Telephone Contact Information
Main Chambers: 305-523-5730
Courtroom Deputy: Graciela Gomez, 305-523-5736
Clerk end digits 0-2, 9: 305-523-5731
Clerk end digits 3-5, 9: 305-523-5733
Clerk end digits 6-8, 9: 305-523-5732
Communications
E-mail address:
[email protected]
The chambers email address above is the preferred method to contact chambers. For time-
sensitive matters or emergencies, counsel may contact chambers by phone, including the
courtroom deputy and/or the law clerks, to inquire about procedures specific to Judge Ruiz or to
modify a scheduled hearing due to unforeseen circumstances. Chambers will not answer
questions regarding procedures that are otherwise governed by the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and/or the Local Rules for the Southern District of Florida nor provide legal advice.
Civil Procedures
Joint Scheduling Report. Once the Defendant(s) appear(s) in the action, the parties shall prepare
and file a joint scheduling report and a proposed scheduling order. A sample proposed scheduling
order, in the Court’s preferred format, is located under the “Sample Orders” tab. In addition to
attaching a proposed order to the joint scheduling report and filing both on the active docket, the
parties shall also e-mail their proposed scheduling order, in Word format, to the Court at
[email protected]. The Court will set the case for trial following receipt of the parties’
joint scheduling report and proposed scheduling order. The joint scheduling report should make
clear the type of trial the parties are requesting. Where a party demands a jury trial, the
demanding party or parties shall include the legal basis for the jury trial demand in the parties’
joint scheduling report.
Orders Scheduling Mediation. By the date set on the Court’s Scheduling Order, the parties
shall select a mediator in accordance with S.D. Fla. L. R. 16.2 and schedule a time, date, and
place for mediation. The parties shall file a Notice of Mediator Selection and Hearing on the
public docket via CM/ECF along with an attached Proposed Order Scheduling Mediation in the
form specified on the Court’s website under the “Sample Orders” tab. The parties shall also
submit the Proposed Order Scheduling Mediation in Microsoft Word format to
[email protected] on the same day. The mediation should take place in person absent a
showing of good cause to conduct a virtual mediation. Requests showing good cause to conduct
the mediation virtually by videoconference or other remote means must be made by motion
before the parties file the Notice of Mediator Selection and Hearing.
Motions, Responses & Replies. Unless otherwise specified by the Court, every motion,
response, and reply shall be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point typeface. Multiple
plaintiffs or defendants shall file joint motions with co-parties unless there are clear conflicts of
position. The applicable pages limits for individual parties shall apply for joint pleadings absent
leave of Court. Where a complaint names multiple defendants, defendants shall submit a single
combined response or separate answers within the time allowed by the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure for the last-served defendant to respond.
Hearings. Counsel for each party shall appear in person for hearings on all substantive motions.
Counsel may request to appear by telephone or video teleconference platform by Motion at least
one (1) day before the scheduled hearing.
Calendar Call & Pretrial Conference. Calendar Calls are typically held on the Tuesday prior
to the commencement of the two-week trial period at 11:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted. The
Court will not set a pretrial conference unless requested by the parties and upon a showing of good
cause.
Discovery. The Court refers all discovery matters to the Magistrate Judge. The parties shall
follow the Discovery Procedures of the paired Magistrate Judge to determine whether filing
written discovery motions, including motions to compel, for protective order, or for sanctions,
is permitted. The Discovery Procedures for the Court’s currently paired Magistrate Judges are
accessible under the “Discovery Procedures” tab.
Settlements. If a settlement is reached, please immediately contact chambers by telephone (305-
523-5730) and/or email (
[email protected]) in addition to filing a notice of settlement on
CM/ECF.
Proposed Orders. Parties shall submit all proposed orders in Microsoft Word format to
[email protected]. In addition to the proposed order requirements outlined in S.D. Fla. L.
R. 7.1, S.D. Fla. CM/ECF Administrative Procedure 3(I)(6), and the Court’s Scheduling Order
Procedures, the Court further requires any party moving for unopposed relief to submit a proposed
order granting the requested unopposed relief. The proposed order shall be submitted in
Microsoft Word format to
[email protected] on the same day the unopposed motion is filed.
The parties shall also submit proposed orders granting any motion requesting relief to which no
response in opposition is ultimately filed. Where no response is filed, the moving party shall
submit a proposed order granting the requested relief within seven (7) days after a response
deadline has passed with no responsive filing.
Electronic Equipment. Parties requiring the use of electronic equipment in a hearing or trial
shall file a motion with the Court listing the items needed and the names of the attorneys and/or
staff who will be using the equipment.
