Court Rules
Judge Sallie Kim
Magistrate Judge

Judge Sallie Kim

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Northern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Discovery
7 pgs
Discovery Letter Brief
8 pgs
Claim Construction Brief
25 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • 1 copy • Upon Filing

Adjournments

  • Parties cannot stipulate to continue case management, status, or pretrial conferences without court approval.
  • Request for telephone attendance must include facts establishing good cause.
  • Exceptions to discovery limitations require stipulation or court order.
  • +1 more

Request must include

Facts Establishing Good Cause
2Weeksnotice
  • Telephone attendance at case management conferences requires 2-week advance written request showing good cause.

Communication

Email

Chambers

skpo@cand.uscourts.gov
StipulationsProposed OrdersTechnical Issues
No status inquiries
Phone

Chambers

(888) 882-6878
SchedulingEmergencies
Hours: not later than 3:00 p.m. the court day prior to the hearing date
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingExhibitsConferencesDiscoveryMemorandaLettersECF FilingSummary Judgment

Page & Word Limits6 rules

Page Limits

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The moving party may attach exhibits to the declaration, but the declaration and exhibits combined may not exceed seven pages.

Summary: Declaration and exhibits for telephonic conference request limited to 7 pages.

Discovery

7 pages

Applies to: Attorney

Page Limits

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Absent of a showing of good cause, the Court will address only one motion for summary judgment per side.

Summary: Only one motion for summary judgment per side will be addressed absent good cause.

Structured details unavailable. See the source text.

Page Limits

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The joint letter shall not exceed eight (8) double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page, without leave of Court, and may not be accompanied by exhibits or affidavits other than exact copies of interrogatories, requests for production of documents and/or responses, privilege logs, and relevant deposition testimony. In addition, the joint letter shall not contain any footnotes.

Summary: Joint discovery letter brief limited to 8 double-spaced pages, no exhibits except specified documents, no footnotes.

Structured details unavailable. See the source text.

Page LimitsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The opening and opposition briefs shall not exceed 25 pages; the reply brief shall not exceed 15 pages.

Summary: Opening and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages; reply brief limited to 15 pages.

Claim Construction Brief

25 pages

Applies to: Attorney

15 pages

Applies to: Attorney

Page LimitsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Opening briefs in support of claim construction must be filed at least six weeks before the date of the claim construction hearing, and the briefing schedule set forth at Patent Local Rule 4-5 will apply.

Summary: Opening briefs must be filed at least 6 weeks before claim construction hearing.

Opening Brief

Page LimitsCivil cases

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The claim construction hearing generally will be scheduled for no longer than two hours. The Court will set the hearing date at the initial case management conference.

Summary: Claim construction hearing limited to 2 hours.

Structured details unavailable. See the source text.

Document Format Requirements5 rules

Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

All pleadings should be punched with three holes on the side.

Summary: All pleadings must be three-hole punched.

Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

If parties submit excerpts of deposition transcripts in support of or opposition to a motion for summary judgment, they shall highlight the relevant portions for ease of reference.

Summary: Deposition excerpts must be highlighted for ease of reference.

Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

All chambers copies should bear the ECF filing “stamp” (case number, docket number, date, and ECF page number) along the top of the page.

Summary: Chambers copies must include ECF filing stamp with case number, docket number, date, and ECF page number.

Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

All exhibits shall be clearly separated by tabs.

Summary: Exhibits must be separated by tabs.

Formatting

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Chambers copies must be marked “Chambers Copy” and submitted to the Clerk’s Office in an envelope clearly marked “Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim,” and include the case number on the envelope.

Summary: Chambers copies must be marked “Chambers Copy” and submitted in envelope marked “Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim” with case number.

Document Filing Requirements12 rules

Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Each party shall be represented in person at the Case Management Conference by lead trial counsel (or a party if pro se), who shall be (1) prepared to address all of the matters referred to in the Northern District of California’s General Standing Order on Joint Case Management Statements; and (2) have full authority to enter stipulations and make admissions pursuant to that order.

Summary: Lead trial counsel or pro se party must attend case management conferences with full authority to enter stipulations.

Document Type

Case Management Conference

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
SK-Standing-Order · Oct 2025 · p. 3
|SecCIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Parties shall propound disclosures and discovery in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 through 37 and the corresponding Civil Local Rules for the Northern District of California.

Summary: Discovery must comply with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26-37 and Northern District Local Rules.

