**Judge Sunshine S. Sykes** was appointed to the Central District of California by President Joe Biden in 2022. She is the first Native American to serve as a federal district judge in California. Sykes was born on the Navajo Nation Reservation in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Gallup, New Mexico. She is a member of the Navajo Nation. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University, then worked as a staff attorney for California Indian Legal Services and a contract attorney for the Riverside County Juvenile Defense Panel, specializing in cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. She served as a Riverside County Deputy County Counsel before Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the Riverside County Superior Court in 2013. **Education** - Stanford Law School, J.D., 2001 - Stanford University, B.A., 1997 **Career** - Staff attorney, California Indian Legal Services, 2001–2003 - Contract attorney, Juvenile Defense Panel, Riverside County, 2003–2005 - Deputy County Counsel, Riverside County Office of County Counsel, 2005–2013 - Judge, Superior Court of California, Riverside County, 2013–2022 (appointed by Governor Jerry Brown) - U.S. District Judge, Central District of California, 2022–present
**Courthouse:** George E. Brown, Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside, CA 92501 **Courtroom:** 2 (2nd Floor) **Division:** Eastern Division (Riverside) **Chambers Staff** - Chambers Email: SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 1 copy, delivery same day, by hand delivery. Joint trial binder must be delivered to Courtesy Box by 5:00 PM on trial filing due date.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Lead trial counsel must meet and confer in person 6 weeks before FPTC.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes' rule states these limits: 10 pages. Motions in limine and oppositions limited to 10 pages.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes' rule states these limits: 25 pages; 12 pages. Support/opposition memoranda limited to 25 pages, replies to 12 pages; extensions only for good cause, no supplemental briefs without leave.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes' formatting rule includes binding three ring binder, tabbed, and accompanying memorandum of opposition. Motions in limine require three-ring binder with specific formatting.
The rule requires proposed order and proposed amended schedule. Motion or stipulation for continuance requires proposed order with amended schedule.
The rule requires email to chambers. Proposed FPTCO must be filed and emailed to Chambers at least 2 weeks before FPTC.
Parties may contact Judge Sunshine S. Sykes' chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Email submissions to Chambers must be in Word format to SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Each item sought to be sealed requires individual justification; blanket claims are denied.
Judge Sunshine S. Sykes's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Good cause required for continuance motions.
Yes. Judge Sunshine S. Sykes requires bundling for covered papers. Parties must deliver a joint indexed trial binder to the Courtesy Box by 5:00 p.m on the day trial filings are due.
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All documents except sealed or in camera filings must be filed electronically per Central District Local Rules.
Motion or stipulation for continuance requires proposed order with amended schedule.
Good cause required for continuance motions.
Refer to Civil Standing Order for additional requirements.
Email submissions to Chambers must be in Word format to SSS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Pro se litigants must comply with all Federal Rules, Local Rules, and standing orders.
Proposed FPTCO must be filed and emailed to Chambers at least 2 weeks before FPTC.
Parties must use the template for Proposed FPTCO.
Parties must agree on uncontested facts for jury reading at trial start.
Factual issues in dispute should list ultimate facts, not argue evidence sufficiency.
Factual issues should track claim/defense elements for jury findings.
Legal issues should state issues requiring Court rulings.
Lead trial counsel must meet and confer in person 6 weeks before FPTC.
Court may take FPTC/trial off calendar or impose sanctions for non-compliance.
All pretrial documents must be filed and emailed to Chambers on due date.
Joint trial binder must be delivered to Courtesy Box by 5:00 PM on trial filing due date.
Motions in limine must be noticed 1 week before FPTC and 1 week after trial filings.
Court may rule orally on motions in limine instead of in writing.
Motions in limine and oppositions limited to 10 pages.
Parties limited to 5 motions in limine each unless Court grants leave.
Replies to motions in limine are not allowed and will be stricken.
Parties must meet and confer before filing motions in limine.
Court prefers Daubert motions heard 4 weeks before other motions in limine.
Motions in limine require three-ring binder with specific formatting.
Withdrawal/non-opposition notices required per Local Rule 7-16.
Meet and confer on jury instructions 3 weeks before FPTC.
Joint Witness List requires specific format and content with deadline.
Amended Joint Witness List deadline: noon Friday before trial.
Joint Exhibit List requires specific format with objection column.
Amended Joint Exhibit List filing requirement.
Parties must agree on jury instructions before submission.