Judge Frank J. Singer
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Opposition, Reply, Notice of Motion
Binding: Stapled
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits3 rules
At least 48 hours before the conference, the parties shall jointly file synopsis of their dispute in a letter or memo format that does not exceed four pages (no exhibits or attachments).
- Dispute synopsis
- Up to 4 pages
Rule 251 joint statements in civil cases before Judge Singer must be succinct and are limited to 30 total pages.
- Rule 251 statement
- Up to 30 pages
Court's wording
A joint statement required by Local Rule 251(c) shall be as brief and as succinct as possible to conserve judicial resources. Rule 251 joint statements submitted in civil cases before Judge Singer shall not exceed thirty (30) total pages.
Moving and opposition briefs limited to 25 pages, reply briefs to 10 pages, unless prior leave is obtained 7 days before filing; non-compliant briefs may not be considered.
- Brief
- Up to 25 pages
- Reply brief
- Up to 10 pages
- Opposition
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations or are sought to be filed without leave may not be considered.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
- File type
- Word
Proposed orders and stipulations must be submitted in Microsoft Word format, not PDF, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
- Stipulation
Formatting
- •PDF format prohibited
Court's wording
As required by Local Rule 137(b), counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov. Also, do not submit documents for signature in .pdf format as they will not be considered.
Document Filing Requirements5 rules
Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be electronically filed 1 week prior to the conference, with a Word-format email copy sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Court's wording
A JOINT Scheduling Conference Report, carefully prepared and executed by all counsel, shall be electronically filed in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the Order setting Mandatory Scheduling Conference, one (1) full week prior to the Scheduling Conference, and a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Confidential Settlement Conference Statements are mandatory for each party and must be submitted to Judge Singer’s chambers at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Settlement Conference.
Pursuant to Local Rule 131(c), the documents should include the attorneys’ electronic signatures (i.e. /s/First/Last name), as well as the date the document was signed. Do not submit unsigned documents.
Joint Statement of Discovery Disagreement or LR 251 affidavit must be filed 14 days prior to discovery hearing to avoid cancellation.
Court's wording
The discovery hearing may be dropped from the calendar without prejudice if the Joint Statement of Discovery Disagreement or an affidavit as required by Local Rule 251 is not filed at least fourteen (14) days before the scheduled hearing date.
Any briefing exceeding 10 pages shall include a table of contents and a table of authorities.
- Document
- Brief
Must include
- •Table of contents
- •Table of authorities
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
All motion-related documents require tabbed, fastened courtesy copies clearly marked and submitted to Judge Singer's chambers.
Paper copies of all motion-related documents, properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a “Courtesy Copy” shall be submitted to the Court, Attention: Judge Singer.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Chambers Communication Rules
Notify chambers via caption or email at least 1 week prior to video conference motion hearings.
Parties shall notify the Court if counsel will be appearing by video conference by providing a notification in the caption of their papers or by email to evaldez@caed.uscourts.gov at least one week prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Video Conference and Telephonic Appearances
Scheduling Conference Report email copies must be sent to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
a copy shall be e-mailed, in Microsoft Word format, to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Conferences
Telephonic scheduling conferences use dial-in 16692545252, meeting ID 161 923 1396, passcode 720262.
To join these telephonic scheduling conferences, the parties shall (1) dial 16692545252, (2) enter 161 923 1396 for the meeting ID followed by #, (3) enter # when asked for the participant ID, (4) enter 720262 for the meeting passcode followed by #, and (5) enter *6 to unmute.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Video Conference and Telephonic Appearances
Documents requiring court approval must be emailed to fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at fjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 2 | All Documents Requiring Court Approval
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
Attorneys with 7 or fewer years of experience arguing motions increase the likelihood of an oral argument hearing.
Given the diminishing opportunities for young lawyers to argue in court, Judge Singer encourages litigants to consider assigning oral arguments to an attorney with seven (7) years or less experience out of law school. If any party files a notice stating such an attorney from at least one side will argue a motion, the Court will hold the hearing. Otherwise, the Court may find it appropriate in some actions to submit a motion without oral argument.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar