Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
San Francisco Division
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Discovery letter brief must be signed by lead trial counsel attesting to in-person or videoconference meet and confer -- email exchange alone does not satisfy meet and confer.
- 2. Chambers copies required only for voluminous filings -- but if filing is large, all formatting requirements (double-sided, three-hole punched, ECF header, tabbed exhibits with TOC) apply strictly.
- 3. Parties may stipulate to videoconference for hearings but must do so at least one week in advance -- no day-of requests.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions heard Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in person. Parties may stipulate to videoconference one week before any hearing. [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)] |
| Motion Limit | Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(b): 25 pages maximum. |
| Reply Limit | Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 15 pages maximum. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Required when filings are voluminous. Must be double-side printed and three-hole punched, bearing PACER/ECF-generated header. Exhibits must... [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)] |
| Remote Appearances | Hearings are in person. Parties may stipulate to videoconference one week before any hearing. Case management conferences held by videoconference on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes: lead trial counsel must confer in person or by videoconference (either party may demand with one week notice). If unresolved, parties submit a five-page joint letter brief (12-point font, reasonable margins, page breaks between paragraphs) signed by lead trial counsel. Letter must address each dispute separately: describe issue, summarize each party's position with citations, and provide each party's final proposed compromise. Supporting declarations and documentation up to 15 pages permitted. Court determines next steps (ruling, more briefing, or hearing). [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)] |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
N.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other N.D. Cal. Judges
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions heard Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in person. Parties may stipulate to videoconference one week before any hearing. [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)]
Notice Period
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(a): 35 days after filing. FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded.
Motion Page / Word Limit
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(b): 25 pages maximum.
Opposition Limit
Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 25 pages maximum.
Reply Limit
Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 15 pages maximum.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Required when filings are voluminous. Must be double-side printed and three-hole punched, bearing PACER/ECF-generated header. Exhibits must be tabbed with table of contents. Copies over two inches thick must be submitted in a binder. For sealed filings, redacted and unredacted copies must be submitted in order. Binder order: (1) motions and proposed orders, (2) sealing motions and proposed orders with supporting declarations only, (3) exhibits with numbered tabs. Electronic copies may be emailed to lbpo@cand.uscourts.gov instead for non-voluminous filings. [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)]
Proposed Orders
PDF briefs and bookmarked exhibits emailed to lbpo@cand.uscourts.gov. Proposed orders and courtesy copies sent to same address. For large files, lodge thumb drive or share cloud-based access. [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Hearings are in person unless parties stipulate to videoconference one week in advance. [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)]
Remote Appearances
Hearings are in person. Parties may stipulate to videoconference one week before any hearing. Case management conferences held by videoconference on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes: lead trial counsel must confer in person or by videoconference (either party may demand with one week notice). If unresolved, parties submit a five-page joint letter brief (12-point font, reasonable margins, page breaks between paragraphs) signed by lead trial counsel. Letter must address each dispute separately: describe issue, summarize each party's position with citations, and provide each party's final proposed compromise. Supporting declarations and documentation up to 15 pages permitted. Court determines next steps (ruling, more briefing, or hearing). [Judge Beeler Standing Order (revised Mar. 12, 2025)]
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes, counsel must first confer by any means. If unresolved, lead trial counsel must confer in person or by videoconference (either party may demand with one week notice).
Ex Parte Applications
Per Civ. L.R. 7-10: Permitted only if authorized by statute, Federal Rule, local rule, or standing order. Cite authority in motion.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Calendar-first magistrate in San Francisco. Civil motions on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Discovery disputes resolved via five-page joint letter brief after in-person/video meet and confer by lead counsel. Proposed orders and courtesy copies go to lbpo@cand.uscourts.gov. Courtroom deputy Elaine Kabiling at lbcrd@cand.uscourts.gov or 415-522-3140.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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