Court Rules
Judge Alissa M. Ellison
Judge

Judge Alissa M. Ellison

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Motion

  • Email

Notice Of Hearing

  • Email

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Communication

Email

Chambers

gencivdivj@fljud13.org
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

813.272.6991
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

legalbailbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

ilbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

bonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide
Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingProposed OrdersLettersTRO/Injunction

Document Format Requirements2 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Competing proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email with “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email (gencivdivj@fljud13.org) with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

Required Format

DOCX

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Proposed orders must be submitted electronically in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Required Format

PDF

Document Filing Requirements8 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

An agreed proposed order must begin with “Agreed Order,” state in its first paragraph that the parties agree to the relief, and identify the underlying stipulation or motion.

Agreed orders. Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption. The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the order, and it must identify the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A unilateral hearing notice must describe in detail the efforts to reach agreement; a single email, letter, or ultimatum is insufficient, and a noncompliant hearing may be canceled without notice.

A notice of a hearing set unilaterally due to a lack of cooperation must describe, in detail, the efforts made to reach agreement on the hearing date. A single email, letter, or ultimatum is insufficient. Unilaterally set hearings that do not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date may be cancelled without notice.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A proposed-order cover letter must affirmatively state whether the other parties object or do not object to the order’s form.

The cover letter must affirmatively state whether the other parties object or do not object to the form of the order.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Failure to confer and include the required certification statement in a motion may result in denial without prejudice and cancellation of the hearing.

Failure to confer and certify the appropriate statement with the motion—with the detail required by the Administrative Order—will result in the motion being denied without prejudice and any hearing cancelled.

Document Type

Motion

Content & Formatting
Certificate Of Conference
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Except in rare circumstances, an agreed order not preceded by a motion or stipulation will be rejected.

Except in rare circumstances, agreed orders that are not preceded by a motion or stipulation will be rejected.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

Failure to timely submit a proposed order may result in denial of the motion without prejudice or a rehearing.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

A notice of hearing must be timely filed, include the filing date and docket number, and contain all information needed to access the hearing.

Notice of Hearings should include the date filed and docket number of the Matter being called up for hearing. Parties scheduling hearings must ensure that the notice of hearing is timely filed and contain all information necessary to access the hearing.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Content & Formatting
Case Number
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?

Proposed orders should be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the hearing date (if any) and stating whether all parties agree to the form of the order.

Summary: A proposed order should include a cover letter identifying the hearing date and stating whether all parties agree to the proposed form.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Exhibits and proposed documents for evidentiary hearings should be uploaded through the ePortal.

Exhibits for Evidentiary hearings should be uploaded via the eportal: proposed documents, exhibits

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Hearing Scheduling

If the parties agree, they must electronically file the relevant motions and responses and email the judicial assistant the titles of motions to be resolved without a hearing.

If the parties agree, e-file motions and responses and advise the judicial assistant via email of the title(s) of the specific motions you want the Judge to resolve without a hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Additional Procedures

Proposed orders must be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

Parties may not seek litigation relief by emailing chambers; relief must be sought by motion or stipulation, and unauthorized emailed requests may result in sanctions without further notice.

Litigation by emailing chambers is absolutely prohibited. All relief must be sought by motion or stipulation. Parties who seek any form of relief by emailing chambers—other than for administrative purposes allowed above—may be sanctioned without further notice.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Additional Procedures

The court will not accept documents submitted through ShareFile links.

Documents cannot be accepted via sharefile links.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A party objecting to an order’s form must immediately notify chambers and submit a competing order within three days.

Any party objecting to the form of an order must notify chambers immediately and submit a competing order within  3 days.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

Authorities and other documents intended for the court’s consideration must be filed in JAWS at least two business days before the hearing or by any earlier deadline required by the rules; late material will not be considered.

All authority or other documents you would like the Court to consider must be filed in JAWS no fewer than two business days prior to the hearing or as specifically required by the Rules, whichever is earlier. Material received after that deadline will not be considered.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Proposed orders following a hearing should be submitted within five days, although some instances permit submission within ten days.

Proposed orders following a hearing should be submitted within 5 days, but may be submitted within 10 days in some instances.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

A hearing may be noticed unilaterally only because of a lack of cooperation and must provide at least 60 days’ notice.

Unilateral notices of hearing. Hearings may be unilaterally noticed with a minimum of 60 days’ notice, and only due to a lack of cooperation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Hearing Scheduling

Courtesy Copy Requirements

After filing and properly emergency-flagging a motion, the filer must email the judicial assistant a courtesy copy so the court can act promptly.

After the motion is filed with the clerk and properly flagged as an emergency pursuant to Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 19 (B), please email the JA with a courtesy copy so the Court is aware of the need to act on the Motion. gencivdivj@fljud13.org

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the divisional email address.

A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the divisional email gencivdivj@fljud13.org.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Hearing Scheduling

Filing Bundling Requirements

Cross-noticing is prohibited; agreed additions must be cleared with chambers through an amended notice, while unilaterally cross-noticed motions will not be heard and may be denied without prejudice.

