Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Jeffrey S. White -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Oakland Courthouse
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Civil law and motion AND case management conferences are both on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. -- same day/time block. Check the Court's website for scheduling before noticing.
- 2. No letters to chambers except for discovery disputes or by Court permission. Status reports, continuance requests, and telephonic appearance requests must all be on pleading paper.
- 3. Related cases: use the terminal digit from the lowest numbered case for motion filing purposes -- a trap for litigants in a related-case cluster.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil law and motion calendar and case management conferences: Fridays at 9:00 a.m. Check scheduling information on the Court's website before noticing to confirm open and available dates. Noticed days may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge White Civil Standing Orders (revised Dec. 2024)] |
| 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 Unless the Court directs otherwise, parties shall not submit chambers copies of materials filed electronically. If manually filed and the... [Judge White Civil Standing Orders (revised Dec. 2024)] |
| Remote Appearances | Not individually specified in standing order. Check case-specific orders. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes handled by joint letter brief procedure -- parties may not submit letters to the Court except for discovery disputes (see paragraph 7 of standing order) or by Court permission. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order. [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
Civil law and motion calendar and case management conferences: Fridays at 9:00 a.m. Check scheduling information on the Court's website before noticing to confirm open and available dates. Noticed days may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge White Civil Standing Orders (revised Dec. 2024)]
Notice Period
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(a): 35 days after filing. FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded. If the case is a related case, use the terminal digit from the lowest numbered case for motion filing purposes.
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
Unless the Court directs otherwise, parties shall not submit chambers copies of materials filed electronically. If manually filed and the item is voluminous, confirm procedure with CRD. [Judge White Civil Standing Orders (revised Dec. 2024)]
Proposed Orders
Per Civ. L.R. 5-1(f): PDF attached to motion; Word format emailed to chambers. CRD at jswcrd@cand.uscourts.gov, (510) 637-3541. [Civ. L.R. 5-1(f)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Per Civ. L.R. 7-1(b): Court may decide without oral argument at its discretion. Standing order does not add individual procedures.
Remote Appearances
Not individually specified in standing order. Check case-specific orders.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes handled by joint letter brief procedure -- parties may not submit letters to the Court except for discovery disputes (see paragraph 7 of standing order) or by Court permission. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order. [Civ. L.R. 72-1]
Discovery Motion Process
Not individually specified beyond Civ. L.R. 7-3 defaults. Continuances granted only upon showing of good cause with evidence of diligence and prejudice if denied.
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. Counsel shall not attempt to make contact by telephone or any other ex parte means with the Court or its chambers staff. [Judge White Civil Standing Orders (revised Dec. 2024)]
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Senior District Judge, Oakland. Civil law and motion and CMCs: Fridays 9:00 a.m. Pretrial conferences: Mondays 2:00 p.m. Trials: Mondays 8:00 a.m. CRD at jswcrd@cand.uscourts.gov, (510) 637-3541. Counsel must list email addresses on papers to facilitate CRD communication. Standing order revised December 2024.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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