Ronald Alonzo Clifford III
Court record, service history and public docket data for Judge Clifford.
About Judge Clifford
Ronald Alonzo Clifford III has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California since February 2022. Before joining the bench, he practiced bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and commercial litigation. He earned degrees from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Whittier College School of Law.
Judge Clifford's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Clifford, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Motions
For an emergency hearing on less than 48 hours’ notice, call Judge Clifford’s chambers to request a date.
“Call Chambers at 805-884-4860 to request a hearing date.”
Motions
For shortened notice that does not require a hearing within 48 hours, file the underlying motion and the specified application and proposed-order forms; do not call chambers.
“If you do not need a hearing within 48 hours, do not call Chambers. Compliance with LBR 9075-1(b) is mandatory. The applicant must: 1. File the underlying motion. 2. File LBR form F 9075-1.1.APP.SHORT.NOTICE. 3. Lodge LBR form F 9075-1.1.ORDER.SHORT.NOTICE.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Clifford decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
Requests for a hearing on shortened notice must identify the specific need for expedited treatment and the requested hearing date.
“In the application for order shortening time, the applicant must indicate (1) the specific need for the motion to be heard on shortened time, and (2) the requested hearing date.”
A stipulated continuance based on settlement discussions should describe concrete progress rather than merely state that discussions are occurring.
“‘We are discussing settlement’ is not necessarily good cause, as the parties must show real progress towards settlement if that is the reason given.”
Cautions
Motions and applications should be supported by declarations, including authentication of an appraisal when one is offered.
“Pleadings submitted without supporting declarations will likely be denied, even if no opposition is filed.”
The judge does not accept courtesy copies.
“Judge Clifford does not accept judge’s copies. Do not send judge’s copies.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The five early-tenure sampled matters terminated in 98 to 118 days, with a median of 116 days. Five recently filed sampled matters remained pending. This boundary sample is descriptive and is not a complete caseload census.
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