For bankruptcy appeals, the Court will set a briefing schedule after the record has been compiled and transmitted pursuant to Fed. R. Bank. P. 8018.

For bankruptcy appeals, the Court will set a briefing schedule after the record has been compiled and transmitted pursuant to Fed. R. Bank. P. 8018.

The following procedure applies to cases that have been reassigned to Judge Wood after the parties have already appeared before the originally-assigned district court judge.

Unless otherwise ordered, all previously-set hearing dates, deadlines, and schedules will remain in effect. Counsel for the parties shall confer and then prepare and file a joint Reassignment Status Report, not to exceed 5 pages, within 14 days of the order reassigning the case. If defense counsel has not yet filed an appearance, the Reassignment Status Report should be prepared by plaintiff’s counsel. A template for the Reassignment Status Report, setting forth the information required, may be found below.

Initial Status Report For Reassigned Case     The following procedure applies to cases that have been reassigned to Judge Wood after the parties have already appeared before the originally-assigned district court judge.

Unless otherwise ordered, all previously-set hearing dates, deadlines, and schedules will remain in effect. Counsel for the parties shall confer and then prepare and file a joint Reassignment Status Report, not to exceed 5 pages, within 14 days of the order reassigning the case. If defense counsel has not yet filed an appearance, the Reassignment Status Report should be prepared by plaintiff’s counsel. A template for the Reassignment Status Report, setting forth the information required, may be found below.

Initial Status Report For Reassigned Case    

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.  

Consent to Proceed Before Magistrate Judge

 

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.  

Consent to Proceed Before Magistrate Judge

 

The Court suspends Local Rule 5.2(f), which requires in many instances that paper courtesy copies of filings be delivered to the judge. No courtesy copies may be submitted for filings unless the parties receive case-specific requests for copies.

The Court suspends Local Rule 5.2(f), which requires in many instances that paper courtesy copies of filings be delivered to the judge. No courtesy copies may be submitted for filings unless the parties receive case-specific requests for copies.

The Court believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes and thus discourages the filing of discovery motions.  The Court will not hear or consider any discovery motion unless the movant has complied with the “meet and confer” requirement of Local Rule 37.2.  The motion must state with specificity when and how the movant complied with Local Rule 37.2.  Parties are reminded that compliance with Local Rule 37.2 requires a good faith effort to resolve discovery disputes and communication that takes place face to face or by telephone. The exchange of correspondence will not normally be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2.

All parties should be fully prepared to argue any discovery motion on the date that it is presented. The Court often will rule on discovery motions after hearing argument at the motion call and without briefing.  If after hearing argument, the Court believes that the motion requires briefing, the Court normally will set an expedited briefing schedule so that the matter can be resolved promptly. Parties are reminded to notify the Court immediately if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions.

Parties are reminded that there is no “order” in which discovery must occur, and that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. In addition, unless provided for under applicable law, the pendency of a dispositive motion does not, in itself, operate to stay discovery.

Electronic Discovery Disputes

If the parties have reached an impasse regarding the discovery of voluminous records from a database, server, computer, service provider or similar electronic storage facility (ESF), before a motion to compel is filed, the parties are required to meet and confer with an IT representative of the ESF to be searched in order to determine the most effective way to retrieve the requested material. The party seeking the discovery must also bring its IT specialist to this meeting in order to discuss the proper format for the retrieval of the records. This electronic discovery conference may take place in person or by telephone, and both sides should be prepared to discuss specifically the parameters of both the search and the ESF. For information regarding the Voluntary E-Mediation Program, please refer to: http://www.discoverypilot.com/content/e-mediation-program The Court believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes and thus discourages the filing of discovery motions.  The Court will not hear or consider any discovery motion unless the movant has complied with the “meet and confer” requirement of Local Rule 37.2.  The motion must state with specificity when and how the movant complied with Local Rule 37.2.  Parties are reminded that compliance with Local Rule 37.2 requires a good faith effort to resolve discovery disputes and communication that takes place face to face or by telephone. The exchange of correspondence will not normally be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2.

All parties should be fully prepared to argue any discovery motion on the date that it is presented. The Court often will rule on discovery motions after hearing argument at the motion call and without briefing.  If after hearing argument, the Court believes that the motion requires briefing, the Court normally will set an expedited briefing schedule so that the matter can be resolved promptly. Parties are reminded to notify the Court immediately if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions.

Parties are reminded that there is no “order” in which discovery must occur, and that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. In addition, unless provided for under applicable law, the pendency of a dispositive motion does not, in itself, operate to stay discovery.

Electronic Discovery Disputes

If the parties have reached an impasse regarding the discovery of voluminous records from a database, server, computer, service provider or similar electronic storage facility (ESF), before a motion to compel is filed, the parties are required to meet and confer with an IT representative of the ESF to be searched in order to determine the most effective way to retrieve the requested material. The party seeking the discovery must also bring its IT specialist to this meeting in order to discuss the proper format for the retrieval of the records. This electronic discovery conference may take place in person or by telephone, and both sides should be prepared to discuss specifically the parameters of both the search and the ESF. For information regarding the Voluntary E-Mediation Program, please refer to: http://www.discoverypilot.com/content/e-mediation-program

Please be advised that the Court will hear emergency motions only in exceptional circumstances after making a preliminary determination of whether an actual emergency exists.  Emergency matters must be of such a nature that a delay in hearing them would cause serious harm to one or more of the parties. Requests to set a hearing on an emergency motion shall be made to the Courtroom Deputy, Laritza_Arcos@ilnd.uscourts.gov, with as much advance notice as possible. All reasonable efforts must be made to give actual notice to opposing counsel.

Please be advised that the Court will hear emergency motions only in exceptional circumstances after making a preliminary determination of whether an actual emergency exists.  Emergency matters must be of such a nature that a delay in hearing them would cause serious harm to one or more of the parties. Requests to set a hearing on an emergency motion shall be made to the Courtroom Deputy, Laritza_Arcos@ilnd.uscourts.gov, with as much advance notice as possible. All reasonable efforts must be made to give actual notice to opposing counsel.

For all civil trials, the Court will set a date in advance of trial by which the parties must file a joint final pretrial order. The final pretrial order must be signed by counsel for each party and filed electronically using CM/ECF, with two courtesy copies delivered to chambers. The final pretrial order must include the information detailed at the link below.

Standing Order Regarding Final Pretrial Orders for Civil Trials

Prospective Juror Letter For all civil trials, the Court will set a date in advance of trial by which the parties must file a joint final pretrial order. The final pretrial order must be signed by counsel for each party and filed electronically using CM/ECF, with two courtesy copies delivered to chambers. The final pretrial order must include the information detailed at the link below.

Standing Order Regarding Final Pretrial Orders for Civil Trials

Prospective Juror Letter

For most newly-filed civil cases, the Court will schedule an initial status hearing to take place approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint. The parties are directed to meet and conduct a planning conference pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f). No later than seven calendar days before the initial status hearing, the parties shall file a Joint Initial Status Report, not to exceed five (5) pages in length. The Joint Initial Status Report shall provide the information listed in the template below.

Joint Initial Status Report

For most newly-filed civil cases, the Court will schedule an initial status hearing to take place approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint. The parties are directed to meet and conduct a planning conference pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f). No later than seven calendar days before the initial status hearing, the parties shall file a Joint Initial Status Report, not to exceed five (5) pages in length. The Joint Initial Status Report shall provide the information listed in the template below.

Joint Initial Status Report

No motions shall be noticed for presentment

 Motions for Extensions of Time

A party seeking an extension of time must contact all other parties in the case to determine whether they object to the extension. Any motion for extension of time must indicate whether it is the first or subsequent extension request, shall include the reasons for the request, any previous relief granted, and whether any other party objects to the extension.

Joint, Agreed, and Uncontested Motions

Joint, uncontested and agreed motions should be so identified in both the title and body of the motion. Unless the Court has told a party it need not appear, counsel for all parties to which the motion is directed are expected to be present whether or not the motion is opposed. After 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon prior to the hearing date, counsel should check the case docket to determine whether an appearance is necessary.

Other Requirements

Counsel should not respond to motions by correspondence with the Court.

The Court strongly encourages counsel to convert electronic filings created with word-processing software into .pdf documents by printing or publishing to .pdfs, rather than manually scanning paper copies into .pdfs. The former method of conversion generates searchable optical character recognition (OCR) text; the latter does not.

No motions shall be noticed for presentment

 Motions for Extensions of Time

A party seeking an extension of time must contact all other parties in the case to determine whether they object to the extension. Any motion for extension of time must indicate whether it is the first or subsequent extension request, shall include the reasons for the request, any previous relief granted, and whether any other party objects to the extension.

Joint, Agreed, and Uncontested Motions

Joint, uncontested and agreed motions should be so identified in both the title and body of the motion. Unless the Court has told a party it need not appear, counsel for all parties to which the motion is directed are expected to be present whether or not the motion is opposed. After 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon prior to the hearing date, counsel should check the case docket to determine whether an appearance is necessary.

Other Requirements

Counsel should not respond to motions by correspondence with the Court.

The Court strongly encourages counsel to convert electronic filings created with word-processing software into .pdf documents by printing or publishing to .pdfs, rather than manually scanning paper copies into .pdfs. The former method of conversion generates searchable optical character recognition (OCR) text; the latter does not.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all patent cases will be governed by the Local Patent Rules for the Northern District of Illinois.

Local Patent Rules

LPR Appendix A

LPR Appendix B

Estimated Patent Case Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all patent cases will be governed by the Local Patent Rules for the Northern District of Illinois.

Local Patent Rules

LPR Appendix A

LPR Appendix B

Estimated Patent Case Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

Parties are not required to submit proposed orders for routine motions, such as motions for extensions of time, or dispositive motions, such as motions for summary judgment. Proposed orders should not be filed directly onto the docket as stand-alone entries, even if the parties agree on the order. Instead, unless the Court has specifically directed otherwise, a party must file a motion asking the Court to enter the order. Even proposed orders such as stipulated protective orders require the Court’s approval before actually being given full effect and entered. Contemporaneously with filing a motion to enter a proposed order, the movant must e-mail the proposed order to Proposed_Order_Wood@ilnd.uscourts.gov. This will allow the Court to edit the order if necessary. The subject line of the e-mail must include the case number and name, the docket number of the corresponding motion, and the title of the order that is proposed. Attachments should be submitted to the Court in a format compatible with Word, which is a “Save As” option in most word processing software. Proposed orders should also be served on all parties.

Parties are not required to submit proposed orders for routine motions, such as motions for extensions of time, or dispositive motions, such as motions for summary judgment. Proposed orders should not be filed directly onto the docket as stand-alone entries, even if the parties agree on the order. Instead, unless the Court has specifically directed otherwise, a party must file a motion asking the Court to enter the order. Even proposed orders such as stipulated protective orders require the Court’s approval before actually being given full effect and entered. Contemporaneously with filing a motion to enter a proposed order, the movant must e-mail the proposed order to Proposed_Order_Wood@ilnd.uscourts.gov. This will allow the Court to edit the order if necessary. The subject line of the e-mail must include the case number and name, the docket number of the corresponding motion, and the title of the order that is proposed. Attachments should be submitted to the Court in a format compatible with Word, which is a “Save As” option in most word processing software. Proposed orders should also be served on all parties.

Click here for general information regarding Pro Se Litigants. 

 

Individuals who make the serious decision to represent themselves are referred to by the Court as pro se litigants.  If you are a pro se litigant with a case in this district, the District Court Self-Help Assistance Program may be able to provide you with assistance regarding your case. The help desk attorney operates by appointment only. Appointments are made at the Clerk’s Office Intake Desk on the 20th floor or by calling 312-435-5691.

Use of the help desk attorney is not a substitute for having a personal attorney, however.  You should seriously consider trying to obtain professional legal assistance.  Below are lists of organizations that may be able to offer you free or low-cost legal assistance or a referral to an attorney if you can afford to pay for legal services: 

Free or low-cost legal services 

Referral Services

Please also refer to the following links for additional resources and information:

Filing a Civil Case Without An Attorney: A Guide For The Pro Se Litigant 

Local Rule 56.2 - Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment

The following links provide information that may be useful for appointed attorneys:

Title VII and Section 1981: A Guide for Appointed Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois 

The Americans With Disabilities Act An Age Discrimination In Employment Act: A Guide for Appointed Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois 

Click here for general information regarding Pro Se Litigants. 

 

Individuals who make the serious decision to represent themselves are referred to by the Court as pro se litigants.  If you are a pro se litigant with a case in this district, the District Court Self-Help Assistance Program may be able to provide you with assistance regarding your case. The help desk attorney operates by appointment only. Appointments are made at the Clerk’s Office Intake Desk on the 20th floor or by calling 312-435-5691.

Use of the help desk attorney is not a substitute for having a personal attorney, however.  You should seriously consider trying to obtain professional legal assistance.  Below are lists of organizations that may be able to offer you free or low-cost legal assistance or a referral to an attorney if you can afford to pay for legal services: 

Free or low-cost legal services 

Referral Services

Please also refer to the following links for additional resources and information:

Filing a Civil Case Without An Attorney: A Guide For The Pro Se Litigant 

Local Rule 56.2 - Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment

The following links provide information that may be useful for appointed attorneys:

Title VII and Section 1981: A Guide for Appointed Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois 

The Americans With Disabilities Act An Age Discrimination In Employment Act: A Guide for Appointed Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois 

The Court urges parties to undertake settlement negotiations at the earliest practicable point in the litigation. Parties who desire a settlement conference should request one in open court or by telephone call to the Courtroom Deputy. Settlement conferences usually will be referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge.   In the event that the parties seek to have this Court retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement, counsel should review the following Seventh Circuit cases (among other pertinent authorities): Dupuy v. McEwen, 495 F.3d 807 (7th Cir. 2007); Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association v. American Express Co., 467 F.3d 634 (7th Cir. 2006); Shapo v. Engle, 463 F.3d 641 (7th Cir. 2006); and Lynch v. SamataMason Inc., 279 F.3d 487 (7th Cir. 2002). The Court urges parties to undertake settlement negotiations at the earliest practicable point in the litigation. Parties who desire a settlement conference should request one in open court or by telephone call to the Courtroom Deputy. Settlement conferences usually will be referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge.   In the event that the parties seek to have this Court retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement, counsel should review the following Seventh Circuit cases (among other pertinent authorities): Dupuy v. McEwen, 495 F.3d 807 (7th Cir. 2007); Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association v. American Express Co., 467 F.3d 634 (7th Cir. 2006); Shapo v. Engle, 463 F.3d 641 (7th Cir. 2006); and Lynch v. SamataMason Inc., 279 F.3d 487 (7th Cir. 2002).

Motions for summary judgment and responses must comply with Local Rules 56.1(a) and 56.1(b), as well as the procedures outlined herein. All statements of undisputed material facts and their responses shall be filed separately from the memoranda of law and shall include the line, paragraph or page number where the supporting material may be found in the record.   The Local Rules are not mere technicalities.  Failure to abide by the Local Rules may result in the Court striking briefs, disregarding statements of fact, deeming statements of fact admitted and denying summary judgment. See Cracco v. Vitran Exp., Inc., 559 F.3d 625, 632 (7th Cir. 2009).   The movant shall not file more than 80 statements of undisputed material facts without prior leave of the Court. The respondent shall be limited to 40 statements of undisputed material facts without prior leave of the Court.  In complex cases, the Court may request that the parties submit a timeline of events in addition to the statements of undisputed material facts.   If you are representing yourself, please refer to Local Rule 56.2 - Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment. Motions for summary judgment and responses must comply with Local Rules 56.1(a) and 56.1(b), as well as the procedures outlined herein. All statements of undisputed material facts and their responses shall be filed separately from the memoranda of law and shall include the line, paragraph or page number where the supporting material may be found in the record.   The Local Rules are not mere technicalities.  Failure to abide by the Local Rules may result in the Court striking briefs, disregarding statements of fact, deeming statements of fact admitted and denying summary judgment. See Cracco v. Vitran Exp., Inc., 559 F.3d 625, 632 (7th Cir. 2009).   The movant shall not file more than 80 statements of undisputed material facts without prior leave of the Court. The respondent shall be limited to 40 statements of undisputed material facts without prior leave of the Court.  In complex cases, the Court may request that the parties submit a timeline of events in addition to the statements of undisputed material facts.   If you are representing yourself, please refer to Local Rule 56.2 - Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment.

Judge Wood permits out-of-town counsel to appear telephonically for most status hearings and, if no oral argument is to be held, motion hearings with prior approval from the Court and courtesy notice to all parties. Requests to appear by telephone should be e-mailed to the Courtroom Deputy no later than 24 hours prior to the hearing. The e-mail must include the case name and number, the date and time of the hearing, the name of the attorney seeking to appear by telephone, the name of the party he or she represents, and the telephone number where he or she can be reached when the case is called. Judge Wood encourages attorneys appearing telephonically also to have local counsel present in the courtroom. Judge Wood permits out-of-town counsel to appear telephonically for most status hearings and, if no oral argument is to be held, motion hearings with prior approval from the Court and courtesy notice to all parties. Requests to appear by telephone should be e-mailed to the Courtroom Deputy no later than 24 hours prior to the hearing. The e-mail must include the case name and number, the date and time of the hearing, the name of the attorney seeking to appear by telephone, the name of the party he or she represents, and the telephone number where he or she can be reached when the case is called. Judge Wood encourages attorneys appearing telephonically also to have local counsel present in the courtroom.