judge console · N.D. Cal.
N.D. Cal. · Judge Illman · Practice Guide

Hon. Robert M. Illman

Verified 2026-06-26verify at the court's site ↗

All local rules for N.D. Cal., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Permitted only if statute, Federal Rule, local rule, or standing order authorizes; cite authority in motion Civ. L.R. 7-10 ↗

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule
Motion

25 pages maximum (motion must be in one document not exceeding 25 pages) Civ. L.R. 7-2(b) ↗

Opposition

25 pages maximum Civ. L.R. 7-4(b) ↗

Reply

15 pages maximum Civ. L.R. 7-4(b) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule
Notice period

35 days after filing (FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded) Civ. L.R. 7-2(a) ↗

Hearing days

Judge's individual law and motion calendar; no district-wide standard hearing day Civ. L.R. 7-2(a) ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

PDF attached to motion; Word format emailed to assigned judge's chambers address Civ. L.R. 5-1(f) ↗

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Court may decide without oral argument or by telephone at judge's discretion Civ. L.R. 7-1(b) ↗

Remote appearances
👤 Judge Illman — standing order

Judge Illman primarily presides over matters at the courthouse at 3140 Boeing Avenue in McKinleyville, California, but regularly allows the parties to appear by video or teleconference for most hearings. Judge Illman also schedules certain matters in San Francisco at the convenience of the parties.

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Magistrate judges authorized for all non-dispositive pretrial matters including discovery Civ. L.R. 72-1 ↗

👤 Judge Illman — standing order

All parties with a discovery dispute in a case pending before, or referred to, Judge Illman shall comply with the following...

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Illman — deviations that burn people
  • Joint discovery letter must be filed within 5 business days of the meet and confer session -- not from the dispute arising, from the actual M&C.
  • Joint letter may not be accompanied by exhibits or affidavits other than exact copies of interrogatories, requests for production, responses, privilege logs, and relevant deposition testimony.
  • Consent/declination forms must be filed promptly in cases assigned to Judge Illman for all purposes; if a party files a dispositive motion, the consent/declination must be filed simultaneously.
  • If opposing party cannot be reached for joint letter after M&C, file a written request for a telephonic conference -- do not file a unilateral discovery motion.
  • McKinleyville courthouse is the primary location -- check ECF before assuming SF proceedings.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment