UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION
DISCOVERY STANDING ORDER FOR
MAGISTRATE JUDGE THOMAS S. HIXSON
This Standing Order informs all parties of the discovery procedures for cases assigned to Magistrate
Judge Thomas S. Hixson or referred for purposes of discovery. It addresses all case-related discovery,
including that which involves non-parties, and therefore applies whether or not an individual or entity
is named in the complaint. Failure to abide by this Standing Order may result in the imposition of
sanctions pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(f) and Civil Local Rule 37-4.
All questions should be directed to Judge Hixson’s Courtroom Deputy at
[email protected] or
(415) 522-4067.
Upon referral from a District Judge or upon the development of an impasse with respect
to discovery in a pending case assigned to Judge Hixson, no motions to compel or other motions shall
be considered. Instead, the parties must first meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve their
dispute informally. An exchange of written communications does not satisfy the meet and confer
requirement.
MEET AND CONFER REQUIREMENTS
If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute informally after a good faith effort, including
meet and confer efforts conducted by lead counsel, the parties have two options:
1) If the dispute is straightforward or the parties believe some initial informal guidance from the
Court may help them resolve their dispute without the need for briefing, the parties may contact
Judge Hixson’s Courtroom Deputy to arrange a telephonic conference.
2) For more complex disputes, the parties shall prepare a joint statement of not more than five pages
(12-point or greater font) that contains the following:
a) A cover page (excluded from the five-page limit) with the case caption, an
attestation that the parties met and conferred in good faith to resolve their dispute(s)
prior to filing the letter, and the signature of both parties or counsel;
b) Each party’s position, including pertinent factual background, requested relief, and
citations to relevant legal authority; and
c) Each party’s final proposed compromise
The joint letter must attach the discovery requests and responses at issue. The parties may also
attach any relevant meet-and-confer correspondence, exhibits or affidavits.
The joint statement shall be e-filed (unless the case is exempt from e-filing requirements)
under the Civil Events category of “Motions and Related Filings > Motions – General >
Discovery Letter Brief.”
Revised February 24, 2026
Upon review of the parties’ submission(s), the Court will advise the parties of how it intends to
proceed. The Court may issue a ruling or schedule a hearing, and at such hearing may issue
rulings, order more formal briefing, or set further hearing dates.
CHAMBERS COPIES
The parties do not need to submit chambers copies, except when requested by a separate order from the
Court.
PROTECTIVE ORDERS
If parties believe a protective order is necessary, they shall, where practicable, use one of
the model stipulated protective orders (available at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/forms/model-
protective-orders/). If the parties’ proposed protective offer differs materially from the model
protective order, the parties shall file a statement explaining each modification to the model order,
along with a redline version comparing the proposed protective order with the model order.
SANCTIONS
No motion for sanctions may be filed until after the moving party has complied with the requirements
above. Motions for sanctions shall be filed separately, pursuant to Federal Rule 37 and Civil Local
Rules 7 and 37-4.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
_______________________________
THOMAS S. HIXSON
United States Magistrate Judge
Revised February 24, 2026
