Jonathan Sjostrom

1
Judge Sjostrom’s Civil Division Preferences
Judge Sjostrom’s preferences are intended to ensure compliance with the
Rules of Civil Procedure. To the extent of any conflict, the Rules of Civil
Procedure Control.
Communication with Judge Sjostrom’s Office
Please communicate with Judge Sjostrom’s office regarding pending
matters only:
1) by brief email with copies to all parties (usually for scheduling, to
provide courtesy copies of documents for hearing preparation, or to
report that a case has or has not settled),
2) by served pleadings and filings, or
3) during noticed hearings.
Emails to Judge Sjostrom’s Judicial Assistant, Ms. Gauss, should be for
scheduling purposes, for assistance with filing and to forward courtesy
copies of documents for hearing preparation.
All communications through Ms. Gauss should be brief, courteous and
professional, even if reporting disagreement. Advocacy is for the judge in
filings and hearings, not emails to Ms. Gauss. Please do not forward long
email exchanges unless made part of the court record.
Communication with Opponent
Please speak with each other, preferably in person or by phone, in a good
faith effort to resolve disputes before filing procedural and discovery
motions.
Non-dispositive motions should indicate that the lawyers talked to attempt
to resolve the dispute or report what effort the movant made to try to
resolve the issue by agreement.
Of course, legally authorized ex parte hearings are not included.
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Motions Decided Without a Hearing
Motions other than for summary judgment may be decided without oral
argument. Motions should indicate the opponent’s position so that Judge
Sjostrom can consider whether a hearing or briefing schedule is necessary.
Memoranda and Authorities
Judge Sjostrom prefers to read legal documents in electronic format (on the
computer rather than paper). Please submit memoranda or authorities at
least three days before the scheduled hearing by email
(gaussl@leoncountyfl.gov). There is often a delay between the time of
efiling and documents appearing in the electronic court file, so an email
courtesy copy is appreciated. If submitting authorities such as appellate
opinions, trial court orders, statutes or rules without a memorandum, please
highlight the language relied upon if practicable and submit by email.
Supporting Materials
Judge Sjostrom prefers that supporting materials be sequentially numbered
on each page (“Bates Numbered”) for ease of reference during hearings.
Judge Sjostrom prefers such materials be submitted electronically and in a
text-searchable format if possible.
Request for Hearing Time and Notices of Hearing
Please contact Ms. Gauss by email (gaussl@leoncountyfl.gov) to request
hearing time. When estimating the amount of time for the hearing, please
anticipate that the parties are usually entitled to equal time. Include the
case number, county and party names in the email.
Ms. Gauss will provide a list of dates and times and the parties will
communicate with each other and reply with the date and time agreed. The
individual parties are instructed not to reply to Ms. Gauss with their
availability but to communicate with the movant who will then provide Ms.
Gauss with the selected date and time. Should the parties reach an
impasse on hearing dates, Judge Sjostrom will select a hearing date and
likely set a case management conference.
Plea

[Excerpt — full document at the official source link.]