Court Rules
Judge Frank J. Singer
Magistrate Judge

Judge Frank J. Singer

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Eastern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Dispute Synopsis
4 pgs
Brief
25 pgs
Rule 251 Statement
30 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Motion, Brief, Opposition, Reply, Exhibits, Notice Of Motion

  • Hand Delivery • Upon Filing

Binding: Stapled

Communication

Email

Chambers

fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov
SchedulingOther
Email

Chambers

evaldez@caed.uscourts.gov
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

16692545252
Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingConferencesMemorandaDiscoveryProposed OrdersTRO/InjunctionLettersExhibitsPage Limits

Page & Word Limits3 rules

Page LimitsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

At least 48 hours before the conference, the parties shall jointly file synopsis of their dispute in a letter or memo format that does not exceed four pages (no exhibits or attachments).

Summary: Dispute synopsis for informal discovery conferences must not exceed 4 pages, excluding exhibits and attachments, filed 48 hours prior.

Dispute Synopsis

4 pages

Applies to: Attorney

FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 2
|SecInformal Telephonic or Video Conferences re Discovery Disputes
Page LimitsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave may not be considered.

Summary: Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; non-compliant briefs may not be considered.

Structured details unavailable. See the source text.

FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 2
|SecLength of Briefs on Motions Other Than Rule 251 Motions
Page LimitsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

A joint statement required by Local Rule 251(c) shall be as brief and as succinct as possible to conserve judicial resources. Rule 251 joint statements submitted in civil cases before Judge Singer shall not exceed thirty (30) total pages.

Summary: Rule 251 joint statements in civil cases before Judge Singer must be succinct and are limited to 30 total pages.

Rule 251 Statement

30 pages

FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 3
|SecLength of Rule 251 Statements

Document Format Requirements2 rules

FormattingCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Summary: Email copy of the Scheduling Conference Report must be in Microsoft Word (DOCX) format.

Required Format

DOCX

FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 1
|SecScheduling Conferences
FormattingCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

As required by Local Rule 137(b), counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov. Also, do not submit documents for signature in .pdf format as they will not be considered.

Summary: Proposed orders and stipulations must be submitted in Microsoft Word format, not PDF, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Required Format

DOCX

FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 2
|SecAll Documents Requiring Court Approval

Document Filing Requirements5 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

A JOINT Scheduling Conference Report, carefully prepared and executed by all counsel, shall be electronically filed in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the Order setting Mandatory Scheduling Conference, one (1) full week prior to the Scheduling Conference, and a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Summary: Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be electronically filed 1 week prior to the conference, with a Word-format email copy sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Document Type

Scheduling Conference Report

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 1
|SecScheduling Conferences
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Confidential Settlement Conference Statements are mandatory for each party and must be submitted to Judge Singer’s chambers at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Settlement Conference.

Summary: Confidential Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to chambers 7 calendar days before the settlement conference.

Document Type

Settlement Conference Statement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 1
|SecSettlement Conferences
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Pursuant to Local Rule 131(c), the documents should include the attorneys’ electronic signatures (i.e. /s/First/Last name), as well as the date the document was signed. Do not submit unsigned documents.

Summary: Proposed orders and stipulations must include attorney electronic signature (/s/First/Last name) and signing date; unsigned documents are rejected.

Document Type

Proposed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 2
|SecAll Documents Requiring Court Approval
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The discovery hearing may be dropped from the calendar without prejudice if the Joint Statement of Discovery Disagreement or an affidavit as required by Local Rule 251 is not filed at least fourteen (14) days before the scheduled hearing date.

Summary: Joint Statement of Discovery Disagreement or LR 251 affidavit must be filed 14 days prior to discovery hearing to avoid cancellation.

Document Type

Joint Statement Discovery Disagreement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Any briefing exceeding 10 pages shall include a table of contents and a table of authorities.

Summary: Briefs exceeding 10 pages must include a table of contents and table of authorities.

Document Type

Brief

Content & Formatting
Table Of Authorities
Table Of Contents
FJS Standard Information 2026 · p. 2
|SecLength of Briefs on Motions Other Than Rule 251 Motions

Filing & Service rules

Courtesy Copy Requirements

All motion-related documents require tabbed, fastened courtesy copies clearly marked and submitted to Judge Singer's chambers.

Paper copies of all motion-related documents, properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a “Courtesy Copy” shall be submitted to the Court, Attention: Judge Singer.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar

Chambers Communication Rules

Notify chambers via caption or email at least 1 week prior to video conference motion hearings.

Parties shall notify the Court if counsel will be appearing by video conference by providing a notification in the caption of their papers or by email to evaldez@caed.uscourts.gov at least one week prior to the hearing.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 2 | Video Conference and Telephonic Appearances

Scheduling Conference Report email copies must be sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Scheduling Conferences

Telephonic scheduling conferences use dial-in 16692545252, meeting ID 161 923 1396, passcode 720262.

To join these telephonic scheduling conferences, the parties shall (1) dial 16692545252, (2) enter 161 923 1396 for the meeting ID followed by #, (3) enter # when asked for the participant ID, (4) enter 720262 for the meeting passcode followed by #, and (5) enter *6 to unmute.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 2 | Video Conference and Telephonic Appearances

Documents requiring court approval must be emailed to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 2 | All Documents Requiring Court Approval

Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Attorneys with 7 or fewer years of experience arguing motions increase the likelihood of an oral argument hearing.

Given the diminishing opportunities for young lawyers to argue in court, Judge Singer encourages litigants to consider assigning oral arguments to an attorney with seven (7) years or less experience out of law school. If any party files a notice stating such an attorney from at least one side will argue a motion, the Court will hold the hearing. Otherwise, the Court may find it appropriate in some actions to submit a motion without oral argument.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar

About United States Magistrate Judge Frank J. Singer

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California United States Magistrate Judge, appointed March 19, 2026 University of the Pacific–McGeorge School of Law, J.D., 2003 2009-2026U.S. Department of Justice – Environment & Natural Resources Division, Washington, D.C. 2005-2009Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, Palo Alto, CA 2005Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento, CA Frank J. Singer was appointed as a magistrate judge in the Fresno Division of the Eastern District of California on March 19, 2026.  Judge Singer presides over a large variety of federal matters. Judge Singer also conducts settlement conferences. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Singer was a trial attorney, then senior trial attorney, and ultimately a senior litigation counsel with the Natural Resources Section of the Justice Department’s Environment & Natural Resources Division. There, Judge Singer focused on trial work and litigated a wide range of matters, including Fifth Amendment takings cases, tribal trust cases, and challenges to governmental action under the Administrative Procedure Act. Judge Singer also frequently taught courses on civil litigation at the Justice Department’s National Advocacy Center. Before joining the Justice Department, Judge Singer practiced general commercial civil litigation in Palo Alto, California, and environmental civil litigation in Sacramento, California, with private law firms. Judge Singer also served as a term law clerk to the Hon. Garland E. Burrell, Jr., of the Eastern District of California. Judge Singer attended the University of the Pacific – McGeorge School of Law and graduated in 2003 with great distinction. Judge Singer was recognized as the outstanding graduating senior of his class and was inducted into the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers. Judge Singer participated in moot court and was a staff writer for the McGeorge Law Review. While attending law school, Judge Singer worked full-time as a public lands management specialist with the California State Lands Commission. Judge Singer earned his undergraduate degree in economics at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse 2500 Tulare Street Fresno, CA  93721 Courtroom 8, 6th floor evaldez@caed.uscourts.gov (559) 499-5788 Fresno_ECRO@caed.uscourts.gov (559) 499-5660 Fax: (559) 499-5662 Telephone: (559) 499-5788 **Staff:** Judge Staff

Common questions about Judge Frank J. Singer's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Frank J. Singer?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions, briefs, oppositions, replys, exhibits, and notice of motions. Details: delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. All motion-related documents require tabbed, fastened courtesy copies clearly marked and submitted to Judge Singer's chambers.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Civil Law and Motion Calendar

What page or word limits apply to dispute synopsis before Judge Frank J. Singer?

Judge Frank J. Singer's rule states these limits: attorney: 4 pages. Excludes exhibits and attachments. Dispute synopsis for informal discovery conferences must not exceed 4 pages, excluding exhibits and attachments, filed 48 hours prior.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Informal Telephonic or Video Conferences re Discovery Disputes

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Frank J. Singer?

Judge Frank J. Singer's rule states these limits: attorney: 25 pages; attorney: 10 pages. Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; non-compliant briefs may not be considered.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Length of Briefs on Motions Other Than Rule 251 Motions

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Frank J. Singer?

Judge Frank J. Singer's formatting rule includes file format docx. Email copy of the Scheduling Conference Report must be in Microsoft Word (DOCX) format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling Conferences

What must be included with scheduling conference report filings before Judge Frank J. Singer?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be electronically filed 1 week prior to the conference, with a Word-format email copy sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Scheduling Conferences

What must be included with settlement conference statement filings before Judge Frank J. Singer?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Confidential Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to chambers 7 calendar days before the settlement conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Settlement Conferences

How may parties contact Judge Frank J. Singer's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Frank J. Singer's chambers. The rule lists email evaldez@caed.uscourts.gov. Notify chambers via caption or email at least 1 week prior to video conference motion hearings.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Video Conference and Telephonic Appearances

Does Judge Frank J. Singer encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Frank J. Singer's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Attorneys with 7 or fewer years of experience arguing motions increase the likelihood of an oral argument hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Complete rules summary for Judge Frank J. Singer

All motion-related documents require tabbed, fastened courtesy copies clearly marked and submitted to Judge Singer's chambers.

Attorneys with 7 or fewer years of experience arguing motions increase the likelihood of an oral argument hearing.

Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be electronically filed 1 week prior to the conference, with a Word-format email copy sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Email copy of the Scheduling Conference Report must be in Microsoft Word (DOCX) format.

Scheduling Conference Report email copies must be sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Confidential Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to chambers 7 calendar days before the settlement conference.

Notify chambers via caption or email at least 1 week prior to video conference motion hearings.

Telephonic scheduling conferences use dial-in 16692545252, meeting ID 161 923 1396, passcode 720262.

Joint Statement of Discovery Disagreement or LR 251 affidavit must be filed 14 days prior to discovery hearing to avoid cancellation.

Dispute synopsis for informal discovery conferences must not exceed 4 pages, excluding exhibits and attachments, filed 48 hours prior.

Proposed orders and stipulations must be submitted in Microsoft Word format, not PDF, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Proposed orders and stipulations must include attorney electronic signature (/s/First/Last name) and signing date; unsigned documents are rejected.

Documents requiring court approval must be emailed to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.

Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; non-compliant briefs may not be considered.

Briefs exceeding 10 pages must include a table of contents and table of authorities.

Rule 251 joint statements in civil cases before Judge Singer must be succinct and are limited to 30 total pages.

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