Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Rita F. Lin's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Rita F. Lin?

Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 10 pages. Details: delivery immediately upon filing, by email. Documents with more than 10 attachments must be uploaded to Box.com storage.

Does Judge Rita F. Lin require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Rita F. Lin's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Moving party counsel must confer with opposing counsel on a hearing date before noticing any motion.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SCHEDULING AND HEARINGS

What page or word limits apply to joint discovery letter before Judge Rita F. Lin?

Judge Rita F. Lin's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Joint discovery letter limited to 5 pages after live conversation.

What page or word limits apply before Judge Rita F. Lin?

Judge Rita F. Lin's rule states these limits: 25 pages; 15 pages. Briefs for summary judgment, class certification, class settlements, and claim construction are limited to 25 pages (support/opposition) and 15 pages (reply).

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Rita F. Lin?

Judge Rita F. Lin's formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed orders must be sent in Microsoft Word compatible format to specified email.

What must be included with emergency application filings before Judge Rita F. Lin?

The rule requires certificate of conference. Emergency relief requires showing reasonable effort to notify opposing party.

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Rita F. Lin?

The rule requires certificate of conference. Moving party must confer with opposing counsel before noticing motion.

How may parties contact Judge Rita F. Lin's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Rita F. Lin's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Emergency applications require calling and emailing the Courtroom Deputy.

How does Judge Rita F. Lin handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Rita F. Lin's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file unredacted to chambers. For sealed attachments, only unredacted versions should be uploaded to Box.com.

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Rita F. Lin?

Judge Rita F. Lin's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include number of previous requests, previous requests granted or denied, and adversary position. Extension requests must include history of previous extensions.

Does Judge Rita F. Lin require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Rita F. Lin requires bundling for covered papers. Matters cannot be specially set outside regular civil law and motions calendar without Court's leave.

Does Judge Rita F. Lin encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Rita F. Lin's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers encouraged to present arguments and examine witnesses.

Complete rules summary for Judge Rita F. Lin

Paper courtesy copies are not required unless specifically requested by the Court.

Emergency applications require calling and emailing the Courtroom Deputy.

Emergency relief requires showing reasonable effort to notify opposing party.

Extension requests must include history of previous extensions.

Deadline extension stipulations must be filed two court days before deadline.

Hearing dates must be checked on Court's website, not by calling.

Matters cannot be specially set outside regular civil law and motions calendar without Court's leave.

Moving party must confer with opposing counsel before noticing motion.

Motions are heard in person by default, with Zoom as alternative.

Zoom hearing requests must be made at least one week in advance.

Court may deny Zoom hearing requests if in-person is more beneficial.

Zoom hearings discouraged for complex/dispositive motions or local counsel.

Hearings vacated no later than two court days before if not necessary.

Notice of questions issued 2-3 court days before hearing.

PowerPoint presentations generally not permitted during motion arguments.

Junior lawyers encouraged to present arguments and examine witnesses.

Redlined or highlighted version required with amended pleadings.

Attorney at case management conference must have full decision-making authority.

Case management conference may be vacated if dispositive motion to dismiss is filed.

Case management statement must include full litigation schedule when motion to dismiss is pending.

Discovery cutoff includes all discovery and related hearings.

Joint discovery letter limited to 5 pages after live conversation.

Joint discovery letter limited to specific discovery request/response excerpts.

Joint discovery letter must be filed within 7 days of discovery cutoff.

Seeking party prepares joint discovery letter first.

Protective orders should be based on model orders from court website.

Protective order filings must indicate if based on model order.

Deviations from model protective order must be shown via redline comparison.

All filing deadlines are at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time unless otherwise ordered.

All exhibits to motions must be separately filed on ECF with sequential numbering.

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