Judge Palermo

The Honorable Thomas N. Palermo

Circuit Civil, Division B

Criminal Courthouse Annex (Office) 401 N. Jefferson St., Room #615
Tampa, Florida 33602
Edgecomb Courthouse (Courtroom)800 E. Twiggs St., Courtroom #501
Tampa, Florida 33602
Judicial Assistant: Ann Mynatt
(813) 272-6990

Divisionb@fljud13.org
Zoom Meeting ID: 917-5764-1087
Password: Not required Court Zoom Link Administrative Orders Judicial Biography

Procedures & Preferences
Circuit Civil, Division B

Procedures & Preferences

Zoom Information:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91757641087
Zoom Meeting ID: 917 5764 1087

No Password is Required

A. UMCs, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings: Zoom

So long as hearings are not evidentiary, Division B permits the use of remote appearances by Zoom for all UMCs, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings.

B. DCM Conferences: Zoom

Differentiated Case Management Conferences are held by Zoom.

C. PTCs, JT, NJT, Hearings Greater than 30 Minutes: In-Person

All evidentiary matters, Pretrial Conferences, Jury Trials/Non-Jury Trials, and hearings exceeding 30 minutes are held in person.

D. Telephonic Appearances in lieu of Video

On rare occasions, the Court may permit a party to appear by telephone in lieu of video telepresence. If such permission is granted in advance of the hearing, the party will call +1 786 635 1003 US (Miami) and +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) then use the same meeting ID number referenced above. Password is required for attendance 973927.

E. Appearance at Zoom Hearings

Attorneys shall appear by video, unless they file a motion seeking to appear telephonically and the Court enters a written order granting the motion.

Attorneys appearing at a hearing shall file a notice of appearance in advance of the hearing.

When signing into Zoom, all appearing for a given case must sign in using their true and legal first and last names, ideally followed by their role, e.g., Counsel for the Plaintiff, and then by the case name and number.

F. No Hybrid Hearings

The courtroom is not equipped to conduct hybrid hearings, where some parties are in-person and some are by Zoom. Therefore, no hybrid hearings are permitted, absent a specific court order entered well in advance of the hearing.

A. UMCs, 15- and 30-minute hearings: Set through JAWS

UMCs, 15 and 30-minute hearings are to be set by attorneys through JAWS. Pro se litigants may email the JA at divisionb@fljud13.org for hearing availability. Anyone requesting a hearing of 60 minutes or longer must contact the JA for availability.

B. UMCs are only for 5-minute hearings

UMC Dockets. Paragraph 12(A) of Administrative Order S-2024-046 governs the Uniform Motion Calendar. UMCs are reserved for hearings that should take less than 5 minutes. Generally, any evidentiary matters and dispositive motions (including motions for summary judgment, to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and to strike affirmative defenses) are not appropriate for a UMC docket, unless the issue is exceedingly narrow. If the hearing exceeds 7 minutes, it may be summarily cancelled and rescheduled to accommodate the other parties who are patiently waiting to be called. The Court will not hear contempt matters or testimonial matters during a UMC docket. All UMC Hearings are held by Zoom.

C. Attorney’s Fees Hearings

For Scheduling hearing time on the Determination on the Amount of Attorney’s Fees, please contact the JA at the division email divisionb@fljud13.org for requested time.

D. Hearings Longer than 30 Minutes: Email the Division

If you have questions about availability or need more than 30 minutes’ hearing time, please contact the JA at the division email divisionb@fljud13.org, copying all parties.

In the request, you must identify: the name of the motion to be heard with corresponding docket number, any response filed to it with corresponding docket number, and any reply filed to the response with any corresponding docket number. You must identify how much time is being requested and whether the hearing will be evidentiary.

E. Ruling on the Paper

IN LIEU OF A HEARING, counsel/parties may agree to allow the court to rule on the paper, that is, without any need for a hearing. If you choose this option, then (1) e-file your motions and memos and upload them to JAWS, (2) advise the judicial assistant via email of the title(s) of the specific motions you want the Judge to resolve, and (3) parties shall simultaneously email the competing form of proposed order in word format with an accompanied cover letter to divisionb@fljud13.org with a subject line which includes “Competing Proposed Order – Ruling on the Paper” and the case number. Please do not submit briefing notebooks. Memos may not exceed 10 pages. Photographs, charts, and diagrams do not count against page limit.

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed orders following a hearing should be submitted within 5 days, but may be submitted within 10 days in some instances. See Admin. Order S-2024-046 para. 13(B). Failure to timely submit a proposed order may result in denial of the motion without prejudice or a rehearing. As required by paragraph 13 of Administrative Order S-2024-046, the party charged with submitting the order must consult with all parties within 3 days of the hearing and make a genuine effort to agree on the language of the proposed order.

A. Cover Letters

Proposed orders should be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the hearing date (if any) and stating whether all parties agree to the form of the order. It is not sufficient to state that the proposing party has not heard back from others, unless 5 days have elapsed without a response. The cover letter must affirmatively state whether the other parties object or do not object to the form of the order. Any party objecting to the form of an order must notify chambers immediately and submit a competing order within 3 days. (See below.)

B. Agreed Upon Orders

Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption. The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the order, and it must identify the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief. Except in rare circumstances, agreed orders that are not preceded by a motion or stipulation will be rejected. See also Admin. Order S-2024-046.

C. Competing Orders

If, following a hearing, the parties disagree about the form of an order, they may submit competing orders. Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email (divisionb@fljud13.org) with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line. The email may briefly describe why the party’s proposed form is correct, but additional legal argument is prohibited. Transcripts or excerpts may be submitted, if appropriate.

If a party is pro se and does not have an email address associated with the case, the attorney will be responsible for mailing copies of the order to pro se parties.

Communication to Chambers should be directed to the division’s e-mail address: DivisionB@fljud13.org. The Court’s Judicial Assistant is available for questions regarding scheduling and the Court’s preferences and procedure and cannot hear any details of the case or provide legal advice. You must copy all parties when emailing the Court’s Judicial Assistant at divisionb@fljud13.org. The JA will respond as efficiently as possible.

Unless specifically requested, we will not accept hearing binders. Please do not submit any hearing binders or other documents to Chambers. If you have the capability to submit your briefs with embedded cases, you may email that to the Division at DivisionB@fljud13.org at least two business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Otherwise, do not send any paper documents to Chambers. All authority or other documents you would like the Court to consider must be filed in JAWS no fewer than two business days prior to the hearing or as specifically required by the Rules, whichever is earlier. Material received after that deadline will not be considered.

Documents cannot be accepted via sharefile links.

If a motion with all its attachments exceeds 99 pages in length, the Court may request a hard copy of it to be delivered to chambers.

After the motion is filed with the clerk and properly flagged as an emergency pursuant to Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 19 (B), please email the JA at divisionb@fljud13.org with a courtesy copy so the Court is aware of the need to act on the motion.

If you no longer need your hearing time, please send a notice of cancellation to the Court’s Judicial Assistant within 24 hours by email to divisionb@fljud13.org. Court-ordered hearings may not be canceled absent a court order.

A Pretrial Conference or a Trial may not be cancelled unless the matter has been completely settled. If so, please email the Notice of Settlement or the Notice of Voluntary Dismissal to the JA to confirm the cancellation.

Please email a copy of your notice of hearing and the motion(s) scheduled at least three days prior to your hearing. The Notice of Hearing must include the following:

(1) the hearing date, time

(2) the name of the motion to be heard with docket number and date of filing;

(3) any responses with the corresponding docket numbers and date of filing;

(4) any replies with corresponding docket numbers and date of filing;

(5) the hearing time reserved;

(6) whether the hearing is in person or remote;

(7) if remote, the instructions for remote appearances;

(8) if in-person, the location of the hearing; and

(9) whether a court reporter has been ordered.

Parties scheduling hearings must ensure that the notice of hearing is timely filed and contain all information necessary to access the hearing. If you have any questions about how to schedule, notice, or attend a hearing, please do not hesitate to contact chambers. Please review paragraph 12(D) of Administrative Order S-2024-046 before filing a notice of hearing.

Unilateral notices of hearing. Hearings may be unilaterally noticed with a minimum of 60 days’ notice, and only due to a lack of cooperation. A notice of a hearing set unilaterally due to a lack of cooperation must describe, in detail, the efforts made to reach agreement on the hearing date. A single email, letter, or ultimatum is insufficient. Unilaterally set hearings that do not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date may be cancelled without notice.

Cross-noticing. Cross-noticing hearings is absolutely prohibited. If the parties agree to add certain motions to a hearing, they should file an amended notice of hearing after clearing the addition with chambers. Motions unilaterally cross-noticed will not be heard and may be denied without prejudice.

Please refer to the administrative order. Please refer to the Clerk of Courts Trial Exhibits Memorandum for Jury/Non-Jury trial exhibits. https://hillsclerk.com/Court-Services/Circuit-Civil

Exhibits for Evidentiary hearings should be uploaded via the eportal: proposed documents, exhibits.

All Circuit Civil Forms can be located under our forms tab and under the link here provided www.fljud13.org/Resources/Forms.

Additional Procedures

ALL PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD IN PERSON IN COURTROOM #501

The attorneys for all parties are directed to meet by agreement initiated by counsel for the Plaintiff, no later than 10 days before the pretrial conference, to:

(a) Mark all exhibits for identification;

(b) Prepare an exhibit list for the Clerk and Court (actual exhibits and documentation evidence must be available for inspection at this time);

(d) Stipulate as to any matter of fact and law about which there is no issue to avoid unnecessary proof;

(e) Review all depositions which are to be offered for any purpose other than impeachment to resolve objections to the portions to be offered in evidence;

(f) Discuss the possibility of settlement;

(g) Submit an itemized statement of special damages Plaintiff expects to prove;

(h) Discuss and complete any other matters which may simplify the issues or aid in the speedy disposition of this action, its pretrial conference and trial;

(i) Draft one Pretrial Conference Order (using the form order located in Division B’s Forms) signed by all participating counsel, that must be submitted directly to the Court at least 3 days prior to the pretrial conference. In the event the parties are unable to agree on a matter in the Pretrial Conference Order, the matter will be resolved at the pretrial conference

Please upload and provide the court with an emailed copy of the following at least three (3) days prior to the Pretrial Conference

(j) confirm that the parties have attended meditation or non-binding arbitration;

(k) exchange copies of the defendant’s and plaintiff’s witness and exhibit lists and then file the same;

(l) draw up an agreed upon list of all outstanding motions;

(m) review together and then submit to the court no later than the pretrial conference a copy of the jury instructions and proposed verdict form(s).

The attorneys for all parties are directed to meet by agreement, initiated by counsel for the Plaintiff, no later than 7 days before the Pre-Trial Conference to complete all the requirements for a jury trial (except the jury instructions) as well as prepare proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in word format, to be submitted to divisionb@fljud13.org

Parties are directed to file Notices of Dismissal to JAWS and additionally upload Orders of Dismissal to the E-portal for the Judge’s review so the case may be closed. Notices of Dismissal MUST be accompanied by Orders of Dismissal.

Good-Faith Conference. Movants must comply with paragraph 11(A) of Administrative Order S-2024-046, which requires the movant to “confer with the opposing party or opposing counsel in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised by the motion.” Failure to confer and certify the appropriate statement with the motion—with the detail required by the Administrative Order—will result in the motion being denied without prejudice and any hearing cancelled. *

Motions to Compel. Motions to compel should describe with specificity the relief sought. The motion must comply with the good-faith conference certification requirements of Rule 1.380(a)(2) and paragraph 11(A) of Administrative Order S-2024-046. Motions that do not comply will be denied and hearings cancelled. Judge Ellison expects parties to undertake true, good-faith efforts to resolve discovery disputes before filing a motion to compel.

Motions to Compel without a hearing. Paragraph 11(B) of Administrative Order S-2024-046 allows the Court to issue orders compelling discovery without a hearing in certain circumstances. Parties are cautioned to read the administrative order closely before submitting a proposed order.

Non-Evidentiary Pretrial Motions Without a Hearing. Paragraph 11(C) of Administrative Order S-2024-046 allows the Court to rule on certain motions without a hearing. Parties must comply with the administrative order before the request will be considered.

Litigation by emailing chambers is absolutely prohibited. All relief must be sought by motion or stipulation. Parties who seek any form of relief by emailing chambers—other than for administrative purposes allowed above—may be sanctioned without further notice.

Procedures & Preferences

Zoom Information:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91757641087
Zoom Meeting ID: 917 5764 1087

No Password is Required

A. UMCs, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings: Zoom

So long as hearings are not evidentiary, Division B permits the use of remote appearances by Zoom for all UMCs, 15-minute, and 30-minute hearings.

B. DCM Conferences: Zoom

Differentiated Case Management Conferences are held by Zoom.

C. PTCs, JT, NJT, Hearings Greater than 30 Minutes: In-Person

All evidentiary matters, Pretrial Conferences, Jury Trials/Non-Jury Trials, and hearings exceeding 30 minutes are held in person.

D. Telephonic Appearances in lieu of Video

E. Appearance at Zoom Hearings

Attorneys shall appear by video, unless they file a motion seeking to appear telephonically and the Court enters a written order granting the motion.

Attorneys appearing at a hearing shall file a notice of appearance in advance of the hearing.

F. No Hybrid Hearings

A. UMCs, 15- and 30-minute hearings: Set through JAWS

B. UMCs are only for 5-minute hearings

C. Attorney’s Fees Hearings

For Scheduling hearing time on the Determination on the Amount of Attorney’s Fees, please contact the JA at the division email divisionb@fljud13.org for requested time.

