Procedures verified June 28, 2026
Judge Karyn L. Bass Ehler -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1386, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. All hearings are IN PERSON. If you cannot appear in person, you must email the Courtroom Deputy to request telephonic appearance at least 3 days before the hearing -- missing this window means you must appear in person.
- 2. Do NOT file a notice of motion. The Court controls scheduling; filing a notice may be disregarded.
- 3. Discovery meet and confer requires in-person meeting unless impracticable -- videoconferencing satisfies the requirement but you must explain impracticability in the Rule 37.2 Certificate.
- 4. Motions to compel must attach the actual discovery requests and responses -- not just describe 'categories.' Failure to include them risks summary striking.
- 5. Do not seek overbroad discovery hoping the Court will narrow it. The Court will deny with prejudice rather than tailor an overbroad request.
- 6. No response or reply briefs on discovery motions without leave of Court.
- 7. Social Security briefs capped at 20 pages -- leave of Court required for anything longer.
- 8. Joint, uncontested, and agreed motions must be identified as such in both the title and body of the motion.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Status and motion hearings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise scheduled by the Court. All court hearings are in person. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Initial Status Report] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages per Local Rule 7.1 (district default). No individual judge modification for general civil motions. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Social Security Cases] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Courtesy copies are not required at this time. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | All court hearings are in person. If counsel is unable to appear in person, counsel MUST request to appear by telephone by emailing the Courtroom Deputy at least 3 days prior to the hearing. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Bass Ehler. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face meeting required unless impracticable; videoconferencing satisfies the requirement. Rule 37.2 Certificate must be filed separately with the motion attested to by the attorney. |
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
Status and motion hearings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise scheduled by the Court. All court hearings are in person. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Initial Status Report]
Notice Period
Do not file a notice of motion with any submission. If the Court requests briefing, it will enter a minute order setting the schedule.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages per Local Rule 7.1 (district default). No individual judge modification for general civil motions. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Social Security Cases]
Opposition Limit
15 pages per Local Rule 7.1 (district default).
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
Courtesy copies are not required at this time.
Proposed Orders
Email to Proposed_Order_BassEhler@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion, and title of proposed order. Serve on all other parties.
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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 determine whether a hearing is needed and enter a minute order. Joint, uncontested, and agreed motions must be so identified in the title and body -- no hearing required for those.
Remote Appearances
All court hearings are in person. If counsel is unable to appear in person, counsel MUST request to appear by telephone by emailing the Courtroom Deputy at least 3 days prior to the hearing.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Court strongly prefers email communication with Courtroom Deputy Jose Mejia at jose_mejia@ilnd.uscourts.gov. All counsel must be copied on any communication with the Court. Substantive issues must be raised by motion, not email.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Bass Ehler. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face meeting required unless impracticable; videoconferencing satisfies the requirement. Rule 37.2 Certificate must be filed separately with the motion attested to by the attorney.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 compliance required. Rule 37.2 Certificate must be filed separately, attested to by attorney. Face-to-face meeting required unless impracticable; if impracticable, describe why in the certificate. Videoconferencing satisfies the requirement. Mere exchange of correspondence (emails, texts, instant messaging) insufficient. Motions to compel must identify and attach the specific discovery requests and responses at issue -- not just 'categories.' Motions to compel must argue relevance and proportionality. Court will not tailor overbroad requests. No response or reply briefs on discovery motions without leave of Court. E-discovery impasse: parties must meet and confer with IT representatives in person or by videoconference. FRCP 37(a)(5) fee-shifting applies. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
All settlement correspondence should be sent to Settlement_Correspondence_BassEhler@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Counsel and their clients must read and follow the Standing Order for Settlement Conferences prior to any settlement conference. [Judge Bass Ehler -- Standing Order for Settlement Conferences]
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel, or attorney with substantial familiarity and responsibility for the case, must appear at initial status hearing if set by the Court.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Extensions on Social Security briefing schedules granted only for good cause shown. General continuances not separately specified.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Calendar-first model (Tu/W/Th 10:00 a.m.). In-person appearances mandatory -- 3-day advance request required for telephone appearance. Strong face-to-face meet and confer requirement for discovery with separate LR 37.2 Certificate. Social Security case page limit: 20 pages.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 28, 2026.
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