Judge M. James Lorenz
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(c), class certification motions should be determined "at an early practicable time after" a putative class action is filed. Accordingly, any motions for class certification shall be filed no later than 60 calendar days before the motion cut-off date set by the Magistrate Judge in the case management order.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
If a pleading has more than 3 (three) exhibits, the exhibits must be tabbed.
- More than 3 pages
The pages of each pleading must be firmly bound at the top. In no event shall a courtesy copy of a pleading be delivered unbound.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
All extraneous information (i.e., attorney and firm name, headers, footers and watermarks) must be removed from the proposed order.
Government must provide exhibit list and pre-mark all exhibits on first day of trial.
- Document
- Exhibits
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Court's wording
Government counsel must provide a list of exhibits and give it to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk on the first day of trial. All exhibits must be pre-marked on the first day of trial. Exhibit stickers may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court or from the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, in advance of trial.
Court prefers Ninth Circuit Model Instructions; other instructions require authority citation and specific modifications.
Court's wording
The Court prefers to use the Model Jury Instructions for the Ninth Circuit whenever possible. However, the Court will accept other proposed jury instruction(s) as the need arises, but counsel must cite the authority supporting the proposed instruction(s). Any proposed instruction from statutory authority or the Ninth Circuit Model Instructions must state specifically the modification and the authority supporting the modification.
Parties must review and suggest modifications to jury instructions before submission to jury.
Court's wording
Before the case is submitted to the jury, the Court will provide each party with the jury instructions the Court intends to use. It is each party’s responsibility to carefully review the instructions and make suggestions to the Court if modifications seem necessary.
Supplemental instructions must be filed as soon as the need for the instruction becomes apparent.
- Document
- Jury instructions
Must include
- •Supplemental instructions
The parties are encouraged to submit proposed jury instructions to the Court no later than the first day of trial, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Criminal trials generally run 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting Tuesdays.
Court's wording
In general, criminal trials are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., beginning on Tuesdays (civil trials may be more flexible. Jury deliberations proceed from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Court will notify the parties of deviations from this schedule and when possible will attempt to accommodate jurors, witnesses and counsel, should conflicts arise.
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies required for filings over 20 pages.
Courtesy copies of filings exceeding 20 pages shall be delivered directly to chambers.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies
Filing Bundling Requirements
Multiple parties should coordinate/consolidate briefing for same relief.
If multiple parties are moving for substantially the same relief, or opposing a motion seeking substantially the same relief sought against them, noticed for the same hearing date, counsel shall make every effort to coordinate and consolidate the briefing or use the notice of joinder procedure so as to avoid duplication in briefing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Motion Briefing
Multiple motions by same party must be bundled.
When the same party is noticing multiple motions for the same hearing date, the motions must be briefed together in one memorandum of points and authorities.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Motion Briefing
Multiple parties moving for same relief should coordinate hearing dates.
If multiple parties are moving for substantially the same relief, they shall make every effort to obtain the same hearing date for their motions.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Motion Briefing
Chambers Communication Rules
Contact chambers well in advance if filing cross-motion to summary judgment.
If upon being served with a summary judgment motion an opposing party determines that it intends to file a cross-motion, the party must contact chambers well in advance of the due date for the opposition to the first-filed summary judgment motion.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Summary Judgment Motions and Cross-Motions