Judge Robert M. Illman
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits4 rules
The Settlement Conference Statement shall not exceed ten (10) pages of text and twenty (20) pages of exhibits
- Settlement statement text
- Up to 10 pages
- Settlement statement exhibits
- Up to 20 pages
Discovery dispute joint letters must be filed within 5 business days and are limited to 5 pages (excluding cover page).
- Letter
- Up to 5 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
Within five (5) business days of the meet and confer session, the parties shall file a detailed joint letter. It shall not exceed five (5) pages, excluding the cover page, without prior leave of court.
Discovery disputes require meet and confer, then joint letter (max 5 pages) within 5 business days
- Joint letter for attorneys
- Up to 5 pages
- Joint letter
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
In lieu of filing formal discovery motions, lead trial counsel for the parties shall meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve the matter. Within five (5) business days of the meet and confer session, the parties shall file a detailed joint letter. It shall not exceed five (5) pages, excluding the cover page, without prior leave of court.
Written request for telephonic conference on discovery disputes may include declaration exhibits not exceeding 7 pages.
- Declaration
- Up to 7 pages
Court's wording
the moving party shall file a written request for a telephonic conference for the purpose of enforcing the court's meet and confer requirement, or for the court to fashion an alternative procedure. The written request shall include a declaration which explains any attempt with the standing order. The moving party may attach exhibits to the declaration, not to exceed seven (7) pages.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Each party shall prepare a Settlement Conference Statement which must be submitted in .pdf format to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the conference.
- File type
- Settlement statement
Proposed orders should be emailed in MS Word format to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Settlement Conference Statement must include facts, claims/defenses, proceedings summary, relief sought, and settlement position.
- Document
- Settlement statement
Must include
- •Statement of facts
Court's wording
The Settlement Conference Statement ... shall include the following: a. A brief statement of the facts of the case; b. A brief statement of the claims and defenses including, but not limited to, statutory or other grounds upon which the claims are founded, and a candid evaluation of the parties' likelihood of prevailing on the claims and defenses; c. A summary of the proceedings to date and any pending motions; d. The relief sought, including an itemization of damages; and e. The party's position on settlement, including present demands and offers and a history of past settlement discussions.
Consent or declination to proceed before a Magistrate Judge must be filed simultaneously with any dispositive motion.
Court's wording
In civil cases that are assigned to Judge Illman for all purposes, each party should file a consent to the assignment of a United States Magistrate Judge for all purposes, or a request for reassignment to a district judge, as soon as possible. If a party files a dispositive motion (such as a motion to dismiss or a motion for remand), the moving party must file the consent/declination simultaneously with the motion.
Proposed orders should be emailed in MS Word format to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed.
Proposed orders should be emailed in MS Word format to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed.
The joint letter may not be accompanied by exhibits or affidavits other than exact copies of interrogatories, requests for production of documents and/or responses, privilege logs, and relevant deposition testimony.
Any party seeking an award of attorney fees or other expenses as sanctions in connection with a discovery dispute shall file a separate motion as required by Civil L.R. 37-3.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days before the conference.
Each party shall prepare a Settlement Conference Statement which must be submitted in .pdf format to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3
Defendant must respond to settlement demand in writing no later than 7 days before the conference.
Defendant(s) must respond in writing no later than seven (7) days before the conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5
Plaintiff must serve settlement demand in writing no later than 14 days before the conference.
Plaintiff(s) must serve a demand in writing no later than fourteen (14) days before the conference
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Settlement Statement does not need to be served on opposing counsel.
The Settlement Statement need not be served on opposing counsel.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Chambers copies should not be submitted unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Chambers copies should not be submitted unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Chambers Copy and Proposed Orders
Chambers copies should not be submitted unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Chambers copies should not be submitted unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Chambers Copy and Proposed Orders
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Documents under seal require written request with good cause and proposed order
If a party wishes to file a document under seal, that party shall first file a written request for a sealing order setting forth the good cause and accompanied by a proposed order, as provided by Civil L.R. 79-5.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery Disputes
To file under seal, first submit a written request with good cause showing and a proposed order.
If a party wishes to file a document under seal, that party shall first file a written request for a sealing order setting forth the good cause and accompanied by a proposed order, as provided by Civil L.R. 79-5.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Discovery Disputes
Chambers Communication Rules
Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted via email to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov.
Each party shall prepare a Settlement Conference Statement which must be submitted in .pdf format to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3
Emergency discovery contact: Ms. Knudson at 707-445-3612 or rmicrd@cand.uscourts.gov
In emergencies during discovery events (e.g., depositions), the court is available pursuant to Civil L.R. 37-1(b). Any party seeking court intervention during a discovery event must contact Judge Illman’s Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Knudson, at 707-445-3612, or rmicrd@cand.uscourts.gov prior to filing any documents.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery Disputes
For emergency discovery intervention, contact chambers by phone or email before filing documents.
Any party seeking court intervention during a discovery event must contact Judge Illman's Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Ms. Knudson, at 707-445-3612, or rmicrd@cand.uscourts.gov prior to filing any documents.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Discovery Disputes
Proposed orders must be emailed to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov; contact restricted to proposed orders only.
Proposed orders should be emailed in MS Word format to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov. This address is to be used only for proposed orders unless otherwise directed.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Chambers Copy and Proposed Orders