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

Hon. Jared M. Strauss

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) ↗

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 Strauss — standing order

No written discovery motions concerning discovery disputes between parties shall be filed unless specifically authorized by Order. The moving party may request a discovery hearing -- only after adequate good faith conferral regarding each and every issue -- by filing a 'Notice of Discovery Dispute' (not a motion). The notice shall briefly describe (in one or two sentences) the nature of the discovery dispute, shall state the case's discovery deadline, shall briefly describe the efforts made to confer, shall provide the Court with at least three alternative dates within the ensuing two weeks that both counsel are available for a hearing (noting availability on each date as morning, afternoon, or all day), and shall state the amount of time that the parties anticipate needing for the hearing. The notice shall not include argument for the moving party's position. Conferral before asserting objections does not obviate the need to confer again before requesting a hearing (fn.1). Joint Discovery Status Report (chart, 1 page per request/issue) filed 48 hrs before hearing; email Word copy to strauss@flsd.uscourts.gov. Arguments at hearing treated as ore tenus motions; Rule 37(a)(5) fee-shifting applies.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Strauss — deviations that burn people
  • Boilerplate objections (vague, overbroad, or unduly burdensome) will be stricken. If a request is vague/overbroad/unduly burdensome, must confer with opposing counsel to narrow scope before asserting objections -- and must still respond as to matters where scope or burden is not contested. Prior conferral to narrow objections does NOT restart the conferral clock: must confer again separately before requesting a discovery hearing.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment