Laurel M. Isicoff
How Judge Isicoff rules, drawn from 17 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Isicoff
Laurel M. Isicoff became a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Florida in 2006 and the court’s chief judge in 2016. She later served by recall. Before joining the bench, she clerked for a Florida appellate judge and practiced law for more than twenty years.
Judge Isicoff's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Isicoff, 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
Conferences
For Judge Isicoff’s settlement conference, the plaintiff or movant must send a written settlement demand at least ten days before the pre-settlement conference.
“at least ten (10) days prior to the pre-settlement conference, counsel for the plaintiff/movant shall submit to counsel for the defendant/respondent a written settlement demand, including an itemization of damages (if appropriate) and a brief explanation as to why such a settlement is appropriate.”
Conferences
Each party or fully authorized representative must attend Judge Isicoff’s settlement conference in person; telephone appearances are barred except in extraordinary circumstances.
“Each party shall attend the settlement conference in person, as stated in Paragraph 1, or through a duly authorized representative with complete authority to negotiate and execute a settlement agreement in such person’s discretion. JUDGE ISICOFF DOES NOT ALLOW ANY PERSON TO APPEAR BY TELEPHONE EXCEPT IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES”
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 Isicoff decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Summary judgment is appropriate when no genuine material-fact dispute remains and the issue can be decided as a matter of law.
“Summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules 7056 and 9014 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure is appropriate when there exists no genuine issue of material fact and a decision may be rendered as a matter of law.”
Procedural preferences
Reconsideration is an extraordinary remedy that should be used sparingly.
“Reconsideration of a prior order is ‘an extraordinary remedy to be employed sparingly.’”
Cautions
Dischargeability deadlines remain immovable after expiration, even when a filing misses by only minutes.
“the deadline to file a complaint to determine dischargeability of debts is immovable once the deadline to file the complaint expires.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“on March 12, 2008 I entered an Order Granting the Emergency Motion (CP #220)”
“I have determined that I will deny the motion to dismiss and the motion to modify.”
“The Motion to Reopen is Granted in part and Denied in part.”
“The Motion to Value is DENIED.”
“the Court finds that Hammocks Community Association, Inc. (the ‘Association’) and Marglli Gallego (‘Ms. Gallego’) willfully violated this Court’s orders and violated the automatic stay.”
“The Motion to Strike is granted and the Charging Lien is hereby dissolved.”
“The Trustee’s Motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”
“The Secured Creditor’s Objection is OVERRULED.”
“Defendant Ivonne Perez’s pleadings are stricken;”
“The Trustee’s/Plaintiff’s Request for Admissions [ECF No. 25], are deemed admitted for all purposes.”
“the Court finds it appropriate in these circumstances to assess all fees and costs associated with the Trustee’s efforts to obtain the requested discovery”
“The Motion for Reconsideration is DENIED.”
“The Motion is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
“The Moving Defendants’ Motion for Stay is GRANTED in part.”
“Summary judgment on Count I is GRANTED in favor of Lender.”
“Summary judgment on Count II is GRANTED in favor of Lender.”
“Summary judgment on Count V is GRANTED in favor of Lender.”
“Summary judgment on Count VI is GRANTED in favor of Lender.”
Draft for Judge Isicoff with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Isicoff, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
Opens in Ezel Pro.
- Grounded in Judge Isicoff's own signed orders
- Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
- Chat, drafting and research in one workspace