Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Jorge L. Alonso -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1903
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Motions MUST be noticed for a date certain or they may be denied for want of prosecution. This is explicit in Judge Alonso's standing order.
- 2. Courtesy copies are REQUIRED for MTD briefs and SJ briefs (but not exhibits). Deliver to Room 1908 within 24 hours of filing, double-sided with CM/ECF header.
- 3. Civil status hearings and noticed motions proceed by telephone -- dial-in info on docket. Criminal motions are in person at 2:00 p.m.
- 4. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer: correspondence 'will normally not be sufficient.' Face-to-face or telephone required.
- 5. Settlement conferences: pre-conference letters mandatory. Plaintiff letter 14 days before; defendant letter 7 days before. People with full settlement authority must attend in person -- insurer rep required if insurer approval needed.
- 6. Motions filed 4:00 p.m. deadline (not midnight) on the third business day before the hearing.
- 7. Hearing dates may not be changed by telephone -- email to Courtroom Deputy by 3:00 p.m. day before required. Second reset requires a motion.
- 8. Do not attach or include exhibits in courtesy copies of MTD or SJ briefs.
- 9. Trial technology training required at least 7 days before trial (digital projection system in courtroom).
- 10. Motions in limine: no reply briefs permitted. Must be filed 3 weeks before final pretrial conference.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions (except emergency) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Criminal motions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. Motions must be noticed for a date certain or they risk denial for want of prosecution. Motions must be filed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the hearing day. Civil status hearings and noticed motions proceed by telephone unless otherwise ordered; dial-in information will be on the docket. [Judge Alonso -- Motions] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced; leave to exceed rarely granted. [Judge Alonso -- Memoranda of Law and Citations] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies required for: (1) motions to dismiss and any briefs (but not exhibits); (2) motions for summary judgment and any briefs and... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Civil status hearings and noticed motions proceed by telephone unless otherwise ordered. Dial-in information posted on docket. Criminal hearings may differ -- consult docket. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephone conferral required; correspondence 'will normally not be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2.' Pendency of a motion (even dispositive) does not stay discovery. No particular sequence of discovery required. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions (except emergency) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Criminal motions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. Motions must be noticed for a date certain or they risk denial for want of prosecution. Motions must be filed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the hearing day. Civil status hearings and noticed motions proceed by telephone unless otherwise ordered; dial-in information will be on the docket. [Judge Alonso -- Motions]
Notice Period
Filed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the day the motion is to be heard.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced; leave to exceed rarely granted. [Judge Alonso -- Memoranda of Law and Citations]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced; leave to exceed rarely granted.
Reply Limit
Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Font & Formatting
Per LR 5.2(e).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy copies required for: (1) motions to dismiss and any briefs (but not exhibits); (2) motions for summary judgment and any briefs and Rule 56.1 statements of fact (but not exhibits). Deliver to Judge Alonso's Courtroom Deputy in Room 1908 within 24 hours of filing. Do not bring courtesy copies to chambers. No envelope required unless filing contains under-seal material. Court prefers copies printed after CM/ECF filing with header stamp. Copies should be double-sided.
Proposed Orders
Email Word format to Proposed_Order_Alonso@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must contain case name and number, docket number of any corresponding motion, and title of proposed order. Proposed orders should not have the word 'proposed' in their titles. Serve on all parties. Do not file on docket. Court will consider, modify, and if appropriate, electronically enter a final order. [Judge Alonso -- Proposed Orders]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. Court rules on papers.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Parties who appear at status or motion hearings must be prepared to argue all motions pending in the case. Civil hearings proceed by telephone; criminal in person unless otherwise ordered.
Remote Appearances
Civil status hearings and noticed motions proceed by telephone unless otherwise ordered. Dial-in information posted on docket. Criminal hearings may differ -- consult docket.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel shall not make or respond to motions by correspondence with the court. Best contact method for Courtroom Deputy Lesley Fairley is email at lesley_fairley@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Hearing dates may not be changed by telephone -- email required, received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day before the hearing. A motion must be filed if hearing date has been reset more than once or if not agreed by all parties.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephone conferral required; correspondence 'will normally not be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2.' Pendency of a motion (even dispositive) does not stay discovery. No particular sequence of discovery required.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 required. Good-faith face-to-face or telephonic meet-and-confer (correspondence normally insufficient). Motion must state with specificity when and how LR 37.2 was satisfied. Court most often rules on discovery motions after oral argument at motion call without briefing; expedited briefing schedule set if needed. Notify court immediately if discovery motion is resolved/withdrawn. [Judge Alonso -- Discovery]
Ex Parte Applications
Emergency matters must be of such a nature that delay would cause serious harm. Contact Courtroom Deputy Lesley Fairley at (312) 435-5849 with as much notice as possible. All reasonable efforts to give actual notice to opposing counsel.
Settlement Notification
Pre-settlement conference letter exchange required. Plaintiff's demand letter due 14 days before; defendant's offer letter due 7 days before. Each party emails copy to Proposed_Order_Alonso@ilnd.uscourts.gov on same day provided to opposing counsel. Do not file with Clerk's Office. Individuals with full and complete authority to settle must attend in person (including corporate representatives and insurer representatives). [Judge Alonso -- Dismissal of Cases Pursuant to Settlement]
Lead Counsel
Not separately specified.
Under Seal Filings
Except in exceptional cases, no pleadings filed under seal. Attorneys should not quote from or disclose material designated confidential in any document to be filed. If absolutely necessary, file a motion seeking permission to file under seal first.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Trial dates and discovery cutoff dates will not be reset except by written motion. Agreed or contested motions to reset normally require a court appearance.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Active calendar-first judge with civil motions on Tue/Wed/Thu at 9:30 a.m. (by telephone) and criminal motions at 2:00 p.m. Key distinguishing features: mandatory courtesy copies for MTD and SJ briefs (but not exhibits), mandatory noticed date or motion risks denial for want of prosecution, and detailed pre-settlement conference letter exchange procedure with full-authority in-person attendance required.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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