Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Elaine E. Bucklo (Senior) -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2243
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. APPEARANCES NOT REQUIRED on presentment date -- it is for tracking purposes only. Moving counsel must actively notify all parties that no appearance is needed. Showing up wastes everyone's time.
- 2. This applies to ALL non-emergency motions including dispositive motions (SJ, MTD). Court will set a briefing schedule on dispositive motions.
- 3. EMERGENCY MOTIONS: Contact Courtroom Deputy Maria Hernandez BEFORE filing -- not after. She will advise how to proceed. Filing first without notice may delay emergency relief.
- 4. No courtesy copies required. Court may ask for copies of exceptionally large briefs but will reach out to counsel if needed.
- 5. Draft proposed orders appreciated for protective orders, TROs, and criminal matters -- email to Proposed_Order_Bucklo@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Not required for routine motions.
- 6. Civil motions: Wed/Thu/Fri at 9:45 a.m. Criminal motions: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri at 10:15 a.m. -- different days from civil schedule.
- 7. Hyperlinks to cases, docket entries, and exhibits strongly encouraged in all filings.
- 8. Under seal: motions required; attorneys should not quote from confidential material in public filings without permission.
- 9. Turnover orders must be noticed at least 14 days after filing; objections due at least 2 days before presentment.
- 10. Trial days are Monday through Thursday only -- no Fridays. Plan trial schedule accordingly.
- 11. Rule 26(f) Planning Report must be filed at least 3 days before scheduling conference.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | NON-EMERGENCY MOTIONS: Court will rule by written order on or before the presentment date. APPEARANCES NOT REQUIRED. The presentment date is for tracking purposes only. Civil motions may be noticed for any Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 9:45 a.m. Criminal motions may be noticed for any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 10:15 a.m. Presentment date must be no fewer than 3 business days after the motion is filed. Moving counsel must notify all parties that the Court will rule by written order and that an appearance on the presentment date is not required. This includes dispositive motions (SJ, MTD) -- no appearance required; Court will set briefing schedule. [Judge Bucklo -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Bucklo -- Memoranda of Law (Briefs)] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Judge Bucklo no longer requires hard copies of electronically filed motions, briefs, or documents to be provided to chambers. Court may... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | No appearance required on presentment date (tracking only). If Court sets a hearing (e.g., emergency), contact Courtroom Deputy for instructions. |
| Discovery | Not separately detailed; follow LR 37.2 and Local Rules. Seventh Circuit Electronic Discovery Program referenced on judge's page. |
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
NON-EMERGENCY MOTIONS: Court will rule by written order on or before the presentment date. APPEARANCES NOT REQUIRED. The presentment date is for tracking purposes only. Civil motions may be noticed for any Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 9:45 a.m. Criminal motions may be noticed for any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 10:15 a.m. Presentment date must be no fewer than 3 business days after the motion is filed. Moving counsel must notify all parties that the Court will rule by written order and that an appearance on the presentment date is not required. This includes dispositive motions (SJ, MTD) -- no appearance required; Court will set briefing schedule. [Judge Bucklo -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
Presentment date must be no fewer than 3 business days after the motion is filed.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Bucklo -- Memoranda of Law (Briefs)]
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
Judge Bucklo no longer requires hard copies of electronically filed motions, briefs, or documents to be provided to chambers. Court may contact counsel to ask for courtesy copies of exceptionally large briefs.
Proposed Orders
Draft orders may be emailed to Proposed_Order_Bucklo@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Court particularly appreciates draft orders on motions for protective orders, temporary restraining orders, and criminal matters. Draft orders on routine motions not required. [Judge Bucklo -- Motion Practice]
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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 rules by written order. No oral argument unless Court sets a hearing. No appearance needed on presentment date.
Remote Appearances
No appearance required on presentment date (tracking only). If Court sets a hearing (e.g., emergency), contact Courtroom Deputy for instructions.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact Courtroom Deputy Maria Hernandez at Maria_G_Hernandez@ilnd.uscourts.gov or (312) 435-7611. Moving counsel must notify all parties that no appearance on the presentment date is required.
Discovery Referral
Not separately detailed; follow LR 37.2 and Local Rules. Seventh Circuit Electronic Discovery Program referenced on judge's page.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
Not separately specified beyond LR 37.2. Follow Local Rules.
Ex Parte Applications
EMERGENCY MOTIONS: counsel must notify Courtroom Deputy Maria Hernandez at Maria_G_Hernandez@ILND.USCOURTS.GOV or (312) 435-7611 BEFORE filing any emergency motion. Deputy will advise how to proceed.
Settlement Notification
Not separately specified; settlement conferences available through assigned Magistrate Judge or by contacting Courtroom Deputy.
Lead Counsel
Moving counsel must attempt to learn whether there is an objection and note whether motion is unopposed.
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 without first obtaining permission. Motion required seeking permission to file under seal.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Not separately specified; contact Courtroom Deputy.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Senior judge. Her standing order explicitly requires that moving counsel notify all parties that no appearance on the presentment date is needed -- the burden is on moving counsel to communicate this. Presentment dates are tracking devices only; the Court rules by written order. No courtesy copies. Emergency motions require Courtroom Deputy contact before filing. Trials run Monday through Thursday only.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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