Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Jinsook Ohta's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Jinsook Ohta?

The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Jinsook Ohta. Paper courtesy copies to the Court are prohibited unless specifically requested.

View ruleSource: page 2, section I. Communications with Chambers

Does Judge Jinsook Ohta require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Jinsook Ohta's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Reply briefs must be filed within 2 weeks of the opposition brief.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Noticed Motions

What page or word limits apply to motion before Judge Jinsook Ohta?

Judge Jinsook Ohta's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes caption, signature blocks, and certificates. Five motions in limine per side, five pages max for motions and responses, no replies allowed.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Motions in limine

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Jinsook Ohta?

The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders are required with all motions.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Noticed Motions

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Jinsook Ohta?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Proposed orders must include "[PROPOSED]" in the caption.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Noticed Motions

How may parties contact Judge Jinsook Ohta's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Jinsook Ohta's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Letters or emails to chambers are prohibited unless required by Local Rule or specifically requested by the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communications with Chambers

How does Judge Jinsook Ohta handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Jinsook Ohta's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. Process: file redacted on ecf, file unredacted to clerk, and file unredacted to chambers. Must file public redacted version of documents sought to be sealed; if sealing entire document, file slip sheet explaining.

View ruleSource: page 4, section VI. Motions to Seal

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Jinsook Ohta?

Requests should be made at least 2 court days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Jinsook Ohta. The request must include meet and confer prior to filing, declaration explaining reasons, proposed order in word format, and currently scheduled date and new proposed date. Continuance requests require meet-and-confer; joint motions with proposed orders if agreed, ex parte motions if not, filed at least 2 court days before deadline.

View ruleSource: page 3, section V. Continuances

Does Judge Jinsook Ohta encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Jinsook Ohta's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Only one lawyer per party may examine any given witness.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Trial Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge Jinsook Ohta

Reply briefs must be filed within 2 weeks of the opposition brief.

Letters or emails to chambers are prohibited unless required by Local Rule or specifically requested by the Court.

Phone calls to chambers are only permitted for obtaining hearing dates for civil motions, TROs, or preliminary injunctions.

Only attorneys or unrepresented parties may call chambers for hearing dates.

Paper courtesy copies to the Court are prohibited unless specifically requested.

Meet and confer requirement before filing any noticed motion (except pro se cases and TRO/preliminary injunction applications).

Meet and confer must occur at least 7 days before filing the motion.

Proposed orders are required with all motions.

Proposed orders must include "[PROPOSED]" in the caption.

Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to specific email address with case number and name in subject line.

Documents requiring Judge's signature must not be filed on the docket.

Opposition briefs must be filed within 3 weeks of the motion.

Court's briefing schedule supersedes Civil Local Rule 7.1(e).

Ex parte motions require meet-and-confer, declaration, and service on opposing counsel; unopposed motions may be granted after 2 court days.

TRO motions must be briefed; ex parte hearings only in extraordinary circumstances.

Continuance requests require meet-and-confer; joint motions with proposed orders if agreed, ex parte motions if not, filed at least 2 court days before deadline.

Motions to seal are strongly discouraged; agreement alone insufficient; must be narrowly tailored to specific portions requiring protection.

Sealing motions must include legal standard, reasons, injury analysis, less restrictive alternatives, declarations, unredacted highlighted version, and proposed order in table format.

Must file public redacted version of documents sought to be sealed; if sealing entire document, file slip sheet explaining.

Motions to seal entire pleadings or briefs strongly disfavored; granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

Settlement requires immediate notice to court and magistrate judge; joint motion to dismiss and proposed order within 28 days unless Rule 41(a)(1) applies.

Proposed pretrial order required by email 7 days before pretrial conference; must comply with Local Rule 16.1(f)(6)(c); all parties must cooperate.

Pre-motion conference required for motions in limine with declaration confirming meet and confer.

Five motions in limine per side, five pages max for motions and responses, no replies allowed.

One courtesy copy of trial exhibits and electronic version required 3 days before trial.

Witnesses must be available on their scheduled day; out-of-sequence calling may be permitted with notice.

Counsel must stay at podium during witness examination except for brief exhibit orientation.

Objections must state only legal grounds; speaking objections prohibited unless requested.

Only one lawyer per party may examine any given witness.

Plea before assigned magistrate judge is encouraged.

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