In the interest of efficiency, Judge Alexakis strongly encourages the parties to engage in a settlement conference with the assigned Magistrate Judge. At any time, the parties may request a referral by contacting the Courtroom Deputy.

Before submitting a proposed order 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 district court without jurisdiction to enforce a settlement agreement. Accordingly, in most cases, the parties would be well-advised to submit a proposed 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.”