**United States Magistrate Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta** was appointed as the United States Magistrate Judge for the Yosemite Division of the Eastern District of California on November 1, 2020. She sits in the U.S. District Court in Yosemite Valley and also hears cases in Fresno. She presides over criminal matters arising on federal lands and civil matters arising in the Fresno Division, and conducts settlement conferences in all types of cases. Judge Barch-Kuchta has practiced litigation in the private, public, and international sectors. She began her legal career as a litigator with K&L Gates, LLP, then joined the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida as a staff attorney. She later joined the U.S. Department of Justice as a trial attorney in its Civil Division, Office of Foreign Litigation, European Office in the United Kingdom, representing the United States in affirmative and defensive litigation throughout Europe and Turkey. She also earned an Executive Certificate in International Human Rights Law & Practice from the London School of Economics and Political Science. **Education** - Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1990 - Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 1983 (with honors) **Career** - 2018–2020: Staff Attorney, U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida - 2013–2017: Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, London, United Kingdom - 2003–2013: Staff Attorney, U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida - 1990–1997: Senior Associate, K&L Gates, LLP, Washington, D.C. & Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
**Division:** Yosemite **Courthouse:** Yosemite Federal Courthouse, PO Box 575, Yosemite, CA 95389 **Chambers:** Courtroom 2, 8th Floor **Phone:** (209) 372-0320 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Patricia Apodaca, papodaca@caed.uscourts.gov, (209) 372-8917 - Law Clerks: Corynn Roche (Administrative), Emily Hurt
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Discovery motions require prior approval before filing.
Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 10 pages. Civil case briefs limited to 25 pages (moving/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Discovery motions must quote disputed discovery requests and responses, and cannot file transcripts unless ordered.
Parties may contact Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email Patricia.Apodaca@courts.gov. Settlement conferences require contacting Courtroom Deputy Patricia Apodaca and may require pre-conference calls.
Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta. The request must include reason for request. Defense counsel may serve a continuance petition for Review Hearing between 1 month and 2 weeks prior to the hearing, including all facts supporting the request.
Defense counsel may serve a continuance petition for Review Hearing between 1 month and 2 weeks prior to the hearing, including all facts supporting the request.
Civil case briefs limited to 25 pages (moving/opposition) and 10 pages (reply).
Discovery motions require prior approval before filing.
Informal Discovery Dispute Letter Brief limited to 3 pages, filed 24 hours before conference, no attachments.
Discovery motions must quote disputed discovery requests and responses, and cannot file transcripts unless ordered.
Settlement conferences require contacting Courtroom Deputy Patricia Apodaca and may require pre-conference calls.