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Susan Y. Illston

See more on Susan Y. Illston

Senior District Judge
USDC Northern District of California
Phillip Burton Federal Building & US Courthouse
Department/Division: 1 Days: M-F Courtroom/Floor: 17th

450 Golden Gate Ave
San Francisco , CA 94102
(415) 522-2028





Judicial Profiles
Title Court Published
Susan Y. Illston Northern District of California (San Francisco) Mar. 29, 2017
She's Not a Headline Seeker, but Her Cases Are Big News U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Jul. 31, 2007

Rulings
Case Category Published
Doe v. Deutsche Lufthansa Aktiengesellschaft
reversed and remanded
 Civil Procedure Oct. 30, 2025
Children's Health Defense v. Meta Platforms, Inc.
affirmed
 Constitutional Law Aug. 9, 2024
Bell v. Williams
affirmed in part
 Civil Rights Jul. 18, 2024
Perez v. Discover Bank
affirmed
 Arbitration Jul. 24, 2023
Glazer Capital Management, L.P., et al v. Forescout Technologies, Inc., et al
reversed in part
 Securities Mar. 16, 2023
U.S. v. Lonich
affirmed in part
 Criminal Law and Procedure Jan. 11, 2022
U.S. v. 101 Houseco LLC
affirmed
 Criminal Law and Procedure Jan. 11, 2022
Pirani v. Slack Technologies
affirmed
 Securities Sep. 21, 2021
MetroPCS California v. Picker
reversed and remanded
 Constitutional Law Aug. 17, 2020
U.S. v. Gagarin
affirmed
 Criminal Law and Procedure Feb. 14, 2020
Ridgeway v. Walmart
affirmed
 Constitutional Law Jan. 7, 2020
U.S. v. Bankston
vacated and remanded
 Criminal Law and Procedure Aug. 24, 2018
Sierra Club v. Pruitt
affirmed
 Environmental Law Aug. 29, 2017
Contest Promotions LLC v. City and County of San Francisco
affirmed
 Civil Rights Aug. 17, 2017

Verdicts & Settlements
Case Name Topic Role Published
Robert Abeyta, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. DMCG Inc. Consumer Law judge Aug. 22, 2025
Carrie Banks v. San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 21, 2025
Vincent Keith Bell v. Sgt. Yvette Williams, City and County of San Francisco Civil Rights judge Jun. 13, 2025
Chelsea Garland, et al. v. Dunkin Donuts Franchising LLC, et al. Civil Rights judge Jun. 5, 2025
In re: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Data Breach Litigation Contracts judge Feb. 14, 2025
Vincent Keith Bell v. Christopher Krol Civil Rights judge Nov. 8, 2024
Iliana Perez, Josue Jimenez Magana, and Emiliano Galicia Felix, individuals, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Discover Bank Civil Rights judge Jul. 5, 2024
In re: Zuora Inc. Derivative Litigation Securities judge Mar. 22, 2024
Jacob Malae v. City of Santa Clara, et al. Employment Law judge Jan. 5, 2024
In Re: UKG Inc. Cybersecurity Litigation Contracts judge Oct. 20, 2023
Cheryl Thornton v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Oct. 13, 2023
Lugene McCullough by and through his guardian ad litem Maya Klein; Gina Lamberton, by and through her guardian ad litem Jeffrey Taylor; Josonia Bishara, by and through her guardian ad litem Samond Bishara on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. California Department of Developmental Services; and Nancy Bargmann, in her official capacity as Director of the California Department of Developmental Services Civil Rights judge Sep. 8, 2023
Jason Levette Washington v. M. Keegan, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 18, 2023
Chris Langer v. Home Depot Product Authority LLC Civil Rights judge Apr. 28, 2023
Aliitasi T. Alapati v. City and County of San Francisco, et al. Civil Rights judge Feb. 17, 2023
Stephanie Doss v. Hayward Unified School District, et al. Civil Rights judge Feb. 17, 2023
Rachell Evans v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Feb. 10, 2023
Clyde Cheng, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Congresswoman Jackie Speier Torts judge Jan. 27, 2023
Gregory Franklin, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC Consumer Law judge Dec. 2, 2022
Makenzie Pauly v. Stanford Health Care Medical judge Nov. 25, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Skip Keyser Realty Inc. Civil Rights judge Nov. 18, 2022
George Jarvis Austin v. ABC Legal Employment Law judge Nov. 4, 2022
Orlando Garcia v. Jack Dudum, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 28, 2022
Robert Michael Lindblad v. Carlos G. Bolanos, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 28, 2022
Troy King v. Alameda County Department of Child Support Services, et al. Constitutional Law judge Oct. 28, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Paulo Corro, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 21, 2022
Ezekial Flatten, et al. v. Bruce Smith, et al. Torts judge Oct. 14, 2022
Ecological Rights Foundation v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Law judge Sep. 30, 2022
Ann Marie Borges, et al. v. County of Mendocino Constitutional Law judge Sep. 23, 2022
Eventbrite Inc. v. M.R.G. Concerts Ltd., Matthew Gibbons Contracts judge Sep. 2, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Lesti Real Estate Inc. Civil Rights judge Jul. 15, 2022
Selene Stewart v. Nadan Inc. dba Windsor House Convalescent Hospital Employment Law judge Jan. 7, 2022
Electrical Workers Pension Fund, Local 103, I.B.E.W., on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated v. HP Inc., Dion J. Weisler, Catherine A. Lesjak, Steven J. Fieler Securities judge Dec. 17, 2021
AirWair International Ltd. v. ITX USA LLC Intellectual Property judge Dec. 3, 2021
Christopher L. Sayce, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Forescout Technologies Inc., Michael Decesare, Christopher Harms Securities judge Oct. 29, 2021
Loyce Amos Moore, et al. v. City and County of San Francisco Civil Rights judge Sep. 24, 2021
Children's Health Defense v. Facebook Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, Science Feedback, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc., and Does 1-20 Torts judge Aug. 6, 2021
Weiss Law PC v. Awrish Builders, Faisal Rahim, Abdul Mujeeb Mohmand, Abdul Muqeem Mohmand Contracts judge Jun. 18, 2021
Melvina N. Smith v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Apr. 30, 2021
Samuel Love v. Gates Hotel Inc. Civil Rights judge Mar. 26, 2021
Jane Doe v. Timothy White, Chancellor; Sarah Clegg, Title IX Coordinator, Sonoma State University; Joyce Suzuki; William Kidder; Jesse Andrews Constitutional Law judge Oct. 23, 2020
Matthew R. Perez v. E. Moore, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 21, 2020
Marc Silver, Heather Peffer, Donovan Marshall, Alexander Hill, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. BA Sports Nutrition LLC Consumer Law judge Jul. 31, 2020
Richard Lance Reynolds v. J. Merenda Civil Rights judge Jul. 31, 2020
Raq Bey v. Jared Malec, et al. Civil Rights judge Jul. 10, 2020
Janet Margaret Gardner v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Jun. 26, 2020
Keith Polee v. Central Contra Costa Transit Authority Employment Law judge May 8, 2020
Michael Kroeger v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Feb. 21, 2020
Illumina Inc., et al. v. Ariosa Diagnostics Inc., et al. Intellectual Property judge Jul. 12, 2019
Colony Insurance Company v. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, Gemini Insurance Company Insurance judge Jun. 14, 2019
Cynthia Gutierrez, Jose Huerta, SMH, RH and AH v. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Health and Does 1 - 50, inclusive Medical judge May 3, 2019
Darrell Edward Buckins v. Brenda McCoy, Corizon Health Services Inc., City Of Oakland, County of Alameda, Alameda Sheriff's Department Civil Rights judge Mar. 22, 2019
Jay Rabkin, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Lion Biotechnologies Inc., Manish Singh, Michael Handelman, Kamilla Bjorlin Securities judge Jan. 25, 2019
Anthony Smith v. Rosana Lim-Javate, et al. Civil Rights judge Jan. 5, 2018
Daniel W. Johnson v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Nov. 10, 2017
Gregorio A. Maldonado v. Cano Civil Rights judge Sep. 29, 2017
Eight Doe Protestors v. Humboldt County and City of Eureka Civil Rights judge May 6, 2006
Hypertouch Inc. v. Kennedy-Western University Construction Law judge Apr. 8, 2006
Vernell Lundberg, et al. v. County of Humboldt, et al. Civil Rights judge Jul. 23, 2005
Pixion Inc. v. PlaceWare Inc., Microsoft Inc. Intellectual Property judge May 10, 2005
Confidential Employment Law judge Mar. 15, 2005
Abner Morgan Jr. v. National Railroad Passenger Corp. Employment Law judge Sep. 28, 2004
Confidential Employment Law judge Jul. 13, 2004
Space Systems/Loral Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp. Intellectual Property judge Nov. 4, 2003
Mentor Graphics Corp., Meta Systems, Frederick Reblewski, Olivier LaPape, Jean Barbier v. Quickturn Design Systems Inc., Cadence Design Systems Intellectual Property judge May 20, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge May 18, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Dec. 10, 2002
Lila Suurmeyer v. Sears Roebuck and Co., WCI Outdoor Products Inc. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Aug. 9, 2001
David Burros, et al. v. Redbud Community Hospital District Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Nov. 16, 2000
Karine Sokol, Josephina Lopez, Stella Cortez v. New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. Employment Law judge Jul. 8, 2000
Granite Management Corp. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Company Insurance judge May 27, 2000
Sonya J. Rabbon v. 401 Equity Corp. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Jul. 24, 1999
Confidential Employment Law judge Apr. 11, 1998
Norman Russell Ascherman v. Trans World Airlines, Inc. Torts judge Sep. 20, 1997
Beverly Schroeder, et al. v. United States, et al. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge May 17, 1997
Ultramar, Inc., a Nevada coporation v. Napa Sanitation District, et al. Real Property judge Jan. 11, 1997
Confidential Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge May 11, 1996
Title Court Published
Susan Y. Illston Northern District of California (San Francisco) Mar. 29, 2017
She's Not a Headline Seeker, but Her Cases Are Big News U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Jul. 31, 2007
Case Category Published
Doe v. Deutsche Lufthansa Aktiengesellschaft
reversed and remanded
 Civil Procedure Oct. 30, 2025
Children's Health Defense v. Meta Platforms, Inc.
affirmed
 Constitutional Law Aug. 9, 2024
Bell v. Williams
affirmed in part
 Civil Rights Jul. 18, 2024
Perez v. Discover Bank
affirmed
 Arbitration Jul. 24, 2023
Glazer Capital Management, L.P., et al v. Forescout Technologies, Inc., et al
reversed in part
 Securities Mar. 16, 2023
U.S. v. Lonich
affirmed in part
 Criminal Law and Procedure Jan. 11, 2022
U.S. v. 101 Houseco LLC
affirmed
 Criminal Law and Procedure Jan. 11, 2022
Pirani v. Slack Technologies
affirmed
 Securities Sep. 21, 2021
MetroPCS California v. Picker
reversed and remanded
 Constitutional Law Aug. 17, 2020
U.S. v. Gagarin
affirmed
 Criminal Law and Procedure Feb. 14, 2020
Ridgeway v. Walmart
affirmed
 Constitutional Law Jan. 7, 2020
U.S. v. Bankston
vacated and remanded
 Criminal Law and Procedure Aug. 24, 2018
Sierra Club v. Pruitt
affirmed
 Environmental Law Aug. 29, 2017
Contest Promotions LLC v. City and County of San Francisco
affirmed
 Civil Rights Aug. 17, 2017
Case Name Topic Role Published
Robert Abeyta, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. DMCG Inc. Consumer Law judge Aug. 22, 2025
Carrie Banks v. San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 21, 2025
Vincent Keith Bell v. Sgt. Yvette Williams, City and County of San Francisco Civil Rights judge Jun. 13, 2025
Chelsea Garland, et al. v. Dunkin Donuts Franchising LLC, et al. Civil Rights judge Jun. 5, 2025
In re: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Data Breach Litigation Contracts judge Feb. 14, 2025
Vincent Keith Bell v. Christopher Krol Civil Rights judge Nov. 8, 2024
Iliana Perez, Josue Jimenez Magana, and Emiliano Galicia Felix, individuals, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Discover Bank Civil Rights judge Jul. 5, 2024
In re: Zuora Inc. Derivative Litigation Securities judge Mar. 22, 2024
Jacob Malae v. City of Santa Clara, et al. Employment Law judge Jan. 5, 2024
In Re: UKG Inc. Cybersecurity Litigation Contracts judge Oct. 20, 2023
Cheryl Thornton v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Oct. 13, 2023
Lugene McCullough by and through his guardian ad litem Maya Klein; Gina Lamberton, by and through her guardian ad litem Jeffrey Taylor; Josonia Bishara, by and through her guardian ad litem Samond Bishara on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. California Department of Developmental Services; and Nancy Bargmann, in her official capacity as Director of the California Department of Developmental Services Civil Rights judge Sep. 8, 2023
Jason Levette Washington v. M. Keegan, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 18, 2023
Chris Langer v. Home Depot Product Authority LLC Civil Rights judge Apr. 28, 2023
Aliitasi T. Alapati v. City and County of San Francisco, et al. Civil Rights judge Feb. 17, 2023
Stephanie Doss v. Hayward Unified School District, et al. Civil Rights judge Feb. 17, 2023
Rachell Evans v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Feb. 10, 2023
Clyde Cheng, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Congresswoman Jackie Speier Torts judge Jan. 27, 2023
Gregory Franklin, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC Consumer Law judge Dec. 2, 2022
Makenzie Pauly v. Stanford Health Care Medical judge Nov. 25, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Skip Keyser Realty Inc. Civil Rights judge Nov. 18, 2022
George Jarvis Austin v. ABC Legal Employment Law judge Nov. 4, 2022
Orlando Garcia v. Jack Dudum, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 28, 2022
Robert Michael Lindblad v. Carlos G. Bolanos, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 28, 2022
Troy King v. Alameda County Department of Child Support Services, et al. Constitutional Law judge Oct. 28, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Paulo Corro, et al. Civil Rights judge Oct. 21, 2022
Ezekial Flatten, et al. v. Bruce Smith, et al. Torts judge Oct. 14, 2022
Ecological Rights Foundation v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Law judge Sep. 30, 2022
Ann Marie Borges, et al. v. County of Mendocino Constitutional Law judge Sep. 23, 2022
Eventbrite Inc. v. M.R.G. Concerts Ltd., Matthew Gibbons Contracts judge Sep. 2, 2022
Andres Gomez v. Lesti Real Estate Inc. Civil Rights judge Jul. 15, 2022
Selene Stewart v. Nadan Inc. dba Windsor House Convalescent Hospital Employment Law judge Jan. 7, 2022
Electrical Workers Pension Fund, Local 103, I.B.E.W., on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated v. HP Inc., Dion J. Weisler, Catherine A. Lesjak, Steven J. Fieler Securities judge Dec. 17, 2021
AirWair International Ltd. v. ITX USA LLC Intellectual Property judge Dec. 3, 2021
Christopher L. Sayce, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Forescout Technologies Inc., Michael Decesare, Christopher Harms Securities judge Oct. 29, 2021
Loyce Amos Moore, et al. v. City and County of San Francisco Civil Rights judge Sep. 24, 2021
Children's Health Defense v. Facebook Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, Science Feedback, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc., and Does 1-20 Torts judge Aug. 6, 2021
Weiss Law PC v. Awrish Builders, Faisal Rahim, Abdul Mujeeb Mohmand, Abdul Muqeem Mohmand Contracts judge Jun. 18, 2021
Melvina N. Smith v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Apr. 30, 2021
