Procedures verified June 28, 2026
Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert -- 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. Do NOT notice motions for presentment per LR 5.3(b). Once filed, the Court sets the schedule. Noticing a motion risks it being disregarded.
- 2. All electronic filings (except exhibits) MUST be generated by printing to PDF from the original word processing file -- scanned PDFs may ONLY be used for appendix or reference materials not available in PDF format.
- 3. Initial status report must not exceed 5 pages and must be filed 3 business days before the initial status hearing.
- 4. Failure to seriously engage in the LR 37.2 meet and confer process is grounds for DENIAL of the motion -- not just a procedural defect.
- 5. Court often decides discovery motions after oral argument WITHOUT additional briefing. Come to argument fully prepared.
- 6. Summary judgment courtesy copies must reach chambers by NOON the day AFTER CM/ECF filing -- not the day of, and not the next business day.
- 7. Settlement letters must be emailed in PDF format to Settlement_Correspondence_Gilbert@ilnd.uscourts.gov (not just to counsel) -- with the case name and number in the subject line.
- 8. Proposed orders that change previously set schedules require an accompanying motion explaining the relief -- you cannot just email a revised scheduling order.
- 9. Motions for extension or continuance almost never qualify as 'emergencies' -- must inform courtroom deputy BEFORE filing any emergency motion.
- 10. Privilege logs must be detailed enough to assess the privilege: include name/capacity of each person, date, document type, Bates number, nature of privilege, and subject matter description.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil and criminal hearings on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. Status hearings Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Arraignments Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Motions should NOT be noticed for in-person presentment per Local Rule 5.3(b). Once a motion is filed, the Court will enter an order setting the matter for hearing or enter a briefing schedule. [Judge Gilbert -- Standing Order for Initial Status Hearing] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages per Local Rule 7.1 (district default). No individual judge modification for general civil motions. |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Judge Gilbert does not require courtesy copies generally. Exception: Summary judgment -- courtesy copies of the motion, memorandum,... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Anyone wishing to appear telephonically must email the Courtroom Deputy at amanda_scherer@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Use a land line whenever possible; do not use speaker function during court hearings. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Gilbert. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court prefers face-to-face meeting; mere exchange of correspondence will not comply. Failure to seriously engage in meet and confer is grounds for denial of the motion. Court often decides discovery motions after oral argument without briefing. |
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 and criminal hearings on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. Status hearings Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Arraignments Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Motions should NOT be noticed for in-person presentment per Local Rule 5.3(b). Once a motion is filed, the Court will enter an order setting the matter for hearing or enter a briefing schedule. [Judge Gilbert -- Standing Order for Initial Status Hearing]
Notice Period
Not applicable. Do not notice motions for presentment. Parties wishing to propose a briefing schedule may do so by emailing the courtroom deputy.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages per Local Rule 7.1 (district default). No individual judge modification for general civil motions.
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). All electronic filings (except exhibits) must be generated by printing to PDF from the original word processing file so that the text is searchable. PDF images created by scanning paper documents are not searchable and may be used ONLY for appendix or reference materials not available in PDF format. [Judge Gilbert -- Standing Order for Initial Status Hearing]
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Judge Gilbert does not require courtesy copies generally. Exception: Summary judgment -- courtesy copies of the motion, memorandum, depositions, and compendium materials must be delivered to chambers by noon the day after filing on CM/ECF.
Proposed Orders
Email to Proposed_Order_Gilbert@ilnd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect format. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of proposed order. Serve on all other parties. For proposed orders based on any Court template (e.g., confidentiality, HIPAA), submit both a red-lined and clean version. Proposed orders changing schedules previously set by the Court require an accompanying motion explaining the relief and why it should be granted -- unless the Court orders otherwise in a particular case. Generally should not be 'filed' unless a dispute exists concerning entry. [Judge Gilbert -- Submitting a Proposed Order]
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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 often decides discovery motions after oral argument without briefing. For other motions, Court will set hearing or briefing schedule after filing.
Remote Appearances
Anyone wishing to appear telephonically must email the Courtroom Deputy at amanda_scherer@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Use a land line whenever possible; do not use speaker function during court hearings.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Email communication with Courtroom Deputy Amanda Scherer strongly preferred. All counsel must be copied on all emails. Contact: amanda_scherer@ilnd.uscourts.gov. If parties resolve a matter scheduled for hearing, email the courtroom deputy as soon as possible.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Gilbert. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court prefers face-to-face meeting; mere exchange of correspondence will not comply. Failure to seriously engage in meet and confer is grounds for denial of the motion. Court often decides discovery motions after oral argument without briefing.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 compliance required. Any discovery motion must state with specificity when and how the movant complied with LR 37.2. Face-to-face meeting preferred; telephone acceptable; correspondence alone insufficient. Failure to seriously engage in meet and confer is grounds for denial. Court often decides on oral argument without briefing. If opposing party wants to file a written response, counsel must communicate that request to the courtroom deputy. Alternative joint motion procedure available: parties file a single joint motion setting out each issue in a separate section with each party's position and proposed compromise side by side, with disputed discovery requests reproduced in full -- this streamlines resolution and neither party waives fee/cost claims. E-discovery impasse: parties must meet and confer with IT representatives in person or by videoconference before filing. All parties must be fully prepared to argue any discovery motion on the date noticed. [Judge Gilbert -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Settlement letters must be emailed to all counsel AND to the Court at Settlement_Correspondence_Gilbert@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must contain the case name and number. The settlement letter and any exhibits must be attached in PDF format. [Judge Gilbert -- Standing Order for Settlement Conference]
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel, or attorney with substantial familiarity and responsibility for the case, must appear at the initial status hearing and be prepared to discuss all aspects of the case.
Under Seal Filings
No documents may be filed under seal without a prior order specifying the particular document. Motion to File Under Seal must: include a specific description of each document or category; explain why confidentiality is necessary with citations to supporting authority; and discuss the relevance of the information to the litigation. Court generally will not approve filing of entire pleadings or briefs under seal. Alternative options per LR 26.2 available (retain copies in lieu of filing, file redacted copy, provide judge a complete copy for in camera use). [Judge Gilbert -- Confidentiality Orders]
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Motions for extension of time for filing or continuances are highly unlikely to qualify as 'emergencies.' Emergency treatment requires court approval through the courtroom deputy before filing.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model -- Court sets all hearings after filing. No courtesy copies generally, except summary judgment (noon the day after filing). Searchable PDFs required -- scanned documents not acceptable as filings. Unique joint-motion alternative procedure available for discovery disputes. Strong LR 37.2 enforcement -- failure to engage is grounds for denial. Settlement letters must go to the Court by email.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 28, 2026.
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