Judge Beeler's Settlement Conference Standing Order pdf, 171.93 KB; Judge Beeler's Civil Trial Standing Order pdf, 205.07 KB; Judge Laurel Beeler's Standing Order pdf, 128.25 KB; Standing Order For All Judges Of The Northern District Of California pdf, 86.54 KB

=== Judge Beeler's Settlement Conference Standing Order pdf, 171.93 KB ===

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N Last Revised July 14, 2025 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA San Francisco Division STANDING ORDER FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES BEFORE MAGISTRATE JUDGE LAUREL BEELER Parties must comply with the procedures in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the local rules (including the ADR rules), and this standing order. SCHEDULING Scheduling conferences are held by videoconference on Thursdays, following the 11:00 a.m. civil case-management calendar. Settlement conferences are scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. Before the scheduling conference, lead counsel must discuss with their clients and each other: • The optimal time for a settlement conference; • Their mutually available dates; • The availability of insurance; • • Individuals with settlement authority and their attendance; Information to be exchanged before the settlement conference; • The time needed to evaluate demands and responses; and • Any other relevant issues. STANDING ORDER FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N At the scheduling conference, the court will discuss these matters and set the settlement conference. The court’s calendar is typically booked 120 days in advance, but earlier dates may be accommodated if suitable for the case. The parties must email their preferred dates to [email protected] at least two days before the scheduling conference, including the emails of all participants in the scheduling conference. PARTICIPANTS AT THE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE Lead trial counsel, all parties, and individuals with full authority to negotiate and settle the case must attend the settlement conference. 1. Corporation or Other Non-Government Entity A party that is not a natural person (e.g., a corporation or association) satisfies the attendance requirement if represented by a person (other than outside counsel) who is knowledgeable about the case and has final settlement authority. If settlement authority is vested solely in a governing board, claims committee, or equivalent body and cannot be delegated, the party must designate a person with authority to attend and participate in the settlement conference and, if a tentative settlement agreement is reached, to recommend the agreement to the approving body for approval. ADR L.R. Rule 7-3(a). 2. Government Entity A government-entity party satisfies the attendance requirement if represented by a person (in addition to counsel of record) who (1) has, to the greatest extent feasible, authority to settle, (2) is knowledgeable about the case facts, the government entity’s position, and the policies governing settlement decisions, and (3) has the authority to recommend a tentative settlement agreement to the government entity for approval. ADR L.R. 7-3(b). If the action is brought by the government on behalf of one or more individuals, at least one such individual must attend. Id. STANDING ORDER FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 3. Insured Party An insured party must attend with a carrier representative who has full authority to negotiate up to the policy’s coverage limits. ADR L.R. 7-3(c). SETTLEMENT-CONFERENCE STATEMENTS Settlement statements must be lodged no later than seven days before the settlement conference (fourteen days for cases with four or more separately represented parties) in hard copy, three-hole punched and double-sided, at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, in a sealed envelope addressed to Judge Beeler and marked “Settlement Documents (Not For Filing).” Submissions under twenty pages may be emailed to [email protected]. Settlement statements must include: • Attendees and their roles; • Relevant facts, including disputed facts and key evidence; • Relevant court rulings; • Claims and defenses; • Legal issues about liability and damages; • Prior settlement discussions and mediation efforts; • The current demand and response; • Fees and costs incurred to date and projected through trial; • A candid assessment of settlement risks and the parties’ needs; • Obstacles to settlement and proposed solutions; and • Any other information relevant to settlement. The information may be provided in exchanged statements (up to ten pages with twenty pages of attachments), separate confidential statements (up to five pages with five pages of attachments), or a combination thereof, not exceeding these page limits. The parties may ask to submit additional attachments and should submit attachments jointly, if feasible, to avoid duplication. Video exhibits must be submitted jointly. STANDING ORDER FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES Settlement conferences are held at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 15th Floor, Courtroom B, San Francisco, CA 94102, and typically last three or more hours. Requests for continuances must be emailed to [email protected] as soon as is practicable and include proposed new dates. A short joint statement reflecting the continuance request must be filed on the docket. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: July 14, 2025 _____________________________ LAUREL BEELER United States Magistrate Judge STANDING ORDER FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES 4

=== Judge Beeler's Civil Trial Standing Order pdf, 205.07 KB ===

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N Last revised June 16, 2025 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA San Francisco Division STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS BEFORE MAGISTRATE JUDGE BEELER OVERALL DEADLINES ............................................................................................................... 1 PRETRIAL FILINGS ..................................................................................................................... 1 1. Collated Motions in Limine: Twenty-One Days Before Pretrial Conference ....................... 1 2. Pretrial Filings: Twenty-One Days Before Pretrial Conference ............................................ 2 2.1 Joint Jury Questionnaire ............................................................................................... 2 2.2 Joint Proposed Pretrial Order ....................................................................................... 2 2.2.1 Signed Stipulations ............................................................................................ 2 2.2.2 Joint Exhibit List ................................................................................................ 2 2.2.3 Witness Lists ...................................................................................................... 2 2.2.4 Joint Proposed Verdict Form ............................................................................. 2 2.2.5 Joint Jury Instructions (Disputed and Undisputed) and Memoranda of Law .... 3 2.2.6 Trial Briefs on Remaining Issues ....................................................................... 3 2.2.7 Copies of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(3) Disclosures ...................... 3 2.2.8 Chambers Copies ............................................................................................... 3 3. Exhibits and Designations: Fourteen Days Before Pretrial Conference ............................... 3 4. Other Procedures for Exhibit Organization ........................................................................... 4 5. Deposition Designation for Witnesses Appearing by Deposition ......................................... 5 5.1 Designating Counsel .................................................................................................... 5 5.2 Reviewing Counsel ...................................................................................................... 5 5.3 Counsel to Meet and Confer Regarding Adjustments .................................................. 5 5.4 Designating Counsel to Assemble Final Packet ........................................................... 5 5.5 Counter-Designations ................................................................................................... 6 6. Video Depositions ................................................................................................................. 6 7. Requests for Admissions and Interrogatories ........................................................................ 6 TRIAL PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................. 6 1. Trial Schedule and Court Reporters ...................................................................................... 6 2. Jury Selection ........................................................................................................................ 7 3. Other Trial Logistics .............................................................................................................. 7 3.1 Juror Notes and Questions ............................................................................................ 7 3.2 Trial Time Limits ......................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Advance Notice at Trial: Opening Statements and Witness Order of Proof ................ 8 3.4 Witness Examinations .................................................................................................. 8 3.5 Expert Testimony ......................................................................................................... 9 3.6 Use of Depositions to Impeach a Trial Witness ........................................................... 9 3.7 Use of Depositions of Party-Opponents ..................................................................... 10 3.8 Use of Depositions for Witnesses Appearing Only by Deposition ............................ 10 3.9 Exhibits ....................................................................................................................... 10 3.10 Stipulations ............................................................................................................... 11 3.11 Objections ................................................................................................................. 11 3.12 Sidebar Conferences ................................................................................................. 11 3.13 Charging Conference ................................................................................................ 11 4. Additional Procedures for Bench Trials .............................................................................. 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N The following are the presumptive deadlines. OVERALL DEADLINES Case Event No-Later-Than Date Parties to meet and confer about pretrial filings Forty-five days before the Pretrial Conference Serve (but do not file) motions in limine Thirty days before the Pretrial Conference Serve oppositions to motions in limine Twenty-three days before the Pretrial Conference Pretrial filings due (motions in limine, joint pretrial order, stipulations, witness and exhibit lists, proposed jury instructions, verdict forms, and jury questionnaire, and trial briefs) Lodge exhibits, deposition designations, admissions and interrogatories designations, and objections Twenty-one days before the Pretrial Conference Fourteen days before the Pretrial Conference The following are the procedures and deadlines for pretrial filings. PRETRIAL FILINGS 1. Collated Motions in Limine: Twenty-One Days Before Pretrial Conference No later than thirty days before the pretrial conference, the parties must serve (but not file) their motions in limine, which generally should not exceed five motions, are limited to seven pages each (absent leave of court), must be limited to circumstances requiring advance ruling, and must be titled “[Party’s Name]’s Motion in Limine [#] to Exclude [Subject].” Seven days later (no later than twenty-three days before the final pretrial conference), the opposing party must serve its separate oppositions, each in a separate memorandum entitled “[Party’s Name]’s Opposition to Motion in Limine [#] to Exclude [Subject],” and limited to seven pages each (absent leave of court). There will be no reply briefs. The moving party must collate and file each motion and opposition in paired sets two days later, meaning, no later than twenty-one days before the pretrial conference, and notice them for a hearing at the pretrial conference. Collated chambers copies must be submitted in a binder, labeled on the front and spine with the case name and “Motions in Limine,” with labeled tabs for the individual motions. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 1 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2. Pretrial Filings: Twenty-One Days Before Pretrial Conference 2.1 Joint Jury Questionnaire The jury office will send prospective jurors an online questionnaire with standard questions that are asked in every case, including a statement of involved persons. Parties may propose a total of ten additional questions, which also must be emailed to [email protected]. 2.2 Joint Proposed Pretrial Order The parties’ joint proposed order must have (1) a description of the claims and defenses to be decided, (2) a statement of the relief sought, (3) all stipulated facts, (4) a list of disputed fact issues to be tried, organized by claim and described with the same specificity as any contested element in the model jury instructions, (5) the parties’ trial estimates, including attorney voir dire, opening statements, examination of witnesses, and closing arguments (informed by the witness examination times contained in their witness lists, discussed below), and (6) the status of settlement negotiations. It must attach the following: 2.2.1 Signed Stipulations These must be in a form that can be introduced as evidence at trial. 2.2.2 Joint Exhibit List The list must have columns for exhibit number, description and bates range, offered into evidence, admitted into evidence, sponsoring witness, and limits on use. 2.2.3 Witness Lists The parties must exchange their witness lists thirty days before the pretrial conference. They must file witness lists for their case-in-chief witnesses (including those appearing by deposition) with a short summary of the testimony, an estimated time for direct and cross-examinations, and any special issues such as use of an interpreter and why, if multiple witnesses are proposed on the same topic, the testimony is not duplicative. Absent good cause, experts and witnesses not included on the witness list may not be used in a party’s case-in-chief. 2.2.4 Joint Proposed Verdict Form The parties can offer separate proposals when they disagree and must include any model verdict forms (such as CACI forms). They must submit word copies to [email protected]. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 2 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2.2.5 Joint Jury Instructions (Disputed and Undisputed) and Memoranda of Law The parties must file joint instructions, using model instructions when possible, in the order that they should be given, and include separate proposed preliminary instructions and final instructions. They must submit word copies to [email protected]. The instructions must include a table of contents and be supported by citations to the authority for the instruction (e.g., to the Ninth Circuit Model Jury Instructions or CACI). If undisputed, an instruction must be labeled “Stipulated Instruction.” If disputed, the parties’ versions must bear the same instruction number, be labeled with the sponsoring party’s name, and be inserted back to back in the logical place in the overall sequence. If the opposing party does not have a counter instruction and instead contends that no instruction should be given, the party must say so in a separate page inserted in lieu of the alternate instruction. If the parties modify a model instruction, they must identify the modification clearly in a blackline and include the model instruction in the packet. The parties must include a short statement of the case to be read to the jury during voir dire as part of the preliminary instructions. Each party must file a memorandum of law — organized by instruction number — regarding disputed jury instructions. 2.2.6 Trial Briefs on Remaining Issues Trial briefs are optional. 2.2.7 Copies of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(3) Disclosures 2.2.8 Chambers Copies The chambers copies of these materials must be submitted in a binder, labeled on the front and spine with the case name and “Pretrial Submissions,” with labeled tabs separating the filings by topic to reflect the organization in this section. 3. Exhibits and Designations: Fourteen Days Before Pretrial Conference First, the parties must lodge a joint, single set of all trial exhibits marked “Original Exhibits,” either as a thumb drive or in three-ring binders. If binders, then each exhibit must be tagged and separated by a label divider identifying the exhibit number. The binder spines must identify the STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N exhibits in a particular binder. A thumb drive must reflect a comparable organization. The parties must lodge a hard copy of the exhibits labeled “Chambers Copy” with any updated (and filed) exhibit list in each binder. The parties must confer and weed out extra exhibits along the way. Second, the parties must file and lodge deposition designations for witnesses appearing only by designation, copies of designations of interrogatories and admissions, and objections to exhibits and use of depositions (as set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(3)(B . Objections not raised are waived. The chambers copies of these materials must be submitted in binders, labeled on the front and spine with the case name and a description of the contents, and have labeled tabs separating the filings to reflect the organization in this section. 4. Other Procedures for Exhibit Organization Before submitting exhibit lists and binders, counsel must meet and confer to establish usable numbering conventions and eliminate duplicate exhibits. Use numbers only, and if possible, exhibit numbers should be the same numbers used in depositions. Otherwise, the deposition transcript must be conformed to the new exhibit number to avoid jury confusion and to ensure that every exhibit has a unique number. Blocks of numbers should be assigned to fit the needs of the case: e.g., Plaintiff has 1 to 99, Defendant A has 100 to 199, Defendant B has 200 to 299, et cetera. All exhibits must be marked “Trial Exhibit No.,” not Plaintiff’s Exhibit or Defendant’s Exhibit. A single exhibit must be marked just once. The exhibit tag must be in the following form and must be affixed on or near the lower right-hand corner if possible and on the back if it is not. Counsel must fill in the tag but leave the last two lines blank. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA TRIAL EXHIBIT 100 Case No. ________________ Date Entered _____________ By______________________ Deputy Clerk STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 4 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5. Deposition Designation for Witnesses Appearing by Deposition These procedures apply only to deposition designations for witnesses who appear by deposition and do not apply to reading depositions of live witnesses into the record while the witnesses are testifying. 5.1 Designating Counsel To designate deposition testimony, counsel must photocopy the cover page, the page where the witness is sworn, and each page with any proffered testimony (with lines through testimony not proffered). Counsel must put lines through objections or colloquy unless they are needed to understand the question. Any corrections (including conforming exhibit numbers to trial exhibit numbers) must be done by hand. The finished packet must be the script that allows smooth presentation of the witness, the oath, and the testimony. The packet must be provided to the other parties at least thirty days before the pretrial conference. For voluminous designations, the court requires advance notice by designating counsel because more lead time is required. Counsel must be reasonable. 5.2 Reviewing Counsel Reviewing parties must promptly review the packet and highlight in yellow any passages objected to and write in the margin the legal basis for the objections. If a completeness objection is made, the objecting party must insert the additional passages needed to cure the completeness objection. A completeness objection generally should be made only if a few extra lines will cure the problem. Such additions must be highlighted in blue, and an explanation for the inclusion must be legibly handwritten in the margin. Counsel must line out any irrelevant portions of the additional pages. Reviewing counsel must return the packets to the proffering party to consider whether to accept the adjustments. 5.3 Counsel to Meet and Confer Regarding Adjustments Counsel must meet and confer to address reviewing counsel’s comments and any other issues. 5.4 Designating Counsel to Assemble Final Packet Counsel for the proffering party must collate and assemble a final packet that covers all remaining issues and provide it to the court fourteen days before the pretrial conference. Any STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 5 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 objections must be highlighted and annotated as described in this section. If exhibits are needed to resolve the objections, designating counsel must include copies, with the relevant passages highlighted and tagged. The court will read the packet and make its rulings in the margins in a distinctive manner. 5.5 Counter-Designations The reviewing party must make any counter-designations by providing a packet with the counter-designated passages to the original designating counsel at the same time as the reviewing party returns its objections to designating counsel. The original designating counsel must supply any objections in the manner described in this section. 6. Video Depositions The parties must follow the same procedures to facilitate ruling on objections. The videos must omit dead time, objections, and colloquy not necessary to understand the answers. 7. Requests for Admissions and Interrogatories Counsel must designate responses to requests for admissions and interrogatory answers in the same manner and under the same timetable as deposition designations. 1. Trial Schedule and Court Reporters TRIAL PROCEDURES Trials start on Mondays. The pretrial conference is two Thursdays (eleven days) earlier, at 1:00 p.m. Lead counsel for each party must attend. Depending on the district’s overall trial schedule, jury selection can occur the week before the official Monday trial start. The parties must arrange daily or real-time reporting at least fourteen days before trial with the court-reporter supervisor at 415-522-2079 and by email to [email protected]. The parties meet with the court’s courtroom deputy ([email protected] or 415-522-3140) at least fourteen days before trial to work out all technical and courtroom issues. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 6 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The trial day is 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (or slightly longer to finish a witness), Monday through Friday, generally with a fifteen-minute break every ninety minutes, depending on the availability of court reporters. Counsel must arrive at 8:15 a.m. The courtroom is open at 8:00 a.m., and the court reserves witness rooms for each side, which also allows storage of equipment. The court will hold an instructions conference during trial. 2. Jury Selection The court’s jury-selection procedures are as follows. Several days before jury selection, the Clerk’s office will provide the parties the responses to the jury questionnaires and a list of the jurors in the order of call (as opposed to a random list). At least a day before jury selection, the court has a short hearing to address any agreed-to challenges for cause or hardship. (Any disputes will be addressed only during jury selection.) The court’s jury-selection procedures vary depending on the length of the trial and the resulting size of the jury. Assuming the ordinary jury of eight and six peremptory challenges, the court will call twenty-one jurors, which fills the jury box and a row in front of the box. The remaining jurors are seated in order (starting with number twenty-two) in the public benches. The court allows attorney voir dire. Because voir dire usually extends to jurors in the public rows (not just the twenty-one in the box), usually no additional questioning is needed, but the court allows that process if necessary. The court addresses hardship excuses, challenges for cause, and peremptory challenges out of the prospective jurors’ presence. Then, the eight (or other number of) jurors with the lowest numbers will be the final jury. The court may alter these procedures. 3. Other Trial Logistics 3.1 Juror Notes and Questions Jurors may take notes. Note pads will be distributed at the beginning of each trial and collected at the end of the day and locked in the jury room. The court will instruct the jury on the use of notes in its preliminary and final jury instructions. The court allows juror questions during trial. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 7 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3.2 Trial Time Limits At the final pretrial conference, the court will set time limits for opening statements, witness examinations (direct, cross, or re-direct), and closing arguments. The time taken at a sidebar or on objections will be charged to the examining party unless otherwise ordered. 3.3 Advance Notice at Trial: Opening Statements and Witness Order of Proof Counsel must meet and confer about, and exchange, any visuals, graphics, or exhibits to be used in the opening statements, allowing for time to work out objections and any reasonable revisions. Generally, visual presentations must be exchanged at 2 p.m. two business days before opening statements. Objections must be filed by 8:00 a.m. the next day, with a chambers copy delivered by 11:00 a.m. that includes the documents and copies of cited cases. The court may decide the issues on the papers or convene a Zoom conference to discuss them. Generally, by 2:00 p.m. on any court day, counsel must give written notice of the order of witnesses for the next court day and the exhibits (including illustrative exhibits) to be used on direct examination (other than for true impeachment of a witness). The parties must notify the court by 4:00 p.m. of any objections to the exhibits, and the court may schedule a conference that afternoon or the following morning to resolve the dispute. In complex cases, the court may require notice two court days before the testimony by 2:00 p.m. Objections then are due the next day at 8:00 a.m., and chambers copies (including the disputed exhibits and the cited cases) must be delivered by 11:00 a.m. The court will address the disputes at the end of the trial day. 3.4 Witness Examinations Generally there must be only one examining lawyer per witness per party, and the examining lawyer must make any objections to the opposing counsel’s examination. The parties must have witnesses ready to testify so that trial gaps are avoided. Gaps may be construed as resting one’s case. In cases with multiple parties, counsel must coordinate cross-examination to avoid duplication of testimony. Counsel must place copies of exhibits to be used by a witness on the witness stand before the witness testifies. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 8 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Witnesses (except named parties) are excluded from the courtroom except when they are testifying. If a testifying witness has not been excused before a recess, that witness must be seated back on the stand when the court reconvenes. If a new witness is ready to be called immediately after a recess, the witness must be in the first row after the recess. The appropriate party or the court may read into the record the undisputed facts at appropriate points in the trial. 3.5 Expert Testimony Direct expert testimony is limited to matters disclosed in the expert’s reports. Omitted material ordinarily may not be added on direct examination. Illustrative animations, diagrams, charts, and models may be used on direct examination only if they were part of the expert report, except that an expert may use simple drawings (such as those drawn by the witness at trial) that plainly illustrate a report’s contents. If cross-examination fairly opens the door, an expert may go beyond the written report on cross-examination and/or re-direct examination. By written stipulation, all parties may relax these requirements. As to damages studies, the cut-off for past damages is the date of the expert report (or an earlier date selected or used by the expert). Experts may project future damages after this cut-off date if they can meet substantive standards for future damages. With timely leave of court or by written stipulation, the experts may update their reports (or provide supplemental reports) at a date closer to the time of trial. 3.6 Use of Depositions to Impeach a Trial Witness The following procedures apply. On the first day of trial, counsel must bring the original and clean copies of the depositions to be used at trial. If counsel might use a deposition against a witness, counsel must provide the court with a copy at the outset of the examination. Opposing counsel must have copies of witness depositions immediately available. Counsel must seek permission from the court before reading a passage into the record. For example, counsel must state, “I ask to read page 210, lines 1 to 10, from the witness’s deposition.” Counsel must pause briefly to allow any objection. STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 9 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The first time counsel reads a deposition, counsel must state the deponent’s name, the name of the lawyer asking the question, and whether the deposition was a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(6) deposition. The first time a deposition is read, the court will instruct the jury about depositions. When reading the passage, counsel must employ the following technique. Counsel must state, “question” and then read the question exactly, and then state, “answer” and read the answer exactly. This will allow the jury and court reporter to follow who said what at the deposition. Opposing counsel may ask to read additional testimony necessary to complete the context. It is not necessary to ask, “didn’t you say XYZ in your deposition” to lay a foundation. 3.7 Use of Depositions of Party-Opponents Subject to Rule 403, a party-opponent’s depositions may be used for “any purpose” and may be read into the record at any time (with no need to contradict a witness and regardless of the witness currently testifying). For example, a short party deposition excerpt may be used as foundation for questions for a different witness on the stand. 3.8 Use of Depositions for Witnesses Appearing Only by Deposition When the packet (see above for procedures to assemble deposition packets) is read to the jury, the examiner must read the questions (and any relevant colloquy) from the lectern while a colleague sits in the witness stand and reads the answers. While reading the deposition, the reader and “witness” must refrain from undue emphasis or dramatization. If a read-in is short, a single attorney can read it all, being careful to say “question” and “answer” for the court reporter’s and jury’s comprehension. Exhibits may be projected onto the screen as they are referenced. Court reporters do not transcribe video excerpts so counsel must file an exact copy of what was shown. 3.9 Exhibits At the end of each day, counsel must confer with each other and with the deputy clerk to confirm what exhibits are in evidence and any limitations on their use. Counsel must bring any differences to the court’s attention. Similarly, before closing argument, counsel must confer with each other and the deputy clerk to finalize the exhibits and prepare any final exhibit list. That list may include a brief non-argumentative description of the exhibit to help the jury access the STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 10 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 exhibits. The final exhibits must be provided on a thumb drive before closing argument so that they can be loaded onto the jury laptop for deliberations. 3.10 Stipulations Counsel must read all stipulations to the jury for them to be part of the record. 3.11 Objections Counsel must stand when making objections, give only the legal basis (“objection, calls for speculation” or “objection, hearsay”). 3.12 Sidebar Conferences Side-bar conferences are discouraged. If matters must be discussed outside the jury’s presence, then counsel should raise them at the beginning or end of the day or while the jury is on break. 3.13 Charging Conference Before the close of evidence, the court will provide draft final jury instructions to the parties and allow a reasonable time for review. Then, the court will hold one or more charging conferences to address the instructions. The parties must renew any specific instruction request — including those requested pretrial — at the conference or it will be deemed waived. For example, if a party wants to request an instruction that the court omitted from its draft instructions, the party must re-request it at the charging conference or the request will be deemed waived or abandoned. 4. Additional Procedures for Bench Trials The parties must comply with the above procedures, unless they apply only to jury trials (e.g., instructions and verdict forms). If a case has claims for the jury and claims for the court, then all claims are tried at the same time. The parties must file any stipulated facts and conclusions of law no later than sixty-three days before the final pretrial conference. Then, the parties’ briefs must be sequential so that the party with the burden of proof goes first. The plaintiff’s opening brief (up to twenty-five pages) is due forty-nine days before the pretrial conference. The defendant’s opposition and brief on affirmative defenses and any counterclaims (up to twenty-five pages) is due fourteen days later. The plaintiff’s STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N reply and opposition (up to twenty-five pages) is due fourteen days later. The defendant’s reply (up to fifteen pages) is due seven days later. Proposed findings of fact must be supported by citations to the evidence that will be offered at trial. Conclusions of law that rely on substantive-law instructions from the Ninth Circuit Manual of Model Jury Instructions, CACI, or other model instructions must be cited, any modifications must be identified, and copies of the model and blacklined modified instructions must be attached. All conclusions of law — disputed or undisputed — must be supported by citation (including pin cites) in the format used by the Ninth Circuit Manual. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: June 16, 2025 ______________________________________ LAUREL BEELER United States Magistrate Judge STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL TRIALS 12

=== Judge Laurel Beeler's Standing Order pdf, 128.25 KB ===

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N Last revised March 12, 2025 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA San Francisco Division STANDING ORDER FOR MAGISTRATE JUDGE LAUREL BEELER Parties must comply with the procedures in the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the local rules, the general orders, this standing order, and the Northern District’s standing order for civil cases titled “Contents of Joint Case Management Statement.” The rules are available at http://www.cand.uscourts.gov. The parties’ failure to comply with the rules may be a ground for monetary sanctions, dismissal, entry of judgment, or other appropriate sanctions. CALENDAR DATES AND SCHEDULING Motions are heard on Thursdays: civil motions at 9:30 a.m., criminal motions at 10:30 a.m., and pretrial conferences at 1:00 p.m. Hearings are in person. Parties may stipulate to a hearing by videoconference one week before any hearing. The parties may notice motions (other than discovery motions, discussed below) under the local rules for any available Thursday on the court’s calendar (at http://www.cand.uscourts.gov). Case-management conferences are on Thursdays: criminal cases at 10:30 a.m. in person and civil cases by videoconference at 11:00 a.m. Civil case-management conferences are not recorded unless a party asks or is appearing pro se. For scheduling questions, please contact courtroom deputy Elaine Kabiling at [email protected] or 415-522-3140. STANDING ORDER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N CHAMBERS COPIES If filings are voluminous, then the parties must lodge chambers copies that are double-side printed and three-hole punched. They must be the electronically filed copies with the PACER/ECF- generated header (case number, docket number, date, and ECF page number). Exhibits must be tabbed and have a table of contents. If the copies are more than two inches thick, then the parties must submit them in a binder. If the case involves sealed filings, then the redacted and unredacted copies must be submitted in order (e.g., redacted motion/unredacted motion (behind a tab labeled “motion”) or redacted Ex. 1/unredacted Ex. 1 (behind a tab labeled “1” or “Ex. 1” . The binder order must be (1) motions and proposed orders (redacted/unredacted), (2) sealing motions and proposed orders with supporting declarations only; and (3) exhibits (redacted/unredacted with numbered tabs that correspond to the exhibit number). In addition to paper copies, hyperlinked electronic copies should be submitted if feasible when the supporting documents are lengthy. Any pinpoint citations in the briefs must link to the specific page in the supporting exhibit. PDF briefs and bookmarked exhibits must be emailed to [email protected]. If the file is too large to email, please lodge a thumb drive or share access to a cloud-based hosting platform that allows court employees to download files. Otherwise, the parties do not need to submit paper copies and instead can email a chambers PDF copy to [email protected]. Parties do not need to submit electronic copies of certificates of service, certificates of interested entities or persons, consents or declinations to the court’s jurisdiction, stipulations that do not require a court order (see Civil Local Rule 6-1), or notices of appearance or substitution of counsel. 1. Less-Experienced Lawyers CASE MANAGEMENT The court encourages parties to give less-experienced lawyers an opportunity to participate in all court proceedings and to let the court know during the scheduling process. STANDING ORDER 2 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2. Discovery 2.1 Privilege Logs If a party withholds material as privileged, see Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(5), it must produce a privilege log that is sufficiently detailed for the opposing party to assess whether the assertion of privilege is justified. The log must be produced as quickly as possible but no later than fourteen days after the party’s disclosures or discovery responses are due unless the parties stipulate to, or the court sets, another date. Privilege logs must contain the following: (a) the title and description of the document, the number of pages, and the Bates-number range, if any; (b) the subject matter or general nature of the communication (without disclosing its contents); (c) the identity and position of its author; (d) the date of the communication; (e) the identity and position of the recipients of the communication; (f) the location where the document was found; (g) the specific basis for the assertion that the document is privileged or protected (including a brief summary of any supporting facts); and (h) the steps taken to ensure the confidentiality of the communication, including an affirmation that no unauthorized persons received the communication. 2.2 Discovery Disputes If parties have a discovery dispute, then counsel must confer by any means to resolve or narrow their dispute. If that process does not resolve the dispute, then lead trial counsel must confer in person if possible or at least by videoconference. Either party may demand a conference with one week’s notice. The parties then may raise their dispute in a five-page letter brief (12-point font or greater, reasonable margins, and page breaks between paragraphs). Lead trial counsel for both parties must sign the letter and attest that they met and conferred in person or by videoconference. The letter must discuss each dispute separately: each section must have one issue and (1) describe the unresolved issue, (2) summarize each party’s position (with citations to the facts and legal authority), and (3) provide each party’s final proposed compromise. The parties may submit supporting declarations and documentation of up to fifteen pages. After the parties submit their dispute, then the court will determine the next steps, including issuing a ruling, ordering more briefing, or setting a hearing. For discovery disputes involving third parties (usually under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure STANDING ORDER 3 t r u o C t c i r t s i D s e t a t S d e t i n U a i n r o f i l a C f o t c i r t s i D n r e h t r o N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 45), the parties may (but do not have to) use these procedures and in any event must confer in person if possible or at least by videoconference for any dispute. If the parties do not agree to these procedures, then the moving party must file a noticed motion under the local rules and include in the notice a statement about its compliance with these procedures. For emergencies during events such as depositions, the parties may contact the court under Civil Local Rule 37-1(b) by calling courtroom deputy Elaine Kabiling at 415-522-3140 and sending a joint email describing the dispute to [email protected] and [email protected]. 3. Amended Pleadings If a party files an amended pleading, it must file as an attachment a blackline compare of the amended pleading against the last pleading. 4. Case-Management Statements The first joint case-management conference statement in a case must have the information in the Northern District’s standing order titled “Contents of Joint Case Management Statement.” Subsequent statements preferably will have only new information. 5. Summary-Judgment Motions The parties may not file separate statements of undisputed facts. See Civil Local Rule 56-2. Joint statements of undisputed facts are not required but are helpful. Any joint statement must include — for each undisputed fact — citations to admissible evidence. If the parties have cross-motions for summary judgment, then they must file four briefs sequentially: motion (twenty-five pages), opposition/cross-motion (twenty-five pages), opposition/reply (twenty pages), and reply (fifteen pages). The parties must confer on who goes first: if they cannot agree, then the plaintiff files the first motion. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 12, 2025 ______________________________________ LAUREL BEELER United States Magistrate Judge STANDING ORDER 4

