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4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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7 STANDING ORDER ON CIVILITY AND PROFESSIONALISM
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9 To preserve and promote the fair administration of justice, this Court adopts the following
10 Standing Order on Civility and Professionalism. All counsel and parties appearing before this
11 Court must adhere to the standards outlined herein.
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United States District Court
13 I. PURPOSE
14 This Standing Order reinforces the Court’s commitment to civility, integrity,
15 professionalism, and respect in all proceedings. The Court expects that all participants in the legal
16 process—judges, lawyers, parties, and witnesses—will conduct themselves with dignity, courtesy,
17 and mutual respect, regardless of the nature of the dispute or the identity of the participants.
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19 II. AUTHORITY
20 This Order is issued pursuant to the inherent powers of the Court, Federal Rule of Civil
21 Procedure 83, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, California Rules of Professional
22 Conduct (“CRPC”), California Rules of Court, and Rule 9.7 and Standard of Judicial
23 Administration 10.20, which incorporate the California Attorney Guidelines of Civility and
24 Professionalism.
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26 III. APPLICABILITY
27 This Order applies to:
28 1. All attorneys admitted or appearing pro hac vice in the Northern District of California.
1 2. All parties, including self-represented litigants.
2 3. Law firm personnel, including paralegals and support staff.
3 4. Court-appointed neutrals and experts.
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5 IV. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
6 All participants shall:
7 1. Act with Integrity and Respect: Treat all persons involved in the legal process—including
8 opposing counsel, parties, court personnel, and witnesses—with fairness, respect, and
9 courtesy, even when in disagreement. See ABA Model Rule 3.4; CRPC 3.4.
10 2. Avoid Hostility and Derogatory Conduct: Abstain from conduct that demeans the dignity
11 of the Court, the opposing party, or the profession. Personal attacks, inflammatory
12 language, discriminatory statements, or abusive tactics will not be tolerated. See ABA
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13 Model Rule 8.4(d); CRPC 8.4(d).
14 3. Communicate Professionally: Be civil and respectful in all communications, written and
15 oral. Written submissions should not contain sarcastic or disrespectful language or
16 unnecessary vitriol. See ABA Model Rule 8.4(d); CRPC 8.4(d). Emails and letters
17 between counsel should be professional and focused on resolving disputes in good faith.
18 See ABA Model Rule 3.1; CRPC 3.1.
19 4. Respect Scheduling and Time: Make reasonable efforts to accommodate the schedules of
20 opposing counsel, parties, witnesses, and the Court. Requests for extensions or
21 continuances should be made only when necessary and never for improper advantage. See
22 ABA Model Rule 3.4; CRPC 3.4.
23 5. Promote Efficient Resolution: Engage in reasonable efforts to resolve disputes informally
24 before filing motions. Meet and confer obligations must be taken seriously and
25 approached with a genuine intention to resolve issues without judicial intervention. See
26 ABA Model Rule 3.1; CRPC 3.1.
27 6. Uphold Professional Responsibilities: Fulfill duties of candor to the Court and abide by
28 applicable ethical rules. See ABA Model Rule 3.3; CRPC 3.3.
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1 7. Educate and Mentor: Encourage and model civility and professionalism, especially with
2 respect to junior lawyers, clerks, and law students. Senior lawyers are expected to lead by
3 example. See ABA Model Rule 5.1; CRPC 5.1.
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5 V. INTEGRITY
6 In accordance with the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, California Rules of
7 Professional Conduct, and the ethical obligations to this Court, all parties, counsel, and
8 participants must adhere to the following principles of integrity:
9 1. Truthfulness in Representations: All submissions to the Court—whether oral, written, or
10 evidentiary—must be accurate and made in good faith. See ABA Model Rule 3.3; CRPC
11 3.3, 5-200.
12 2. Professional Decorum: Counsel and litigants shall engage in civil and respectful conduct,
Northern District of California
United States District Court
13 refraining from frivolous claims, ad hominem attacks, or obstructive tactics. See ABA
14 Model Rule 3.1, 8.4(d); CRPC 3.1, 8.4(d).
15 3. Duty of Fairness: The Court expects all parties to act without malice or improper
16 advantage, ensuring proceedings remain just and efficient. See ABA Model Rule 3.4;
17 CRPC 3.4.
18 4. Compliance with Orders: Strict adherence to court directives is required; failure to comply
19 may result in sanctions under the Court’s inherent authority or applicable procedural rules.
20 See ABA Model Rule 3.4(c); CRPC 3.4(f).
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22 VI. COURTROOM CONDUCT
23 When appearing before the Court, counsel and parties shall:
24 1. Be punctual and prepared for all hearings, conferences, and proceedings.
25 2. Stand when addressing the Court (unless physically unable).
26 3. Refrain from interrupting the Court or opposing counsel.
27 4. Address all arguments to the Court, not to opposing counsel.
28 5. Follow all procedural and evidentiary rules and raise objections respectfully.
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1 VII. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (“AI”)
2 The use of AI tools may result misrepresentation and fabricated caselaw. Counsel is
3 responsible for providing the Court with complete and accurate representations of the record,
4 procedural history, and cited legal authorities. Use of ChatGPT or other such AI tools is not
5 prohibited, but counsel must personally confirm for themselves the accuracy of any research
6 conducted by these means, and counsel alone bears ethical responsibility for all statements made
7 in filings. See ABA Resolution 604 (2024) (encouraging use of AI in a manner consistent with
8 professional responsibility, including maintaining client confidentiality and supervising
9 technology). Failure to exercise due care in reviewing and filing work product created with the
10 assistance of AI tools may result in sanctions under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 or expose
11 counsel to disciplinary action.
12 Any billing statements submitted for review of the Court must indicate AI usage when
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13 applicable. See ABA Model Rule 1.5; ABA Formal Opinion 512 (2024); CRCP 1.5.
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15 VIII. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES
16 The Court may impose appropriate sanctions for violations of this Standing Order,
17 including but not limited to:
18 1. Admonishment on the record.
19 2. Monetary sanctions under Rule 11 or the Court’s inherent powers.
20 3. Revocation of pro hac vice status.
21 4. Referral to the Court’s Standing Committee on Professional Conduct.
22 Persistent incivility, even if not rising to the level of a formal ethics violation, may result in
23 judicial notice and appropriate remedial action.
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25 IX. RESOURCES
26 The following are incorporated by reference and may guide interpretation of this Order:
27 1. ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
28 2. California Attorney Guidelines of Civility and Professionalism
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1 3. California Rules of Court, Rule 9.7
2 4. California Standards of Judicial Administration, Standard 10.20
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4 X. CONCLUSION
5 Civility is not a matter of courtesy alone, but of institutional integrity and public trust. The
6 Court expects all participants to uphold these standards. Zealous advocacy and professionalism
7 are not mutually exclusive. This Standing Order is intended to ensure that both remain central to
8 the practice of law in this District.
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11 IT IS SO ORDERED.
12 Dated: August 18, 2025
Northern District of California
United States District Court
13 __________________________________
TRINA L. THOMPSON
14 United States District Judge
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