Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Courtroom 10, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Failure to oppose a motion constitutes consent to its granting -- this is an explicit standing order provision, not just a Local Rule citation.
- 2. Motions noticed with fewer than 4 weeks between close of briefing and hearing may be automatically re-noticed -- plan your schedule with this minimum gap.
- 3. Chambers copies required within 3 days of filing for every filing except admin motions and stipulations -- not on the filing date, but within 3 days.
- 4. Do NOT email amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov with electronic copies of filings -- the court will request them if needed.
- 5. Footnotes: argument in footnotes will not be considered; string citations without analysis or parentheticals will be disregarded; incorporation by reference of prior arguments may be stricken.
- 6. AI content: any submission containing AI-generated content must include a certification that lead trial counsel personally verified accuracy -- failure is grounds for sanctions.
- 7. Daubert motions: limited to 3 per side; 5-page opening/responsive, 3-page replies. Must specify paragraphs or portions of report sought to be excluded.
- 8. Requests to use audio-visual demonstratives during hearings must be filed as administrative motions at least 14 court days before the hearing.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. Civil CMCs and status conferences in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Pretrial conferences in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Confirm court availability before noticing: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges/martinez-olguin-araceli-amo/. Any motion noticed on a closed date will automatically be re-set. Scheduling: amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 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 | ✓ Required Required for every filing EXCEPT administrative motions and stipulations. Must be provided within 3 days of filing. Format: double-sided... [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)] |
| Remote Appearances | In-person default for all settings. Zoom by advance request: all-party agreement via Administrative Motion at least one week before hearing, OR compelling good cause shown by individual request filed at least 7 days before hearing. Requests lacking good cause or filed fewer than 7 days in advance will likely be denied. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes are heard by Judge Martinez-Olguin unless referred. Discovery M&C must be in person or by videoconference; letters, emails, phone calls, or faxes do not satisfy the requirement. If unresolved after good faith M&C by lead trial counsel, file a joint statement of no more than 5 pages (12-point font) stating the dispute and each party's final proposed compromise, issue by issue. Separate statement for each dispute preferred. Supporting declarations and documentation may not exceed 12 pages. If joint statement impossible, each side may submit up to 2 pages. File under ECF: Motions and Related Filings > Motions -- General > Discovery Letter Brief. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)] |
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 in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. Civil CMCs and status conferences in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Pretrial conferences in Courtroom 10 on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Confirm court availability before noticing: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges/martinez-olguin-araceli-amo/. Any motion noticed on a closed date will automatically be re-set. Scheduling: amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)]
Notice Period
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(a): 35 days after filing. FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded. Note: motions noticed with fewer than 4 weeks between close of briefing and hearing may be automatically re-noticed by the Court.
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
✓ Required
Required for every filing EXCEPT administrative motions and stipulations. Must be provided within 3 days of filing. Format: double-sided (when possible), three-hole punched left side, ECF stamp on top of each page, exhibits clearly delineated with labels or tabs on right side. Filings with exhibits over 2 inches thick must be in binders. Mark envelope 'Judge Martinez-Olguin,' case number, and 'Chambers Copy.' Submit to the Clerk's Office. Do NOT email amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov with electronic copies of filings. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)]
Proposed Orders
No judge-specific proposed order email address published in civil standing order. Proposed orders for administrative motions, ex parte applications, and discovery disputes follow the court's standard procedures. For criminal cases, do not email amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov with electronic copies of proposed orders -- Court will request if needed.
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
All settings held in person in Courtroom 10 by default. Court may notify parties in advance that a setting will be by Zoom. If all parties agree, may request Zoom via Administrative Motion under Civ. L.R. 7-11, filed at least one week before the hearing. Without agreement, virtual appearances require a compelling showing of good cause, filed at least 7 days in advance. Requests submitted without good cause or fewer than 7 days in advance will likely be denied. Before each proceeding, email amocrd@cand.uscourts.gov with list of lead counsel and other appearing counsel at least 2 court days in advance. Each side typically allotted 5 minutes of initial argument. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)]
Remote Appearances
In-person default for all settings. Zoom by advance request: all-party agreement via Administrative Motion at least one week before hearing, OR compelling good cause shown by individual request filed at least 7 days before hearing. Requests lacking good cause or filed fewer than 7 days in advance will likely be denied.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes are heard by Judge Martinez-Olguin unless referred. Discovery M&C must be in person or by videoconference; letters, emails, phone calls, or faxes do not satisfy the requirement. If unresolved after good faith M&C by lead trial counsel, file a joint statement of no more than 5 pages (12-point font) stating the dispute and each party's final proposed compromise, issue by issue. Separate statement for each dispute preferred. Supporting declarations and documentation may not exceed 12 pages. If joint statement impossible, each side may submit up to 2 pages. File under ECF: Motions and Related Filings > Motions -- General > Discovery Letter Brief. [Judge Martinez-Olguin's Civil Standing Order (Nov. 2025)]
Discovery Motion Process
Discovery M&C must be in person or by videoconference by lead trial counsel. Letters, emails, telephone calls, or fax transmissions do not satisfy the requirement. If unresolved, file a joint statement of not more than 5 pages (12-point font). It is preferable that parties file a separate statement for each dispute. Supporting declarations/documentation limited to 12 pages.
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
District Judge, San Francisco, Courtroom 10. All settings Thursdays: civil motions 2pm, CMC 10am, pretrial 11am. In-person default -- Zoom only by advance request. Chambers copies within 3 days (except admin motions/stipulations), double-sided, three-hole punched. Discovery: 5-page joint statement, M&C must be in person or videoconference. Failure to oppose = consent to motion. Strong footnote and AI certification requirements.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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