Court Rules
About Senior United States District Judge Edward M. Chen

## Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of CaliforniaNominated by Barack Obama on August 6, 2009 and renominated on January 20, 2010, September 13, 2010, and January 5, 2011, to a seat vacated by Martin J. Jenkins; Confirmed by the Senate on May 10, 2011, and received commission on May 12, 2011U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2001-2011 ## Education: University of California, Berkeley, A.B., 1975University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, J.D., 1979 ## Professional Career: Law clerk, Hon. Charles B. Renfrew, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1979-1980Attorney, Asian Law Caucus, San Francisco, California, 1980-1981Law clerk, Hon. James R. Browning, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1981-1982Private practice, San Francisco, California, 1982-1985Staff attorney, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California, 1985-2001

## Delivery Address United States District CourtOffice of the Clerk450 Golden Gate Ave, 16th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94102

Common questions about Judge Edward M. Chen's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Edward M. Chen?

Courtesy copies are required for pretrial orders, briefs, and motions. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Chambers copies are required only when the court requests them or for final pretrial conference, claim construction hearing, or summary judgment proceedings.

View ruleSource: page 1, section 5. Chambers Copy

Does Judge Edward M. Chen require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Edward M. Chen's rules set a pre-motion procedure for motions in limine. Motions in limine require specific timing for service and filing.

View ruleSource: page 4, section C. PRETRIAL MATERIALS

What page or word limits apply to case management statement before Judge Edward M. Chen?

Judge Edward M. Chen's rule states these limits: 7 pages. In pro se cases, parties should attempt a joint statement; if not possible, separate statements are allowed, each limited to 7 pages.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 6. Case Management Conference Statement

What page or word limits apply to trial brief before Judge Edward M. Chen?

Judge Edward M. Chen's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Trial briefs limited to 15 pages unless court orders otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 6, section Trial Brief

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Edward M. Chen?

Judge Edward M. Chen's formatting rule includes premarked, tagged, three hole punched, and submitted to chambers not filed. Exhibits must be premarked, tagged, three-hole punched, and submitted in binders to chambers (not filed).

View ruleSource: page 6, section Exhibits

What must be included with declaration filings before Judge Edward M. Chen?

The rule requires caption. Declarations must be filed as separate documents from motions.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 7. Motions

What must be included with communication filings before Judge Edward M. Chen?

The rule requires caption. Letters to the court are prohibited except for discovery disputes or with court permission; all communications must be in pleading form.

View ruleSource: page 1, section 2. Communication with the Court

How may parties contact Judge Edward M. Chen's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Edward M. Chen's clerk by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (415) 522-2034. Ex parte contact with judge or chambers is prohibited; contact the courtroom deputy clerk by phone or email for scheduling inquiries.

View ruleSource: page 1, section 2. Communication with the Court

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Edward M. Chen?

Judge Edward M. Chen's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include proposed new dates and proposed rescheduled date. Procedural changes require a signed stipulation and proposed order or a motion for administrative relief.

View ruleSource: page 1, section 4. Changes to the Court Calendar

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Edward M. Chen?

The rule states that filing is treated as not specified. Joint case management statement must be filed one week before the conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 6. Case Management Conference Statement

What rule applies to service for standing order before Judge Edward M. Chen?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: recipient: all parties, timing: 0 calendar days at filing. Plaintiff must serve specified standing orders on all parties and file a certificate of service.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Service of Standing Orders

Does Judge Edward M. Chen encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Edward M. Chen's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Court encourages allowing less experienced lawyers to argue motions or examine witnesses.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 7. Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Edward M. Chen

Declarations must be filed as separate documents from motions.

Exhibits attached to declarations must be tabbed, including chambers copies.

Ex parte contact with judge or chambers is prohibited; contact the courtroom deputy clerk by phone or email for scheduling inquiries.

Electronically filed declarations with exhibits must be bookmarked with hyperlinks and filed as a single PDF.

Joint case management statement must be filed one week before the conference.

Letters to the court are prohibited except for discovery disputes or with court permission; all communications must be in pleading form.

Procedural changes require a signed stipulation and proposed order or a motion for administrative relief.

Motions to enlarge filing deadlines must be filed in advance, not on the due date.

Continuances require a showing of good cause, focusing on diligence and prejudice.

Chambers copies are required only when the court requests them or for final pretrial conference, claim construction hearing, or summary judgment proceedings.

Hard copies must be three-hole punched on the left and exhibits tabbed.

In pro se cases, parties should attempt a joint statement; if not possible, separate statements are allowed, each limited to 7 pages.

Court encourages allowing less experienced lawyers to argue motions or examine witnesses.

Attorneys with 5 or fewer years of experience may request an in-person hearing instead of Zoom.

Each party or side is limited to one summary judgment motion.

Separate statements of undisputed facts will not be considered.

Plaintiffs in federal securities fraud cases must attach a chart of allegedly fraudulent statements or omissions to the complaint.

Plaintiffs' counsel must include a 'Manageability of the Class Action Trial' section in class certification motions.

Plaintiffs' counsel must file a proposed verdict form with class certification motions.

Each party filing or opposing a motion must serve a proposed order with the motion or opposition.

Parties must inform the Court of any reasonable bases for recusal as early as possible.

Plaintiff must serve specified standing orders on all parties and file a certificate of service.

Meet and Confer required 21 days before Pretrial Conference Statement

Last day to hear dispositive motions is 10 Thursdays before Pretrial Conference

Last day to file dispositive motions is 35 days before hearing

Expert discovery closes 21 days after rebuttal expert disclosure

Rebuttal expert disclosure due 21 days after expert disclosure

Expert disclosure due same as close of non-expert discovery

Trial scheduled for Monday at 8:30 a.m., approximately one year from first CMC

Pretrial Conference scheduled for 4 Tuesdays prior to trial at 2:30 pm

More Judges in Northern District of California

Ajay S. Krishnan
Magistrate Judge
Alex G. Tse
Magistrate Judge
Araceli Martínez-Olguín
Judge
Beth Labson Freeman
Judge
Charles R. Breyer
Senior Judge
Claudia Wilken
Senior Judge
Edward J. Davila
Senior Judge
Eumi K. Lee
Judge