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

Rodolfo A. Ruiz II

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) ↗

👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d). Title must include 'ex parte.' Filing restricted from public docket upon submission.

Lead counsel requirements
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Multiple plaintiffs or defendants shall file joint motions with co-parties unless there are clear conflicts of position.

Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Chambers email (ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov) is the preferred method. Phone for time-sensitive matters or emergencies. Chambers will not answer questions about procedures governed by the Federal Rules or Local Rules.

Settlement notification
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Immediately contact chambers by telephone (305-523-5730) and/or email (ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov) and file a notice of settlement on CM/ECF. Mediation required in all cases; virtual mediation requires a motion before filing the Notice of Mediator Selection.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order
Motion

Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum. Every motion, response, and reply shall be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point typeface.

Opposition

Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 20 pages maximum.

Reply

Per Local Rules (S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2)): 10 pages maximum.

Font & formatting
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point typeface. Required for all motions, responses, and replies.

Footnote policy
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Not specified.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order
Notice period

Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after service of opposition. Per Local Rules.

Hearing days

No standing motion calendar. Counsel must appear in person for hearings on all substantive motions. No hearing held unless set by the Court. To request a hearing, follow Local Rule 7.1(b)(2).

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order
Details

Not required.

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 Ruiz — standing order

All proposed orders in Microsoft Word format to ruiz@flsd.uscourts.gov. CRITICAL ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (1) Unopposed motions: submit proposed order granting the requested relief in Word format on the SAME DAY the motion is filed. (2) Motions with no response filed: moving party must submit proposed order granting relief within SEVEN (7) DAYS after the response deadline passes with no filing. Do not wait to be reminded.

Filing under seal
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order
Default practice

No hearing unless set by the Court. To request a hearing, follow Local Rule 7.1(b)(2). In-person required for substantive motions.

Tentative rulings
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order
Practice

Not issued. FL-SD does not use a tentative ruling system.

Prohibition

N/A.

Remote appearances
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Counsel may request to appear by telephone or video teleconference by Motion filed at least one (1) day before the scheduled hearing.

Continuances & calendar conflicts
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Per S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1 and any case-specific scheduling orders. Calendar calls typically held Tuesday before two-week trial period at 11:00 a.m. No pretrial conference unless requested for good cause.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

All discovery referred to assigned magistrate judge. Follow that magistrate's discovery procedures to determine whether written discovery motions are permitted.

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Ruiz — standing order

Governed entirely by the assigned magistrate judge's procedures. The Court refers all discovery matters to the paired magistrate. Check the magistrate's individual procedures for the operative model.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Ruiz — deviations that burn people
  • CRITICAL: Unopposed motions require a proposed order submitted on the SAME DAY the motion is filed -- not after it's granted.
  • CRITICAL: If no response is filed, you must still submit a proposed order within 7 days of the response deadline. The Court does not prompt you.
  • Telephone/video appearance requires a motion filed at least 1 day before the hearing -- not a request, a motion.
  • All discovery disputes go to the assigned magistrate. Do not contact Judge Ruiz's chambers about discovery.
  • Mediation is mandatory; virtual mediation requires a motion before the Notice of Mediator Selection is filed.
  • Multiple defendants must file a single combined response absent clear conflicts of position.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment