Courtesy copies are not required unless ordered by the Court. If requested, the following requirements apply:

Delivery: Courtesy copies should be delivered to the drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy Carolyn Hoesly’s office (Room 1428). Do not bring them to chambers, as they will not be accepted and a delivery signature will not be available.

Format: Courtesy copies should always be (1) printed from ECF after electronic filing so that the copies include the ECF header; (2) printed double sided (on both sides of the paper) whenever possible; and (3) stapled (if possible) with all exhibits tabbed, unless the size of the document requires them to organized in a three-ring binder or spiral bound.

Digital Media Exhibits: All audio and video exhibits should be filed electronically in accordance with the Clerk’s Office’s process for Digital Media Exhibit Submission, which can be found here. No CDs or USB drives should be sent to chambers unless expressly requested by the Court. Instead, parties should include a printout of the CM/ECF docket entry for the digital media exhibit in place of the exhibit in their courtesy copies.

Courtesy copies are not required unless ordered by the Court. If requested, the following requirements apply:

Delivery: Courtesy copies should be delivered to the drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy Carolyn Hoesly’s office (Room 1428). Do not bring them to chambers, as they will not be accepted and a delivery signature will not be available.

Format: Courtesy copies should always be (1) printed from ECF after electronic filing so that the copies include the ECF header; (2) printed double sided (on both sides of the paper) whenever possible; and (3) stapled (if possible) with all exhibits tabbed, unless the size of the document requires them to organized in a three-ring binder or spiral bound.

Digital Media Exhibits: All audio and video exhibits should be filed electronically in accordance with the Clerk’s Office’s process for Digital Media Exhibit Submission, which can be found here. No CDs or USB drives should be sent to chambers unless expressly requested by the Court. Instead, parties should include a printout of the CM/ECF docket entry for the digital media exhibit in place of the exhibit in their courtesy copies.

Schedule

Civil motions will be heard on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Criminal motions will be heard on Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

ALL motions (except motions for pro hac vice admission) must be accompanied by (i.e., filed contemporaneously with) a notice of presentment specifying the date and time on which the motion will be presented in-person before Judge Hunt, unless otherwise ordered.  If the Court has already set a briefing schedule on an anticipated motion, then the movant need not notice the motion for presentment.

ALL motions must be filed no later than the third business day (excluding federal holidays and weekends) before the motion is to be presented. For example, absent a holiday, (1) a motion filed on a Monday may be noticed for the upcoming Thursday; and (2) a motion filed on a Thursday may be noticed for the following Tuesday.

The notice of motion must be filed separately on the docket in order for the hearing to appear on the court calendar.  Do not attach the notice as an exhibit to the motion.

Please review Judge Hunt’s main webpage for all dates on which she will not be available to hear motions.

The Court will enter an order at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date if no appearance is necessary or the hearing will proceed telephonically. Otherwise, the parties should expect to appear in-person for scheduled hearings.

Motions that are untimely or not accompanied by the required notice of presentment may be stricken.

Meet and Confer Requirement

Before filing a motion, movant’s counsel must ask opposing counsel whether there is an objection to the motion. Each motion must state in both the title and the body of the motion whether it is agreed, uncontested, or opposed. For opposed motions, the movant must confer with the opposing party prior to filing and include an agreed proposed briefing schedule in the motion.  

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 request. Any motion for extension of time must indicate whether it is the first or subsequent extension request and include detailed reasons for the current request, disclose any previous relief granted, and state whether any other party objects to the extension. Please do not call chambers or the courtroom deputy to request an extension of time.   

Memoranda of Law

Memoranda of law must comply with Local Rule 5.2 and Local Rule 7.1. The Court prefers Westlaw citations to unpublished opinions. Only copies of cited authorities that are not available on Westlaw or Lexis should be attached.

Citations of Supplemental Authority

Parties wishing to cite supplemental authority after briefing of a motion is closed must file a motion seeking leave to do so. Any such motion shall be limited to the case title, its assigned number, the court, date of decision, the published citation or a slip copy, and a brief indication of the issue to which the movant believes the case pertains.  No argument about the significance of the decision or its interpretation may be made and no responsive comment is allowed unless requested by the Court.