Cross-noticing. Cross-noticing hearings is absolutely prohibited. If the parties agree to add certain motions to a hearing, they should file an amended notice of hearing after clearing the addition with Judge Ellison’s chambers. Motions unilaterally cross-noticed will not be heard and may be denied without prejudice.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Hearing Scheduling

Hearing binders and other documents may not be submitted to chambers.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING HEARING BINDERS-Please do not submit any hearing binders or other documents to Chambers.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Mediation is required before trial except in extraordinary circumstances or when time does not allow it.

Except in extraordinary circumstances, or where time does not allow it, mediation will be required before trial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Additional Procedures

Every movant must confer with the opposing party or counsel in good faith to attempt to resolve the issues raised by the motion.

Good-Faith Conference. Movants must comply with paragraph 11(A) of Administrative Order  S-2024-046, which requires the movant to “confer with the opposing party or opposing counsel in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised by the motion.”

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Additional Procedures

A motion to compel must specifically describe the relief sought and include the required good-faith conference certification; noncompliant motions will be denied and their hearings canceled.

Motions to compel should describe with specificity the relief sought. The motion must comply with the good-faith conference certification requirements of Rule 1.380(a)(2) and paragraph 11(A) of Administrative Order S-2024-046. Motions that do not comply will be denied and hearings cancelled.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Additional Procedures

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A pretrial conference or trial may be canceled only if the matter is completely settled, and the settlement or dismissal notice must be emailed to the judicial assistant.

A Pretrial Conference or a Trial may not be cancelled unless the matter has been completely settled. If so, please email the Notice of Settlement or the Notice of Voluntary Dismissal to the JA to confirm the cancellation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Canceling Hearings, Pretrial Conferences, and Trials

Chambers Communication Rules

Parties seeking a hearing time for an attorney-fee determination must contact the divisional email address.

For Scheduling hearing time on the Determination on the Amount of Attorney’s Fees, please contact the divisional email gencivdivj@fljud13.org for requested time.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | UMC Dockets

A hearing canceled within 24 hours requires an emailed notice of cancellation; when cancellation occurs moments before the hearing, the judicial assistant must also be telephoned.

Canceling hearings within 24 hours of the hearing: Please email the JA a copy of the notice of cancellation; if it is moments before the scheduled time of the hearing, please also phone the JA, Jennifer, at 813-272-6991 so we know not to expect your attendance at the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Canceling Hearings, Pretrial Conferences, and Trials

Attorneys set UMC, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings through JAWS; pro se litigants may email the judicial assistant, and requests for 60-minute-or-longer hearings must be made to the judicial assistant.

UMC’s, 15 and 30minute hearings are to be set by attorneys through JAWS. Pro Se litigants may email the JA for hearing availability. Anyone requesting a hearing of 60 minutes or longer must contact the JA for availability. gencivdivj@fljud13.org

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Circuit Civil Division J Division Preferences - The Top Ten

Competing proposed orders must be emailed to the division email address with “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email (gencivdivj@fljud13.org) with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

Chambers emails must include all parties because they may be filed on the public docket as ex parte communications; court staff also may not give legal advice or discuss orders.

Please remember that court staff cannot give legal advice or discuss orders, and emails must include all parties or they will be filed on the public docket as ex parte communications.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

Parties must email the judge’s office to obtain a pretrial time.

Pre-Trials (Must e-mail Judge’s Office for a Time)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Schedule

Availability questions and requests for hearing time exceeding 30 minutes should be sent to chambers with all parties included.

If you have questions about availability or need more than 30minute hearing time, please contact chambers and please be sure to include all parties.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | UMC Dockets

Any message to chambers must include the sender’s name, case number, and phone number.

With any message, please include your name, case number, and phone number, so that we can respond as soon as possible.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

A hearing canceled more than 24 hours in advance may also be canceled through JAWS when it was scheduled there; if it was scheduled by email, the cancellation notice must be emailed to the judicial assistant.

If you are canceling more than 24 hours in advance and the hearing was scheduled through JAWS, you may cancel it also through JAWS. If you scheduled it by Emailing the JA, please email a notice of cancellation to her at gencivdivj@fljud13.org.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Canceling Hearings, Pretrial Conferences, and Trials

If a party can email briefs with embedded authorities, it may do so at least two business days before the hearing; otherwise, it must not send paper documents to chambers.

If you have the capability to submit your briefs with embedded cases, you may email that to the Division at gencivdivj@fljud13.org at least two business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Otherwise, do not send any paper documents to Chambers.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Questions and scheduling requests may be sent to chambers by email or phone.

Please contact chambers at gencivdivj@fljud13.org or 813.272.6991 if you have any questions. We maintain open lines of communication and are happy to help with scheduling.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

A competing-order email may briefly explain why the proposed form is correct but may not contain additional legal argument.

