Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Susan Illston -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
San Francisco Federal Courthouse (specific courtroom not stated in standing order -- check court website).
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. MUST check the closed-date list at https://apps.cand.uscourts.gov/CEO/cfd.aspx?7133#Notes before setting any hearing -- motions noticed on closed dates will be automatically re-set.
- 2. CMC calendar may move to earlier in the day on Friday if the court's schedule allows -- check the court calendar several days before the CMC.
- 3. Discovery M&C: a mere exchange of letters, emails, voicemails, or texts is not sufficient -- must be in person (or phone/video for out-of-Bay-Area counsel).
- 4. The first paragraph of the joint discovery statement must describe the parties' meet and confer efforts.
- 5. No affidavits or exhibits with the joint discovery statement except copies of the actual written discovery requests and responses.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil law and motion calendar on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal law and motion on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Pretrial conferences on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Parties MUST check the Court's scheduling notes and closed-date list before setting any hearing: https://apps.cand.uscourts.gov/CEO/cfd.aspx?7133#Notes [Judge Illston's Standing Order (Sept. 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 No chambers copy requirement specified in standing order beyond Local Rule requirements. |
| Remote Appearances | Initial and further CMCs conducted over Zoom. A Clerk's notice will issue with login/registration information within a week of the CMC. Default for law and motion hearings is in-person; check scheduling notes as CMC calendars may move earlier on Fridays. [Judge Illston's Standing Order (Sept. 2025)] |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved via joint statement procedure. Parties must meet and confer in person (or by phone/video if counsel are outside Bay Area) before seeking court relief. A mere exchange of letters, emails, voicemails, or texts does NOT satisfy the meet-and-confer requirement. If unresolved, submit a concise joint statement of 5 pages or less; if joint statement not possible, each side may submit a 2-page individual statement. No affidavits or exhibits except copies of written discovery requests and responses. |
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 law and motion calendar on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal law and motion on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Pretrial conferences on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Parties MUST check the Court's scheduling notes and closed-date list before setting any hearing: https://apps.cand.uscourts.gov/CEO/cfd.aspx?7133#Notes [Judge Illston's Standing Order (Sept. 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
No chambers copy requirement specified in standing order beyond Local Rule requirements.
Proposed Orders
Per Civ. L.R. requirements. No judge-specific proposed order email address published in standing order.
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Hearings proceed as scheduled. No tentative ruling system noted. Counsel need not reserve a hearing date but may call the Courtroom Deputy for the next available law and motion calendar slot. Court may reset motions as calendar requires.
Remote Appearances
Initial and further CMCs conducted over Zoom. A Clerk's notice will issue with login/registration information within a week of the CMC. Default for law and motion hearings is in-person; check scheduling notes as CMC calendars may move earlier on Fridays. [Judge Illston's Standing Order (Sept. 2025)]
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved via joint statement procedure. Parties must meet and confer in person (or by phone/video if counsel are outside Bay Area) before seeking court relief. A mere exchange of letters, emails, voicemails, or texts does NOT satisfy the meet-and-confer requirement. If unresolved, submit a concise joint statement of 5 pages or less; if joint statement not possible, each side may submit a 2-page individual statement. No affidavits or exhibits except copies of written discovery requests and responses.
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes: parties must meet and confer in person, or by phone/videoconference if counsel are outside the Bay Area. A mere exchange of letters, emails, voicemails, or text messages does not satisfy the M&C requirement. If unresolved, prepare a joint statement of 5 pages or less. First paragraph must describe M&C efforts.
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
Senior District Judge, San Francisco. Civil motions on Fridays at 10am. CMCs on Fridays at 2:30pm via Zoom. Must check closed-date list before noticing any motion. Discovery: in-person M&C required (phone/video if outside Bay Area), then 5-page joint statement or 2-page individual statements.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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