Courtroom Policies and Procedures Honorable Ronald A. Clifford III; Judicial Practice Guide; English; Spanish

=== Courtroom Policies and Procedures Honorable Ronald A. Clifford III ===

COURTROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HONORABLE RONALD A. CLIFFORD III The following is a summary of general courtroom policies and procedures which will be observed by Judge Clifford. Such policies and procedures are intended as a supplement to and not a replacement for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code ("Code"), the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure ("Bankruptcy Rules"), the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("Federal Rules") and the Local Rules for the Central District of California ("Local Rules”), all of which are applicable to practice before this Court. The following summary is not intended to cover all circumstances of matters before the Court and certain policies and procedures may be adjusted in certain cases where appropriate. I. MOTIONS IN GENERAL A. Evidentiary Requirements: All motions and applications must be supported by declaration(s). Pleadings submitted without supporting declarations will likely be denied, even if no opposition is filed. In matters where an appraisal is submitted in support of a pleading, e.g., relief from stay matters, the appraisal must be authenticated by a declaration of the appraiser or the appraisal will not be considered. B. M otions without Hearings: With respect to all motions filed pursuant to Local Rule 9013-1(o) or otherwise not requiring a hearing absent an objection and request for a hearing, the moving party MUST file a declaration stating that no opposition to the motion has been served within the objection period. The order will not be signed and/or rejected absent such a declaration. II. SERVICE OF MOTIONS AND APPLICATIONS Service of all motions and applications must comply with the applicable Federal Rules, Bankruptcy Rules, and Local Rules. The movant MUST use the Court’s creditor mailing matrix dated the date of service, which can be found on CM/ECF, and attach the same to the proof of service on all motions that require service on all creditors. Movant should NOT create or use their own creditor lists as a substitute for the Court’s creditor mailing matrix. The order will not be signed and/or rejected if the Court’s creditor mailing matrix is not attached. III. REQUEST FOR HEARING ON LESS THAN REGULAR NOTICE A. Requests for Hearing on an Emergency Basis Under LBR 9075-1(a) If you have a true emergency requiring a hearing on less than 48 hours of notice under LBR 9075-1(a), a hearing may be requested by following the below instructions: Last updated 5/04/2026 Before calling chambers, be prepared with (1) the name of the debtor, (2) applicable 1. bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding number, (3) identity and role of party seeking relief, (4) name of the motion and relief to be requested in the motion, (5) specific need for the motion to be heard within 48 hours, and (6) requested hearing date. Call Chambers at (805) 884-4860 to request a hearing date. If no answer is received, 2. leave a message with the above details. B. Requests for Hearing on Shortened Notice Under LBR 9075-1(b) 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. 2. 3. File the underlying motion. File LBR form F 9075-1.1.APP.SHORT.NOTICE. Lodge LBR form F 9075-1.1.ORDER.SHORT.NOTICE. 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. If the requested hearing date is not clearly indicated in the application, the Court will determine when to set the hearing based upon the Court’s calendar. If the application is granted, the Court will enter an order that notifies the applicant of the (1) the hearing date and time, (2) the manner of service required for notice of the hearing and all other required documents, and (3) the deadlines for filing and serving any opposition to the motion and any replies in support of the motion. IV. CHAPTER 13 CONFIRMATION HEARINGS & PLANS Appearance attorneys are NOT permitted to appear at Chapter 13 confirmation hearings. Debtor’s counsel of record must appear at the confirmation hearing. Motions to value and avoid liens pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 506 and 522 must be made by separate, properly noticed motion and shall NOT be provided for in the plan. V. PRETRIAL CONFERENCES The attorney responsible for litigating the trial MUST appear IN-PERSON at the pretrial conference. Failure to appear at the pretrial conference may result in the imposition of sanctions and issuance of an order to show cause why the case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute. VI. TRIALS All trials are held in-person. Counsel and all witnesses must appear in-person. Last updated 5/04/2026 Three (3) trial exhibit binders must be submitted to the clerk’s office intake window by 4:00 p.m. the day before trial. This does not include the trial exhibit binder for the opposing party. The parties are to exchange their respective trial exhibit binders on their own. VII. REAFFIRMATION HEARINGS Debtor(s) must appear IN-PERSON for reaffirmation hearings. VI. JUDGMENT DEBTOR EXAMS Judge