The email may briefly describe why the party’s proposed form is correct, but additional legal argument is prohibited.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Proposed Orders

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 727 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 126
  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 93
  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law
    Service
    Electronic service to court

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

  • Service
    Court service to all parties

    After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Probable cause application

    Law enforcement agency attorneys must submit the probable-cause application by email to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant for filing in the Clerk's Administrative File.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

About Judge Alissa M. Ellison

**Edgecomb Courthouse** - 800 E. Twiggs St., Room #512 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Courtroom #503 - Judicial Assistant: Jennifer Gonzalez - Phone: (813) 272-6991 - Email: gencivdivj@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Alissa M. Ellison's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: by email. After filing and properly emergency-flagging a motion, the filer must email the judicial assistant a courtesy copy so the court can act promptly.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Does Judge Alissa M. Ellison require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Alissa M. Ellison's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Mediation is required before trial except in extraordinary circumstances or when time does not allow it.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Additional Procedures

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

Judge Alissa M. Ellison's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Proposed orders must be submitted electronically in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

The rule requires proposed order. Failure to timely submit a proposed order may result in denial of the motion without prejudice or a rehearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

The rule requires case number. A notice of hearing must be timely filed, include the filing date and docket number, and contain all information needed to access the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Hearing Scheduling

How may parties contact Judge Alissa M. Ellison's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Alissa M. Ellison's chambers. Parties must email the judge’s office to obtain a pretrial time.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Schedule

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A pretrial conference or trial may be canceled only if the matter is completely settled, and the settlement or dismissal notice must be emailed to the judicial assistant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Canceling Hearings, Pretrial Conferences, and Trials

Does Judge Alissa M. Ellison require motion papers to be bundled?

No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Hearing binders and other documents may not be submitted to chambers.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials

Is electronic filing required before Judge Alissa M. Ellison?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders must be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proposed Orders

What filing deadlines does Judge Alissa M. Ellison set?

Authorities and other documents intended for the court’s consideration must be filed in JAWS at least two business days before the hearing or by any earlier deadline required by the rules; late material will not be considered.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Chambers Communications and Hearing Materials
Complete rules summary for Judge Alissa M. Ellison

Parties must email the judge’s office to obtain a pretrial time.

Attorneys set UMC, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings through JAWS; pro se litigants may email the judicial assistant, and requests for 60-minute-or-longer hearings must be made to the judicial assistant.

Parties seeking a hearing time for an attorney-fee determination must contact the divisional email address.

Availability questions and requests for hearing time exceeding 30 minutes should be sent to chambers with all parties included.

Proposed orders must be submitted electronically in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders must be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders following a hearing should be submitted within five days, although some instances permit submission within ten days.

Failure to timely submit a proposed order may result in denial of the motion without prejudice or a rehearing.

A proposed order should include a cover letter identifying the hearing date and stating whether all parties agree to the proposed form.

A proposed-order cover letter must affirmatively state whether the other parties object or do not object to the order’s form.

A party objecting to an order’s form must immediately notify chambers and submit a competing order within three days.

An agreed proposed order must begin with “Agreed Order,” state in its first paragraph that the parties agree to the relief, and identify the underlying stipulation or motion.

Except in rare circumstances, an agreed order not preceded by a motion or stipulation will be rejected.

Competing proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email with “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

Competing proposed orders must be emailed to the division email address with “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.

A competing-order email may briefly explain why the proposed form is correct but may not contain additional legal argument.

Questions and scheduling requests may be sent to chambers by email or phone.

Any message to chambers must include the sender’s name, case number, and phone number.

Chambers emails must include all parties because they may be filed on the public docket as ex parte communications; court staff also may not give legal advice or discuss orders.

Hearing binders and other documents may not be submitted to chambers.

If a party can email briefs with embedded authorities, it may do so at least two business days before the hearing; otherwise, it must not send paper documents to chambers.

Authorities and other documents intended for the court’s consideration must be filed in JAWS at least two business days before the hearing or by any earlier deadline required by the rules; late material will not be considered.

The court will not accept documents submitted through ShareFile links.

After filing and properly emergency-flagging a motion, the filer must email the judicial assistant a courtesy copy so the court can act promptly.

A hearing canceled within 24 hours requires an emailed notice of cancellation; when cancellation occurs moments before the hearing, the judicial assistant must also be telephoned.

A hearing canceled more than 24 hours in advance may also be canceled through JAWS when it was scheduled there; if it was scheduled by email, the cancellation notice must be emailed to the judicial assistant.

A pretrial conference or trial may be canceled only if the matter is completely settled, and the settlement or dismissal notice must be emailed to the judicial assistant.

A notice of hearing must be timely filed, include the filing date and docket number, and contain all information needed to access the hearing.

A courtesy copy of the notice of hearing should be emailed to the divisional email address.

A hearing may be noticed unilaterally only because of a lack of cooperation and must provide at least 60 days’ notice.

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