Procedures verified June 26, 2026

Judge Marvin E. Aspen (Senior) -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

2568

description Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning

Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

  1. 1. PRESENTMENT SUSPENDED. Do NOT notice motions for presentment. If a hearing is needed, the Court will set a date. Filing a notice of presentment invites confusion.
  2. 2. All civil hearings by telephone conference unless otherwise specified. Dial-in information on docket at least one day before. Do not show up in person without a specific court direction.
  3. 3. No courtesy copies required unless specifically requested by the Court.
  4. 4. No letters to chambers -- all communications must be motions, briefs, or status reports served on opposing counsel.
  5. 5. All requests for extension of time require written motion AND must be noticed for hearing (not simply emailed to Courtroom Deputy).
  6. 6. Bankruptcy appeals briefs due within 15 days of Bankruptcy Court judgment entry. Extensions must be filed within the 15-day period.
  7. 7. Short Civil Trial Calendar: motions filed in Judge Aspen's chambers (Room 2548) for cases assigned to Visiting Judges. Original and copy required. Courtesy copy to designated Visiting Judge.
  8. 8. Senior judge status: docket is smaller; cases may be resolved by telephone more often than typical active judges.

Quick Reference

Topic Rule
Motion Days PRESENTMENT SUSPENDED. Motions should not be noticed for presentment. If a hearing is deemed necessary, the Court will set a date. Motion schedule listed as Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (for case tracking purposes only -- no appearance required unless Court directs). All civil hearings held via telephone conference unless otherwise specified; dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing. [Judge Aspen -- Motion Practice]
Motion Limit 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Aspen -- Motion Practice]
Reply Limit Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Chambers Copies ✗ Not required No courtesy copies required unless specifically requested by the Court.
Tentative Rulings Not issued. Court rules on papers.
Remote Appearances All civil hearings held via telephone conference unless otherwise specified. Dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing.
Discovery Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court encourages parties to work out discovery disputes and discourages filing of discovery motions. Most often ruled on after oral argument at motion call (if called) without briefing. Court will also consider discovery motions at status calls or settlement conferences.

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times
PRESENTMENT SUSPENDED. Motions should not be noticed for presentment. If a hearing is deemed necessary, the Court will set a date. Motion schedule listed as Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (for case tracking purposes only -- no appearance required unless Court directs). All civil hearings held via telephone conference unless otherwise specified; dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing. [Judge Aspen -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
Until further notice, the presentment schedule is suspended. Original must be filed electronically no later than three business days preceding any date set for hearing (if Court sets a date).
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Aspen -- Motion Practice]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1.
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
✗ Not required No courtesy copies required unless specifically requested by the Court.
Proposed Orders
Email Word format to Proposed_Order_Aspen@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of proposed order. Serve on all parties. [Judge Aspen -- Submitting a Proposed Order, Agreed or Otherwise, for Electronic Entry by the Judge]
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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
Court will set a date if hearing is deemed necessary. All civil hearings by telephone unless otherwise specified. No general motion call appearance required.
Remote Appearances
All civil hearings held via telephone conference unless otherwise specified. Dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing.
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Background Rules

Chambers Contact
No communication about a case by letter to Judge Aspen unless specifically authorized. All communications must be in the form of a motion, brief, or status report, served on opposing counsel. All requests for extension of time must be made upon written motion and noticed for hearing.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court encourages parties to work out discovery disputes and discourages filing of discovery motions. Most often ruled on after oral argument at motion call (if called) without briefing. Court will also consider discovery motions at status calls or settlement conferences.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 required. Court will not hear any discovery motion unless parties have complied. Motion must state when and how LR 37.2 was satisfied. Court most often rules after oral argument without briefing; may also address at status call or settlement conference. Failure to comply results in sanctions. [Judge Aspen -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Parties contact Courtroom Deputy to schedule settlement conference date. Both sides must agree. Principals or someone with settlement authority must be present.
Lead Counsel
Not separately specified.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
All requests for extension of time must be made upon written motion and noticed for hearing.
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AI & Style Preferences

AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Senior judge. Presentment practice is suspended -- the Court rules on papers and will set a date if a hearing is necessary. All civil hearings are by telephone conference. No courtesy copies required. No letters to chambers. A more streamlined, low-footprint practice than most active ILND judges.

Sources & Currency

verified Procedures verified June 26, 2026. Verify now →

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