Clifford strictly complies with Local Rule 7069-1. A party seeking an order to appear for examination MUST file the applicable form approved by the Judicial Council of California for use in California courts over the counter with the clerk’s office. The moving party may select a non-hearing, business day for the examination. If approved, the parties shall appear IN-PERSON at 1415 State Street, Courtroom 201, Santa Barbara, California 93101 at the day and time indicated on the order. The parties will be sworn in on the Court’s record by the court recorder. The parties will then be released to conduct the examination outside of the courtroom. When the examination is concluded, the parties are excused without further order of the Court. If a continuance of the examination is necessary, please contact chambers for further instructions. VII. SELF-CALENDARING Judge Clifford utilizes the self-calendaring system for all hearings, with exceptions as noted in the self-calendaring instructions. Please go to the Court’s website at www.cacb.uscourts.gov for self-calendaring instructions and/or to select a self- calendaring hearing date before Judge Clifford. If you should experience a problem, please contact the Courtroom Deputy directly at (805) 884-4881. Please do not contact chambers for self-calendaring issues. VIII. TENTATIVE RULINGS Judge Clifford generally issues tentative rulings regarding law and motion matters before 5 p.m. of the day prior to the beginning of the hearing day. Tentative rulings are posted on the court’s website (www.cacb.uscourts.gov) and on PACER. Tentative rulings may not be rendered on every matter. IX. HEARINGS BY ZOOM AUDIO AND VIDEO When appropriate, hearing participants may view and listen to hearings before Judge Clifford using ZoomGov video or telephone conference line free of charge. Video and audio connection information for each hearing will be provided on Judge Clifford’s publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: https://ecf-ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/ and selecting “Judge Ronald A. Clifford III” from the tab on the left side of the page. All participants connecting via ZoomGov video must be done with the appearing party’s Last updated 5/04/2026 video on. Proper court attire is required of all parties appearing via ZoomGov video. Any virtual backgrounds are to be of a solid color, without pictures, videos or scenes. No party may appear by ZoomGov video or telephone conference line from any place other than a quiet room in an office or home. Parties may not appear via ZoomGov video or telephone conference line from a vehicle of any kind, moving or not. All participants, whether via ZoomGov video or telephone conference line, must conduct themselves with the same dignity as if they are in the courtroom. Regarding remote access to hearings, members of the public may NOT observe any hearing via Zoomgov video/audio. Members of the public may observe non-evidentiary hearings where no live testimony is being taken via Zoomgov telephone conference line ONLY. If members of the public attempt to observe hearings remotely in any manner other than over via Zoomgov telephone conference line, the Court will remove them from Zoomgov for the hearing(s). No members of the public will be permitted to observe, via telephone line or otherwise, trials, evidentiary hearings, hearings where live testimony will be taken, and hearings where sensitive information is being disseminated that may not be adequately safeguarded. X. JUDGE OR COURTESY COPIES Judge Clifford does NOT require judge’s copies. Do not send judge’s copies. XI. COURTROOM ETIQUETTE Unless court is in session, please check in with the Court Recorder prior to your scheduled hearing. Do not approach or speak with the Court Recorder while a hearing is in progress. The use of electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, and other devices subject to ring or buzz) in the courtroom are strictly prohibited. “Second Call” - If you have a conflict which needs to be placed on "second call", please contact Judge Clifford’s Chambers at (805) 884-4860. If you are not present when your matter is called, and no communication has been received, your motion may be denied for failure to appear. XII. CONTACT WITH CHAMBERS Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9003, Chambers is unable to answer any legal questions, whether procedural or substantive, regarding specific cases. Any calls and/or voicemails regarding such will not be returned by Chambers. Any calls and/or voicemails regarding permission to appear via zoom will not be returned by Chambers. The parties should refer to Judge Clifford’s Courtroom Policies and Procedures, the tentative ruling, and any prior rulings in the case to determine whether zoom appearances are permitted or in-person appearances are required. All questions regarding the status of a case or general information regarding a case should be directed to the Clerk’s office at 805-460-9641. If you have questions regarding Judge Clifford’s self-calendaring procedures, please refer to the Court’s website at www.cacb.uscourts.gov or contact the Courtroom Deputy at 805-884-4881. For all transcript requests, please call 805-884- 4884. Last updated 5/04/2026

