Judge Dale A. Drozd
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Upon Filing
- Hand Delivery
- Not required
TRO Motions, Preliminary Injunction Motions
- 1 copy
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Opposing Party
Page & Word Limits3 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless prior leave of court is obtained, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 15 pages.
Summary: Moving/opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages.
Brief
25 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Reply Brief
15 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Unless prior leave of court is obtained, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 15 pages.
Summary: Moving/opposition briefs and legal memoranda limited to 25 pages; reply briefs limited to 15 pages; prior leave required for extensions.
Brief
25 pages
Reply Brief
15 pages
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Only for good cause shown will the court grant an application to extend these page limitations. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave of court may not be considered.
Summary: Page limits may be extended only for good cause; exceeding limits without leave may result in non-consideration.
Brief
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All briefs must be submitted using Times New Roman font of no less than 12pt size. Footnotes must be no more than one size smaller than the text size.
Summary: Briefs must use Times New Roman, minimum 12pt font, footnotes no smaller than 11pt.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All briefs must be submitted using Times New Roman font of no less than 12pt size. Footnotes must be no more than one size smaller than the text size.
Summary: All briefs must use Times New Roman font at least 12pt; footnotes may be no more than one size smaller than body text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement must also be e-mailed as a Word document to: dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Summary: Joint Pretrial Statements must be submitted in Word (DOCX) format.
DOCX
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Trials will be conducted in Courtroom 4 on the 15th floor. Trials will begin on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. Trials will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Summary: Trials held in Courtroom 4, 15th floor, starting Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday-Friday.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed seven days before the date set for the Final Pretrial Conference and must also be e-mailed as a Word document to: dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Summary: Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed 7 days before Final Pretrial Conference and emailed as Word doc.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel for plaintiff shall immediately serve this order on all parties, including any new parties added to the action in the future, unless this case came to the court by noticed removal, in which case defendant shall serve this order on all other parties.
Summary: Plaintiff must serve this order on all parties unless case came by removal, then defendant serves.
Document Type
Standing Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A notice of motion shall contain a certification by counsel filing the motion that meet and confer efforts have been exhausted, with a very brief summary of meet and confer efforts.
Summary: Motion notice must include certification of exhausted meet and confer efforts with brief summary.
Document Type
Notice Of Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Finally, no supplemental briefs shall be filed without prior leave of court.
Summary: Supplemental briefs require prior leave of court.
Document Type
Supplemental Brief
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The filer shall include an affidavit indicating a satisfactory explanation for the following: (1) the need for the issuance of such an order, (2) the inability of the filer to obtain a stipulation for the issuance of such an order from other counsel provided by Local Rule 230.
Summary: Ex parte applications require affidavit explaining need and inability to obtain stipulation.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties are required to comply with Local Rule 233 when filing miscellaneous administrative matters. As stated in that rule, such matters may include 'motions to exceed applicable page limitations; requests to shorten time on a motion; requests to extend a response deadline; requests to alter a briefing schedule; or requests to alter a discovery schedule that does not affect dispositive motion filing dates, trial dates, or the final pre-trial conference.' See L.R. 233. Parties shall comply will all procedural requirements set forth in Local Rule 233, including that a motion for administrative relief be accompanied by a proposed order. L.R. 233(a).
Summary: Administrative relief motions require compliance with L.R. 233 and proposed order.
Document Type
Administrative Relief Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
with the exception that proposed orders shall be submitted with motions for a temporary restraining order and motions for a preliminary injunction.
Summary: Proposed orders must be submitted with motions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A notice of motion shall contain a certification by counsel filing the motion that meet and confer efforts have been exhausted, with a very brief summary of meet and confer efforts.
Summary: Notice of motion must include a certification that meet and confer efforts are exhausted, plus a brief summary of those efforts.
Document Type
Notice Of Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties are not required to submit proposed orders with civil motions set for hearing before Judge Drozd, with the exception that proposed orders shall be submitted with motions for a temporary restraining order and motions for a preliminary injunction.
Summary: Proposed orders are not required for most civil motions, but are mandatory for TRO and preliminary injunction motions.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In addition, the document(s) must indicate whether or not an opposition will be filed. The filer shall include an affidavit indicating a satisfactory explanation for the following: (1) the need for the issuance of such an order, (2) the inability of the filer to obtain a stipulation for the issuance of such an order from other counsel or parties in the action, and (3) why such request cannot be noticed on the court's motion calendar as provided by Local Rule 230.
Summary: Ex parte applications must indicate if an opposition will be filed and include an affidavit explaining the need for the order, inability to obtain a stipulation, and why the request was not noticed on the motion calendar per Local Rule 230.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
including that a motion for administrative relief be accompanied by a proposed order. L.R. 233(a).
