Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Rita F. Lin -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Motions to dismiss and motions to remand are submitted on the papers by default — no hearing is held. If parties set a hearing on an MTD or remand, it is AUTOMATICALLY VACATED. The Court will set a hearing if it finds one necessary.
- 2. Tiered page limits: 25/25/15 for SJ, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction; 15/15/10 for all other motions. This is a significant deviation from CA-ND local rules (25/25/15 for all).
- 3. Zoom requests must be submitted at least one week before the hearing. Court is disinclined to grant Zoom for complex or dispositive motions, or if all counsel are locally based.
- 4. Proposed orders are NOT needed for most substantive motions (MSJ, MTD, PI). Only submit for admin motions, ex parte applications, discovery disputes, and factual-finding rulings (class settlement, fee awards).
- 5. If a filing has more than 10 attachments, email rflcrd@cand.uscourts.gov immediately after ECF filing to get a Box.com upload link — all attachments must be uploaded in file-stamped form with specific naming conventions.
- 6. Discovery meet-and-confer requires a live conversation; email alone is insufficient. Phone calls satisfy the requirement.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions heard in person on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. No reservation required; check Judge Lin's calendar and Scheduling Notes at cand.uscourts.gov for available dates. Motions to dismiss and remand are submitted on the papers by default — no hearing; any hearing set by parties is automatically vacated. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Scheduling and Hearings] |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages for summary judgment, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction motions. 15 pages for all other motions. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Briefs] |
| Reply Limit | 15 pages for summary judgment, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction motions. 10 pages for all other motions. |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional Paper courtesy copies shall not be submitted unless the Court requests them. When a filing includes more than 10 attachments, email... [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Filing and Courtesy Copies] |
| Remote Appearances | Default is in person. Parties may stipulate/request Zoom hearing but must do so at least one week in advance. Court may notify parties in advance that a hearing will be Zoom instead of in person. Court is disinclined to hold hearings via Zoom for complex or dispositive motions, or if all counsel are locally based. |
| Discovery | A magistrate judge will be assigned in the vast majority of cases. Once assigned, follow that magistrate's procedures. If not referred: parties must first have a live conversation (phone counts; email alone is insufficient), then file a joint letter of no more than 5 pages. No exhibits allowed except the specific discovery request or response at issue. The party seeking relief prepares the letter first, then opposing party adds its response; the moving party files. Court may resolve on papers or schedule a hearing. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Discovery] |
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.
mail Subscribe to Judge Lin procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions heard in person on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. No reservation required; check Judge Lin's calendar and Scheduling Notes at cand.uscourts.gov for available dates. Motions to dismiss and remand are submitted on the papers by default — no hearing; any hearing set by parties is automatically vacated. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Scheduling and Hearings]
Notice Period
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(a): 35 days after filing. FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded. Final brief due at least 14 days before the hearing.
Motion Page / Word Limit
25 pages for summary judgment, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction motions. 15 pages for all other motions. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Briefs]
Opposition Limit
25 pages for summary judgment, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction motions. 15 pages for all other motions.
Reply Limit
15 pages for summary judgment, class certification, class settlement approval, and claim construction motions. 10 pages for all other motions.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Paper courtesy copies shall not be submitted unless the Court requests them. When a filing includes more than 10 attachments, email rflcrd@cand.uscourts.gov immediately after ECF filing to request a secure Box.com link for electronic upload. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Filing and Courtesy Copies]
Proposed Orders
Proposed orders are NOT required for most substantive motions (MSJ, MTD, preliminary injunctions). Submit in Word format to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov ONLY for: administrative motions, ex parte applications, discovery disputes, and rulings requiring factual findings (class settlement approval, attorneys' fees). [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Proposed Orders]
chevron_right
Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Court does not generally issue tentative rulings. If the Court determines a hearing is not necessary, it will usually be vacated no later than two court days before. A notice of questions may issue two to three court days before the hearing. Default is in person; Zoom requests must be submitted at least one week in advance. Court is disinclined to grant Zoom for complex or dispositive motions or if all counsel are locally based. Motions to dismiss and remand are resolved on the papers by default. Court strongly encourages less experienced attorneys to present argument. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Scheduling and Hearings]
Remote Appearances
Default is in person. Parties may stipulate/request Zoom hearing but must do so at least one week in advance. Court may notify parties in advance that a hearing will be Zoom instead of in person. Court is disinclined to hold hearings via Zoom for complex or dispositive motions, or if all counsel are locally based.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Discovery Referral
A magistrate judge will be assigned in the vast majority of cases. Once assigned, follow that magistrate's procedures. If not referred: parties must first have a live conversation (phone counts; email alone is insufficient), then file a joint letter of no more than 5 pages. No exhibits allowed except the specific discovery request or response at issue. The party seeking relief prepares the letter first, then opposing party adds its response; the moving party files. Court may resolve on papers or schedule a hearing. [Judge Lin Civil Standing Order (May 7, 2026), § Discovery]
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. Call and email CRD at rflcrd@cand.uscourts.gov to alert chambers of any TRO or emergency application; must show every reasonable effort to notify opposing party at earliest possible time or relief will be denied.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Civil Standing Order effective May 7, 2026. San Francisco courthouse. Civil calendar on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. (inferred from patent tutorial provisions referencing 'the Tuesday civil calendar at 1:30 p.m.'). No reservation required — check calendar and Scheduling Notes at cand.uscourts.gov. MTD/remand on papers by default. Proposed orders to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov for limited categories only. CRD: rflcrd@cand.uscourts.gov.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
Verify now →