Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Robert M. Dow Jr. -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Not separately listed; Chambers: Room 1046, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. CRITICAL OUTLIER: Judge Dow still uses traditional notice-of-motion practice (Tu/W/Th 9:15 a.m.). ALL motions must be noticed to a date certain with 3 business days notice. This is different from virtually all other IL-ND judges who suspended this practice per General Order 21-0027.
- 2. Courtesy copies REQUIRED -- drop box at Room 1914. This includes a courtesy copy of newly filed complaints (unique requirement among these judges).
- 3. SJ exhibit courtesy copies should be tabbed.
- 4. Check docket after 4:00 p.m. the day before motion call. If ruled, no appearance needed. Call Courtroom Deputy to confirm: (312) 435-5668.
- 5. Daubert motions must be filed at least 60 days before trial.
- 6. Default motions: despite FRCP 55, Judge Dow requires ALL default and default judgment motions to be noticed on his calendar.
- 7. Settlement conferences: detailed letter exchange procedure. Demand letter 14 days before; offer letter 7 days before. Parties with settlement authority must attend in person.
- 8. Trial: jury instructions read and verdict form displayed BEFORE opening statements. Instructions must use present-tense framing.
- 9. Deposition disputes: can be scheduled at courthouse attorney/witness room with judge available -- contact Courtroom Deputy.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | CRITICAL OUTLIER: Traditional notice-of-motion practice remains in effect. ALL motions MUST be noticed for a date certain. Motion call: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:15 a.m. 3 business days notice required. Court will endeavor to rule in advance of the presentment date. Parties should check the docket after 4:00 p.m. the day before the motion date; if the court has already ruled, no appearance is necessary. [Judge Dow -- Motion Practice and Memoranda of Law] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Dow -- Motion Practice and Memoranda of Law] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies REQUIRED. Drop box outside Courtroom Deputy's office, Room 1914. Required filings include: all motions (general... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued in the traditional sense. Court endeavors to rule in advance of presentment dates. Check docket after 4:00 p.m. the day before. |
| Remote Appearances | No published individual procedures. Contact Courtroom Deputy to inquire. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephonic conferral required; correspondence 'in most instances will not be sufficient.' E-discovery: must meet and confer with IT representatives in person before filing. Pendency of a motion (even dispositive) does not stay discovery. |
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
CRITICAL OUTLIER: Traditional notice-of-motion practice remains in effect. ALL motions MUST be noticed for a date certain. Motion call: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:15 a.m. 3 business days notice required. Court will endeavor to rule in advance of the presentment date. Parties should check the docket after 4:00 p.m. the day before the motion date; if the court has already ruled, no appearance is necessary. [Judge Dow -- Motion Practice and Memoranda of Law]
Notice Period
3 business days before the scheduled hearing. ALL motions must be noticed to a date certain.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Dow -- Motion Practice and Memoranda of Law]
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
✓ Required
Courtesy copies REQUIRED. Drop box outside Courtroom Deputy's office, Room 1914. Required filings include: all motions (general requirement), newly filed complaints (unique requirement), and SJ motion exhibits (should be tabbed). No letter communications to chambers -- all communications must be motions, briefs, or status reports.
Proposed Orders
Email Word-compatible format to Proposed_Order_Dow@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line: (1) case name/number; (2) docket number; (3) title of order. Serve on all parties. Do NOT file with Clerk of Court. [Judge Dow -- Proposed Orders]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued in the traditional sense. Court endeavors to rule in advance of presentment dates. Check docket after 4:00 p.m. the day before.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Court endeavors to rule in advance. Check docket after 4 p.m. day before. If no ruling, appear at 9:15 a.m.
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures. Contact Courtroom Deputy to inquire.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No communication by letter. All communications must be motions, briefs, or status reports. Call Courtroom Deputy Carolyn Hoesly at (312) 435-5668 to inquire on motion status.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephonic conferral required; correspondence 'in most instances will not be sufficient.' E-discovery: must meet and confer with IT representatives in person before filing. Pendency of a motion (even dispositive) does not stay discovery.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 required. Face-to-face or telephonic (correspondence 'in most instances will not be sufficient'). E-discovery impasse: meet and confer in person with IT representatives before filing motion to compel. Deposition disputes may be scheduled at the courthouse attorney/witness room with the judge available; for out-of-courthouse disputes: contact Courtroom Deputy to arrange a conference call with the judge. [Judge Dow -- Discovery]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Settlement conferences: detailed pre-settlement conference letter exchange procedure. Plaintiff's demand letter due 14 days before conference; defendant's offer letter due 7 days before. Copies to Proposed_Order_Dow@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Parties with full settlement authority must attend in person.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Not separately specified.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
CRITICAL OUTLIER in the Northern District. Traditional notice-of-motion practice NOT suspended. Courtesy copies required (including for complaints). Daubert 60-day pre-trial deadline. Default motions must be noticed on calendar. Pre-trial memorandum due 2 weeks before trial (not 1 week). Proposed orders to Proposed_Order_Dow@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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