=== Judicial Practice Guide ===

Judicial Practice Guide Judge Ronald A. Clifford III – June 2025 # 1 The Judge’s staff may communicate with you in the following ways: Notice to Filer - You may receive an NEF from court staff with “Notice to Filer” instructions that pertain to a document that was filed on the Court’s docket. Communication with the Judge’s Staff Order Rejection Email - You may receive an order rejection email with instructions that pertain to a specific order that was lodged with the Court. Response to Request for a Hearing on Less Than Regular Notice: LBR 9075-1(a)(b) Requests for Hearing on an Emergency Basis Under LBR 9075-1(a) If you have a true emergency requiring a hearing on less than 48 hours of notice under LBR 9075-1(a), a hearing may be requested by following the below instructions: 1. Before calling chambers, be prepared with (1) the name of the debtor, (2) applicable bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding number, (3) identity and role of party seeking relief, (4) name of the motion and relief to be requested in the motion, (5) specific need for the motion to be heard within 48 hours, and (6) requested hearing date. 2. Call Chambers at 805-884-4860 to request a hearing date. If no answer is received, leave a message with the above details. Requests for Hearing on Shortened Notice Under LBR 9075-1(b) 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. 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. If the requested hearing date is not clearly indicated in the application, the Court will determine when to set the hearing based upon the Court’s calendar. If the application is granted, the Court will enter an order that notifies the applicant of the (1) the hearing date and time, (2) the manner of service required for notice of the hearing and all other required documents, and (3) the deadlines for filing and serving any opposition to the motion and any replies in support of the motion. Phone Calls to Chambers - Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9003, Chambers is unable to answer any legal questions, whether procedural or substantive, regarding specific cases. Any calls and/or voicemails regarding such will not be returned by Chambers. Any calls and/or voicemails regarding permission to appear via zoom will not be returned by Chambers. The parties should refer to Judge Clifford’s Courtroom Policies and Procedures, the tentative ruling, and any prior rulings in the case to determine whether zoom appearances are permitted or in-person appearances are required. All questions regarding the status of a case or general information regarding a case should be directed to the Clerk’s office at 855-460-9641. If you have questions regarding Judge Clifford’s self-calendaring procedures, please refer to the Court’s website at www.cacb.uscourts.gov or contact the Courtroom Deputy at 805-884-4873. For all transcript requests, please call 805- 884-4884. Court Hearings – Appearances & Decorum # 2 When appropriate, hearing participants may view and listen to hearings before Judge Clifford using ZoomGov video or telephone conference line free of charge. Video and audio connection information for each hearing will be provided on Judge Clifford’s publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: https://ecf- ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/ and selecting “Judge Ronald A. Clifford III” from the tab on the left side of the page. All participants connecting via ZoomGov video must be done with the appearing party’s video on. Proper court attire is required of all parties appearing via ZoomGov video. Any virtual backgrounds are to be of a solid color, without pictures, videos or scenes. No party may appear by ZoomGov video or telephone conference line from any place other than a quiet room in an office or home. Parties may not appear via ZoomGov video or telephone conference line from a vehicle of any kind, moving or not. All participants, whether via ZoomGov video or telephone conference line, must conduct themselves with the same dignity as if they are in the courtroom. Regarding remote access to hearings, members of the public may NOT observe any hearing via Zoomgov video/audio. Members of the public may observe non-evidentiary hearings where no live testimony is being taken via Zoomgov telephone conference line ONLY. If members of the public attempt to observe hearings remotely in any manner other than over via Zoomgov telephone conference line, the Court will remove them from Zoomgov for the hearing(s). No members of the public will be permitted to observe, via telephone line or otherwise, trials, evidentiary hearings, hearings where live testimony will be taken, and hearings where sensitive information is being disseminated that may not be adequately safeguarded. # 3 Judge Clifford generally issues tentative rulings regarding law and motion matters before 5 p.m. of the day prior to the beginning of the hearing day. Tentative rulings are posted on the court’s website (www.cacb.uscourts.gov) and on PACER. Tentative rulings may not be rendered on every matter. Tentative Rulings # 4 Judge Clifford does not