Michael S. Orfinger

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Practices and Procedures for Civil Cases in Division 01
(last modified July 25, 2025)
Michael S. Orfinger, Circuit Judge
Michelle MacDonald, Judicial Assistant
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 101 North Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724
Telephone: (386) 822-5073
E-mail: mmacdonald@circuit7.org
E-mail for proposed orders: Division01@circuit7.org
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
• Method of Communication: As a general practice, all communications to
the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to
mmacdonald@circuit7.org. The subject line must contain the case
number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 01234 CIDL – Smith
v. Jones - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)” Self-represented litigants and
attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial
office by telephone at (386) 822-5073.
• Ex Parte Communications: All communications with the judicial office
must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which
prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte
communications and from considering other communications outside the
presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding,
unless authorized by law. This rule applies to the Judicial Assistant as
well. All parties must be copied on any email directed to the judicial office,
except in those few instances in which an ex parte communication is
authorized by law.
• Unsolicited Communications: The Court will not consider unsolicited
communications from non-parties to a case. Parties may only contact the
judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
• E-Filing Portal Contact Information: All attorneys and self-represented
litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders
electronically, unless excused. See Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update
their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in
the e-mail account registered for electronic service. All attorneys and self-
represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail via the
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Attorneys and self-
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represented parties may register for electronic service (“eService”) at
www.myflcourtaccess.com.
• Response to Inquiries: When communicating with the judicial office
please be cognizant of the volume of cases pending in this division at any
given time. The judicial office receives numerous emails and phone calls
daily. Your inquiry will typically be responded to in the order it was
received, and as expeditiously as reasonably possible. Repeated inquiries
and e-mails to the Judicial Assistant will not result in a faster response.
• Communication with Judicial Assistant: The Judicial Assistant is not
permitted to give legal advice. Do not include the Judicial Assistant in e-
mails or e-mail chains between the parties, the lawyers, or their support
staff that do not request direct action from the judicial office.
B. Scheduling Procedures
• Trial Schedule: Trials are typically scheduled in Division 01 during the
last two weeks of the month, except for November and December, in which
only a one-week trial period is usually scheduled. The trial calendar for
the current year can be found here.
• Hearing Schedule: The Court conducts hearings Monday through
Thursday during non-trial weeks. In addition, the Court conducts
expedited hearings (i.e., uncontested or short matters requiring no more
than 5 to 10 minutes) every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m., including
during trial weeks.
• Scheduling Hearings: Civil hearings must be coordinated with opposing
counsel

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