Judge Michael D. Washington
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
For an IDC, the parties must submit a joint brief of no more than 5 pages by the preceding Friday, identifying the specific matters in dispute.
The parties must submit a joint brief, no longer than 5 pages, by the Friday before the IDC, listing the specific matters in dispute.
Brief
5 pages
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The joint IDC brief must identify the specific matters in dispute.
The parties must submit a joint brief, no longer than 5 pages, by the Friday before the IDC, listing the specific matters in dispute.
Document Type
Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must provide a Joint Trial Notebook at Trial Call containing the ten listed items and following the stated requirements for witness descriptions, exhibits, jury instructions, and verdict forms.
Counsel are required to provide a Joint Trial Notebook at Trial Call that includes: 1. Table of Contents; 2. Joint Trial Readiness Report; 3. Motions In Limine / Oppositions with an index of the motions; 4. Joint Witness List with a short sentence describing the witness (i.e. "Dr. Jane Smith, an internist from Mercy Hospital"); 5. Joint Exhibit List (follow grid format on attachment to the Advance Trial Review Orders); 6. Trial Briefs; 7. Joint Statement of the Case (if not in Joint Trial Readiness Report); 8. Proposed Voir Dire questions counsel want the Court to ask; 9. Jury Instructions - One set in sequential order with a post-it note indicating who objects to the instruction; 10. Special Verdict Forms - either agreed upon forms or each side’s proposed forms. The forms should follow CACI as closely as possible and include all cause of actions and all parties. The verdict forms should be complete and on pleading paper without the firm name.
Document Type
Joint Trial Notebook
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
The proposed order should include the dates the parties are agreeing to.
The Proposed Order should have the proposed dates that the parties or agreeing to.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The joint IDC brief must be submitted by the Friday before the conference.
The parties must submit a joint brief, no longer than 5 pages, by the Friday before the IDC, listing the specific matters in dispute.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | 3.4 Informal Discovery Conferences
Minor's compromise papers must be submitted by noon on the business day before the hearing.
Minor's compromise papers must be submitted no later than noon the business day prior to the scheduled hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3.6 Minor's Compromise
A complete joint trial readiness conference report must be filed five days before the hearing.
A complete joint trial readiness conference report must be filed five days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3.8 Joint Trial Readiness Conferences
Filing Fees and Waivers
No fee is charged to file a Declaration Re: Discovery Meet and Confer.
There is no fee for filing a Declaration Re: Discovery Meet and Confer.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3.7 Law and Motion Hearings
No fee is charged for a Minor's Compromise hearing.
There is no fee for a Minor's Compromise hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3.6 Minor's Compromise
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The Court encourages parties in discovery disputes to schedule an IDC to try to resolve the dispute without a formal noticed motion.
Department 73 no longer has a dedicated motion date for Discovery disputes, and therefore encourages the parties engaged in Discovery disputes to schedule an IDC to help resolve disputes without the need for a formal noticed motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | 3.4 Informal Discovery Conferences
Counsel must meet and confer before filing a demurrer.
Counsel must meet and confer prior to filing demurrers (see CCP 430.41).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | 3.7 Law and Motion Hearings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Counsel may continue a Case Management Conference by stipulation.
Case Management Conferences may be continued by stipulation of counsel.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | 4.1 Case Management Conferences
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel who will be late for an appearance must contact the Courtroom Clerk in advance.
If for any reason you will be late for an appearance, please contact the Courtroom Clerk in advance.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | 2.1 General