Federal Courts District Update – April 2023

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with the Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett of the Central District of California.

If you are interested in applying to join the Federal Courts Committee, please apply at https://calawyers.org/section/litigation/standing-committees/committee-on-federal-courts/.

Southern District of California

Local Rules: The Court Amended Civil Local Rules 16.1 (regarding requirements for Early Neutral Evaluations (ENE) and Case Management Conference) and 40.1 (regarding Assignment of Civil Cases) and Criminal Local Rule 16.1a (regarding the Meet and Confer Requirement). (GO 748.)

Central District of California

Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives: The Court is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives.  Applications are due June 2, 2023. (Notice.)

Passing of the Honorable Venetta S. Tassopulos: The Central District mourns the loss of retired Magistrate Judge Vanetta S. Tassopulos, who passed away on February 6, 2023 at the age of 95.  Judge Tassopulos was the first woman in the nation to serve as a full-time magistrate judge.  She served as the district’s first chief magistrate judge from 1971 to 1987 and remained on the bench until 1994.  (Announcement.)

Local Rules: The Court preliminarily approved amendments to certain Local Rules concerning summary judgment motions. The amendments will take effect on June 1, 2023.  (Notice.)  A redline of the changes can be found here.

Eastern District of California

Judicial Appointments – The Court is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as applications for a full-time Magistrate Judge. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Notice.)

Northern District of California

Judicial Appointments – The U.S. Senate confirmed President Biden’s nomination of Araceli Martínez-Olguín to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California. She will maintain chambers in San Francisco.  (Notice.)

Judicial Appointments – The Court selected Peter H. Kang to fill the magistrate judgeship in March 2023, when Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero transitions to recall status. (Notice.)

Judicial Changes – District Judge William H. Orrick will take senior status effective May 17, 2023.  He will carry a caseload as a Senior District Judge, remain active in court governance and judicial administration, and will continue his work on various court committees. (Notice.)

Local Rules: Local Rule 16-5 has been updated to include new Social Security case deadlines.