Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Iain D. Johnston -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Western Division, Rockford)
5200, Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse, 327 S. Church St., Rockford, IL 61101 (Western Division -- NOT Chicago)
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. ROCKFORD COURT: Judge Johnston sits in the Western Division (Rockford, IL) -- NOT Chicago. All in-person proceedings are at the Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse, 327 S. Church St., Rockford, IL 61101.
- 2. IN-PERSON APPEARANCES REQUIRED for motion presentment. Noticing a motion telephonically does not satisfy this requirement. Do not assume remote appearance is available.
- 3. PARTIAL MOTIONS TO DISMISS ARE PROHIBITED under FRCP 12(b)(6). If moving to dismiss fewer than all claims, must instead answer all claims and file a motion for judgment on the pleadings under FRCP 12(c). Filing a partial 12(b)(6) MTD will be stricken.
- 4. PRE-FILING CONFERENCE required before summary judgment motion. Must jointly submit proposed date/time (Monday or Friday at 11:00 a.m.) to proposed order inbox before drafting. Do not write the motion before the conference.
- 5. COURTESY COPIES required -- must be delivered to Operations Specialist Yvonne Pedroza in Room 2200 at least 48 hours before presentment. Do not bring to chambers.
- 6. AI USE STANDING ORDER: All AI use in connection with filings or discovery must comply with FRCP Rule 11(b) and Rule 26(g). Mandatory compliance -- not just a recommendation.
- 7. Discovery deadlines: parties CANNOT stipulate to extend deadlines in the case management order. Must file a motion. Discovery issues must be presented BEFORE close of discovery.
- 8. Default judgment motions require notice by regular AND certified mail, at least 7 days before presentment. Return receipt must be filed. Strict compliance required or motion is denied.
- 9. Emergency motions: must phone Operations Specialist BEFORE filing -- not just before the hearing.
- 10. Disqualification note: Judge Johnston will disqualify himself from cases where he or his wife own stock in Disney (DIS) or affiliates.
- 11. Removed cases: defense counsel must file a certification within 7 business days that they have read the standing order on removed cases.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Motions for Judge Johnston should not be set for presentment by counsel. Rather, the Court will schedule motions for presentment as needed. When presentment is required, counsel MUST appear in person -- telephonic presentment does not satisfy the in-person requirement. Scheduling notice states: 'Motions for Judge Johnston should not be set for presentment. Rather, the Court will schedule motions for presentment as needed.' If a motion must be presented, contact the Operations Specialist. [Judge Johnston -- General Status and Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy paper copies of all motions must be mailed or delivered to Operations Specialist Yvonne Pedroza in Room 2200 at least 48 hours... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Counsel MUST appear in person for presentment of motions. Noticing a motion for presentment telephonically does not satisfy the in-person requirement. Status hearings will be telephonic only if ordered by the Court. During telephonic status, counsel must not operate vehicles or be in a noisy location. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (in-person meeting, not just correspondence). Motion must state when and how movant complied. Court generally rules on discovery motions on the day of presentment after argument without further briefing (except privilege disputes). Discovery must be completed before the close of discovery -- not merely requested before the close date. Discovery issues must be presented to Court before the close of discovery. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Motions for Judge Johnston should not be set for presentment by counsel. Rather, the Court will schedule motions for presentment as needed. When presentment is required, counsel MUST appear in person -- telephonic presentment does not satisfy the in-person requirement. Scheduling notice states: 'Motions for Judge Johnston should not be set for presentment. Rather, the Court will schedule motions for presentment as needed.' If a motion must be presented, contact the Operations Specialist. [Judge Johnston -- General Status and Motion Practice]
Notice Period
N/A -- counsel does not set presentment dates. Court schedules as needed. When set: courtesy copies must be delivered to Operations Specialist Yvonne Pedroza in Room 2200 at least 48 hours before presentment.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per 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). Must be double-spaced (1.5 spacing no longer permitted).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy paper copies of all motions must be mailed or delivered to Operations Specialist Yvonne Pedroza in Room 2200 at least 48 hours before the time of presentment. Do NOT bring courtesy copies to chambers; they will not be accepted and no confirmation signature will be available. No faxed or e-mailed courtesy copies. Copies of electronic authority (Westlaw, Lexis) must also be attached as exhibits. Copies must be double-spaced; 1.5 line spacing no longer permitted under Local Rules. Must be bound on the left side with protruding tabs for exhibits and an exhibit list if more than one exhibit.
Proposed Orders
Email Microsoft Word format to Proposed_Order_Johnston@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number, case name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of the order. Serve on all other parties. Proposed Case Management Orders are filed on the docket (not emailed). DO NOT attempt to email Judge Johnston directly.
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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 schedules presentment as needed. When motions are presented, counsel must appear in person. Discovery motions generally ruled on at presentment after argument, without further briefing.
Remote Appearances
Counsel MUST appear in person for presentment of motions. Noticing a motion for presentment telephonically does not satisfy the in-person requirement. Status hearings will be telephonic only if ordered by the Court. During telephonic status, counsel must not operate vehicles or be in a noisy location.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Do NOT attempt to email Judge Johnston directly. Contact Operations Specialist Yvonne Pedroza at Yvonne_Pedroza@ilnd.uscourts.gov or (779) 772-8609. Relief may only be obtained by filing a motion -- no letters or calls to court staff.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (in-person meeting, not just correspondence). Motion must state when and how movant complied. Court generally rules on discovery motions on the day of presentment after argument without further briefing (except privilege disputes). Discovery must be completed before the close of discovery -- not merely requested before the close date. Discovery issues must be presented to Court before the close of discovery.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Presentment
LR 37.2 required. In-person meet and confer (not correspondence). Motion must state when and how movant complied. Court rules on most discovery motions after argument at presentment without further briefing (exception: privilege disputes). Nothing prevents filing a written response before presentment. Discovery issues and motions to extend must be brought before the close of discovery. Parties cannot stipulate to extend discovery deadlines set in the case management order.
Ex Parte Applications
Relief may be obtained only by filing a motion with the court, not through letters or calls to court staff.
Settlement Notification
Standing Order for Settlement Conferences applies (revised 3/4/2024). See judge's page for PDF. At all initial status conferences, parties must be prepared to discuss mediation. Western Division has its own Mediation Program -- see judge's page for details.
Lead Counsel
Lead counsel must appear at the initial status hearing, must have knowledge of the case, and must be prepared to discuss all aspects of the case including anticipated discovery.
Under Seal Filings
Separate standing order on sealed documents. Standard to seal is much higher than marking something confidential. Must explain on a document-by-document basis why each should be sealed. No document may be filed under seal unless counsel secures a court order. See judge's page for sealed document form.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Parties cannot stipulate to extend any discovery deadline set in the case management order. Any extension requires a motion. Trial dates not separately specified but presumed firm.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
STANDING ORDER: Anyone using AI in connection with the filing of a pleading, motion, or paper in this Court -- or in serving/delivering discovery requests, responses, or objections -- must comply with Rule 11(b) and Rule 26(g) of the FRCP, and any other relevant rule including applicable ethical rules.
Additional Notes
WESTERN DIVISION (ROCKFORD). In-person appearances required. Partial 12(b)(6) MTDs prohibited -- use Rule 12(c) instead. Pre-filing conference required before SJ motion. Courtesy copies to Operations Specialist 48 hours before presentment. AI standing order requires FRCP 11/26 compliance for any AI use. Discovery deadlines cannot be extended by stipulation.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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