=== Standing Order For All Judges Of The Northern District Of California pdf, 86.54 KB ===

STANDING ORDER FOR ALL JUDGES OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CONTENTS OF JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT All judges of the Northern District of California require identical information in Joint Case Management Statements filed pursuant to Civil Local Rule 16-9. The parties must include the following information in their statement which, except in unusually complex cases, should not exceed ten pages: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Jurisdiction and Service: The basis for the court’s subject matter jurisdiction over plaintiff’s claims and defendant’s counterclaims, whether any issues exist regarding personal jurisdiction or venue, whether any parties remain to be served, and, if any parties remain to be served, a proposed deadline for service. Facts: A brief chronology of the facts and a statement of the principal factual issues in dispute. Legal Issues: A brief statement, without extended legal argument, of the disputed points of law, including reference to specific statutes and decisions. Motions: All prior and pending motions, their current status, and any anticipated motions. Amendment of Pleadings: The extent to which parties, claims, or defenses are expected to be added or dismissed and a proposed deadline for amending the pleadings. Evidence Preservation: A brief report certifying that the parties have reviewed the Guidelines Relating to the Discovery of Electronically Stored Information (“ESI Guidelines”), and confirming that the parties have met and conferred pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) regarding reasonable and proportionate steps taken to preserve evidence relevant to the issues reasonably evident in this action. See ESI Guidelines 2.01 and 2.02, and Checklist for ESI Meet and Confer. Disclosures: Whether there has been full and timely compliance with the initial disclosure requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26, and a description of the disclosures made. Discovery: Discovery taken to date, if any, the scope of anticipated discovery, any proposed limitations or modifications of the discovery rules, a brief report on whether the parties have considered entering into a stipulated e-discovery order, a proposed discovery plan pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f), and any identified discovery disputes. Class Actions: If a class action, a proposal for how and when the class will be certified, and whether all attorneys of record for the parties have reviewed the Procedural Guidance for Class Action Settlements. Related Cases: Any related cases or proceedings pending before another judge of this court, or before another court or administrative body. Relief: All relief sought through complaint or counterclaim, including the amount of any damages sought and a description of the bases on which damages are calculated. In addition, any party from whom damages are sought must describe the bases on which it contends damages should be calculated if liability is established. Updated November 30, 2023 1 12. Settlement and ADR: Prospects for settlement, ADR efforts to date, and a specific ADR plan for the case, including compliance with ADR L.R. 3-5 and a description of key discovery or motions necessary to position the parties to negotiate a resolution. 13. Other References: Whether the case is suitable for reference to binding arbitration, a special master, or the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. 14. Narrowing of Issues: Issues that can be narrowed by agreement or by motion, suggestions to expedite the presentation of evidence at trial (e.g., through summaries or stipulated facts), and any request to bifurcate issues, claims, or defenses. The parties shall jointly identify (in bold or highlight) one to three issues which are the most consequential to the case and discuss how resolution of these issues may be expedited. 15. 16. Scheduling: Proposed dates for designation of experts, discovery cutoff, hearing of dispositive motions, pretrial conference and trial. Trial: Whether the case will be tried to a jury or to the court and the expected length of the trial. 17. Disclosure of Non-party Interested Entities or Persons: Whether each party has filed the “Certification of Interested Entities or Persons” required by Civil Local Rule 3-15. In addition, each party must restate in the case management statement the contents of its certification by identifying any persons, firms, partnerships, corporations (including parent corporations) or other entities known by the party to have either: (i) a financial interest in the subject matter in controversy or in a party to the proceeding; or (ii) any other kind of interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding. In any proposed class, collective, or representative action, the required disclosure includes any person or entity that is funding the prosecution of any claim or counterclaim. 18. Professional Conduct: Whether all attorneys of record for the parties have reviewed the Guidelines for Professional Conduct for the Northern District of California. 19. Such other matters as may facilitate the just, speedy and inexpensive disposition of this matter. Updated November 30, 2023 2