Federal Courts Update – January 2025

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with Judge Carolyn K. Delaney, Chief Magistrate of the Eastern District of California.

We are looking for six 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 Tom Stout for more information.

Southern District of California

Change to Local Rules: The Court has amended Civil Local Rule 73.2 regarding general consent to magistrate judges in social security cases. (General Order No. 707-A.)

Judicial Confirmation: On December 20, 2024, the Senate confirmed the nomination U.S. Magistrate Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks to serve as a District Judge. (Notice.)

Central District of California

Changes to Local Rules: Effective December 1, 2024, several changes to the Local Rules became effective. (Notice). The following rules are affected:

Local Civil Rules

• L.R. 4-6 (Proof of Service)
• 5-4.8.1 (Obligation to Maintain Personal Contact Information)
• 11-3.8 (Title Page)
• 73 (Magistrate Judges),
• 79-5.2 (Sealing Procedures)

Local Criminal Rules:

• 7-1 (Indictment or Superseding Indictment)
• 7-2 (Information or Superseding Information)
• 17-4 (Subpoena – Confidentiality)
• 49-1.2 (Exceptions to Electronic Filing in Criminal Cases)

Launch of Opt-Out Civil Consent to Magistrate Judges Program:  The Central District launched the Opt-Out Civil Consent to Magistrate Judges Program on December 1, 2024. Pursuant to that Program, a certain portion of new civil filings will be assigned directly to Magistrate Judges. The parties will receive a notice and be provided an opportunity to opt-out of the Program. For more, see here.

Judicial Confirmations: On December 2, 2024, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anne Hwang to serve as a District Judge. (Notice)

On December 10, 2024, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination California State Bar Court Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon to serve as a District Judge. (Notice)

On December 20, 2024, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Serena R. Murillo to serve as a District Judge. (Notice)

Northern District of California

Changes to Forms: Effective January 6, 2025, all parties must use the new version of the Civil Cover Sheet. (Form)

Judicial Confirmation: On December 11, 2024, the Senate confirmed the nomination Alameda County Superior Court Judge Noël Wise to serve as a District Judge. (Notice)

Eastern District of California

New Local Rules: The Eastern District Local Rules are updated, effective 1/1/2025. Link. An explanation of the changes, which include changes to the Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program (VDRP) and bolstered video appearances for civil cases, can be found at this link.