Summary: Motions for administrative relief must be accompanied by a proposed order as required by Local Rule 233(a).
Document Type
Motion For Administrative Relief
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In those cases in which Judge Drozd is conducting the Final Pretrial Conference, the parties are required to submit a Joint Pretrial Statement pursuant to Local Rule 281. The parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed seven days before the date set for the Final Pretrial Conference and must also be e-mailed as a Word document to: dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov. Separate pretrial statements are not permitted unless a party is not represented by counsel. The Joint Pretrial statement must cover all topics detailed in Local Rule 281 with the following clarifications: i. the parties must include a neutral joint statement of case; ii. all duplicative or overlapping exhibits between parties must be listed as joint exhibits on a separate joint exhibit list, identified as JX−1, JX−2, etc.; iii. plaintiff’s exhibits shall be listed numerically, and defendant’s exhibits shall be listed alphabetically; iv. all exhibits must be identified with a reasonable amount of detail (e.g., date, Bates-stamp number, description, estimated page length) so that there is no confusion as to what exhibit is identified; v. all remaining issues (e.g., claims, affirmative defenses, forms of relief) asserted in the action must be stated under the points of law section or identified as an abandoned issue; and vi. motions in limine listed should be limited to those which the parties reasonably anticipate filing.
Summary: Joint Pretrial Statements (per Local Rule 281) must be filed 7 days before Final Pretrial Conference, include required content clarifications, and prohibit separate statements unless party is pro se.
Document Type
Joint Pretrial Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Counsel for plaintiff shall immediately serve this order on all parties, including any new parties added to the action in the future, unless this case came to the court by noticed removal, in which case defendant shall serve this order on all other parties.
Summary: Plaintiff's counsel must immediately serve this order on all parties (or defendant if case is noticed removal), including newly added parties.
Document Type
Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
In addition, parties shall provide proposed consent decrees where applicable, and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law following
Summary: Proposed consent decrees and findings of fact/conclusions of law required where applicable.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
The parties are not required to submit proposed orders with civil motions set for hearing before Judge Drozd, with the exception that proposed orders shall be submitted with motions for a temporary restraining order and motions for a preliminary injunction.
Summary: Proposed orders not required for civil motions except for TROs and preliminary injunctions.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Judge Drozd does not issue tentative rulings.
Document Type
Motion
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All motions shall be noticed for hearing. It is not necessary to clear a date prior to scheduling a civil law and motion matter for hearing.
Summary: All motions must be noticed for hearing; no date clearing required.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
TRO/injunction papers require courtesy copy to chambers.
Parties seeking emergency or provisional relief shall comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 and Local Rule 231. The court typically will not rule on any application for such relief for at least twenty-four (24) hours after the party subject to the requested order has been served; such party may file opposing or responding papers in the interim. The parties shall lodge a courtesy copy with chambers of all papers relating to proposed TROs and injunctions, conformed to reflect that they have been filed.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Courtesy copies required for documents exceeding 25 pages.
Counsel shall have delivered to the Clerk’s Office clearly marked conformed courtesy copies of all manually filed documents and courtesy copies of all electronically filed documents that exceed twenty-five (25) pages (including exhibits and attachments), bearing the ECF date/page stamp at the top of the page, by either personally delivering them or sending them by guaranteed overnight delivery.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
All papers related to proposed TROs and injunctions must be lodged as courtesy copies with chambers, conformed to show they have been filed.
The parties shall lodge a courtesy copy with chambers of all papers relating to proposed TROs and injunctions, conformed to reflect that they have been filed.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | G. TROs and Injunctions
Parties are prohibited from sending courtesy copies unless the court specifically directs them to do so.
Parties are directed not to send any courtesy copies unless specifically directed to do so by the court.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | F. Courtesy Copies
No courtesy copies needed for answers or shorter pleadings.
The parties need not provide courtesy copies of answers or shorter pleadings.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
No signature required for overnight courtesy copies.
If a courtesy copy is sent by guaranteed overnight delivery, the sender shall notify the delivery service that the signature of the recipient is not required.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Sealing/redaction requires court approval; direct to Judge Drozd if he decides the motion.
No document will be sealed, nor shall a redacted be filed, without the prior approval of the court. If a document for which sealing or redaction is sought relates to the record on a motion to be decided by Judge Drozd, the request to seal or redact should be directed to him and not the assigned Magistrate Judge.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
All requests to seal or redact documents require prior court approval, must comply with Local Rules 140 and 141, and follow specified electronic filing and email submission procedures.