Motions to Strike

Motions to strike are strongly disfavored.  See generally Custom Vehicles, Inc. v. Forest River, Inc., 464 F.3d 725, 727 (7th Cir. 2006).  They serve primarily as unauthorized vehicles for parties to expand the page limits for memoranda in support of their motions.  Motions to strike almost always would require the Court to decide significant issues (and, indeed, the underlying motion) on the merits and would multiply the briefs (because the other side should be allowed to respond). Id. at 727. 

The Court is capable of discerning if a reply brief raises a new argument, or if a litigant has failed to comply with the summary judgment requirements.  Such errors do not usually require supplemental motion practice. 

Motions to strike that are not within the limited boundaries established by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(f) may be summarily denied.

Schedule

Civil motions will be heard on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Criminal motions will be heard on Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

ALL motions (except motions for pro hac vice admission) must be accompanied by (i.e., filed contemporaneously with) a notice of presentment specifying the date and time on which the motion will be presented in-person before Judge Hunt, unless otherwise ordered.  If the Court has already set a briefing schedule on an anticipated motion, then the movant need not notice the motion for presentment.

ALL motions must be filed no later than the third business day (excluding federal holidays and weekends) before the motion is to be presented. For example, absent a holiday, (1) a motion filed on a Monday may be noticed for the upcoming Thursday; and (2) a motion filed on a Thursday may be noticed for the following Tuesday.

The notice of motion must be filed separately on the docket in order for the hearing to appear on the court calendar.  Do not attach the notice as an exhibit to the motion.

Please review Judge Hunt’s main webpage for all dates on which she will not be available to hear motions.

The Court will enter an order at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date if no appearance is necessary or the hearing will proceed telephonically. Otherwise, the parties should expect to appear in-person for scheduled hearings.

Motions that are untimely or not accompanied by the required notice of presentment may be stricken.

Meet and Confer Requirement

Before filing a motion, movant’s counsel must ask opposing counsel whether there is an objection to the motion. Each motion must state in both the title and the body of the motion whether it is agreed, uncontested, or opposed. For opposed motions, the movant must confer with the opposing party prior to filing and include an agreed proposed briefing schedule in the motion.  

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 request. Any motion for extension of time must indicate whether it is the first or subsequent extension request and include detailed reasons for the current request, disclose any previous relief granted, and state whether any other party objects to the extension. Please do not call chambers or the courtroom deputy to request an extension of time.   

Memoranda of Law

Memoranda of law must comply with Local Rule 5.2 and Local Rule 7.1. The Court prefers Westlaw citations to unpublished opinions. Only copies of cited authorities that are not available on Westlaw or Lexis should be attached.

Citations of Supplemental Authority

Parties wishing to cite supplemental authority after briefing of a motion is closed must file a motion seeking leave to do so. Any such motion shall be limited to the case title, its assigned number, the court, date of decision, the published citation or a slip copy, and a brief indication of the issue to which the movant believes the case pertains.  No argument about the significance of the decision or its interpretation may be made and no responsive comment is allowed unless requested by the Court.

Motions to Strike

Motions to strike are strongly disfavored.  See generally Custom Vehicles, Inc. v. Forest River, Inc., 464 F.3d 725, 727 (7th Cir. 2006).  They serve primarily as unauthorized vehicles for parties to expand the page limits for memoranda in support of their motions.  Motions to strike almost always would require the Court to decide significant issues (and, indeed, the underlying motion) on the merits and would multiply the briefs (because the other side should be allowed to respond). Id. at 727. 

The Court is capable of discerning if a reply brief raises a new argument, or if a litigant has failed to comply with the summary judgment requirements.  Such errors do not usually require supplemental motion practice. 

Motions to strike that are not within the limited boundaries established by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(f) may be summarily denied.

