Judge Andrea M. Johnson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Email • No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing
Proposed Order
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Any attachment to a proposed order must simultaneously be submitted through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.
- File type
- PDF/A
- Proposed order
All proposed orders are to be submitted in Word Format only;
If the document is to be recorded (e.g., judgment), there must be a blank space measuring 3 inches by 3 inches at the top right for Clerk’s recording stamp;
For ease of readability, Judge Johnson strongly encourages Bookman Old Style, 12-point font with one-inch margins when drafting submitting proposed orders.
- Preferred font size
- 12 points
- Preferred margins
- 1 inch
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Bookman Old Style is strongly encouraged
The Court encourages text searchable courtesy copies.
The Court prefers exhibits in a tabbed, 3-ring binder.
- Binding
- Tabbed three-ring binder
- Exhibits
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
If filing for a continuance, state with specificity the requirements of Rule 1.460(d), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing. Please refer to Mandatory Use of Document Identification Number (DIN) section.
The Notice of Hearing you must include Judge Johnson’s Zoom credentials and explain that the parties may appear in the courtroom or remotely by Zoom.
If you seek to have Judge Johnson take action in your case, you must file a motion. Judge Johnson does not consider an email as a motion.
Please comply with this requirement for any motion to compel discovery.
Any motion requesting emergency attention or emergency hearing time must detail in the motion the emergency, the anticipated time needed and, where applicable, good faith efforts to resolve the matter without Court intervention.
For mandatory in-person hearings, the Notice of Hearing must reflect that the proceeding is in person.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter in PDF/A Format;
The Notice of Hearing must include the DIN when referencing any filing.
Judge Johnson expects that you will only submit a proposed order when all attorneys or parties agree on its form.
Please include the DIN when referencing any filing, especially on hearing notices and proposed orders.
Please do not include a directive such as “hold this proposed order for x days for an objection to be lodged.”
The proposed order should also warns that the failure to abide by the Order may result in further sanctions, including, without limitation, striking pleadings, dismissing the case, or other appropriate sanctions.
If there is a disagreement on the form, or an attorney does not respond within a reasonable time, you may then send the proposed order with a concise statement identifying the disagreement.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attachments to proposed orders must be submitted simultaneously through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.
Any attachment to a proposed order must simultaneously be submitted through the E-Filing Portal in PDF/A format.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Most self-represented litigants and attorneys must register with the E-Filing Portal to file and receive service of court documents as required by Rule 2.516.
Most self-represented litigants (pro se) as well as attorneys must register with the E-Filing Portal to send file and receive service of court documents as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Mandatory Use of the E-Filing Portal
All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.
All proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal;
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
An opposing attorney may submit an alternate proposed order through the Portal at the same time.
The opposing attorney may submit at the same time an alternate proposed order through the Portal.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
To seek excusal from the pretrial conference, the parties may submit the proposed pretrial conference order through the E-Filing Portal at least three business days beforehand.
Prior to the Pretrial Conference, the parties may complete a proposed Pretrial Conference Order found on the Civil Division page and submit to Judge Johnson via the E-filing Portal at least three business days prior to the Pretrial Conference to be excused from the hearing.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Pretrial Conference
For remote proceedings, parties must submit marked exhibits and confirm the Court received them three business days in advance.
For remote proceedings, parties must submit their marked exhibits three business days in advance and confirm receipt with the Court.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Legally required service on the judge must be made by email to the judicial assistant or hand delivery to the court deputy, followed by a call advising the assistant of service.
Petitions and motions that by law must be served upon the Judge (e.g., writs, appeals, disqualification motions), must be either emailed to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant or hand delivered to the Court Deputy on the 8th floor security office in the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center. Additionally, please call the Judicial Assistant to advise her of the service.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures — Required Service on the Court
Attorneys are expected to provide each other copies of all exhibits before the hearing or trial.
The Court expects the attorneys to have already provided each other copies of all exhibits before the hearing or trial.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Parties should give Zoom witnesses exhibit copies before the hearing and have electronic copies available for screen sharing.
Parties should provide Zoom witnesses with copies of the exhibits prior to the hearing and have electronic copies available for screen sharing during remote proceedings.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The submitting attorney must ensure all attorneys and self-represented parties receive courtesy copies of the proposed order and cover letter.
The submitting attorney must ensure that all attorneys and pro se parties receive a courtesy copy of both the proposed order and cover letter;
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders — Requirements for Proposed Orders
The scheduling party should email the judicial assistant one bookmarked PDF of courtesy copies no later than three business days before the hearing.
The Court requests the scheduling party to submit electronically, one bookmarked PDF document of courtesy copies no later than 3 business days prior to the hearing, emailed to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Do not send paper copies to the Court, except for evidence at evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials.
Please do not send paper copies of anything to the Court. The only exception is for paper copies of evidence at evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
All motions, including Daubert, summary judgment, and in limine motions, must be resolved by the Case Management Order deadline and scheduled for hearing before that deadline.
All motions, including Daubert, Summary Judgment, and In Limine motions, must be resolved in accordance with the deadline set forth in the Case Management Order. Please plan accordingly and schedule for hearing before any applicable deadline.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures & Conferences — Daubert, Summary Judgment, and In Limine Motions
Do not schedule reconsideration, rehearing, or new-trial motions for hearing; send the filed motions and a cover letter to the judicial assistant.
Do not set these motions for hearing. Please send a copy of the filed motions to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant with a cover letter.
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Reconsideration, Rehearing, and New Trial motions
A non-emergency continuance motion should generally be set for hearing.
Generally, for non-emergencies, the motion should be set for hearing.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances
A substitution-of-attorney motion does not require a hearing if client consent is filed with the motion.
If you are substituting as an attorney, no hearing is needed on a substitution if a client consent is filed with the Motion.
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Substitution as Attorney
A withdrawal motion may be submitted for decision without a hearing if the client consents and waives the hearing, and opposing counsel does not object.
If you file a client consent in which the client consents to the withdrawal and waives the hearing requirement under Rule 2.505(f)(1), you may submit a proposed order for approval without a hearing if there is no objection from opposing counsel.
Page 1 | B. Hearing Procedures — Motion for Withdrawal of Attorney
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuance motions are disfavored, should rarely be granted, and require good cause.
Pursuant to Rule 1.460, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, motions to continue trial are disfavored and should rarely be granted and then only upon good cause shown.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances
Successive trial continuances are highly disfavored.
Successive continuances are highly disfavored.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances
A lack of due diligence in trial preparation is not grounds for a continuance.
Lack of due diligence in preparing for trial is not grounds to continue a case.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial — Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
The filer of an emergency motion must telephone the judicial assistant and email the assistant a copy of the motion.
The attorney or party filing the motion must (1) telephone Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant regarding the motion, and (2) email a copy of the motion to Judge Johnson’s Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | F. Emergency & Other Urgent Matters
Self-represented litigants may communicate with the judge about their case at a hearing, not by contacting the judge directly outside court.
Your opportunity to communicate with Judge Johnson about your case is at a hearing. The Judge cannot discuss your case outside of the courtroom, so please do not call or attempt to speak with the Judge directly.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)
The judicial assistant cannot give legal advice, help prepare filings, or communicate on behalf of a self-represented litigant.
However, the Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice, cannot help prepare filings, and cannot communicate on your behalf.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)
Do not ask the judicial assistant about a hearing’s outcome or whether an order has been signed.
Please do not ask the Judicial Assistant for the outcome of a hearing or whether an order has been signed.
Page 1 | C. Communications with the Court — Self-represented Litigants (pro se)