Scott M. Grossman
Bankruptcy Judge
The following information was provided in response to a survey prepared by the Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar. This information is not binding on any judge or court official and may not be relied upon for precedential purposes. Further information may be found in the attachments (sample orders, etc.) referenced at the end of this Guide entry or on the court's website noted below.
Judge
Name of Court:
Southern District of Florida
Location of Chambers:
Fort Lauderdale
Assigned Courtroom:
308
Phone:
954.769.5765
Chamber Staff
Communication with Chambers
Do you permit contact with chambers regarding questions of procedure?
Yes
May counsel contact chambers to speak with your law clerks(s) on procedural matters?
No
May counsel contact chambers to speak with your law clerks(s) on the status of pending matters?
No
Use of Cell Phones, Laptops, and Other Electronics in Court
Other than procedures adopted by the U.S. Marshal's Service relating to access to a federal courthouse, do you have any additional procedures to be followed for the use of cell phones, laptops, or other electronics?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Is there a designated court staff person to contact relating to the use of electronic media or other audiovisual needs?
Edy Gomez, 954.769.5765
Always verify with the Clerk of Court or the U.S. Marshal's Service as to any procedures relating to the use of cell phones or other electronic devices at the courthouse.
CM/ECF Procedures
In addition to Local Rules or CM/ECF procedures applicable in the District:
Do you have a preferred method for counsel to correct an electronically filed document that inadvertently contains personal information (as prohibited by Fed.R.Civ.P. 5.2)?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Do you have a preferred method governing the filing of sealed documents?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits be filed as separate docket entries (instead of filing them as attachments to the document they support)?
No
When filing documents with multiple attachments, do you prefer that the document be filed such that it is displayed with bookmarks within the PDF image?
No
Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits and depositions be filed conventionally as well as on CM/ECF?
No
Do you prefer to have proposed orders (other than those required to be filed in the case) submitted as an attachment to documents filed in CM/ECF, or do you prefer to receive them by email or another method?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Should proposed orders be submitted in a format which can be edited, or is a PDF version acceptable?
Only when requested by the Judge.
Pretrial Practice
When other parties have consented to a motion, do you prefer that the consent is stated in the motion or do you prefer a separately filed notice of consent?
Please state contents in the motion itself.
Do you have any requirements, beyond those found in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, or any Local Rules, as to motions for enlargement of time or motions for continuance?
No
Should copies of cases cited in motions and memoranda be forwarded to chambers for published cases?
No
Should copies of cases cited in motions and memoranda be forwarded to chambers for unpublished opinions?
No
What is your practice or policy when counsel fails to serve opposing parties with motions within the times set forth in the rules or your orders?
The matter may be denied. Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
What do you consider to be an emergency matter?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
How does one request emergency relief?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/ and the instructions on the Court's web site: https://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/judges/judge-scott-m-grossman
What are your procedures concerning ex parte temporary restraining orders?
TRO requests are considered by the Judge on a case by case basis consistent with the rules and applicable case law.
When a dispute arises during a deposition, is it appropriate to call chambers to seek an immediate ruling?
Yes
For which matters is the use of negative notice acceptable?
See Local Rule 9013-1.
What is your preferred method for a party to request a hearing date?
Please see instructions on the Court's web site: https://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/judges/judge-scott-m-grossman
When you schedule a hearing, do you state whether the hearing will be evidentiary (if Fed.R.B.P. 9014(e) has not been implemented)?
Please see instructions on the Court's web site: https://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/judges/judge-scott-m-grossman
Under what circumstances do you allow telephonic hearings?
Please see instructions on the Court's web site: https://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/judges/judge-scott-m-grossman
Under what circumstances do you require the debtor's attendance at a hearing?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Do you grant pro hac vice admission on oral request at hearings?
No, but in certain emergency circumstances I may permit counsel with a pending or to-be-filed pro hac vice motion to be heard.
What is your practice or policy when counsel fails to provide opposing counsel with copies of proposed exhibits prior to hearing or trial?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Will you entertain motions in limine prior to trial?
Yes
If YES, how far in advance should they be filed?
This may also be addressed in a scheduling order or at the pretrial conference.
What is your preference regarding the use of alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration or mediation?
The Court considers the possibility of alternative dispute resolution in all adversary proceedings and contested matters.
Do you refer settlement conferences to another Bankruptcy Judge?
Yes
Trial
Do you grant specially set trial dates (dates certain)?
Yes
Do you conduct Daubert hearings prior to trial?
No
What, if any, procedural requirements do you have regarding the use of videotapes, trial graphics, depositions, and demonstrations?
Please see the Court's Local Rules at http://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/
Do you prefer opening statements?
No
Do you require proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed?
Yes
If YES, when do you require the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed?
When requested, upon conclusion of the trial.
General Advice
What should lawyers avoid at all costs when appearing before you (other than the obvious: don't be late, do be courteous, etc.), i.e., do you have any "pet peeves"?
Lawyers are expected to act professionally, and show courtesy to the Court, opposing counsel, the parties, witnesses, members of the clerk's office, representatives of the United States Trustee, and other parties in interest. Unprofessional conduct will not be permitted. Appropriate sanctions may be ordered with or without motion.
Do you have any other practice pointers, advice, observations, or suggestions for members of the Bar appearing before you?
Be concise. Be civil. Be on time.
Links
Links to your court's webpage with information about your practices or other links you recommend for practitioners:
https://www.flsb.uscourts.gov/judges/judge-scott-m-grossman
Revised: 02-18-2021