Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge James Donato -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Courtroom 11, 19th Floor, United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Trial date is assigned at the initial CMC and will not be moved absent good cause -- counsel must be prepared to commit to a realistic schedule at the very first conference.
- 2. Budget no more than 18 months from initial CMC to trial -- longer requests must be justified at the CMC.
- 3. Telephonic/remote appearances at CMCs and motion hearings are rare and require prior Court approval at least three court days in advance -- do not assume remote is available.
- 4. Lead counsel must appear at the CMC with authority to enter stipulations and make admissions; failure to appear by lead counsel may result in sanctions.
- 5. Separate discovery standing orders exist -- the main civil standing order does not contain discovery procedures.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Case management conferences: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11, 19th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. Civil motion hearing day not separately specified in extracted text -- check full standing order and Standing Orders for Discovery. [Judge Donato Standing Order for Civil Cases, § 2] |
| 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 | Conditional |
| Remote Appearances | Telephonic appearances at CMCs or motion hearings are rarely permitted except in exceptional circumstances with prior Court approval at least three court days before the hearing. |
| Discovery | Donato maintains separate Standing Orders for Discovery in Civil Cases. Review that order for discovery dispute procedures. Parties should budget case schedules working backward from trial to ensure adequate time for discovery, expert discovery, Daubert motions, and class certification. [Judge Donato Standing Order for Civil Cases, Introduction] |
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
Case management conferences: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11, 19th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. Civil motion hearing day not separately specified in extracted text -- check full standing order and Standing Orders for Discovery. [Judge Donato Standing Order for Civil Cases, § 2]
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
Conditional
Proposed Orders
Not specifically addressed in extracted standing order text. Follow local rule requirements.
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Telephonic appearances at case management conferences or motion hearings are rarely permitted except in exceptional circumstances and only with the Court's prior approval at least three court days before the hearing. [Judge Donato Standing Order for Civil Cases, § 6]
Remote Appearances
Telephonic appearances at CMCs or motion hearings are rarely permitted except in exceptional circumstances with prior Court approval at least three court days before the hearing.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Donato maintains separate Standing Orders for Discovery in Civil Cases. Review that order for discovery dispute procedures. Parties should budget case schedules working backward from trial to ensure adequate time for discovery, expert discovery, Daubert motions, and class certification. [Judge Donato Standing Order for Civil Cases, Introduction]
Discovery Motion Process
Joint Case Management Statement required at least 7 calendar days before the CMC. If a joint statement cannot be filed, a signed declaration explaining the grounds for failure must accompany the filing. Absence of a party's counsel is grounds for sanctions.
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
Donato sits in San Francisco (Courtroom 11, 19th Floor). CMCs on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Trial dates assigned at initial CMC and treated as firm. Requires separate Standing Orders for Discovery -- must read both orders before any civil case proceeding. Joint CMC statement due 7 calendar days before conference. 18-month CMC-to-trial budget is a firm scheduling expectation.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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