Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Meet and confer for discovery disputes must be by video conference (not phone or email alone) -- any party may demand it on five business days' notice.
- 2. Joint discovery letter due within five business days of the video meet and confer session -- not a rolling deadline.
- 3. No paper courtesy copies accepted -- email everything to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov.
- 4. Settlement Conference Statements must be LODGED with Chambers (not e-filed) -- submit as PDF to JCSsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov; do not lodge hard copies.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil Law and Motion heard Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. All appearances by Zoom Webinar unless court orders otherwise (Zoom Webinar ID: 161 926 0804, Password: 050855). Criminal Law and Motion Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Case Management and Pretrial Conferences Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 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 Pursuant to General Order 72-3, no paper courtesy copies accepted unless court specifically orders hard copies. Email courtesy copies to... [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 2025)] |
| Remote Appearances | All appearances by Zoom Webinar (ID: 161 926 0804, Password: 050855) unless Court orders otherwise. |
| Discovery | In lieu of formal discovery motions: lead trial counsel must meet and confer by video conference. After attempting other means (letter, phone, email), any party may demand a video conference with five business days' notice. Within five business days of the meet-and-confer session, parties shall provide a detailed Joint Letter to the Court, not to exceed five pages without leave of Court. Joint Letter must include description of every issue in dispute and, for each issue, a detailed summary of each party's final substantive position and their final proposed compromise. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 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 Law and Motion heard Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. All appearances by Zoom Webinar unless court orders otherwise (Zoom Webinar ID: 161 926 0804, Password: 050855). Criminal Law and Motion Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Case Management and Pretrial Conferences Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 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
Pursuant to General Order 72-3, no paper courtesy copies accepted unless court specifically orders hard copies. Email courtesy copies to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov instead. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 2025)]
Proposed Orders
No paper courtesy copies accepted. Email courtesy copies and proposed orders to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov. Used only for proposed orders and courtesy copies unless otherwise directed. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 2025)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
All appearances by Zoom Webinar unless the Court orders otherwise. Requests to appear telephonically at CMC or hearing must be filed and served one week before the conference (currently suspended -- all appearances by Zoom Webinar). [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 2025)]
Remote Appearances
All appearances by Zoom Webinar (ID: 161 926 0804, Password: 050855) unless Court orders otherwise.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
In lieu of formal discovery motions: lead trial counsel must meet and confer by video conference. After attempting other means (letter, phone, email), any party may demand a video conference with five business days' notice. Within five business days of the meet-and-confer session, parties shall provide a detailed Joint Letter to the Court, not to exceed five pages without leave of Court. Joint Letter must include description of every issue in dispute and, for each issue, a detailed summary of each party's final substantive position and their final proposed compromise. [Judge Spero Civil Standing Orders (Revised Aug. 26, 2025)]
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes, lead trial counsel must meet and confer by video conference. Party may demand such meeting on five business days' notice after attempting other means (letter, phone, email).
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. Civil Law and Motion Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., all by Zoom Webinar (ID: 161 926 0804, PW: 050855). Discovery disputes via 5-page Joint Letter after video meet and confer (5 business days' notice; letter due within 5 business days of session). No paper copies -- email to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov. Settlement statements to JCSsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov. CRD at JCSCRD@cand.uscourts.gov.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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