Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Trina L. Thompson -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Courtroom 9, 19th Floor, United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Do not contact Judge Thompson or chambers staff by telephone, email, or any other ex parte means. All scheduling questions go to CRD Robert McNamee at TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov.
- 2. Court may vacate hearing and decide on the papers -- monitor the docket. Young-lawyer rule: file written notice within two days of the vacatur order to trigger a possible rehearing.
- 3. CMC joint statements must not incorporate prior case management statements by reference -- must be a standalone document.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 9, 19th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. Counsel need not reserve motion hearing dates but should check Judge Thompson's scheduling notes on the Court's website to determine the next available law and motion calendar date. Motions may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Thompson Civil Standing Order (updated May 2026)] |
| 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 Standing order does not require chambers copies. |
| Remote Appearances | Not individually specified in standing order. Check case-specific orders. |
| Discovery | Not expressly stated in standing order. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order for assigned magistrate. [Civ. L.R. 72-1] |
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
Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 9, 19th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. Counsel need not reserve motion hearing dates but should check Judge Thompson's scheduling notes on the Court's website to determine the next available law and motion calendar date. Motions may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Thompson Civil Standing Order (updated May 2026)]
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
Standing order does not require chambers copies.
Proposed Orders
Per Civ. L.R. 5-1(f): PDF attached to motion; Word format emailed to chambers. CRD: Robert McNamee at TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov, (415) 522-2039. [Civ. L.R. 5-1(f)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Court may find a matter suitable for disposition without oral argument and vacate the hearing. If any party advises the Court in writing no later than two days from the order vacating the hearing that the argument will be conducted by a lawyer licensed to practice for five or fewer years, the Court will consider rescheduling the hearing. [Judge Thompson Civil Standing Order (updated May 2026)]
Remote Appearances
Not individually specified in standing order. Check case-specific orders.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Not expressly stated in standing order. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order for assigned magistrate. [Civ. L.R. 72-1]
Discovery Motion Process
Not individually specified beyond Civ. L.R. 7-3 defaults.
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. Do not contact Judge Thompson or chambers staff by telephone, email, or any other ex parte means. [Judge Thompson Civil Standing Order (updated May 2026)]
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Active district judge in San Francisco. Civil motions: Tuesdays 2:00 p.m., Courtroom 9, 19th Floor. CMCs: Thursdays 2:00 p.m. Pretrial conferences: Thursdays 3:00 p.m. Trials: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. CRD: Robert McNamee, TLTCRD@cand.uscourts.gov, (415) 522-2039. Standing order updated May 2026.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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