Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Chambers copies threshold is 50 pages inclusive of declarations and exhibits -- not the standard 'voluminous' standard used by other judges.
- 2. Hybrid hearings (some in person, some remote) are disfavored -- requests for remote appearance must go through administrative motion or stipulation.
- 3. Proposed orders must be submitted on the day of filing, not within a window after filing.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions heard Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. in person. When Judge Cisneros is on criminal duty, civil motions heard Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Hybrid hearings (some counsel in person, some remote) are disfavored. [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order] |
| 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 only for filings that necessitate action by the Court AND exceed 50 pages inclusive of supporting declarations and exhibits. Must... [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order] |
| Remote Appearances | Motion hearings are in person unless otherwise ordered. Hybrid hearings disfavored. Case management conferences held Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar. Settlement conferences on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. |
| Discovery | Standing order does not specify a separate discovery letter brief procedure in the civil standing order text. Check the court website at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/lisa-j-cisneros/ for any separate discovery standing order. [Judge Cisneros court page] |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
N.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other N.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions heard Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. in person. When Judge Cisneros is on criminal duty, civil motions heard Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Hybrid hearings (some counsel in person, some remote) are disfavored. [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order]
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 only for filings that necessitate action by the Court AND exceed 50 pages inclusive of supporting declarations and exhibits. Must bear PACER/ECF header and be clearly marked with judge's initials (LJC) and 'Chambers Copy.' Bound at top or side; voluminous filings (over two inches) in binders. Exhibits must be tabbed. Flash drive may accompany. Must arrive within 48 hours after e-filing. [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order]
Proposed Orders
Required for all filings that necessitate action by the Court. Submit in Word format (.doc or .docx) via email to ljcpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the day of filing. Used only for civil proposed orders unless otherwise directed. [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Motion hearings are in person unless otherwise ordered. Any request for remote hearing must be made by administrative motion or stipulation and proposed order. [Judge Cisneros Civil Standing Order]
Remote Appearances
Motion hearings are in person unless otherwise ordered. Hybrid hearings disfavored. Case management conferences held Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar. Settlement conferences on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Standing order does not specify a separate discovery letter brief procedure in the civil standing order text. Check the court website at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/lisa-j-cisneros/ for any separate discovery standing order. [Judge Cisneros court page]
Discovery Motion Process
Standard N.D. Cal. local rules apply. Check court's website for any separate discovery standing order.
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. Civil motions Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. (Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. during criminal duty). Chambers copies triggered at 50-page threshold. Proposed orders to ljcpo@cand.uscourts.gov on day of filing. CRD at ljccrd@cand.uscourts.gov or (415) 522-2043.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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