Judges and Judiciary
Mar. 31, 2025
Navigating California's new opt-out magistrate judge program
The Central District of California's new opt-out program gives attorneys a short amount of time to decide between district and magistrate judges -- a choice that could dramatically impact case timelines and outcomes.
Thomas V. Wynsma
Partner
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Complex Business Litigation
Phone: (949) 975-1500
Email: twynsma@shb.com
Kristine Avena
Associate
Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Class Action and Complex Litigation and Appellate practice groups
The Central District of California's Opt-Out Civil Consent to
Magistrate Judge Program became effective on Dec. 1, 2024. Under this opt-out
program, a case may be randomly selected and directly assigned to a magistrate judge
for all purposes, unless a party opts out by a certain deadline.
Previously, the Central District had an opt-in program, where the court set a deadline for the parties to consent to an assigned magistrate judge. Under the...
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