Court Rules
About Senior United States District Judge Susan Illston

**Senior District Judge Susan Illston** was appointed to the Northern District of California by President William J. Clinton in 1995. Judge Illston was born in 1948 in Tokyo, Japan. She was nominated on January 23, 1995, confirmed by the Senate on May 25, 1995, and received her commission on May 26, 1995. She assumed senior status on July 1, 2013. Prior to her federal appointment, she maintained a private legal practice in Burlingame, California for over two decades. **Education** - Stanford Law School, J.D., 1973 - Duke University, B.A., 1970 **Career** - Private legal practice, Burlingame, California (1973–1995)

**Courthouse:** 450 Golden Gate Ave, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 **Chambers:** Courtroom 1, 17th Floor **Phone:** (415) 522-2028 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk: sicrd@cand.uscourts.gov

Common questions about Judge Susan Illston's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Susan Illston?

Courtesy copies are required for pretrial orders. Details: 2 copies, delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Two paper courtesy copies required for all pretrial conference filings.

View ruleSource: page 5, section c. Paper Courtesy Copies

Does Judge Susan Illston require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Susan Illston's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Counsel must confer before filing any motion under Criminal Local Rule 17.1-1(b).

View ruleSource: page 1, section ORDER FOR PRETRIAL PREPARATION (CRIMINAL)

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Susan Illston?

Judge Susan Illston's rules include formatting requirements. Pretrial conferences are held in person in San Francisco, Courtroom 1, 17th Floor.

View ruleSource: page 6, section c. Pretrial conferences will be held in person

What must be included with pretrial conference statement filings before Judge Susan Illston?

The rule requires joint filing and exhibit list. Joint pretrial conference statement required 14 days before pretrial conference

View ruleSource: page 1, section PRETRIAL INSTRUCTIONS

What must be included with daily transcript filings before Judge Susan Illston?

The rule requires notice of electronic filing. Daily transcripts/realtime reporting must be arranged at least 14 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 5, section d. Daily Transcripts/Realtime Reporting

How may parties contact Judge Susan Illston's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Susan Illston's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. Do not call Chambers; contact courtroom deputy at 415-522-2028.

View ruleSource: page 5, section b. Please DO NOT call Chambers

How does Judge Susan Illston handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Susan Illston. Good faith determination required before designating information as confidential.

View ruleSource: page 4, section 9. Filing Documents Under Seal in Civil Cases

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Susan Illston?

Requests should be made at least 10 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Susan Illston. The request must include reason for request and adversary position. Requests to reschedule the CMC must be in writing, by stipulation if possible, at least 10 days before the conference, and must show good cause.

View ruleSource: page 2, section INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE AND CLERK'S NOTICE ON REASSIGNMENT

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Susan Illston?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Proof of service must be filed within 95 days after filing the complaint.

View ruleSource: page 3, section NOTICE TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN NON-PRISONER ACTIONS

What rule applies to service for order before Judge Susan Illston?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: recipient: all parties. Plaintiff must serve the order on all parties per FRCP 4 and 5 and file a certificate of service.

View ruleSource: page 1, section INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE AND CLERK'S NOTICE ON REASSIGNMENT

Does Judge Susan Illston encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Susan Illston's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Less-experienced attorneys encouraged to participate in witness examination at trial.

View ruleSource: page 5, section e. Skills Development
Complete rules summary for Judge Susan Illston

Two paper courtesy copies required for all pretrial conference filings.

Joint pretrial conference statement required 14 days before pretrial conference

Pretrial conference statement due 14 days before pretrial conference

Counsel must meet and confer in good faith before complying with pretrial requirements

Email Word copy of joint jury instructions to SIPO@cand.uscourts.gov

Email Word copy of proposed Findings and Conclusions to SIPO@cand.uscourts.gov

Three sets of trial exhibits to be delivered to Chambers on Friday before trial

Daily transcripts/realtime reporting must be arranged at least 14 days before trial.

Less-experienced attorneys encouraged to participate in witness examination at trial.

Do not call Chambers; contact courtroom deputy at 415-522-2028.

Pretrial conferences are held in person in San Francisco, Courtroom 1, 17th Floor.

Counsel must confer before filing any motion under Criminal Local Rule 17.1-1(b).

Motion filers must show exclusions under 18 U.S.C. § 3161 and calculate excludable time.

Motions in limine must be filed 14 days before pretrial conference; oppositions due 7 days before.

Pretrial conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Government must file trial memorandum, witness list, jury instructions, verdict form, and exhibit lists.

Defense counsel must file jury instructions, verdict form, and voir dire questions 7 days before pretrial conference.

Counsel must confer and discuss evidentiary objections and trial simplification with the court.

Counsel must submit agreed voir dire questions; separate submissions for disagreements; no counsel voir dire without leave.

Parties must jointly file 2-4 sentence case description 7 days before pretrial conference.

Exhibits must be pre-marked with sequential numbers; only lists filed with court; two copies lodged in binders.

Courtesy copies required for all filings per Standing Order ¶ 4, plus witness/exhibit lists to court reporter.

One party must file all admitted exhibits within 10 days of verdict per Civil L.R. 5-1(g).

Paper courtesy copies required for filings over 10 pages (1 set), 2 sets for pretrial conference filings.

Courtesy copies must be unstapled, 3-hole punched, with ECF stamp, delivered by noon 2 days after filing.

Two sets of paper courtesy copies required for pretrial conference filings.

Refer to Section 9(c) for courtesy copy instructions on motions to seal.

One summary judgment motion per party; additional motions require leave of court.

Parties must review courtroom technology information on court website.

Equipment pre-test questions go to Courtroom Deputy.

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