.

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 Louis — standing order

Within 24 hours of the Court confirming the Informal Discovery Hearing, the Movant shall file a Notice of Informal Discovery Hearing in CM/ECF. By no later than 12:00 P.M. two business days before the Informal Discovery Hearing, each party shall send an email to louis@flsd.uscourts.gov, attaching copies of all materials relevant to the discovery dispute(s) to be heard at the hearing.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Louis — deviations that burn people
  • - Sanctions motions (including motions to exclude undisclosed material) CANNOT use Pathway 2 informal hearing -- written motion only under Pathway 1.
  • - Providing discovery 'subject to and without waiving' an objection is improper: if you produce the material, the objection is waived.
  • - 'Not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence' is an outdated and disregarded objection under current rules.
  • - Rule 30(b)(6) scope objections: serve in advance of deposition (do not file); adjudicated after the deposition.
  • - 28-day window strictly enforced; all disputes must be FULLY COMPLETED before discovery cutoff.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment