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

Hon. Joseph C. Spero

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 Spero — standing order
Hearing days

Civil Law and Motion is heard on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Counsel should notice civil motions for hearing in accordance with the Civil Local Rules and need not reserve a hearing date in advance for civil motions.

Chambers / courtesy copies
👤 Judge Spero — standing order
Details

Pursuant to General Order 72-3, no paper courtesy copies will be accepted by the undersigned unless the Court specifically orders that hard copies of a particular filing be provided.

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 Spero — standing order

Pursuant to General Order 72-3, no paper courtesy copies will be accepted by the undersigned unless the Court specifically orders that hard copies of a particular filing be provided. Instead, courtesy copies should be emailed to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov. In addition, any proposed stipulation or proposed order in a case subject to electronic filing shall be sent by email to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov.

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) ↗

👤 Judge Spero — standing order
Default practice

This is suspended until further order of the Court. All appearances will be by Zoom Webinar unless the Court orders otherwise. Zoom Webinar ID: 161 926 0804. Password: 050855.

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 Spero — standing order

In lieu of filing formal discovery motions, the parties involved in the discovery dispute (through lead trial counsel for any party that is represented by counsel) shall meet and confer by video conference regarding the subject matter of the dispute(s) in an effort to resolve these matters. After attempting other means to confer on the issue (i.e. letter, phone call, e-mail) any party may demand such a meeting on five business days' notice. Within five business days of the meet-and-confer session, the parties shall provide a detailed Joint Letter to the Court, not to exceed five pages without leave of Court.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Spero — deviations that burn people
  • 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.
  • Joint discovery letter due within five business days of the video meet and confer session -- not a rolling deadline.
  • No paper courtesy copies accepted -- email everything to jcspo@cand.uscourts.gov.
  • Settlement Conference Statements must be LODGED with Chambers (not e-filed) -- submit as PDF to JCSsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov; do not lodge hard copies.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment