Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2119, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Briefing schedule is MANDATORY at filing. Every motion must be accompanied by an agreed briefing schedule or competing proposals. Court will impose its own schedule -- likely more accelerated -- if parties do not propose one.
- 2. Reply brief is limited to 10 pages (stricter than LR 7.1 default). Motion briefs and oppositions: 15 pages.
- 3. Motions to dismiss: non-movant may amend as of right within 21 days per FRCP 15(a)(1)(B). If non-movant elects not to amend, response due 21 days, reply due 10 days. Court advises non-movant that prevailing on a dismissed motion may result in dismissal with prejudice.
- 4. Amended complaints require a redline as an attachment so all changes are readily apparent. Rule does not apply to pro se litigants.
- 5. No courtesy copies unless requested by the Court. Do not deliver them speculatively.
- 6. Discovery meet-and-confer must be in person, by video conference, or by phone. Exchange of emails or letters will not normally be sufficient.
- 7. SJ briefing schedule must include three agreed trial dates per judge's standing order.
- 8. Reassigned cases: all previously set status and motion hearing dates are stricken. Discovery deadlines, joint status report deadlines, and briefing schedules remain intact.
- 9. FLSA collective actions: Court expedites to protect statute of limitations for opt-in plaintiffs. Joint initial status report must address tolling agreement.
- 10. Requests for admission: limit of 25 per side.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No motion call. Motions are not noticed for presentment. Court rules on papers. If a hearing is required, chambers will schedule it. Parties should appear in person unless the Court advises otherwise; any request to appear by telephone must be made to the Courtroom no later than 24 hours prior to the hearing. [Judge Jenkins -- Motions and Memoranda of Law] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Jenkins -- Briefing Schedules] |
| Reply Limit | 10 pages maximum (judge-specific rule, stricter than LR 7.1 default). [Judge Jenkins -- Briefing Schedules] |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Court generally does NOT accept courtesy copies. Do not prepare them; do not try to deliver them. If a courtesy copy is needed, the Court... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Parties should expect to appear in person unless the Court advises otherwise. Any request to appear by telephone must be made to the Courtroom Deputy no later than 24 hours prior to the motion hearing. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (face-to-face, video, or phone -- email/letters ordinarily insufficient). E-discovery impasse: in-person/video/phone conference with IT representatives of all parties required before filing. Court decides most discovery motions after oral argument without further briefing; expedited briefing schedule set if needed. Pendency of a motion to dismiss does not automatically 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
No motion call. Motions are not noticed for presentment. Court rules on papers. If a hearing is required, chambers will schedule it. Parties should appear in person unless the Court advises otherwise; any request to appear by telephone must be made to the Courtroom no later than 24 hours prior to the hearing. [Judge Jenkins -- Motions and Memoranda of Law]
Notice Period
N/A -- no presentment. Motions are simply filed.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Jenkins -- Briefing Schedules]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1.
Reply Limit
10 pages maximum (judge-specific rule, stricter than LR 7.1 default). [Judge Jenkins -- Briefing Schedules]
Font & Formatting
Per LR 5.2(e). Footnotes used sparingly only when necessary; may never be used to circumvent page limits. Court may strike non-compliant filings.
Footnote Policy
Footnotes to be used sparingly and only when necessary; footnotes may never be employed as an artifice to exceed page limits. Court may strike non-compliant filings.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Court generally does NOT accept courtesy copies. Do not prepare them; do not try to deliver them. If a courtesy copy is needed, the Court will contact counsel to request one. If requested: (a) print from ECF so copies include ECF header; (b) print double-sided; (c) if over 50 pages, spiral bound on the side with tabbed exhibits. Deliver to drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy's office. Do not bring to Chambers.
Proposed Orders
Email Word format to Proposed_Order_Jenkins@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include: (1) case name; (2) case number; (3) docket number of corresponding motion; (4) title of the order as indicated on the NEF. Copy all other parties on the email. Do not file proposed orders on the docket. Must also file a motion asking the Court to enter the order -- submitting a draft is not a substitute for a motion. [Judge Jenkins -- Proposed Orders]
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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. If a hearing is required, it will be scheduled by chambers. No automatic oral argument.
Remote Appearances
Parties should expect to appear in person unless the Court advises otherwise. Any request to appear by telephone must be made to the Courtroom Deputy no later than 24 hours prior to the motion hearing.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Communication with the Court about a specific case should be with the Courtroom Deputy only, unless the Court specifically orders that parties may communicate with a law clerk. Do not communicate with Chambers by letter.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (face-to-face, video, or phone -- email/letters ordinarily insufficient). E-discovery impasse: in-person/video/phone conference with IT representatives of all parties required before filing. Court decides most discovery motions after oral argument without further briefing; expedited briefing schedule set if needed. Pendency of a motion to dismiss does not automatically stay discovery.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 compliance required. Meet and confer in person, by video, or by phone (email/letters not normally sufficient). E-discovery ESI impasse: must include IT representative of party that served request, IT representative of the party that received request, and IT representative of the facility to be searched. Parties must notify Court immediately if withdrawing or narrowing previously filed discovery motions. Limit of 25 requests for admission per side. [Judge Jenkins -- Discovery and Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Court strongly encourages referral to assigned Magistrate Judge for settlement conferences. Contact Courtroom Deputy Jackie Deanes at (312) 435-5635 or Jackie_Deanes@ilnd.uscourts.gov to request referral at any time.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Presumption of public access to all court filings. No documents may be filed under seal absent a motion showing good cause. Mere designation as 'confidential' is insufficient. When permitted, a redacted public-record version must be filed alongside the sealed version. Parties must meet and confer before any motion to seal.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Trial dates are firm and will not be reset except in exceptional circumstances that were unforeseeable at the time the trial date was set. Parties must examine calendars before proposing briefing schedules; extensions for foreseeable conflicts are disfavored.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model. Briefing schedule required with every motion. Reply brief 10 pages (not 15). No courtesy copies unless requested. Motions to dismiss trigger a 21-day amendment-as-of-right window. SJ briefing schedule must include three trial date proposals. Amended complaints require redline attachment.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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