Samuel Love v. Gates Hotel Inc. Civil Rights judge Mar. 26, 2021
Jane Doe v. Timothy White, Chancellor; Sarah Clegg, Title IX Coordinator, Sonoma State University; Joyce Suzuki; William Kidder; Jesse Andrews Constitutional Law judge Oct. 23, 2020
Matthew R. Perez v. E. Moore, et al. Civil Rights judge Aug. 21, 2020
Marc Silver, Heather Peffer, Donovan Marshall, Alexander Hill, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. BA Sports Nutrition LLC Consumer Law judge Jul. 31, 2020
Richard Lance Reynolds v. J. Merenda Civil Rights judge Jul. 31, 2020
Raq Bey v. Jared Malec, et al. Civil Rights judge Jul. 10, 2020
Janet Margaret Gardner v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Jun. 26, 2020
Keith Polee v. Central Contra Costa Transit Authority Employment Law judge May 8, 2020
Michael Kroeger v. Andrew M. Saul Government judge Feb. 21, 2020
Illumina Inc., et al. v. Ariosa Diagnostics Inc., et al. Intellectual Property judge Jul. 12, 2019
Colony Insurance Company v. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, Gemini Insurance Company Insurance judge Jun. 14, 2019
Cynthia Gutierrez, Jose Huerta, SMH, RH and AH v. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Health and Does 1 - 50, inclusive Medical judge May 3, 2019
Darrell Edward Buckins v. Brenda McCoy, Corizon Health Services Inc., City Of Oakland, County of Alameda, Alameda Sheriff's Department Civil Rights judge Mar. 22, 2019
Jay Rabkin, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Lion Biotechnologies Inc., Manish Singh, Michael Handelman, Kamilla Bjorlin Securities judge Jan. 25, 2019
Anthony Smith v. Rosana Lim-Javate, et al. Civil Rights judge Jan. 5, 2018
Daniel W. Johnson v. City and County of San Francisco Employment Law judge Nov. 10, 2017
Gregorio A. Maldonado v. Cano Civil Rights judge Sep. 29, 2017
Eight Doe Protestors v. Humboldt County and City of Eureka Civil Rights judge May 6, 2006
Hypertouch Inc. v. Kennedy-Western University Construction Law judge Apr. 8, 2006
Vernell Lundberg, et al. v. County of Humboldt, et al. Civil Rights judge Jul. 23, 2005
Pixion Inc. v. PlaceWare Inc., Microsoft Inc. Intellectual Property judge May 10, 2005
Confidential Employment Law judge Mar. 15, 2005
Abner Morgan Jr. v. National Railroad Passenger Corp. Employment Law judge Sep. 28, 2004
Confidential Employment Law judge Jul. 13, 2004
Space Systems/Loral Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp. Intellectual Property judge Nov. 4, 2003
Mentor Graphics Corp., Meta Systems, Frederick Reblewski, Olivier LaPape, Jean Barbier v. Quickturn Design Systems Inc., Cadence Design Systems Intellectual Property judge May 20, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge May 18, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Dec. 10, 2002
Lila Suurmeyer v. Sears Roebuck and Co., WCI Outdoor Products Inc. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Aug. 9, 2001
David Burros, et al. v. Redbud Community Hospital District Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Nov. 16, 2000
Karine Sokol, Josephina Lopez, Stella Cortez v. New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. Employment Law judge Jul. 8, 2000
Granite Management Corp. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Company Insurance judge May 27, 2000
Sonya J. Rabbon v. 401 Equity Corp. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge Jul. 24, 1999
Confidential Employment Law judge Apr. 11, 1998
Norman Russell Ascherman v. Trans World Airlines, Inc. Torts judge Sep. 20, 1997
Beverly Schroeder, et al. v. United States, et al. Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge May 17, 1997
Ultramar, Inc., a Nevada coporation v. Napa Sanitation District, et al. Real Property judge Jan. 11, 1997
Confidential Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) judge May 11, 1996
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