Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Courtroom 2, 4th Floor, Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. CMC is via Zoom (Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.) but motion hearings are in person (Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.) in Oakland. Attorneys cannot appear remotely at motion hearings without good cause showing.
- 2. No paper courtesy copies as a matter of course. Do not send binders. Court may request digital copies on CD or flash drive.
- 3. Proposed orders in Word format must be emailed to HSGpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the SAME DAY the proposed order is e-filed — not the next day.
- 4. If a hearing is vacated, a party whose arguing attorney has 5 or fewer years of experience must notify the Court in writing within 2 days to preserve the opportunity to request rescheduling.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions are generally heard in person on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 2, 4th Floor, Oakland. No reservation required; check Judge Gilliam's scheduling notes on cand.uscourts.gov for available dates. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 7] |
| 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 Paper courtesy copies not submitted unless the Court specifically requests them. Court may order digital copies on portable media (CD or... [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 26] |
| Remote Appearances | Civil case management conferences are via Public Zoom Webinar on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. Motion hearings are in person. Requests to appear remotely require good cause; attorneys who wish to argue at a motion hearing generally may not appear remotely. |
| Discovery | Court may refer the case to a Magistrate Judge to handle all discovery disputes at any time once a discovery-related matter arises. After referral, all discovery matters must follow that Magistrate Judge's procedures. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 18] |
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 are generally heard in person on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 2, 4th Floor, Oakland. No reservation required; check Judge Gilliam's scheduling notes on cand.uscourts.gov for available dates. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 7]
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
Paper courtesy copies not submitted unless the Court specifically requests them. Court may order digital copies on portable media (CD or flash drive). [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 26]
Proposed Orders
Word format submitted by email to HSGpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the same day the proposed order is e-filed. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 24]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Court may vacate the hearing and rule on the papers. If the hearing is vacated and the arguing attorney has been licensed for five or fewer years, notify the Court in writing within two days of the vacating order — the Court will consider rescheduling to provide that opportunity. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 10]
Remote Appearances
Civil case management conferences are via Public Zoom Webinar on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. Motion hearings are in person. Requests to appear remotely require good cause; attorneys who wish to argue at a motion hearing generally may not appear remotely.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Court may refer the case to a Magistrate Judge to handle all discovery disputes at any time once a discovery-related matter arises. After referral, all discovery matters must follow that Magistrate Judge's procedures. [Judge Gilliam Civil Standing Order (July 9, 2024), ¶ 18]
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
Civil motions: Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in person, Oakland courthouse. CMC via Zoom, Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. No courtesy copies unless requested. Proposed orders: Word to HSGpo@cand.uscourts.gov same day as e-filing. Civil Standing Order effective July 9, 2024.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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