D. Hearings Longer than 30 Minutes: Email the Division

If you have questions about availability or need more than 30 minutes’ hearing time, please contact the JA at the division email divisionb@fljud13.org, copying all parties.

E. Ruling on the Paper

Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

A. Cover Letters

B. Agreed Upon Orders

C. Competing Orders

If a party is pro se and does not have an email address associated with the case, the attorney will be responsible for mailing copies of the order to pro se parties.

Documents cannot be accepted via sharefile links.

If a motion with all its attachments exceeds 99 pages in length, the Court may request a hard copy of it to be delivered to chambers.

Please email a copy of your notice of hearing and the motion(s) scheduled at least three days prior to your hearing. The Notice of Hearing must include the following:

(1) the hearing date, time

(2) the name of the motion to be heard with docket number and date of filing;

(3) any responses with the corresponding docket numbers and date of filing;

(4) any replies with corresponding docket numbers and date of filing;

(5) the hearing time reserved;

(6) whether the hearing is in person or remote;

(7) if remote, the instructions for remote appearances;

(8) if in-person, the location of the hearing; and

(9) whether a court reporter has been ordered.

Please refer to the administrative order. Please refer to the Clerk of Courts Trial Exhibits Memorandum for Jury/Non-Jury trial exhibits. https://hillsclerk.com/Court-Services/Circuit-Civil

Exhibits for Evidentiary hearings should be uploaded via the eportal: proposed documents, exhibits.

All Circuit Civil Forms can be located under our forms tab and under the link here provided www.fljud13.org/Resources/Forms.

Additional Procedures

ALL PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD IN PERSON IN COURTROOM #501

The attorneys for all parties are directed to meet by agreement initiated by counsel for the Plaintiff, no later than 10 days before the pretrial conference, to:

(a) Mark all exhibits for identification;

(b) Prepare an exhibit list for the Clerk and Court (actual exhibits and documentation evidence must be available for inspection at this time);

(d) Stipulate as to any matter of fact and law about which there is no issue to avoid unnecessary proof;

(e) Review all depositions which are to be offered for any purpose other than impeachment to resolve objections to the portions to be offered in evidence;

(f) Discuss the possibility of settlement;

(g) Submit an itemized statement of special damages Plaintiff expects to prove;

(h) Discuss and complete any other matters which may simplify the issues or aid in the speedy disposition of this action, its pretrial conference and trial;

Please upload and provide the court with an emailed copy of the following at least three (3) days prior to the Pretrial Conference

(j) confirm that the parties have attended meditation or non-binding arbitration;

(k) exchange copies of the defendant’s and plaintiff’s witness and exhibit lists and then file the same;

(l) draw up an agreed upon list of all outstanding motions;

(m) review together and then submit to the court no later than the pretrial conference a copy of the jury instructions and proposed verdict form(s).

Judge Palermo

The Honorable Thomas N. Palermo

Judicial Biography

The Honorable Thomas N. Palermo

Year elected to the Bench: 2020

Judicial Assignments:

Education

Professional Experience

Publications And Presentations

Select Non-Judicial Awards

Other Experiences and Activities

Law School and Undergraduate Experiences

Personal Biography

Procedures & Preferences

Additional Procedures

Procedures & Preferences

Additional Procedures

Informational Links

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

Judge Palermo

The Honorable Thomas N. Palermo

Procedures & Preferences

1. Remote Appearances (Zoom):

2. Scheduling Hearings:

3. Submitting Proposed Orders: See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 13

4. Communication with Chambers:

5. Courtesy Copies (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(c)(v))

6. Emergencies: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 19)

7. Cancellations: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(f)

8. Notices: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(c)(iv) & (v))

9. Exhibits: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 15)

10. Forms:

Additional Procedures

A. In re: Pretrials

B. Non-Jury Trials

C. Case Closure

D. Motions

E. Miscellaneous

Procedures & Preferences

1. Remote Appearances (Zoom):

2. Scheduling Hearings:

3. Submitting Proposed Orders: See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 13

4. Communication with Chambers:

5. Courtesy Copies (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(c)(v))

6. Emergencies: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 19)

7. Cancellations: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(f)

8. Notices: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 12(c)(iv) & (v))

9. Exhibits: (See Administrative Order S-2024-046, Paragraph 15)

10. Forms:

Additional Procedures

A. In re: Pretrials

B. Non-Jury Trials

C. Case Closure

D. Motions

E. Miscellaneous