Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Ronald A. Guzman -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1801
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. CRITICAL OUTLIER: Paper courtesy copy required for ALL electronic filings -- not just motions with exhibits. Deliver to Courtroom Deputy Room 1802C. Single-sided only, with CM/ECF header stamp.
- 2. No presentment -- do NOT notice motions for hearing. Court rules within 7 days or sets briefing schedule.
- 3. Non-dispositive motions: non-moving party may file a short position statement within 5 days. Moving party should confer with opposing counsel before filing and note in the introduction whether it is agreed or expected to be opposed.
- 4. All hearings are IN PERSON unless prior telephone authorization obtained.
- 5. Proposed orders: DO NOT submit to judge's email unless specifically directed by the court. This is the opposite of most ILND judges.
- 6. Cross-motions for SJ: specific staggered briefing schedule applies (3-week intervals). Failure to coordinate may result in motions being stricken.
- 7. Deposition testimony for SJ: entire transcript plus all deposition exhibits must be filed (condensed format preferred).
- 8. Motions for extension of time: must ask opposing counsel first, and note in the motion body whether there is an objection.
- 9. Counterfeit product cases (Schedule A): use form proposed TRO/PI/default judgment orders from judge's webpage; submit redline comparison alongside proposed order.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No presentment. Until further notice, litigants should not notice motions for presentment unless directed by the Court. File motion on the docket; within 7 days, the Court will issue an order either ruling or setting further briefing. Dispositive motions will likely receive a briefing schedule. Non-dispositive motions: non-moving party may file a short position statement (agreed/opposed or request for briefing) within 5 days. NOTE: Motion schedule still reflects Tu/W/Th hearings for status hearings at 10:30 a.m. (civil) and 10:00 a.m. (criminal) when scheduled by the court. [Judge Guzman -- Individual Procedures] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [N.D. Ill. Local Rule 7.1] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required CRITICAL OUTLIER: ALL electronic filings must include a paper courtesy copy to Judge Guzman's Courtroom Deputy -- Room 1802C. This applies... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | All hearings are in person unless prior authorization has been obtained to appear by telephone. |
| Discovery | Discovery motions resolved at oral argument without formal briefing in most cases. Court may set briefing schedule if issues warrant. LR 37.2 compliance required. |
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
No presentment. Until further notice, litigants should not notice motions for presentment unless directed by the Court. File motion on the docket; within 7 days, the Court will issue an order either ruling or setting further briefing. Dispositive motions will likely receive a briefing schedule. Non-dispositive motions: non-moving party may file a short position statement (agreed/opposed or request for briefing) within 5 days. NOTE: Motion schedule still reflects Tu/W/Th hearings for status hearings at 10:30 a.m. (civil) and 10:00 a.m. (criminal) when scheduled by the court. [Judge Guzman -- Individual Procedures]
Notice Period
N/A for self-noticed motions. Court sets hearing dates if needed.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [N.D. Ill. Local Rule 7.1]
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
CRITICAL OUTLIER: ALL electronic filings must include a paper courtesy copy to Judge Guzman's Courtroom Deputy -- Room 1802C. This applies to all filings, not just motions or those with exhibits. All courtesy copies must be single-sided. Court prefers stapled or side-bound copies printed after document has been filed, with the CM/ECF header stamp on it.
Proposed Orders
DO NOT submit proposed orders to Judge Guzman's email address unless the court has specifically directed the parties to do so (usually in open court or by arrangement with the Courtroom Deputy). If permission is granted: email to Proposed_Order_Guzman@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of proposed order. Submit in Word-compatible format. Serve on all parties. [Judge Guzman -- Counterfeit Product Case Proposed Order Forms]
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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 on papers within 7 days. If hearing needed, court sets date. Status hearings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Remote Appearances
All hearings are in person unless prior authorization has been obtained to appear by telephone.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No specific restrictions published. Contact Courtroom Deputy for scheduling and administrative matters.
Discovery Referral
Discovery motions resolved at oral argument without formal briefing in most cases. Court may set briefing schedule if issues warrant. LR 37.2 compliance required.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
In most cases the court hears arguments and rules from the bench after oral argument without formal briefing. Counsel should come prepared to argue at the motion/hearing date. Court may set a briefing schedule if issues warrant.
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Contact Courtroom Deputy for scheduling matters.
Settlement Notification
Settlement conferences governed by standing order. See judge's webpage: STANDING ORDER OF JUDGE RONALD A. GUZMAN SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.
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: ALL electronic filings require a paper courtesy copy -- the broadest courtesy copy requirement in the district. No presentment; court rules within 7 days. Proposed orders are NOT submitted by email unless directed -- also the opposite of the standard. All hearings in person. Staggered 3-week cross-SJ briefing schedule. Discovery motions argued without briefing.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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