Federal Courts Update

August 2024

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with United States Magistrate Judge Michelle M. Pettit.

We are looking for two new members to join our Federal Courts Committee. If you are interested, please apply at https://calawyers.org/section/litigation/standing-committees/committee-on-federal-courts/ or email Committee Chair Jenn French for more information.

Southern District of California

Clerk of Court Appointment: The Southern District appointed the Clerk of Court to accept service of process on behalf of any judge or employee. (CJO 116.)

CJA Panel Applications Open: The Southern District seeks attorneys for the 2025 – 2026 Criminal Defense and Ninth Circuit Criminal Appellate Defense CJA panels. Applications will be accepted from July 19 through September 20, for the term beginning on January 1, 2025. Read more about the process here.

CJA Panel Attorneys: The Southern District updated its CJA Plan to allow interim payment vouchers without prior Court approval. (GO 759.)

The Hon. David H. Bartick Award for Civility and Professionalism: Magistrate Judge David H. Bartick epitomized civility and professionalism in the practice of law. The Southern District recognizes his legacy with this Award to serve as a perpetual reminder to the bar of the importance of professionalism and civility in the practice of law and to motivate practitioners to conform their practice to the model set by Judge Bartick. Nominations must be submitted by 31 July 2024, and the recipient will receive the award at the 2024 State of the District event on 19 September 2024. More information on the nomination process may be found here.

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. See the proposed rules here. All comments must be submitted no later than May 17, 2024.

Recruitment for the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Trial Attorney Panel. The Court is looking for eligible private attorneys 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.

Northern District of California

Judicial Update: On June 12, 2024, President Biden nominated the Honorable Noel Wise to serve as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California. Judge Wise currently serves as a Superior Court Judge for Alameda County.

ADR: The Northern District of California is accepting applications to join its Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation panels. Applications are due by July 15, 2024. Application information can be found here.

Local Rules: The Northern District of California is soliciting public comment regarding proposed modifications Criminal Local Rule 56.1 permitting e-filing of sealed documents. Text of the proposed amendments can be found here. Comments must be submitted no later than July 19, 2024, and can be submitted via email to media@cand.uscourts.gov.

Other: The Northern District of California is currently accepting applications to serve as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representatives. Applications are due by August 15, 2024, and application information can be found here.

Eastern District of California

Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference: The Ninth Circuit conference will take place in Sacramento July 21 – 25, 2024. Link

Eastern District Conference: The Ninth Circuit conference will take place in Yosemite October 25 – 27, 2024. Link.