**Senior District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton** was appointed to the Northern District of California by President William J. Clinton in 2000. Judge Hamilton was born in 1952 in Jacksonville, Illinois. She was nominated on February 9, 2000, confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 2000, and received her commission on May 25, 2000. Prior to her district court appointment, she served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District from 1991 to 2000. Her career includes service as a deputy public defender and administrative judge. **Education** - Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D., 1976 - Stanford University, B.A., 1974 **Career** - Deputy Public Defender, Office of the State Public Defender, San Francisco (1976–1980) - Administrative Judge, U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, San Francisco Regional Office (1980–1985) - Court Commissioner, Municipal Court, Oakland-Piedmont-Emeryville Judicial District (1985–1991) - U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of California (1991–2000)
**Courthouse:** Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 1301 Clay Street, Suite 400 S, Oakland, CA 94612 **Chambers:** Courtroom 3, 3rd Floor **Phone:** (510) 637-3541 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk: pjhcrd@cand.uscourts.gov
Courtesy copies are required for opposition briefs. Details: 1 copy, delivery within 24 hours, by hand delivery. Courtesy copy of opposition brief to Clerk's Office by noon next day.
Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery disputes. Face-to-face videoconference required before court relief for discovery disputes
Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes opposition. Trial briefs limited to 25 pages with no opposition allowed.
Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton's rule states these limits: 25 pages. Excludes number of motions. Maximum 10 motions in limine in one document limited to 25 pages.
Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton's formatting rule includes 12 point type, no kerning or font compression, footnotes must be 12-point font or larger, and sentences must be separated by 2 spaces. Footnotes must be 12-point font or larger and not used to circumvent page limits; sentences must be separated by 2 spaces.
The rule requires proposed resolutions, summary of positions, and description of issues. Joint Letter must detail every disputed issue and each party's position
The rule requires sealing procedure. Protective orders with sealing provisions must include Civ. L.R. 79-5 compliance procedure
Parties may contact Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email pjhpo@cand.uscourts.gov. Microsoft Word version of proposed orders must be emailed to pjhpo@cand.uscourts.gov
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton. Broad protective orders giving parties sealing discretion will not be approved
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Motion for leave to designate additional claim construction terms must be filed at least two weeks before joint statement deadline and must show good cause.
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: timing: 48 hours before hearing. Demonstrative exhibits must be exchanged at least 48 hours before the claim construction hearing.
Face-to-face videoconference required before court relief for discovery disputes
Joint Letter (max 5 pages) required within 10 business days after videoconference
Joint Letter must detail every disputed issue and each party's position
Broad protective orders giving parties sealing discretion will not be approved
Protective orders with sealing provisions must include Civ. L.R. 79-5 compliance procedure
Redline comparison required for proposed protective orders and ESI orders
Microsoft Word version of proposed orders must be emailed to pjhpo@cand.uscourts.gov
Confidential documents lose protection when offered as trial exhibits without compelling reasons
Advance written request required to protect confidential documents/testimony at trial
Confidentiality requests must be filed by pretrial papers deadline
Each motion must include a proposed order with relief sought and rationale.
Footnotes must be 12-point font or larger and not used to circumvent page limits; sentences must be separated by 2 spaces.
Sealed documents must follow court's standing order and Civil L.R. 79-5; sealing requests for dispositive motions are rarely granted.
Parties must meet and confer 35 days before pretrial conference to prepare joint pretrial statement.
Joint pretrial statement must be filed 28 days before pretrial conference; separate statements not accepted and may result in sanctions.
Trial briefs limited to 25 pages with no opposition allowed.
Maximum 10 motions in limine in one document limited to 25 pages.
List of deposition excerpts required for non-testifying witnesses.
Witness list required with brief description of testimony.
Exhibit list required with description and sponsoring witness.
Exhibits must be premarked, tabbed, and in binders with specific numbering.
Two sets of exhibits for jury trials, three for court trials to Clerk's Office.
Joint voir dire questions and jury instructions required for jury trials.
Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law required for court trials.
Proposed verdict form required with no party references.
Witnesses and exhibits not disclosed require court leave and good cause.
Opposition to motions in limine due 14 days before pretrial conference, no replies.
Courtesy copy of opposition brief to Clerk's Office by noon next day.
Counsel must review unconscious bias video before pretrial conference.
Objections to bias video must be raised at pretrial conference.