Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Robert M. Illman -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
3140 Boeing Avenue, McKinleyville, California (Eureka Division); also schedules matters in San Francisco at the convenience of the parties.
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Joint discovery letter must be filed within 5 business days of the meet and confer session -- not from the dispute arising, from the actual M&C.
- 2. Joint letter may not be accompanied by exhibits or affidavits other than exact copies of interrogatories, requests for production, responses, privilege logs, and relevant deposition testimony.
- 3. Consent/declination forms must be filed promptly in cases assigned to Judge Illman for all purposes; if a party files a dispositive motion, the consent/declination must be filed simultaneously.
- 4. If opposing party cannot be reached for joint letter after M&C, file a written request for a telephonic conference -- do not file a unilateral discovery motion.
- 5. McKinleyville courthouse is the primary location -- check ECF before assuming SF proceedings.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Eureka Division courthouse in McKinleyville. Judge Illman also schedules certain matters in San Francisco at the convenience of the parties. Check ECF for specific settings. |
| 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 No chambers copy requirement specified in standing order. |
| Remote Appearances | Judge Illman regularly allows parties to appear by video or teleconference for most hearings. Any deviation from that practice will be reflected in case-specific notices. [Judge Illman's General Standing Order (Sept. 2022)] |
| Discovery | Not applicable -- Judge Illman is a magistrate judge who presides over discovery disputes as the assigned or referred magistrate. Discovery disputes before Judge Illman are governed by the joint letter procedure in his standing order. [Judge Illman's General Standing Order (Sept. 2022)] |
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
Eureka Division courthouse in McKinleyville. Judge Illman also schedules certain matters in San Francisco at the convenience of the parties. Check ECF for specific settings.
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
No chambers copy requirement specified in standing order.
Proposed Orders
Per Civ. L.R. requirements. No judge-specific proposed order email address published in standing order -- submit per local rules.
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Judge Illman regularly allows video or teleconference appearances for most hearings. Dispositive motion hearings may require in-person attendance; check standing order and any case-specific notice.
Remote Appearances
Judge Illman regularly allows parties to appear by video or teleconference for most hearings. Any deviation from that practice will be reflected in case-specific notices. [Judge Illman's General Standing Order (Sept. 2022)]
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Not applicable -- Judge Illman is a magistrate judge who presides over discovery disputes as the assigned or referred magistrate. Discovery disputes before Judge Illman are governed by the joint letter procedure in his standing order. [Judge Illman's General Standing Order (Sept. 2022)]
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes: lead trial counsel must meet and confer in good faith. Within 5 business days of the meet and confer session, parties must file a detailed joint letter not exceeding 5 pages (excluding cover page). If counsel cannot meet and confer or cannot obtain opposing party's portion of the joint letter, the moving party must file a written request for a telephonic conference to enforce the M&C requirement.
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
Magistrate Judge, Eureka Division, based in McKinleyville (3140 Boeing Ave). Regularly allows video/teleconference. Also schedules in SF. Discovery disputes: 5-page joint letter within 5 business days of M&C. No formal noticed discovery motions. Consent/declination timing is strictly enforced.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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