Court Rules
About United States District Judge Richard Seeborg

**Chief District Judge Richard Seeborg** was appointed to the Northern District of California by President Barack Obama in 2010. Judge Seeborg was nominated on August 6, 2009, confirmed on December 24, 2009, and received his commission on January 4, 2010. Prior to his district court appointment, he served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of California from 2001 to 2009. He has served as Chief District Judge of the court. **Education** - Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1981 - Yale College, B.A., 1978 **Career** - Law Clerk to Hon. John H. Pratt, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (1981–1982) - Private practice attorney, San Francisco (1982–1991) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California (1991–1998) - Private practice attorney, Palo Alto (1998–2001) - U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of California (2001–2010)

**Courthouse:** 450 Golden Gate Ave, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 **Chambers:** Courtroom 3, 17th Floor **Phone:** (415) 522-2123 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk: rscrd@cand.uscourts.gov

Common questions about Judge Richard Seeborg's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Richard Seeborg?

Courtesy copies are required for all covered filings. Details: 1 copy, delivery at least five days before trial, by hand delivery. Parties must deliver one set of pre-marked exhibits in a three-ring binder to the courtroom deputy at least five days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D.1.c)

Does Judge Richard Seeborg require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Richard Seeborg's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Motions in limine are deemed submitted without oral argument unless the court orders otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D.2

What must be included with pretrial statement filings before Judge Richard Seeborg?

The rule requires proposed order, exhibit list, legal argument, and statement of facts. Joint Pretrial Statement must contain 13 specified items including substance, relief, undisputed facts, disputed facts, witnesses, exhibits, legal issues, etc., and must include a proposed order.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Joint Pretrial Statement and Order

What must be included with joint pretrial statement filings before Judge Richard Seeborg?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Joint Pretrial Statement and Order must include specific language above signature lines.

View ruleSource: page 3, section C. Binding Effect of the Joint Pretrial Statement and Order

How may parties contact Judge Richard Seeborg's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Richard Seeborg's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone 415/522-2123. Scheduling questions should be directed to the courtroom deputy at 415-522-2123.

View ruleSource: page 1, section STANDING ORDER RE: INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT

How does Judge Richard Seeborg handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Richard Seeborg. Sealing requests for information related to public health/safety hazards will only be granted for the most compelling reasons.

View ruleSource: page 1, section STANDING ORDER RE: INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT

Is electronic filing required before Judge Richard Seeborg?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed findings must be submitted in hard copy and via email to chambers.

View ruleSource: page 4, section D.4

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Richard Seeborg?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Parties must file and serve the Joint Pretrial Statement and Proposed Order at least 10 days before the Pretrial Conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section B. Joint Pretrial Statement and Order
Complete rules summary for Judge Richard Seeborg

Scheduling questions should be directed to the courtroom deputy at 415-522-2123.

No courtesy copies required for electronically-filed documents.

Sealing requests for information related to public health/safety hazards will only be granted for the most compelling reasons.

Parties must file and serve the Joint Pretrial Statement and Proposed Order at least 10 days before the Pretrial Conference.

Joint Pretrial Statement must contain 13 specified items including substance, relief, undisputed facts, disputed facts, witnesses, exhibits, legal issues, etc., and must include a proposed order.

Joint Pretrial Statement and Order must include specific language above signature lines.

Parties must deliver one set of pre-marked exhibits in three-ring binders to courtroom deputy at least 5 days before trial.

Motions in limine must be filed at least 10 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed at least 3 days before final Pretrial Conference.

Deposition and discovery designations must be filed at least 5 days before trial.

Jury voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions, and proposed jury verdict forms must be filed at least 5 days before pretrial conference.

Jury instructions must be jointly submitted in hard copy and via email, using Ninth Circuit model instructions, with objections placed after disputed instructions.

Trial briefs are optional; if filed, must be filed at least 5 days before trial.

Parties must arrange for daily transcript or realtime reporting at least 14 days before trial.

Joint Pretrial Statement and Proposed Order must be filed at least 10 days before the Pretrial Conference.

Joint Pretrial Statement and Order must include specific recital above signature lines.

Parties must exchange trial exhibits at least 10 days before the final pretrial conference.

Each exhibit must be premarked for identification.

Parties must deliver one set of pre-marked exhibits in a three-ring binder to the courtroom deputy at least five days before trial.

Motions in limine must be filed at least 10 days before the final pretrial conference.

Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed at least 3 days before the final pretrial conference.

Motions in limine are deemed submitted without oral argument unless the court orders otherwise.

Parties must file and serve deposition designations at least 5 days before trial.

Objections and counter-designations to deposition testimony must be filed before trial.

Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be filed at least 5 days before the pretrial conference.

Proposed findings must be submitted in hard copy and via email to chambers.

Trial briefs, if filed, must be filed at least 5 days before trial.

Parties must arrange for daily transcript/realtime reporting at least 14 calendar days before trial by calling the Court Reporter Supervisor.

Proposed findings must be in simple declarative sentences, separately numbered, free of pejorative language; conclusions must cite legal authority.

Deposition designations must include a copy with page and line references.

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