**Magistrate Judge Robert M. Illman** was appointed to the Northern District of California in 2017 and is based in the Eureka-McKinleyville Federal Courthouse. Judge Illman clerked for Magistrate Judge Nandor J. Vadas in the Northern District of California and for Chief Magistrate Judge Wallace Capel, Jr. (ret.) of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. He worked as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Montgomery, Alabama, representing indigent defendants charged with various crimes in federal trial and appellate courts, including death row inmates in habeas corpus proceedings. He handles all new civil and criminal actions from Del Norte, Lake, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. **Education** - Information not specified on court website **Career** - Law Clerk to Hon. Nandor J. Vadas, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California - Law Clerk to Hon. Wallace Capel, Jr. (ret.), Chief Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama - Assistant Federal Public Defender, Montgomery, Alabama (federal trial and appellate representation; habeas corpus for death row inmates)
**Courthouse:** Eureka-McKinleyville Federal Courthouse, 3140 Boeing Avenue, McKinleyville, CA 95519 **Phone:** (707) 445-3612 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk: rmicrd@cand.uscourts.gov
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Robert M. Illman. Chambers copies are prohibited unless specifically ordered
Judge Robert M. Illman's rule states these limits: 10 pages; 20 pages. Settlement Conference Statement limited to 10 pages of text and 20 pages of exhibits.
Judge Robert M. Illman's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes cover page. Discovery disputes require meet and confer, then joint letter (max 5 pages) within 5 business days
Judge Robert M. Illman's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted in PDF format.
The rule requires legal argument and statement of facts. Settlement Conference Statement must include facts, claims/defenses, proceedings summary, relief sought, and settlement position.
The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders must be emailed in MS Word format to specific address
Parties may contact Judge Robert M. Illman's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov. Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted via email to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov.
A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Robert M. Illman. Documents under seal require written request with good cause and proposed order
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days before the conference.
Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Settlement Statement does not need to be served on opposing counsel.
Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted in PDF format.
Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days before the conference.
Settlement Conference Statement must be submitted via email to RMIsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov.
Settlement Statement does not need to be served on opposing counsel.
Settlement Conference Statement limited to 10 pages of text and 20 pages of exhibits.
Settlement Conference Statement must include facts, claims/defenses, proceedings summary, relief sought, and settlement position.
Plaintiff must serve settlement demand in writing no later than 14 days before the conference.
Defendant must respond to settlement demand in writing no later than 7 days before the conference.
Discovery disputes require meet and confer, then joint letter (max 5 pages) within 5 business days
Chambers copies are prohibited unless specifically ordered
Proposed orders must be emailed in MS Word format to specific address
Documents under seal require written request with good cause and proposed order
Emergency discovery contact: Ms. Knudson at 707-445-3612 or rmicrd@cand.uscourts.gov
Consent or declination to proceed before a Magistrate Judge must be filed simultaneously with any dispositive motion.
Discovery dispute joint letters must be filed within 5 business days and are limited to 5 pages (excluding cover page).
Discovery dispute joint letters may only include specific exhibits (interrogatories, requests/responses, privilege logs, deposition testimony).
Written request for telephonic conference on discovery disputes may include declaration exhibits not exceeding 7 pages.
For emergency discovery intervention, contact chambers by phone or email before filing documents.
Attorney fee sanctions in discovery disputes require a separate motion.
To file under seal, first submit a written request with good cause showing and a proposed order.
Chambers copies are prohibited unless court orders otherwise.
Proposed orders must be emailed in MS Word format to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov; this address is for proposed orders only.
Proposed orders must be emailed in MS Word format; email address is restricted to proposed orders only.
Proposed orders must be emailed to rmipo@cand.uscourts.gov; contact restricted to proposed orders only.