Newly Filed Cases

For all new cases assigned to Judge Hunt, the Court will enter a case management order setting a telephone status hearing approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint (cases removed from state court may be set for hearing sooner) and a deadline for filing an initial status report.  If the defendant has been served and appeared, the parties must jointly file the report using the following template: Initial Status Report for New Case. No report is required if the plaintiff has moved for default.  If the defendant has not yet been served, plaintiff must file a status report indicating what steps have been taken to effectuate service on each defendant and describe any relevant communications with defendants.

Reassigned Cases

For all pending cases that are assigned to Judge Hunt from the calendar of another judge, the Court will enter an appropriate case management order. All previously set status and motion hearing dates are stricken; however, all previously set discovery deadlines, joint status report deadlines, and briefing schedules remain intact. If the Court requires a joint status report to be filed for a reassigned case, unless otherwise ordered, the parties must use the following template: Initial Status Report for Reassigned Case.

Newly Filed Cases

For all new cases assigned to Judge Hunt, the Court will enter a case management order setting a telephone status hearing approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint (cases removed from state court may be set for hearing sooner) and a deadline for filing an initial status report.  If the defendant has been served and appeared, the parties must jointly file the report using the following template: Initial Status Report for New Case. No report is required if the plaintiff has moved for default.  If the defendant has not yet been served, plaintiff must file a status report indicating what steps have been taken to effectuate service on each defendant and describe any relevant communications with defendants.

Reassigned Cases

For all pending cases that are assigned to Judge Hunt from the calendar of another judge, the Court will enter an appropriate case management order. All previously set status and motion hearing dates are stricken; however, all previously set discovery deadlines, joint status report deadlines, and briefing schedules remain intact. If the Court requires a joint status report to be filed for a reassigned case, unless otherwise ordered, the parties must use the following template: Initial Status Report for Reassigned Case.

Settlement Conferences: Upon request of all parties, the Court will refer the case to the assigned magistrate judge for a settlement conference. Parties who desire a settlement conference with the magistrate judge may request one in open court or by contacting the assigned courtroom deputy.  If Judge Hunt conducts the settlement conference, the parties will be required to convene in the courtroom with individual clients (and principals of institutional clients) present in person.

Settlement Dismissal Orders: Before submitting a stipulation of dismissal, counsel should review Seventh Circuit case law regarding the retention of federal jurisdiction to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement. In general, Seventh Circuit decisions hold that dismissals “with prejudice” leave the Court without jurisdiction to enforce a settlement agreement. Accordingly, in most cases, the parties would be well advised to request an order that either (a) provides for dismissal with prejudice if the settlement terms have already been fulfilled (e.g., payment has been made), but make no reference to retention of jurisdiction; or (b) provides for the case to be “dismissed without prejudice with leave to reinstate on or before [date far enough in the future to fulfill all settlement terms]. Thereafter, the case shall be deemed, without further order of the Court, to be dismissed with prejudice.”

Settlement Conferences: Upon request of all parties, the Court will refer the case to the assigned magistrate judge for a settlement conference. Parties who desire a settlement conference with the magistrate judge may request one in open court or by contacting the assigned courtroom deputy.  If Judge Hunt conducts the settlement conference, the parties will be required to convene in the courtroom with individual clients (and principals of institutional clients) present in person.

Settlement Dismissal Orders: Before submitting a stipulation of dismissal, counsel should review Seventh Circuit case law regarding the retention of federal jurisdiction to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement. In general, Seventh Circuit decisions hold that dismissals “with prejudice” leave the Court without jurisdiction to enforce a settlement agreement. Accordingly, in most cases, the parties would be well advised to request an order that either (a) provides for dismissal with prejudice if the settlement terms have already been fulfilled (e.g., payment has been made), but make no reference to retention of jurisdiction; or (b) provides for the case to be “dismissed without prejudice with leave to reinstate on or before [date far enough in the future to fulfill all settlement terms]. Thereafter, the case shall be deemed, without further order of the Court, to be dismissed with prejudice.”

Motions for Summary Judgment

Motions for summary judgment and responses must comply with with Local Rules 56.1(a) and 56.1(b), as well as the procedures outlined here.

The Local Rules are not mere technicalities. The Court expects strict compliance.  Failure to do so may result in the Court striking briefs, disregarding statements of fact, deeming statements of fact admitted, and granting or denying summary judgment.

Absent prior leave of court, the movant must not file more than 80 statements of undisputed material facts and the respondent shall be limited to 40 statements of undisputed material facts. In complex cases, the Court may request that the parties submit a timeline of events in addition to statements of undisputed material facts.

All statements of undisputed material facts and their responses shall be filed separately from the memoranda of law and must include the line, paragraph, or page number where the supporting material may be found in the record.

Courtesy copies of exhibits to summary judgment motions and responses, if requested, must be organized in three-ring binders or spiral bound, with a table of contents and labeled tabs.

Motions to strike are generally disfavored. If a party contends that another party has included inadmissible evidence, improper argument, or other objectionable material in a Local Rule 56.1 submission, a request for the Court to disregard such material should be raised in the party’s response or reply brief, not a separate motion to strike.

Deposition Testimony Evidence

Parties submitting deposition testimony are to provide a cover sheet to the deposition stating (a) the name of the witness, (b) the date of the deposition, and (c) the deponent’s title and/or role in, or relationship to, the pending litigation (e.g., “John Doe, plaintiff's human resources manager” or “Jane Doe, plaintiff's union representative”). Parties should not simply file the entire transcript of the deposition testimony submitted in support of their respective positions, but instead should provide only the relevant excerpted portions referenced in the party's motion papers, preferably in the condensed transcript format where multiple deposition transcript pages are reduced to one page. Copies of deposition exhibits should not be attached unless specifically referenced in the motion papers.

Motions for Summary Judgment

Motions for summary judgment and responses must comply with with Local Rules 56.1(a) and 56.1(b), as well as the procedures outlined here.

The Local Rules are not mere technicalities. The Court expects strict compliance.  Failure to do so may result in the Court striking briefs, disregarding statements of fact, deeming statements of fact admitted, and granting or denying summary judgment.

Absent prior leave of court, the movant must not file more than 80 statements of undisputed material facts and the respondent shall be limited to 40 statements of undisputed material facts. In complex cases, the Court may request that the parties submit a timeline of events in addition to statements of undisputed material facts.

All statements of undisputed material facts and their responses shall be filed separately from the memoranda of law and must include the line, paragraph, or page number where the supporting material may be found in the record.

Courtesy copies of exhibits to summary judgment motions and responses, if requested, must be organized in three-ring binders or spiral bound, with a table of contents and labeled tabs.

Motions to strike are generally disfavored. If a party contends that another party has included inadmissible evidence, improper argument, or other objectionable material in a Local Rule 56.1 submission, a request for the Court to disregard such material should be raised in the party’s response or reply brief, not a separate motion to strike.

Deposition Testimony Evidence

Parties submitting deposition testimony are to provide a cover sheet to the deposition stating (a) the name of the witness, (b) the date of the deposition, and (c) the deponent’s title and/or role in, or relationship to, the pending litigation (e.g., “John Doe, plaintiff's human resources manager” or “Jane Doe, plaintiff's union representative”). Parties should not simply file the entire transcript of the deposition testimony submitted in support of their respective positions, but instead should provide only the relevant excerpted portions referenced in the party's motion papers, preferably in the condensed transcript format where multiple deposition transcript pages are reduced to one page. Copies of deposition exhibits should not be attached unless specifically referenced in the motion papers.

Transcripts may be ordered through the Court’s online Transcript Order Form.  Please contact Judge Hunt’s official court reporter, Charles “Chip” Zandi, at charles_zandi@ilnd.uscourts.gov or (312) 435-5547 to (a) obtain pre-approval of any request for delivery under the ordinary 30 days; and (b) at least 7 days in advance to schedule daily copy and/or real-time feed transcripts of a trial or other hearing that may reasonably be expected to last more than one day.

Transcripts may be ordered through the Court’s online Transcript Order Form.  Please contact Judge Hunt’s official court reporter, Charles “Chip” Zandi, at charles_zandi@ilnd.uscourts.gov or (312) 435-5547 to (a) obtain pre-approval of any request for delivery under the ordinary 30 days; and (b) at least 7 days in advance to schedule daily copy and/or real-time feed transcripts of a trial or other hearing that may reasonably be expected to last more than one day.

Plaintiffs in counterfeit product cases may be required to file a memorandum discussing the propriety of joinder under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20(a)(2) if it appears that the Schedule A defendants are too numerous or unconnected. In lieu of filing a joinder memorandum, Plaintiffs may elect to file an Amended Schedule A that reduces the number of defendants.

Plaintiffs should use the template proposed orders linked below to assist the Court in reviewing motions for: (1) temporary restraining orders; (2) preliminary injunctions; and (3) default judgments. Plaintiffs should create a redline of their proposed order against the relevant template and send both a clean and redline copy to Proposed_Order_Hunt@ilnd.uscourts.gov. A proposed order's conformity with the template does not imply that the associated motion will be granted.  Plaintiffs should be prepared to explain any differences between their proposed order and the template.

Temporary Restraining Order Template

Preliminary Injunction Template

Default Judgment Template

Plaintiffs in counterfeit product cases may be required to file a memorandum discussing the propriety of joinder under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20(a)(2) if it appears that the Schedule A defendants are too numerous or unconnected. In lieu of filing a joinder memorandum, Plaintiffs may elect to file an Amended Schedule A that reduces the number of defendants.

Plaintiffs should use the template proposed orders linked below to assist the Court in reviewing motions for: (1) temporary restraining orders; (2) preliminary injunctions; and (3) default judgments. Plaintiffs should create a redline of their proposed order against the relevant template and send both a clean and redline copy to Proposed_Order_Hunt@ilnd.uscourts.gov. A proposed order's conformity with the template does not imply that the associated motion will be granted.  Plaintiffs should be prepared to explain any differences between their proposed order and the template.

Temporary Restraining Order Template

Preliminary Injunction Template

Default Judgment Template

All arraignments/bond/detention hearings will be conducted before the designated magistrate judge at which time the following schedule will be entered:

Rule 16.1 Conference: Within 7 calendar days after arraignment.

Initial Status Hearing: Within 30 calendar days after arraignment on Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Hunt.

Pretrial Motion Schedule: Set at the initial status hearing.

Changes of Plea: Counsel must contact the courtroom deputy (via email and telephone) at least one week in advance of a change of plea hearing if the plea is not going forward.  In addition, a draft copy of the proposed plea agreement must be emailed to the courtroom deputy at least three business days prior to the hearing.

Sentencing: Counsel must contact the courtroom deputy (via email and telephone) at least one week in advance of the hearing date if the sentencing needs to be rescheduled.

Early Termination of Supervised Release: Any motion filed seeking early termination of supervised release must state whether the United States Attorney objects and whether the Probation Office agrees with the motion.

ALL motions, including agreed motions, must be timely noticed and accompanied by the required notice of presentment. Counsel should review the “Motion Practices” tab for more information.

All arraignments/bond/detention hearings will be conducted before the designated magistrate judge at which time the following schedule will be entered:

Rule 16.1 Conference: Within 7 calendar days after arraignment.

Initial Status Hearing: Within 30 calendar days after arraignment on Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Hunt.

Pretrial Motion Schedule: Set at the initial status hearing.

Changes of Plea: Counsel must contact the courtroom deputy (via email and telephone) at least one week in advance of a change of plea hearing if the plea is not going forward.  In addition, a draft copy of the proposed plea agreement must be emailed to the courtroom deputy at least three business days prior to the hearing.

Sentencing: Counsel must contact the courtroom deputy (via email and telephone) at least one week in advance of the hearing date if the sentencing needs to be rescheduled.

Early Termination of Supervised Release: Any motion filed seeking early termination of supervised release must state whether the United States Attorney objects and whether the Probation Office agrees with the motion.

ALL motions, including agreed motions, must be timely noticed and accompanied by the required notice of presentment. Counsel should review the “Motion Practices” tab for more information.

Judge Hunt follows the Local Patent Rules for the Northern District of Illinois in all patent cases, unless otherwise ordered.

