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

Hon. Sallie Kim

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) ↗

👤 Judge Kim — standing order
Hearing days

Motions are heard each Monday: civil motions at 9:30 a.m. and criminal motions at 11:00 a.m. During the months when Judge Kim is on criminal duty, the Court may move any civil motion to 11:00 a.m.

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Kim — standing order
Details

Under Civil L.R. 5-1 and 5-2, parties must lodge an extra paper copy of any filing, with the exception of the written consent/declination to the assignment of a United States Magistrate Judge. All chambers copies should bear the ECF filing 'stamp' (case number, docket number, date, and ECF page number) along the top of the page. All pleadings should be punched with three holes on the side. All exhibits shall be clearly separated by tabs. Chambers copies must be marked 'Chambers Copy' and submitted to the Clerk's Office in an envelope clearly marked 'Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim,' and include the case number on the envelope.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Kim — standing order

Any stipulation or proposed order in a case subject to e-filing should be submitted in Microsoft Word format by email to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the same day the document is e-filed.

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) ↗

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 Kim — standing order

The joint letter shall not exceed eight (8) double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page, without leave of Court, and may not be accompanied by exhibits or affidavits other than exact copies of interrogatories, requests for production of documents and/or responses, privilege logs, and relevant deposition testimony. In addition, the joint letter shall not contain any footnotes.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Kim — deviations that burn people
  • Chambers copies required for EVERY filing under Civil L.R. 5-1 and 5-2 -- not just motion papers. Only exception is the consent/declination form. Failure to lodge is a Local Rule violation.
  • Joint discovery letter must NOT contain footnotes -- this is an explicit prohibition, not general discouragement.
  • Joint discovery letter must be filed within 5 business days of the M&C -- not within a reasonable time.
  • Discovery hearings are in person; telephonic/Zoom appearance requires written request two weeks in advance with good cause shown.
  • CMC attendance: parties may not stipulate to continue CMC, status, or pretrial conferences without Court approval.
  • Separate statements of undisputed facts on summary judgment will NOT be considered -- do not file them.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment