Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge LaShonda A. Hunt -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1425
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. ACTIVE MOTION CALL -- unlike most ILND judges. Civil motions: Tu/W/Th at 9:00 a.m. (updated 5/20/26 from 10:00 a.m.). Criminal: W/Th at 10:30 a.m.
- 2. MUST use the 'Notice of Motion' CM/ECF event -- do NOT use 'Notice of Presentment' event and do NOT attach the notice as an exhibit to the motion. If wrong event is used, matter will not be added to the Court's calendar.
- 3. 3 business days notice required. Example: Monday filing can be noticed for Thursday; Thursday filing can be noticed for following Tuesday.
- 4. Expect in-person appearance at all motion hearings unless Court enters order at least 24 hours before specifying otherwise.
- 5. Default motions: despite FRCP 55, ALL default and default judgment motions must be noticed on Judge Hunt's calendar. Prepare to prove damages by affidavit or hearing.
- 6. Courtesy copies NOT required unless ordered -- but if requested, must be double-sided (opposite of Gettleman).
- 7. LR 37.2 discovery conferral: correspondence alone is NOT sufficient. Must be face-to-face or telephone.
- 8. Extensions of time: do not call chambers. Contact all parties first; motion must state whether first or subsequent request, reasons, prior relief, and objections.
- 9. SJ: no schedule considered until after close of all discovery. Leave of court required for early SJ motions.
- 10. Criminal: ALL motions (including agreed) must be noticed for presentment with notice of motion.
- 11. Citations of supplemental authority after briefing closes: must file a motion for leave (not just a notice). Limited to case title, number, court, date, citation, and one-line issue statement -- no argument.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | ACTIVE MOTION CALL. Civil motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (updated 5/20/26 -- previously 10:00 a.m.). Criminal motions: Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ALL motions must be accompanied by a Notice of Motion specifying the date and time for in-person presentment before Judge Hunt, unless otherwise ordered. Check judge's webpage for dates when court is unavailable. [Judge Hunt -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Hunt -- Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Courtesy copies NOT required unless ordered by the Court. If requested: deliver to drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy's office Room 1428 (do... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court will generally enter an order at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date if no appearance is necessary or if hearing will proceed telephonically. Otherwise parties should expect to appear in person. |
| Remote Appearances | All motions are in person unless the Court enters an order at least 24 hours before the hearing date specifying no appearance needed or that the hearing will be telephonic. Telephonic hearings: parties must mute when not speaking; press *6 or mute button. No broadcasting, televising, or recording of telephonic hearings. |
| Discovery | LR 37.2 required before filing any discovery motion. Motion must state with specificity when and how movant complied. Good-faith effort requires face-to-face or telephone communication -- exchange of correspondence is not normally sufficient. Court most often rules on discovery motions after argument at motion call and without briefing. If briefing warranted, expedited schedule set. Pendency of a motion does not stay discovery absent explicit order. |
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
ACTIVE MOTION CALL. Civil motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (updated 5/20/26 -- previously 10:00 a.m.). Criminal motions: Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ALL motions must be accompanied by a Notice of Motion specifying the date and time for in-person presentment before Judge Hunt, unless otherwise ordered. Check judge's webpage for dates when court is unavailable. [Judge Hunt -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
3 business days before scheduled hearing (excluding federal holidays and weekends). Example: motion filed Monday may be noticed for Thursday; motion filed Thursday may be noticed for following Tuesday.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Hunt -- Motion Practice]
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). LR 5.2 and LR 7.1 apply to all memoranda of law.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Courtesy copies NOT required unless ordered by the Court. If requested: deliver to drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy's office Room 1428 (do not bring to chambers -- no delivery signature available). Format: (1) printed from ECF after filing with ECF header; (2) printed double-sided whenever possible; (3) stapled with exhibits tabbed, or three-ring binder/spiral bound for large documents. Digital media exhibits: file electronically per Clerk's process; include CM/ECF docket entry printout in place of exhibit in courtesy copies. Sealed filings: separate envelope or binder, no ECF header required, cover page with docket number and 'SEALED'.
Proposed Orders
Email in Microsoft Word format to Proposed_Order_Hunt@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case name, case number, proposed order title, and docket number of related filing (e.g., 'Plaintiff v. Defendant; 23-cv-99999; Proposed Scheduling Order (re: ECF No. 99)'). Copy all parties. A motion must be filed -- submitting a proposed order is not a substitute for a motion. Proposed orders on routine motions (extensions, continuances) and dispositive motions are unnecessary. Court may modify or disregard proposed orders as it deems appropriate. [Judge Hunt -- Proposed Orders]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. Court will generally enter an order at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date if no appearance is necessary or if hearing will proceed telephonically. Otherwise parties should expect to appear in person.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
In-person appearance at motion call expected unless Court enters order 24 hours before. Court enters order at least 24 hours before if no appearance needed or if hearing goes telephonic.
Remote Appearances
All motions are in person unless the Court enters an order at least 24 hours before the hearing date specifying no appearance needed or that the hearing will be telephonic. Telephonic hearings: parties must mute when not speaking; press *6 or mute button. No broadcasting, televising, or recording of telephonic hearings.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact Courtroom Deputy Gloria Lewis at Gloria_Lewis@ilnd.uscourts.gov for procedural questions. All substantive case-related communication must be on the record. Do not contact chambers for case-related communications unless specifically directed by the Court. All parties must be copied on any case-related correspondence.
Discovery Referral
LR 37.2 required before filing any discovery motion. Motion must state with specificity when and how movant complied. Good-faith effort requires face-to-face or telephone communication -- exchange of correspondence is not normally sufficient. Court most often rules on discovery motions after argument at motion call and without briefing. If briefing warranted, expedited schedule set. Pendency of a motion does not stay discovery absent explicit order.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 required (face-to-face or telephone, not correspondence). Parties must be fully prepared to argue discovery motions on the date presented -- court most often rules after oral argument without briefing. Notify courtroom deputy if withdrawing a previously filed discovery motion. No order in which discovery must occur; one party's failure does not excuse another party's non-compliance. [Judge Hunt -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Emergency motions: must be of such a nature that delay would cause serious harm. Email courtroom deputy with as much advance notice as possible before filing. If granted, scheduling information provided. Motion must detail: movant's good faith efforts to resolve; nature of emergency; and basis for emergency treatment. Must provide actual notice to all persons affected.
Settlement Notification
Settlement conferences: upon request of all parties, court refers to assigned magistrate judge. If Judge Hunt conducts the settlement conference, individual clients (and principals of institutional clients) must be present in person in the courtroom. Settlement dismissal orders: counsel must review Seventh Circuit case law on retention of jurisdiction to enforce settlement agreements before submitting stipulations of dismissal.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Sealed filings: separate envelope or binder, cover page with docket number and 'SEALED'. No ECF header required on sealed courtesy copies.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Motions for extension of time: contact all parties first to determine objections. Motion must indicate: (1) whether first or subsequent request; (2) detailed reasons; (3) prior relief granted; (4) whether any party objects. Do not call chambers or courtroom deputy to request extensions.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
ACTIVE MOTION CALL (Calendar-first model). One of the few ILND judges still requiring in-person presentment for all motions. Civil motions updated to 9:00 a.m. effective 5/20/26 -- older sources will show 10:00 a.m. Critical CM/ECF trap: must use 'Notice of Motion' event, not 'Notice of Presentment.' Default motions must be on calendar despite FRCP 55. LR 37.2 requires phone or in-person conferral, not correspondence.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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