Local Patent Rules

Local Patent Rules Appendix A

Local Patent Rules Appendix B

Estimated Patent Case Schedule

Judge Hunt follows the Local Patent Rules for the Northern District of Illinois in all patent cases, unless otherwise ordered.

Local Patent Rules

Local Patent Rules Appendix A

Local Patent Rules Appendix B

Estimated Patent Case Schedule

On the morning of jury selection, prior to entering the courtroom, the venire will be given a written questionnaire with questions proposed by the parties and approved by the Court. Sample questionnaires are included in the attached documents below. These are examples only and will require revision for each particular case. In general, parties' submissions should not include more than two pages of questions. The parties will be given copies of the jurors' written answers.

A typical juror questionnaire is linked below:

Sample Civil Questionnaire 1

Sample Civil Questionnaire 2

The parties will also be given a copy of the list of potential jurors that is generated by the Clerk's Office in random order. The entire venire will then enter the courtroom in that order, with the first twelve jurors seated in the jury box, and the remaining prospective jurors seated in the gallery. The venire will be sworn after some introductory remarks by the judge. The Court will question each prospective juror about their answers to the questionnaire. Once all questions have been asked of the first twelve jurors, the judge will consult with the parties at sidebar as to additional follow-up questions and will complete questioning of that group. Jurors will be given the opportunity to answer sensitive questions at sidebar if they wish. Challenges for cause will be heard at sidebar.

The remaining jurors, after the first twelve, will be questioned in the same manner. After the entire venire has been questioned and all challenges for cause have been resolved, the parties will submit peremptory challenges in writing simultaneously. Each side will have three peremptory challenges, and multiple defendants or plaintiffs will be considered a single side for purposes of making challenges. If the parties challenge the same juror, both sides will be charged for that challenge. Once peremptory challenges have been submitted, the challenged prospective jurors will be excused. The jury will usually consist of eight jurors, subject to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 48(a). There are no alternate jurors. All jurors seated will be allowed to deliberate.

On the morning of jury selection, prior to entering the courtroom, the venire will be given a written questionnaire with questions proposed by the parties and approved by the Court. Sample questionnaires are included in the attached documents below. These are examples only and will require revision for each particular case. In general, parties' submissions should not include more than two pages of questions. The parties will be given copies of the jurors' written answers.

A typical juror questionnaire is linked below:

Sample Civil Questionnaire 1

Sample Civil Questionnaire 2

The parties will also be given a copy of the list of potential jurors that is generated by the Clerk's Office in random order. The entire venire will then enter the courtroom in that order, with the first twelve jurors seated in the jury box, and the remaining prospective jurors seated in the gallery. The venire will be sworn after some introductory remarks by the judge. The Court will question each prospective juror about their answers to the questionnaire. Once all questions have been asked of the first twelve jurors, the judge will consult with the parties at sidebar as to additional follow-up questions and will complete questioning of that group. Jurors will be given the opportunity to answer sensitive questions at sidebar if they wish. Challenges for cause will be heard at sidebar.

The remaining jurors, after the first twelve, will be questioned in the same manner. After the entire venire has been questioned and all challenges for cause have been resolved, the parties will submit peremptory challenges in writing simultaneously. Each side will have three peremptory challenges, and multiple defendants or plaintiffs will be considered a single side for purposes of making challenges. If the parties challenge the same juror, both sides will be charged for that challenge. Once peremptory challenges have been submitted, the challenged prospective jurors will be excused. The jury will usually consist of eight jurors, subject to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 48(a). There are no alternate jurors. All jurors seated will be allowed to deliberate.

A typical trial day will begin around 9:30 a.m. and end around 4:30 p.m. with about an hour for a lunch break. Trial counsel must be present by 9:00 a.m. to discuss any preliminary matters. The Court will provide as much advance notice as possible of any changes to this schedule.

Please be on time for each court session. Trial engagements take precedence over any other business. If you have matters in other courtrooms, arrange in advance to have them continued or have a colleague handle them for you.

Court time may not be used for marking exhibits. This must be done in advance of the trial.

Please stand whenever you address the Court and when you question witnesses unless you are physically unable to do so. This includes the making of objections.
Please speak into the microphone whenever speaking on the record in court. A portable microphone is available if counsel wishes to move away from the stationary microphones.

In your opening statement to the jury, do not argue the case. Confine yourself to a concise summary of the important facts.

If on direct examination you intend to question a witness about a group of documents, avoid delay by having all the documents available in a witness binder when you start the examination.

When you object in the presence of the jury, make your objection short and to the point. Do not argue the objection or with the ruling of the Court in the presence of the jury.  Such matters may be raised at the first recess and will not be waived by waiting until then.

Do not ask the Court in the presence of the jury to declare that a witness is qualified as an expert or qualified to express an expert opinion.

To minimize the need for side bars, counsel should raise all anticipated issues before the trial day begins, during breaks, or at the close of the day when the jury is not in the courtroom.  To the extent possible, any legal matters or evidentiary issues that may arise during the course of a trial and have not been the subject of a motion in limine or pretrial motion should be called to the Court’s attention and discussed between counsel as early as possible but no later than the night before the witness or exhibit is to be offered.

Counsel are in charge of their own exhibits. Large exhibits may be stored in the cloakroom overnight.   

Cell phones must be turned off while court is in session.

Before closing arguments, the parties must provide a hard copy of all the admitted exhibits for the jury to review during deliberations.  The Court further reminds counsel of the need to prepare digital versions of exhibits that are compatible with the Court’s JERS system.

After the conclusion of any civil or criminal trial, no party, agent or attorney is permitted to contact jurors without first receiving permission of the Court.

A typical trial day will begin around 9:30 a.m. and end around 4:30 p.m. with about an hour for a lunch break. Trial counsel must be present by 9:00 a.m. to discuss any preliminary matters. The Court will provide as much advance notice as possible of any changes to this schedule.

Please be on time for each court session. Trial engagements take precedence over any other business. If you have matters in other courtrooms, arrange in advance to have them continued or have a colleague handle them for you.

Court time may not be used for marking exhibits. This must be done in advance of the trial.

Please stand whenever you address the Court and when you question witnesses unless you are physically unable to do so. This includes the making of objections.
Please speak into the microphone whenever speaking on the record in court. A portable microphone is available if counsel wishes to move away from the stationary microphones.

In your opening statement to the jury, do not argue the case. Confine yourself to a concise summary of the important facts.

If on direct examination you intend to question a witness about a group of documents, avoid delay by having all the documents available in a witness binder when you start the examination.

When you object in the presence of the jury, make your objection short and to the point. Do not argue the objection or with the ruling of the Court in the presence of the jury.  Such matters may be raised at the first recess and will not be waived by waiting until then.

Do not ask the Court in the presence of the jury to declare that a witness is qualified as an expert or qualified to express an expert opinion.

To minimize the need for side bars, counsel should raise all anticipated issues before the trial day begins, during breaks, or at the close of the day when the jury is not in the courtroom.  To the extent possible, any legal matters or evidentiary issues that may arise during the course of a trial and have not been the subject of a motion in limine or pretrial motion should be called to the Court’s attention and discussed between counsel as early as possible but no later than the night before the witness or exhibit is to be offered.

Counsel are in charge of their own exhibits. Large exhibits may be stored in the cloakroom overnight.   

Cell phones must be turned off while court is in session.

Before closing arguments, the parties must provide a hard copy of all the admitted exhibits for the jury to review during deliberations.  The Court further reminds counsel of the need to prepare digital versions of exhibits that are compatible with the Court’s JERS system.

After the conclusion of any civil or criminal trial, no party, agent or attorney is permitted to contact jurors without first receiving permission of the Court.

The Court's final pretrial order guidelines differ from those in Local Rule 16.1. The parties must consult and comply with Judge Hunt's requirements found at the link below. 

Pretrial Procedures in Civil Cases

The Court's final pretrial order guidelines differ from those in Local Rule 16.1. The parties must consult and comply with Judge Hunt's requirements found at the link below. 

Pretrial Procedures in Civil Cases

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 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.

Click here for more information about litigating in federal court and other available resources. 

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 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.

Click here for more information about litigating in federal court and other available resources.