No document will be sealed, nor shall a redacted be filed, without the prior approval of the court. If a document for which sealing or redaction is sought relates to the record on a motion to be decided by Judge Drozd, the request to seal or redact should be directed to him and not the assigned Magistrate Judge. All requests to seal or redact shall be governed by Local Rules 141 (sealing) and 140 (redaction). Protective orders covering the discovery phase shall not govern the filing of sealed or redacted documents on the public docket. The court will only consider requests to seal or redact filed by the proponent of sealing or redaction. If a party plans to make a filing that includes material an opposing party has identified as confidential and potentially subject to sealing or redacting, the filing party shall provide the opposing party with sufficient notice in advance of filing to allow for the seeking of an order of sealing or redaction from the court. Pursuant to Local Rule 141, a Notice of Request to Seal Document(s) must be filed electronically. The Request to Seal, a proposed sealing order (in Word), and all documents covered by the request must be emailed to dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov. If the request is approved and notice of electronic filing of the sealing order is received, all documents covered by the order must be emailed to ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov for filing under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 4 | V. SEALING, REDACTING, AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS
Protective orders don't govern sealed/redacted filings; only proponent can request.
Protective orders covering the discovery phase shall not govern the filing of sealed or redacted documents on the public docket. The court will only consider requests to seal or redact filed by the proponent of sealing or redaction.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Pre-filing meet and confer required for motions in cases with represented parties.
Prior to filing a motion in a case in which the parties are represented by counsel, counsel shall engage in a pre-filing meet and confer to discuss thoroughly the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Counsel must conduct a pre-filing meet and confer on motion substance before filing any motion in cases where all parties are represented.
Prior to filing a motion in a case in which the parties are represented by counsel, counsel shall engage in a pre-filing meet and confer to discuss thoroughly the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution. Counsel should resolve minor procedural or other non-substantive matters during the meet and confer process so that briefing on motions that proceed to hearing is directed only to those substantive issues requiring resolution by the court.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | I. LAW AND MOTION C. Meet and Confer Requirement
Motions in limine are prohibited from being filed prior to the pretrial conference.
The parties shall not file motions in limine prior to the pretrial conference.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 5 | A. Pretrial Statements and Final Pretrial Conference
Chambers Communication Rules
Sealing requests require electronic Notice and email to dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Pursuant to Local Rule 141, a Notice of Request to Seal Document(s) must be filed electronically. The Request to Seal, a proposed sealing order (in Word), and all documents covered by the request must be emailed to dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov. If the request is approved and notice of electronic filing of the sealing order is received, all documents covered by the order must be emailed to ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov for filing under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Ex parte applications require notice to courtroom deputy and opposing party.
Ex parte applications typically are not heard but are submitted by the court unless otherwise notified. The filer is required to contact the courtroom deputy and the opposing party prior to the filing of the ex parte application in order to advise that such request is being made.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Joint Pretrial Statements must be emailed to chambers at dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
The parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement must also be e-mailed as a Word document to: dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 5 | A. Pretrial Statements and Final Pretrial Conference
Attorneys must arrange IT training for courtroom AV equipment before trial.
The Courtroom has a variety of audio/visual equipment available to use for trial purposes. Available equipment includes: ELMOs, projectors, plasma screens, microphones, assisted listening devices and laptop connections. Attorneys should arrange through the Courtroom Deputy a time to meet with court Information Technology staff for training on electronic equipment prior to trial.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 6 | VII. TRIAL
Counsel must arrange with Courtroom Deputy for clearance to bring large items to courtroom.
To bring large physical items, demonstrative exhibits, or electronic equipment, etc., to the courtroom, counsel must make arrangements with the Courtroom Deputy, who will contact Court Security for clearance to enter the building with the items.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 6 | VII. TRIAL
Filing party must notify opposing party before filing confidential material.
If a party plans to make a filing that includes material an opposing party has identified as confidential and potentially subject to sealing or redacting, the filing party shall provide the opposing party with sufficient notice in advance of filing to allow for the seeking of an order of sealing or redaction from the court.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Parties receive hearing Zoom credentials via email from courtroom deputy Pete Buzo at PBuzo@caed.uscourts.gov.
Parties will receive a Zoom ID number and password for the hearing by email from Judge Drozd’s Courtroom Deputy Pete Buzo (PBuzo@caed.uscourts.gov).
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | I. LAW AND MOTION A. Calendar
Sealing requests and proposed sealing orders in Word format must be emailed to dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
The Request to Seal, a proposed sealing order (in Word), and all documents covered by the request must be emailed to dadorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 4 | V. SEALING, REDACTING, AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS
Approved sealed documents must be emailed to ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov for filing under seal.
If the request is approved and notice of electronic filing of the sealing order is received, all documents covered by the order must be emailed to ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov for filing under seal.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 4 | V. SEALING, REDACTING, AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS