Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
San Francisco Division
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. No formal discovery motions permitted -- must use the Discovery Standing Order procedure (joint statement, not a noticed motion).
- 2. Written communications alone do not satisfy discovery meet and confer -- must include actual conversation by lead counsel.
- 3. Chambers copies not required unless the Court specifically orders them -- this is an exception to the common N.D. Cal. practice.
- 4. All exhibits to motions and discovery disputes must be separately e-filed (e.g., Dkt. 31 declaration with Dkt. 31-1, 31-2 for each exhibit) in searchable OCR format.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Law and motion heard Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. All motions (except criminal duty matters) noticed for any available Thursday. Confirm availability at https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/hixson-thomas-s-tsh/. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 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 | Conditional Parties do not need to submit chambers copies except when requested by a separate court order. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 2025)] |
| Remote Appearances | Not specified in standing order. Follow standard N.D. Cal. practice. |
| Discovery | Governed by Judge Hixson's separate Discovery Standing Order (revised Feb. 24, 2026), available at https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/hixson-thomas-s-tsh/. No formal discovery motions permitted. Parties must first meet and confer (exchange of written communications does not satisfy). If unresolved, parties have two options: (1) request telephonic conference with CRD for straightforward disputes; (2) for complex disputes, prepare a joint statement of no more than five pages (12-point font) containing a cover page with attestation of meet and confer, each party's position with citations, and each party's final proposed compromise. Joint statement must attach the discovery requests and responses at issue. May also attach meet-and-confer correspondence and exhibits. E-file under Civil Events > Motions and Related Filings > Motions -- General > Discovery Letter Brief. [Judge Hixson Discovery Standing Order (Revised Feb. 24, 2026)] |
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
Law and motion heard Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. All motions (except criminal duty matters) noticed for any available Thursday. Confirm availability at https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/hixson-thomas-s-tsh/. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 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
Conditional
Parties do not need to submit chambers copies except when requested by a separate court order. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 2025)]
Proposed Orders
Proposed orders in cases subject to electronic filing must be emailed in Word format to tshpo@cand.uscourts.gov. Used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 2025)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Not specified in civil standing order. Hearings subject to standard N.D. Cal. practice. [Judge Hixson Standing Order (Revised Sept. 9, 2025)]
Remote Appearances
Not specified in standing order. Follow standard N.D. Cal. practice.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Governed by Judge Hixson's separate Discovery Standing Order (revised Feb. 24, 2026), available at https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/hixson-thomas-s-tsh/. No formal discovery motions permitted. Parties must first meet and confer (exchange of written communications does not satisfy). If unresolved, parties have two options: (1) request telephonic conference with CRD for straightforward disputes; (2) for complex disputes, prepare a joint statement of no more than five pages (12-point font) containing a cover page with attestation of meet and confer, each party's position with citations, and each party's final proposed compromise. Joint statement must attach the discovery requests and responses at issue. May also attach meet-and-confer correspondence and exhibits. E-file under Civil Events > Motions and Related Filings > Motions -- General > Discovery Letter Brief. [Judge Hixson Discovery Standing Order (Revised Feb. 24, 2026)]
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes, exchange of written communications does not satisfy meet and confer requirement. Lead counsel must conduct meet and confer. If parties want preliminary guidance, may contact CRD to arrange telephonic conference.
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, San Francisco Division. Law and motion Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. No chambers copies required absent specific court order. Separate Discovery Standing Order governs all discovery disputes (joint statement up to 5 pages, no formal motions). Proposed orders to tshpo@cand.uscourts.gov. CRD at tshcrd@cand.uscourts.gov or (415) 522-4067.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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