• Sandra Brooks
  (312) 435-5355
  Room: 1428

• Gary Hicks
• Kate O'Loughlin
• Michael Wells

• For transcript orders please contact Brooke Wilson at (312) 435-5885

• Motion calls on Wednesdays at 9:30a.m.
• Motions must be filed at least 3 business days prior to the date of presentment.
• Status calls on Wednesdays

• First status hearing within 30 days after all defendants have appeared to set dates for clients’ face-to-face conference and trial schedule
• Discovery begins
• Rule 26(a)(1) initial disclosures
• Clients’ face-to-face conference on settlement, transfer to USMJ, and Rule 26(f) report
• Report of settlement conference, consent regarding transfer to USMJ, or Rule 26(f) report submission
• Summary judgment motion practice and ruling date
• Proposed Final Pretrial Order
• Trial

The Court mandates face-to-face settlement conferences between parties in civil cases. At the initial status hearing, the Court orders counsel to schedule and facilitate a face-to-face conference between their respective clients. A status hearing will be scheduled for a date approximately one month after the parties’ initial status hearing for counsel to (1) report on settlement and, if settlement was not achieved, (2) report whether the parties unanimously agree to transfer the case to the assigned USMJ and, if not, (3) submit (but not file) a Rule 26(f) report. The parties are directed to make their initial disclosures pursuant to Rule 26(a)(1) no later than 7 days before the date scheduled for the settlement conference.

• Where a party is not an individual, the conference shall be attended by a representative with unlimited authority to settle without consultation with anyone.
• A meeting between counsel or client teleconference does not satisfy the absolute requirement that clients confer face-to-face. Counsel may not defer the face-to-face settlement conference without Court approval.
• Counsel are to report settlement immediately to the Courtroom Deputy.
• If all parties agree, counsel shall electronically file their unanimous consent to transfer the case to the assigned USMJ for all purposes, including trial and entry of final judgment. This Court will then vacate the trial date and all pretrial deadlines. Consent forms are available on the Northern District of Illinois’s website.

TRIAL SCHEDULE IS FIRM

• A major cause of court delay and congestion is counsel’s failure to immediately and aggressively pursue discovery. The Court does not grant extensions except for serious family emergencies or the like.

• The pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not stay discovery.
  
• Motions to compel are encouraged. The Court will not accommodate parties who fail to complete discovery because they were lulled into complacency by their opponent’s unmet promises.

• “Discovery” includes all expert discovery. Plaintiff(s) must disclose experts, if any, not later than 35 days before the close of discovery. Defendant(s) must disclose experts, if any, not later than 20 days before the close of discovery. Expert depositions must be concluded by the close of discovery.


• Pre-Close of Discovery Status Hearing: The Court will schedule a status hearing to take place approximately one month before the scheduled close of discovery to ensure the parties are moving apace.


• Close of Discovery Status Hearing: The Court will schedule a status hearing to take place on the scheduled close of discovery.


• Summary Judgment Motions: On a date set by the Court, the parties are to file and serve summary judgments motions, if any, and supporting memoranda. Responses are generally due 14 days after the filing of any summary judgment motions. Replies are generally due 7 days after the responses are due. 30 days after summary judgment motions are fully briefed, the parties may expect a ruling in open court at 9:30 a.m.


• Proposed Final Pretrial Order: Approximately 10-14 days before the trial date, the parties’ proposed Final Pretrial Order shall be submitted to Chambers. Chambers will review the proposed order and communicate to counsel any necessary revisions. Jury instructions need not be included. Trial briefs must be included.

• Pro se litigants are directed to consult the District Court’s Pro Se Help Desk.

• Proposedorders shall be submitted electronically (not filed) in Word Perfect format and served on all parties.

• Proposed orders must be attached to an e-mail sent to Proposed_Order_Lindberg@ilnd.uscourts.gov. The subject line of the e-mail should include the case number and name, docket number of the corresponding motion, if any, and the title of the proposed order as it appears on the Notice of Electronic Filing.

• All matters must be presented to the Court by motion. Correspondence to the Judge from counsel or litigants concerning a pending case is not permitted.
• All motions must be electronically filed 3 business days prior to the date the motion is to be presented in open court.
• Motions are heard on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
• Joint, uncontested, and agreed motions shall be so identified to expedite their disposition.
• The 15-page limitation on all memoranda is strictly enforced. Motions to exceed that limit are looked upon with disfavor.
• When citing unreported cases or other unpublished materials available on an electronic database, citations shall be to Westlaw.
• When an unpublished opinion is cited in a memorandum, a copy of the opinion shall be attached to the memorandum.
• Motions in limine must be electronically filed on the date that the proposed Final Pretrial Order is submitted.
• Courtesy copies should only be provided for paper filings (not electronically-filed documents). Courtesy copies must be deposited in the mailboxes designated for courtesy copies in the Clerk’s Office. Courtesy copies will not be accepted in Chambers or by the Courtroom Deputy.