1. Case Management Conferences: All Case Management Conferences shall be held telephonically via AT&T conference call on Fridays at a time set by the Court. No requests for telephonic appearance are required for CMCs during the effective period of this Notice. Parties shall confirm the time of their Case Management Conference by checking the docket the day before, as these times may change depending on the Court’s caseload.
2. Law and Motion and Bench Trials: Civil hearings will be conducted via Zoom video conference. When filing new motions, the filing party should continue to notice the motion for hearing in accordance with the Local Rules. No later than two days prior to the scheduled hearing, the Court will either issue a notice to the parties with the video conference information or will issue a notice vacating the hearing and deeming the matter submitted on the papers.

In addition, due to the logistical considerations necessitated by the Court’s safety protocols with regard to jury trials, Judge Illston encourages litigants to consider proceeding with a bench trial, which could be conducted via Zoom.

3. Requests for Continuances and Extensions: The Court will be liberal in granting reasonable requests for continuances or extensions of briefing deadlines based on circumstances related to COVID-19. As in all cases, parties seeking a continuance should attempt to present their request to the Court via a stipulation and proposed order.
4. Discovery Disputes: The Court temporarily suspends the requirement in its Standing Order that parties must meet and confer in person before filing a joint discovery dispute statement. Parties must meet and confer either via video conference or by telephone to attempt to resolve their dispute informally, and any discovery dispute filing with the Court shall specify how and when the parties met and conferred. A mere exchange of letters, e-mails, or facsimile transmissions does not satisfy the requirement to meet and confer.

Courtesy Copies:  Counsel shall provide 2 set of copies of all Joint Case Management Statements, Motions, Supporting Documentation, Oppositions and Replies.  Stipulation do not need to be provided.  The Courtesy Copies should be three hole punched on the left hand side, in a binder, tabbed with a table contents if needed.  Please direct any questions regarding this to sicrd@cand.uscourts.gov.