Federal Courts District Update – May 2024

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with United States District Judge Rita F. Lin.

We are looking for two new members to join our Federal Courts Committee. If you are interested, please apply here or email Committee Chair Jenn French for more information.

Southern District of California

Retirement: After 27 years on the bench, the Honorable Larry Burns retired on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Committee Appointments: The Court appointed several individuals to the Court History Committee (CJO #2-G) and the Criminal Justice Act Committee (GO 612-C).

Central District of California

Local Rule Changes: The District Court approved amendments to the Local Rules, proposed to be effective on June 1, 2024. The first is a revision to L.R. 83-1.3.3, which pertains to Notices of Related Cases. The second is a proposed new rule setting forth Special Requirements for Cases Raising Challenges to or Enforcement of State or Federal Laws Seeking Declaratory Judgment or Injunctive Relief. Among other things, the latter proposed rule would require parties to indicate that they are seeking such relief on the civil cover sheet, the caption, and any motion or pleading. See the proposed rules here. Members of the public are invited to submit comments to the proposed changes to the rules. All comments must be submitted no later than May 17, 2024.

Recruitment Notice for the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Trial Attorney Panel. The Court is looking for private attorneys who are eligible and willing to be appointed to represent criminal defendants who are unable to obtain adequate legal representation due to financial hardship. More information about the CJA Panel and the requirements for serving on the panel can be found here. The deadline is June 3, 2024.

New Chief Judge: Effective March 30, 2024, the Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez, having served as Chief Judge for the Central District of California since June 26, 2020, has ended his tenure as Chief Judge. Judge Gutierrez resumes service as an active District Judge in the Court’s Western Division in Los Angeles. The Honorable Dolly M. Gee succeeds Judge Gutierrez as Chief Judge of the Central District.

Eastern District of California

Amended Jury Selection Plan: On March 26, 2024, Chief Judge Mueller issued General Order No. 678, adopting an amended jury selection plan. Link.

Northern District of California

Judges: The current term of office for United States Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is due to expire on January 2, 2025. The Northern District is soliciting comments regarding whether the panel should recommend Judge van Keulen for reappointment by the court. Comments should be submitted in writing no later than May 13, 2024. Comments can be emailed to magistrate_comments@cand.uscourts.gov or sent via U.S. mail to:

Mark B. Busby, Clerk of Court
U.S. District Court, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102

Local Rules: Revised Local Rule 77-3 now allows judges to use discretion to consider requests from members of the public to view civil proceedings other than jury trials via Zoom. More information on how to submit a request can be found here.