Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Chi Soo Kim's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Chi Soo Kim?

Courtesy copies are required for joint pretrial statements, witness lists, exhibit lists, proposed voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions, proposed verdict forms, motions in limines, and trial briefs. Details: 2 copies, delivery by noon after filing deadline, by chambers drop off. Two sets of courtesy copies required for multiple trial documents by noon after filing deadline.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Trial Procedures

What page or word limits apply to motion before Judge Chi Soo Kim?

Judge Chi Soo Kim's rule states these limits: 20 pages; 20 pages; 10 pages. Motions and oppositions limited to 20 pages; replies limited to 10 pages.

What page or word limits apply to motion before Judge Chi Soo Kim?

Judge Chi Soo Kim's rule states these limits: 20 pages; 20 pages; 10 pages. Documents exceeding page limits without leave will not be considered.

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Chi Soo Kim?

Judge Chi Soo Kim's formatting rule includes other font, use ninth circuit model civil jury instructions, reference model instruction number, plainly identify modifications, strikethrough removed language, underline added language, provide legal authority for changes, complete all blanks, and remove all brackets. Use Ninth Circuit Model Civil Jury Instructions with specific formatting for modifications.

View ruleSource: page 2, section A. Jury Trials: Jury Selection Procedures

What must be included with jury selection request filings before Judge Chi Soo Kim?

The rule requires written request. Jury will consist of 9 jurors with no alternates; written request required to deviate.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Jury Trials: Jury Selection Procedures

What must be included with peremptory challenges filings before Judge Chi Soo Kim?

The rule requires peremptory challenges sheet required. Each side gets 3 peremptory challenges; jury empaneled after two consecutive passes.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Jury Trials: Jury Selection Procedures

How may parties contact Judge Chi Soo Kim's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Chi Soo Kim's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Email communications to Judge Kim are restricted to specific purposes only.

View ruleSource: page 7, section C. Email Communications

Does Judge Chi Soo Kim require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Chi Soo Kim requires bundling for covered papers. Parties must coordinate to submit only two total sets of courtesy copies.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Trial Procedures

Does Judge Chi Soo Kim encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Chi Soo Kim's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Court will hold hearing if junior attorney (under 5 years) requests oral argument 10 days in advance.

Complete rules summary for Judge Chi Soo Kim

Jury will consist of 9 jurors with no alternates; written request required to deviate.

15 potential jurors will be in the jury box.

Each side typically gets 20 minutes for additional voir dire.

Each side gets 3 peremptory challenges; jury empaneled after two consecutive passes.

Joint filing of proposed jury instructions with TOC, objections noted, and Word copy emailed.

Use Ninth Circuit Model Civil Jury Instructions with specific formatting for modifications.

Court will give specific Ninth Circuit Model Civil Jury Instructions as preliminary instructions.

Exhibits lists must use specified table format with Ex. No., Description, Offered, Admitted columns.

Final Pretrial Order will contain additional exhibit instructions including courtesy copy requirements.

Illustrative aids must be marked as exhibits and provided to Court; allowed aids entered into record.

AI-generated exhibits/illustrative aids require written pre-trial notice and must be identified as AI Generated on exhibit lists.

Two sets of courtesy copies required for multiple trial documents by noon after filing deadline.

Courtesy copies must be double-sided, three-hole punched, ECF stamped, tabbed, and marked “Chambers Copy – Do Not File”.

Parties must coordinate to submit only two total sets of courtesy copies.

Trial counsel and pro se parties must be within 30 minutes of courthouse during jury deliberations.

Motions and oppositions limited to 20 pages; replies limited to 10 pages.

Page limit expansions and supplemental briefs require good cause and 7-day advance request.

Documents exceeding page limits without leave will not be considered.

Briefs must use 12-point font and be double-spaced.

Multi-page exhibits must be internally paginated starting at 1.

Court will hold hearing if junior attorney (under 5 years) requests oral argument 10 days in advance.

Social Security summary judgment briefs have specific page limits: 25 pages (plaintiff), 30 pages (commissioner), 15 pages (reply).

Prisoner case motions limited to 20 pages, oppositions to 20 pages, replies to 10 pages. Exceeding limits without leave will not be considered.

Prisoner case briefs must use minimum 12 point font for all text including footnotes, and must be double-spaced.

Photographs and visual images must be submitted electronically in JPG, PNG, or TIFF format.

When citing depositions, only attach relevant excerpts as exhibits. Entire transcripts must be submitted as courtesy copies to clerk (hard copy) or chambers (email).

Deposition transcripts must be submitted electronically via email with specific subject line format.

Email communications to Judge Kim are restricted to specific purposes only.

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