Federal Courts Update – October 2025

For more federal courts content, please see the Quarterly Federal Courts Committee Newsletter.

We are looking for new members to join our Federal Courts Committee. If you are interested, please apply here or email Committee Chair Christina McCall at Litigation@calawyers.org for more information.

All Districts of California

Government Shutdown: Effective October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriations. Federal courts in California anticipate continuing to operate through at least Friday, October 17, 2025. A copy of the Southern District of California’s order regarding these issues, dated September 30, 2025, can be accessed here.

Northern District of California

Judicial Appointments: The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has appointed Ajay S. Krishnan to serve as a Magistrate Judge in Oakland commencing in January 2026 upon the retirement of United States Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu. Mr. Krishnan has practiced with Keker, Van Nest & Peters, LLP for the past twenty years and has been a partner for the past fifteen. Additional information about Mr. Krishnan can be found here.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California is considering the reappointment of United States Magistrate Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi to a new eight-year term. Judge DeMarchi’s current term is due to expire on June 3, 2026. Members of the bar and the public are invited to provide comments regarding Judge DeMarchi’s reappointment no later than October 23, 2025 via email to magistrate_comments@cand.uscourts.gov.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is considering the reappointment of United States Bankruptcy Judge Hannah L. Blumenstiel for the Northern District of California to a new 14-year term. Judge Blumenstiel’s current term is due to expire in February 2027. Members of the bar and the public are invited to provide comments regarding Judge Blumenstiel’s reappointment no later than October 23, 2025 to the following address:

Office of the Circuit Executive
P.O. Box 193939
San Francisco, CA 94119-3939
Attn: Reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Blumenstiel
Email: Personnel@ce9.uscourts.gov

Eastern District of California

Public Comment on Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Jeremy Peterson: The current term of office of full-time United States Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson is due to expire on April 29, 2026. Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the Court. Comments should be directed to panel chair, Hon. Jerome Price, Jr., via email at: jdp.merit.panel@gmail.com or via this link.

Central District of California

Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel Seeking Members: The District Court is accepting applications from qualified attorneys interested in serving on the Central District of California’s Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel (MSP). The Court seeks to replace four MSP member positions whose terms will expire at the end of this year.

Successful applicants will join the MSP effective January 1, 2026. Panel members serve a three-year term which is renewable for one additional three-year term of service. The Panel’s function is to: (1) evaluate and recommend to the District Judges the best qualified applicants for appointment to the position of United States Magistrate Judge; and (2) evaluate and recommend to the District Judges whether an incumbent Magistrate Judge whose term is expiring should be reappointed to a new term of office.

Interested persons should complete the application, which can be found on the Court’s website under the Merit Selection Panel Application section located in the “Attorneys” tab of the Court’s homepage. Please email completed applications no later than October 17^th, 2025 to MSP_cacd@cacd.uscourts.gov(link sends e-mail).

Sealed Document Security (SDS) Program: The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has initiated the Sealed Document Security (SDS) program to address security vulnerabilities of CM/ECF. The program is being implemented in all District, Appellate, and Bankruptcy Courts.

Under the new SDS program, sealed documents will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under existing procedures in civil and criminal cases but will no longer be accessible or viewable on CM/ECF or PACER, even by parties.  Affected filings include those filed in civil and criminal cases that have access restriction levels of sealed, applicable party, case participants, and ex parte.

Probation and Pretrial Services have begun providing Presentence Reports, Criminal History Reports, and Bail Review Packets to counsel by other means. The Court has directed attorneys to note the requirements set forth in the Court’s Local Rule 79-5.3 for service of sealed documents filed in CM/ECF.

Please see here for additional information.

Southern District of California

Sealed Document Access: The Judiciary has announced new procedures governing the management and access to sealed documents. Under these procedures, sealed documents will continue to be filed using the Court’s existing practices, but they will not be accessible or viewable by electronic means. The Court will continue to serve sealed orders and court notices by mail.

General Order No. 765: The judges of the Southern District of Californiahave proposed a change to certain Local Civil Rules, as reflected here, to become effective October 30, 2025. The period for public comment will be until October 15, 2025. Any comments should be submitted to the Clerk at 333 West Broadway, San Diego, California 92101.

General Order No. 764: The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of two full-time United States Magistrate Judges for the Southern District of California, for a term of eight (8) years. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 9, 2025 and must be emailed to the Clerk at CASD_Executive@casd.uscourts.gov, with the subject line: “Magistrate Judge Application.” General Order No. 763: By Order dated September 12, 2025, Brian J. White has been appointed as a full-time United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of California.