• A courtesy copy of any brief filed with exhibits must be dropped off at Room 1704.
• Please be aware that this requirement differs from the Local Rules.

• A courtesy copy of any brief filed with exhibits must be dropped off at Room 1704.
• Please be aware that this requirement differs from the Local Rules.

Judge Gettleman will set cases for status approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint. Prior to the initial status conference, the parties will file a written joint status in the prescribed format.

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Joint Status Report.

Judge Gettleman will set cases for status approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint. Prior to the initial status conference, the parties will file a written joint status in the prescribed format.

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Joint Status Report.

• Until further notice, Judge Gettleman will not be holding a motion call.  Parties are not to notice motions up for presentment. 

• Until further notice, Judge Gettleman will not be holding a motion call.  Parties are not to notice motions up for presentment. 

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Standing Order Regarding Motion Practice, Disclosures, Briefs and Protective Orders in Civil Cases (updated 09/25/18).

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Standing Order Regarding Motion Practice, Disclosures, Briefs and Protective Orders in Civil Cases (updated 09/25/18).

Proposed orders must be submitted to Judge Gettleman to consider or modify and, if appropriate, to enter electronically. Proposed stipulated protective orders, for example, require Judge Gettleman’s approval before actually being given full effect.

Requirements for Proposed Orders

• Proposed orders must be emailed to 
  Proposed_Order_Gettleman@ilnd.uscourts.gov. The subject line must include: (1) the case number and name, (2) the docket number of the corresponding motion, if any, and (3) the title of the proposed order.
• Proposed orders must be submitted in a Microsoft Word-compatible format, which is a “Save As” option in most word processing software.
• Proposed orders should be served on all parties.

Proposed orders must be submitted to Judge Gettleman to consider or modify and, if appropriate, to enter electronically. Proposed stipulated protective orders, for example, require Judge Gettleman’s approval before actually being given full effect.

Requirements for Proposed Orders

• Proposed orders must be emailed to 
  Proposed_Order_Gettleman@ilnd.uscourts.gov. The subject line must include: (1) the case number and name, (2) the docket number of the corresponding motion, if any, and (3) the title of the proposed order.
• Proposed orders must be submitted in a Microsoft Word-compatible format, which is a “Save As” option in most word processing software.
• Proposed orders should be served on all parties.

After the initial status and scheduling conference, Judge Gettleman may hold scheduling and settlement conferences. Some of these may be held by telephone.

Settlement Conference Procedures

1. The parties have requested a settlement conference with Judge Gettleman. It is expressly understood that:

a. The parties’ participation in the settlement conference is entirely voluntary;

b. All communications relating to the settlement conference are confidential, “off the record,” and subject to Federal Rule of Evidence 408;

c. Unless expressly excused by the court, clients or a person with authority to settle will personally be present at the settlement conference; and

d. Judge Gettleman may, in his sole discretion, “caucus” with each party (i.e., hold discussions with a party outside the presence of the other parties).

2. Prior to submission of the letters described in paragraph 3 below, the plaintiff(s) shall make a demand and the defendant(s) shall respond thereto. All parties shall explain the rationale of their respective offers and demands.

3. Seven days prior to the settlement conference, or on such other date as the court may direct, the parties will submit letters to Judge Gettleman conforming to the following directions:

a. The letters shall briefly set forth a description of the case and the parties’ positions with respect to settlement (including the demand(s) and offer(s) described in paragraph 2 above, along with any subsequent demand or offer);

b. Each party shall send a copy of that party’s letter to all other parties;

c. If any party wishes to communicate anything to the court that the party does not wish to share with other parties, the letter should include such information in a footnote or addendum, clearly stating that such information has not been shared with the other parties.

d. All settlement letters will be discarded by Judge Gettleman at the close of the case.

4. Any party wishing to alter this procedure must make an appropriate request to the court prior to delivery of the settlement letters described above. Observance of an orderly settlement process is likely to increase the chances for amicable resolution.

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After the initial status and scheduling conference, Judge Gettleman may hold scheduling and settlement conferences. Some of these may be held by telephone.

Settlement Conference Procedures

1. The parties have requested a settlement conference with Judge Gettleman. It is expressly understood that:

a. The parties’ participation in the settlement conference is entirely voluntary;

b. All communications relating to the settlement conference are confidential, “off the record,” and subject to Federal Rule of Evidence 408;

c. Unless expressly excused by the court, clients or a person with authority to settle will personally be present at the settlement conference; and

d. Judge Gettleman may, in his sole discretion, “caucus” with each party (i.e., hold discussions with a party outside the presence of the other parties).

2. Prior to submission of the letters described in paragraph 3 below, the plaintiff(s) shall make a demand and the defendant(s) shall respond thereto. All parties shall explain the rationale of their respective offers and demands.

3. Seven days prior to the settlement conference, or on such other date as the court may direct, the parties will submit letters to Judge Gettleman conforming to the following directions:

a. The letters shall briefly set forth a description of the case and the parties’ positions with respect to settlement (including the demand(s) and offer(s) described in paragraph 2 above, along with any subsequent demand or offer);

b. Each party shall send a copy of that party’s letter to all other parties;

c. If any party wishes to communicate anything to the court that the party does not wish to share with other parties, the letter should include such information in a footnote or addendum, clearly stating that such information has not been shared with the other parties.

d. All settlement letters will be discarded by Judge Gettleman at the close of the case.

4. Any party wishing to alter this procedure must make an appropriate request to the court prior to delivery of the settlement letters described above. Observance of an orderly settlement process is likely to increase the chances for amicable resolution.

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Too often litigants are unaware of the efficiencies to be gained by having their cases tried before United States Magistrate Judges. The court strongly encourages counsel to inform their clients of this option, and to discuss it with opposing counsel.

Click here for the Northern District of Illinois Magistrate Judge Consent Form.

Too often litigants are unaware of the efficiencies to be gained by having their cases tried before United States Magistrate Judges. The court strongly encourages counsel to inform their clients of this option, and to discuss it with opposing counsel.

Click here for the Northern District of Illinois Magistrate Judge Consent Form.

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Standing Order for Final Pretrial Order, Selection of Jurors and Jury Instructions for Trials.

Click here for Judge Gettleman’s Standing Order for Final Pretrial Order, Selection of Jurors and Jury Instructions for Trials.

• Counsel will treat each other and all witnesses, including adverse witnesses, professionally and courteously.
• All examination of witnesses must be conducted from the podium unless otherwise allowed by the court.
• Counsel should disclose the identity and order of trial witnesses as far in advance as possible but in no event less than 24 hours before the beginning of the trial day in which the witnesses are to be called.
• Unless otherwise stipulated, examining counsel must show each exhibit to opposing counsel prior to showing it to a witness. Demonstrative and summary exhibits must be shown to opposing counsel in advance of trial, even if not offered into evidence. All exhibits should be marked in advance.
• Counsel must stand for all objections. Counsel should instruct their witnesses not to answer a question while an objection is pending. Counsel should not stand during witness examination unless to make an objection.
• Counsel should avoid argumentative objections. Summarize objections by noting by number the rule of evidence (e.g., “Rule 608(b)”) or by describing nature of the objection (e.g., “hearsay,” “prior ruling,” “foundation” etc.).
• All persons at counsel table should avoid reactions, facial expressions and other expressions, verbal or non-verbal, that might be observed by the jury. Any signaling to a witness on the stand will be treated as contempt of court.
• Side-bars are disfavored. Counsel are directed to “front” all anticipated issues during breaks when the jury is not in the courtroom.
• Beepers and cell phones must be turned off. Violators face confiscation of their toys.
• Witnesses (other than parties and expert witnesses) are generally excluded from proceedings until they testify. Counsel should instruct witnesses not to discuss court proceedings with those who have not yet testified. Witnesses are sequestered during adverse examination; they are forbidden from discussing the case with anyone during breaks or recesses unless otherwise ordered by the court.
• Counsel are in charge of their own exhibits. Large exhibits may be stored in the cloakroom overnight.
• Coats and jackets should be hung in the cloakroom rather than draped over benches.
  
  

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• Counsel will treat each other and all witnesses, including adverse witnesses, professionally and courteously.
• All examination of witnesses must be conducted from the podium unless otherwise allowed by the court.
• Counsel should disclose the identity and order of trial witnesses as far in advance as possible but in no event less than 24 hours before the beginning of the trial day in which the witnesses are to be called.
• Unless otherwise stipulated, examining counsel must show each exhibit to opposing counsel prior to showing it to a witness. Demonstrative and summary exhibits must be shown to opposing counsel in advance of trial, even if not offered into evidence. All exhibits should be marked in advance.
• Counsel must stand for all objections. Counsel should instruct their witnesses not to answer a question while an objection is pending. Counsel should not stand during witness examination unless to make an objection.
• Counsel should avoid argumentative objections. Summarize objections by noting by number the rule of evidence (e.g., “Rule 608(b)”) or by describing nature of the objection (e.g., “hearsay,” “prior ruling,” “foundation” etc.).
• All persons at counsel table should avoid reactions, facial expressions and other expressions, verbal or non-verbal, that might be observed by the jury. Any signaling to a witness on the stand will be treated as contempt of court.
• Side-bars are disfavored. Counsel are directed to “front” all anticipated issues during breaks when the jury is not in the courtroom.
• Beepers and cell phones must be turned off. Violators face confiscation of their toys.
• Witnesses (other than parties and expert witnesses) are generally excluded from proceedings until they testify. Counsel should instruct witnesses not to discuss court proceedings with those who have not yet testified. Witnesses are sequestered during adverse examination; they are forbidden from discussing the case with anyone during breaks or recesses unless otherwise ordered by the court.
• Counsel are in charge of their own exhibits. Large exhibits may be stored in the cloakroom overnight.
• Coats and jackets should be hung in the cloakroom rather than draped over benches.
  
  

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Thank you for serving in the jury pool for the United States District Court. The following questions will be asked of each of you by Judge Gettleman to elicit some basic information about you. The judge and/or the lawyers may ask additional questions. If you are uncomfortable answering any question in open court, please indicate to the judge and he will speak with you privately with the attorneys. Your cooperation and participation in this important process is greatly appreciated.

1. Your full name, spell the last name, your age.

2. City of residence for the last 5 years (not the address). If Chicago, identify area of the city.

3. Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed).

4. Whether you have children (number, ages, occupations).

5. Education (level of school, degrees).

6. Military service, if any (branch, years of service, rank, duties, type of discharge).

7. Your employment for the last 5 years (employer and job description).

8. Employment for last 5 years of persons living with you: spouse; children; parents; roommates; others.

9. Outside interests and hobbies; favorite TV and radio shows, internet sites, newspapers and magazines, internet sites.

10. Whether you have served on a jury before; when and what kind of case; whether a verdict was reached (do not disclose what the verdict was).

11. Have you or a close friend or member of your immediate family been a party to or a witness in a civil lawsuit, administrative action or criminal case (other than a routine traffic case)  If so, the type of proceeding(s), date(s), and nature of your involvement (plaintiff, defendant, witness, crime victim, etc.).

12. [Specialized question e.g.: (a) Do you have any feelings or opinions regarding the laws that prohibit discrimination based on religion/disability/age/sex/national origin  (b) Do you have any feelings or opinions regarding law enforcement or law enforcement officers that could affect your ability to be fair to all parties in this case  (c) Have you or any of your friends or relatives ever had a bad experience with a law enforcement officer that could affect your ability to be a fair and impartial juror 

13. Do you hold any philosophical or religious beliefs that would prevent you from sitting in judgment of another person or company 

14. Is there anything about this case, the identity or status of parties, or anything else you’ve seen or heard today that would impair your ability to be a fair and impartial juror 

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Thank you for serving in the jury pool for the United States District Court. The following questions will be asked of each of you by Judge Gettleman to elicit some basic information about you. The judge and/or the lawyers may ask additional questions. If you are uncomfortable answering any question in open court, please indicate to the judge and he will speak with you privately with the attorneys. Your cooperation and participation in this important process is greatly appreciated.

1. Your full name, spell the last name, your age.

2. City of residence for the last 5 years (not the address). If Chicago, identify area of the city.

3. Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed).

4. Whether you have children (number, ages, occupations).

5. Education (level of school, degrees).

6. Military service, if any (branch, years of service, rank, duties, type of discharge).

7. Your employment for the last 5 years (employer and job description).

8. Employment for last 5 years of persons living with you: spouse; children; parents; roommates; others.

9. Outside interests and hobbies; favorite TV and radio shows, internet sites, newspapers and magazines, internet sites.

10. Whether you have served on a jury before; when and what kind of case; whether a verdict was reached (do not disclose what the verdict was).

11. Have you or a close friend or member of your immediate family been a party to or a witness in a civil lawsuit, administrative action or criminal case (other than a routine traffic case)  If so, the type of proceeding(s), date(s), and nature of your involvement (plaintiff, defendant, witness, crime victim, etc.).

12. [Specialized question e.g.: (a) Do you have any feelings or opinions regarding the laws that prohibit discrimination based on religion/disability/age/sex/national origin  (b) Do you have any feelings or opinions regarding law enforcement or law enforcement officers that could affect your ability to be fair to all parties in this case  (c) Have you or any of your friends or relatives ever had a bad experience with a law enforcement officer that could affect your ability to be a fair and impartial juror 

13. Do you hold any philosophical or religious beliefs that would prevent you from sitting in judgment of another person or company 

14. Is there anything about this case, the identity or status of parties, or anything else you’ve seen or heard today that would impair your ability to be a fair and impartial juror 

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