Document Type

Discovery

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The written request shall include a declaration which states any attempt to meet and confer and/or obtain the joint letter, the reasons for the inability to comply with the standing order, and (if possible) three dates and times at which all parties are available for a telephonic conference.

Summary: Request for telephonic conference must include declaration of meet and confer attempts and available dates.

Document Type

Discovery

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Parties shall file one of the following with their proposed protective order: (a) a declaration stating that the proposed order is identical to one of the model orders except for the addition of case-identifying information or the elimination of language denoted as optional; (b) a declaration explaining each modification to the model order, along with a redline version comparing the proposed protective order with the model order; or (c) a declaration explaining why use of one of the model orders is not practicable.

Summary: Protective order filings must include declaration about model order compliance or modifications.

Document Type

Protective Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Any stipulation or proposed order in a case subject to e-filing should be submitted in Microsoft Word format by email to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the same day the document is e-filed.

Summary: Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

Document Type

Stipulation

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

The joint letter must be e-filed under the Civil Events category of "Motions and Related Filings>Motions--General>Discovery Letter Brief."

Summary: Joint discovery letter must be e-filed under specific ECF category.

Document Type

Discovery Letter Brief

Content & Formatting
Notice Of Electronic Filing
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

No later than seven (7) days prior to the any scheduled case management or status conference, the parties shall file a Joint Case Management Statement in full compliance with the Northern District of California’s General Standing Order for civil cases entitled “Contents of

Summary: Joint Case Management Statement required 7 days before case management or status conferences.

Document Type

Joint Case Management Statement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

All exhibits to motions and/or discovery dispute letters should be separately filed on ECF. For example, if the motion is Docket No. 30, and the declaration with ten exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A should be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B should be Docket No. 31-2, and so on. All exhibits should be filed in a searchable OCR format where possible.

Summary: Exhibits must be separately filed on ECF with specific numbering and in searchable OCR format.

Document Type

Exhibit

Content & Formatting
Notice Of Electronic Filing
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

Within thirty days of the filing of the claim construction ruling, the parties shall file following topics: a) whether either party wishes to certify the claim construction ruling for immediate appeal to the Federal Circuit; b) the filing of dispositive motions and timing of those motions; c) if willful infringement has been asserted, whether the allegedly-infringing party wishes to rely on the advice of counsel defense. If so, the parties should be prepared to address proposals for resolving any attorney-client privilege issues that arise, and whether the parties believe bifurcation of the trial into liability and damages phases would be appropriate; d) anticipated post-claim construction discovery; e) any other pretrial matters; and f) the progress of settlement discussions, if any.

Summary: Subsequent Case Management Report due within 30 days of claim construction ruling.

Document Type

Subsequent Case Management Report

Content & Formatting
Caption
Case Number
Judge Name
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

Separate statements of undisputed facts will not be considered by the Court.

Summary: Separate statements of undisputed facts will not be considered.

Document Type

Motion For Summary Judgment

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?

Demonstrative exhibits and visual aids are permissible at the hearing as long as they are based on information contained in the papers already filed. Counsel shall exchange copies of exhibits no later than forty-eight hours prior to the hearing.

Summary: Demonstrative exhibits must be exchanged 48 hours before hearing.

Document Type

Exhibit

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?

Joint statements of undisputed facts are not required, but are helpful if completely agreed upon.

Summary: Joint statements of undisputed facts are optional but helpful if agreed upon.

Document Type

Motion For Summary Judgment

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.

Filing & Service rules

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Chambers copies required for all filings except consent/declination to magistrate judge assignment.

Under Civil L.R. 5-1 and 5-2, parties must lodge an extra paper copy of any filing, with the exception of the written consent/declination to the assignment of a United States Magistrate Judge.

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Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Sealing requests must include prior request history and unredacted chambers copy with highlighted confidential material.

Any party who submits a request to file under seal pursuant to Civil Local Rule 79-5 shall include a statement to inform the Court: (1) whether the document, or portion thereof, has been the subject of a previous request to file under seal; and (2) if so, provide the docket numbers of the request and order on the request, and describe whether the request was granted or denied. Parties shall also submit a complete unredacted chambers copy of any brief or supporting papers lodged under seal with all confidential material highlighted. Parties are admonished that all requests to seal shall be narrowly tailored to seal only those specific portions that the parties contend are confidential.

Machine summary. Not checked yet.

Sealing requests must include prior request history and unredacted chambers copy.