accept judge’s copies. Do not send judge’s copies. Judge’s Copies # 5 Every judge has “Self-Calendaring” instructions on their webpage. Judge Clifford’s calendar of dates and calendaring instructions with the specific days and times that Judge Clifford hears particular matters may be found here: https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov/judges/honorable- ronald-clifford-iii Scheduling Hearings ONLY use the day and time appropriate to your calendar matter. No exceptions. # 6 The attorney responsible for litigating the trial must appear in-person at the pretrial conference. Failure to appear at the pretrial conference may result in the imposition of sanctions and issuance of an order to show cause why the case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute. Pretrial Conferences Service of Motions and Applications # 7 Service of all motions and applications must comply with the applicable Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Local Bankruptcy Rules. The movant must use the Court’s creditor mailing matrix dated the date of service, which can be found on CM/ECF, and attach the same to the proof of service on all motions that require service on all creditors. Movant should not create or use their own creditor lists as a substitute for the Court’s creditor mailing matrix. The order will not be signed and/or rejected if the Court’s creditor mailing matrix is not attached. Stipulations or Motions to Continue a Hearing # 8 Contacting chambers is not an effective method to obtain a continuance. When all parties agree to continue a hearing, Judge Clifford follows LBR 9013-1(m)(2) and LBR 9071-1(a)(2), which requires that the parties file a stipulation to continue the hearing: 1. The parties must state clearly the proposed new date or range of dates for a new hearing, and the reason for the proposed date in the stipulation. 2. The stipulation must contain good cause for not using the original hearing date: “We are discussing settlement” is not necessarily good cause, as the parties must show real progress towards settlement if that is the reason given. 3. The stipulation must include a proof of service. 4. The parties must lodge a proposed order. When a party files a motion to continue, Judge Clifford follows LBR 9013-1(m)(1), which requires that: 1. The motion must be filed with a notice of motion under LBR 9013-1(p). 2. The motion must include a declaration under penalty of perjury. 3. The motion must comply with the same standard for a stipulation to continue the hearing. # 9 Exhibits as Evidence to a Motion/Application or in a Trial Motions/Applications - All motions and applications must be supported by declaration(s). Pleadings submitted without supporting declarations will likely be denied, even if no opposition is filed. In matters where an appraisal is submitted in support of a pleading, e.g., relief from stay matters, the appraisal must be authenticated by a declaration of the appraiser or the appraisal will not be considered. Trials - Three (3) trial exhibit binders should be submitted to the clerk’s office intake window by 4:00 p.m. the day before trial unless ordered otherwise. This does not include the trial exhibit binder for the opposing side. The parties are to exchange their respective trial exhibit binders on their own. Dismissal of a Motion/Application # 10 Sometimes a dispute gets settled and the moving party decides not to continue pursuing relief. In such case, the movant can file a notice of voluntary dismissal unless a stipulation is needed. See section 9013-1(k) of The Central Guide found at: Motions: Voluntary DISMISSAL or Stipulation to Dismiss | Central District of California | United States Bankruptcy Court

=== English ===

N E W S R E L E A S E February 2, 2022 Contact: Katherine Rodriguez [email protected] Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Appoints New Bankruptcy Judge for Central District of California SAN FRANCISCO — Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have appointed Ronald Alonzo Clifford, III, as the next bankruptcy judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. His 14-year term began on Feb. 1, 2022, when Bankruptcy Judge Maureen A. Tighe administered his oath of office. Judge Clifford succeeds retired Bankruptcy Judge Richard M. Neiter and will maintain chambers in Santa Barbara. “The judges of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, are excited to welcome Judge Ron Clifford as our newest judge in service to the American people,” said Chief Judge Theodor C. Albert of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Previously, Judge Clifford had been a partner at a boutique bankruptcy and litigation firm in Orange County, California, where his practice focused on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, commercial transactions and litigation. He represented dozens of officially appointed creditors’ committees in Chapter 11 cases in 13 states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington State. He represented Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 debtors and trustees. In his litigation practice, Judge Clifford represented companies and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants in cases such as breach of contract, lien foreclosure, asset purchases and judgment enforcement. Previously, he was the sole owner of his own law firm from 2006 to 2007. Judge Clifford received his Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Pomona in 2003 and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, in 2006 from Whittier Law School, where he was editor of the Whittier Law Review. While in law school, Judge Clifford was a fellow for the Center for Children’s Rights, which included a clinic that served underprivileged children in a plethora of legal concerns. # # # Page 2 of 2 Engaged in his community, Judge Clifford previously volunteered for the Central District’s Federal Day, where students from urban areas of Orange County are provided access to lawyers, judges and court staff to discuss careers in law and careers related to law. He also has volunteered at the Orange County Food Bank and at the free legal clinic hosted by the Langston Bar Association in Los Angeles. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California had 24,248 bankruptcy filings in fiscal year 2021 ending September 30. The court is authorized 21 permanent judgeships. Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have statutory responsibility for selecting and appointing bankruptcy judges in the nine western states that comprise the Ninth Circuit. The court uses a comprehensive merit selection process for the initial appointment and for reappointments. Bankruptcy judges serve a 14-year renewable term and handle all bankruptcy-related matters under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. # # #

=== Spanish ===

El Tribunal de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito nombra a nuevo Juez de Bancarrota del Distrito Central de California SAN FRANCISCO — Los jueces del Tribunal de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito de los Estados Unidos han nombrado a Ronald Alonzo Clifford, III, como el próximo juez de bancarrota en el Tribunal de Bancarrota de los EE. UU. del Distrito Central de California. Su mandato de 14 años comenzó hoy, 1 de febrero, cuando la Juez de Bancarrota Maureen A. Tighe administró su juramento de cargo. El Juez Clifford sucede al Juez de Bancarrota Richard M. Neiter y mantendrá Cámaras en Santa Barbara. “Los jueces del Tribunal de Bancarrota de los EE. UU., Distrito Central, están emocionados de dar la bienvenida al Juez Ron Clifford como el miembro más nuevo al servicio del pueblo estadounidense”, dijo el Juez Principal Theodor C. Albert del Tribunal de Bancarrota de los EE. UU. para el Distrito Central de California. Anteriormente, el juez Clifford había sido socio desde el 2014 en Blakeley LLP en Orange, California, donde su práctica durante los últimos 13 años se centró en la bancarrota, los derechos de los acreedores, transacciones comerciales y los litigios. Representó a docenas de comités de acreedores designados oficialmente en casos del Capítulo 11 en 14 estados, incluidos Arizona, California, Connecticut, Nueva York, Maryland, Massachusetts y el estado de Washington. Representó a los deudores y fideicomisarios del Capítulo 7 y del Capítulo 11. En su práctica de litigios, el juez Clifford representó a empresas e individuos como demandantes y demandados en casos tales como incumplimiento de contrato, ejecución hipotecaria, compra de activos y ejecución de sentencias. Anteriormente, fue el único propietario de la oficina legal de Ronald A. Clifford del 2006 al 2007. El juez Clifford recibió su Licenciatura en Artes de la Universidad Estatal de California en Pomona en el 2003 y su Doctorado en Jurisprudencia, magna cum laude, en el 2006 de la Facultad de Derecho de Whittier, donde fue editor de Whittier Law Review. Mientras estaba en la facultad de derecho, el juez Clifford fue miembro del Centro para los Derechos de los Niños, que incluía una clínica que atendía a niños desfavorecidos en una gran cantidad de problemas legales. Comprometido con su comunidad, el juez Clifford previamente se ofreció como voluntario para el Día Federal del Distrito Central, cuando estudiantes de áreas urbanas del condado de Orange tienen acceso a abogados, jueces y personal judicial para hablar sobre carreras en derecho y carreras relacionadas con el derecho. También se ha ofrecido como voluntario en el Banco de Alimentos del Condado de Orange y en la clínica legal gratuita organizada por la Asociación de Abogados Langston en Los Angeles. El Tribunal de Bancarrota de EE. UU. para el Distrito Central de California tuvo 24,248 solicitudes de bancarrota en el año fiscal 2021 que finaliza el 30 de septiembre. El tribunal está autorizando 21 judicaturas permanentes. Los Jueces del Tribunal de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito de EE. UU tienen la responsabilidad legal de seleccionar y nombrar jueces de bancarrota en los nueve estados occidentales que componen el Noveno Circuito. El tribunal utiliza un proceso integral de selección por méritos para el nombramiento inicial y para reelección. Los jueces de bancarrota sirven un término renovable de 14 años y manejan todos los asuntos relacionados con la bancarrota bajo el Código de Bancarrota de EE. UU.