All stipulated protective orders and filings shall comply with Civil Local Rule 79-5. Any party who submits a request to file under seal pursuant to Civil Local Rule 79-5 shall include a statement to inform the Court: (1) whether the document, or portion thereof, has been the subject of a previous request to file under seal; and (2) if so, provide the docket numbers of the request and order on the request, and describe whether the request was granted or denied. Parties shall also submit a complete unredacted chambers copy of any brief or supporting papers lodged under seal with all confidential material highlighted.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Discovery disputes require meet and confer in person or by phone before filing any discovery-related letter.

Meet and confer requirement for discovery disputes. As an initial matter, the parties must comply with Section 9 of the Northern District’s Guidelines for Professional Conduct regarding discovery (available at http://cand.uscourts.gov/professional_conduct_guidelines). Prior to filing any discovery-related letter, lead trial counsel for all parties shall meet and confer in person, or telephonically if an in-person conference is not feasible, regarding the discovery dispute(s) in an effort to resolve these matter(s).

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Page 4 | CIVIL DISCOVERY

Unresolved discovery disputes may be filed as joint letter after meet and confer.

If unable to resolve all disputes through this procedure, the party seeking Court intervention may file an appropriate joint letter.

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Page 4 | CIVIL DISCOVERY

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Parties cannot stipulate to continue case management, status, or pretrial conferences without court approval.

Parties may not stipulate to continue a case management, status, or pretrial conference without Court approval.

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Page 3 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Request for telephone attendance must include facts establishing good cause.

The facts establishing good cause must be set forth in the request.

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Page 3 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Good cause required to excuse meet and confer requirement.

The Court will not excuse a party from the requisite in-person or telephonic meeting unless good cause is shown.

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Page 4 | CIVIL DISCOVERY

Exceptions to discovery limitations require stipulation or court order.

No exceptions to the limitations established in the Federal and Local Rules shall be permitted except pursuant to stipulation of the parties or order of the Court.

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Page 4 | CIVIL DISCOVERY

Telephone attendance at case management conferences requires 2-week advance written request showing good cause.

Permission for a party to attend by telephone may be granted, in the Court’s discretion, upon written request made at least two (2) weeks in advance of the hearing, if the Court determines that good cause exists to excuse personal attendance and that personal attendance is not needed in order to have an effective conference.

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Page 3 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Chambers Communication Rules

Approved telephonic appearances must be arranged through CourtCall by 3:00 p.m. the day before hearing.

If the Court grants a party’s request for telephonic appearance, the party shall arrange for the appearance by calling CourtCall at (888) 882-6878 not later than 3:00 p.m. the court day prior to the hearing date.

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Page 3 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

Any stipulation or proposed order in a case subject to e-filing should be submitted in Microsoft Word format by email to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the same day the document is e-filed.

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If meet and confer fails, moving party may request telephonic conference to enforce requirement.

In the rare event that the parties are unable to meet and confer as directed above, or a moving party is unable to obtain the opposing party’s portion of a joint letter after the meet and confer session, the moving party shall file a written request for a telephonic conference for the purpose of enforcing the Court’s meet and confer requirement, or for the Court to fashion an alternative procedure.

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Page 4 | CIVIL DISCOVERY

Zoom hearings are recorded; in-person hearings are audio recorded unless court reporter requested in advance.

All motion hearings, case management, status and pretrial conferences conducted on Zoom are recorded on Zoom. The hearing and conferences that are held in person are audio recorded. They are not reported by a court reporter unless counsel requests a court reporter in advance.

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Page 3 | CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Court encourages junior lawyers (under 5 years) to participate in hearings/trial and will extend time limits.

The Court strongly encourages parties to permit less experienced lawyers to have an important role in hearings and at trial. The Court will extend the time limits for an associate with fewer than five years.

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Time limits extended for associates with fewer than 5 years of experience.

The Court will extend the time limits for an associate with fewer than five years.

Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases

About United States Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim

**Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim** was appointed to the Northern District of California in 2015. Judge Kim earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her law degree from Stanford Law School. Following law school she clerked for U.S. District Judge Spencer Williams in this court, then practiced civil litigation in Palo Alto before serving as Associate and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at Stanford Law School. She returned to private practice, becoming a partner at GCA Law Partners, LLP in 2002. She has served as Co-Director of the Trial Advocacy Program at Stanford Law School and as Interim Title IX Coordinator for Stanford University. **Education** - Stanford Law School, J.D., 1989 - Princeton University, B.A., 1986 **Career** - Law Clerk to Hon. Spencer Williams, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California - Civil litigation attorney, Palo Alto - Associate and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Stanford Law School (1995–1999) - Partner, GCA Law Partners, LLP (2002–2015) - Co-Director, Trial Advocacy Program, Stanford Law School (2014–present) - Interim Title IX Coordinator, Stanford University (2013–2014) - Volunteer Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara County (2010)

**Courthouse:** 450 Golden Gate Ave, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 **Chambers:** Courtroom C, 15th Floor **Phone:** (415) 522-4158 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy/Calendar Clerk: skcrd@cand.uscourts.gov

Common questions about Judge Sallie Kim's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sallie Kim?

Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing. Chambers copies required for all filings except consent/declination to magistrate judge assignment.

Does Judge Sallie Kim require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Discovery disputes require meet and confer in person or by phone before filing any discovery-related letter.

View ruleSource: page 4, section CIVIL DISCOVERY

What page or word limits apply to discovery before Judge Sallie Kim?

Judge Sallie Kim's rule states these limits: attorney: 7 pages. Declaration and exhibits for telephonic conference request limited to 7 pages.

View ruleSource: page 4, section CIVIL DISCOVERY

What page or word limits apply to discovery letter brief before Judge Sallie Kim?

Judge Sallie Kim's rule states these limits: attorney: 8 pages. Excludes cover page. Joint discovery letter brief limited to 8 double-spaced pages, no exhibits except specified documents, no footnotes.

What must be included with stipulation filings before Judge Sallie Kim?

The rule requires proposed order. Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

What must be included with joint case management statement filings before Judge Sallie Kim?

The rule requires joint statement. Joint Case Management Statement required 7 days before case management or status conferences.

How may parties contact Judge Sallie Kim's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Sallie Kim's chambers. The rule lists email skpo@cand.uscourts.gov. Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

How does Judge Sallie Kim handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Sallie Kim. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to chambers. Sealing requests must include prior request history and unredacted chambers copy with highlighted confidential material.

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Sallie Kim?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Parties cannot stipulate to continue case management, status, or pretrial conferences without court approval.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT

Does Judge Sallie Kim encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Sallie Kim's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Court encourages junior lawyers (under 5 years) to participate in hearings/trial and will extend time limits.

Complete rules summary for Judge Sallie Kim

All pleadings must be three-hole punched.

Chambers copies required for all filings except consent/declination to magistrate judge assignment.

Exhibits must be separated by tabs.

Chambers copies must be marked “Chambers Copy” and submitted in envelope marked “Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim” with case number.

Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

Stipulations and proposed orders must be emailed in Word format to skpo@cand.uscourts.gov on same day as e-filing.

Only one motion for summary judgment per side will be addressed absent good cause.

Separate statements of undisputed facts will not be considered.

Joint statements of undisputed facts are optional but helpful if agreed upon.

Deposition excerpts must be highlighted for ease of reference.

Joint Case Management Statement required 7 days before case management or status conferences.

Parties cannot stipulate to continue case management, status, or pretrial conferences without court approval.

Lead trial counsel or pro se party must attend case management conferences with full authority to enter stipulations.

Telephone attendance at case management conferences requires 2-week advance written request showing good cause.

Request for telephone attendance must include facts establishing good cause.

Approved telephonic appearances must be arranged through CourtCall by 3:00 p.m. the day before hearing.

Zoom hearings are recorded; in-person hearings are audio recorded unless court reporter requested in advance.

Discovery must comply with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26-37 and Northern District Local Rules.

Exceptions to discovery limitations require stipulation or court order.

Protective order filings must include declaration about model order compliance or modifications.

Discovery disputes require meet and confer in person or by phone before filing any discovery-related letter.

Unresolved discovery disputes may be filed as joint letter after meet and confer.

If meet and confer fails, moving party may request telephonic conference to enforce requirement.

Request for telephonic conference must include declaration of meet and confer attempts and available dates.

Declaration and exhibits for telephonic conference request limited to 7 pages.

Good cause required to excuse meet and confer requirement.

Joint discovery letter brief limited to 8 double-spaced pages, no exhibits except specified documents, no footnotes.

Joint discovery letter must be e-filed under specific ECF category.

Exhibits must be separately filed on ECF with specific numbering and in searchable OCR format.

Sealing requests must include prior request history and unredacted chambers copy with highlighted confidential material.

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