Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2541, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. CRITICAL: Emergency motions must NOT be filed electronically without first calling Courtroom Deputy Lynn Kandziora at (312) 408-5153 and obtaining permission. Filing electronically without this call is a procedural violation.
- 2. ALL HEARINGS IN PERSON. Virtual appearance requires advance written request to Courtroom Deputy at least THREE days before hearing. Do not assume virtual is available.
- 3. Motion call is ACTIVE: Tu/W/Th at 9:30 a.m. (civil) and 10:00 a.m. (criminal). THREE business days notice required. Day of filing does not count.
- 4. Courtesy copies only for: (1) SJ motions and Rule 56 statements; (2) sealed documents; (3) unredacted documents; (4) filings over 50 pages. Do NOT submit courtesy copies for other filings.
- 5. Extensions of time: parties cannot agree by stipulation -- must file a motion. Extension motion must state number of previous extensions or risk denial or a FINAL extension.
- 6. SJ deposition excerpts: include only relevant portions, plus 2 pages before and 2 pages after the cite. No full transcripts.
- 7. Lead trial counsel must personally appear at initial status conference; telephonic appearance is inappropriate absent extraordinary circumstances.
- 8. Court encourages all filings to include hyperlinks to cases, docket entries, and exhibits.
- 9. After 4 p.m. the day before a motion call, check the docket or call Courtroom Deputy to confirm whether appearance is required.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Active motion call. Civil motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Criminal motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10:00 a.m. THREE business days notice required. The day of filing is NOT counted. After 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon prior to the hearing date, counsel should check the case docket to determine whether an appearance is necessary; may also call Courtroom Deputy Lynn Kandziora at (312) 408-5153. [Judge Kendall -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced. Leave to exceed is disfavored and must be requested before submission. [Judge Kendall -- Memoranda of Law] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies should NOT be delivered EXCEPT for: (1) SJ motions and corresponding Rule 56 statements; (2) documents filed under seal; (3)... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | ALL HEARINGS ARE PROCEEDING IN PERSON. If you need to appear virtually, email Judge Kendall's Courtroom Deputy at Lynn_Kandziora@ilnd.uscourts.gov at least THREE days prior to the hearing explaining the need for your request or reasons for appearing virtually. The Courtroom Deputy will inform you as to whether your request has been approved by entering an order on the docket. Do not assume virtual appearance is available. [Judge Kendall -- Motion Practice] |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (face-to-face or telephone; correspondence not normally sufficient). E-discovery ESI impasse: in-person conference required with IT representatives of both parties and the ESF before filing motion to compel. Court most often rules on discovery motions after hearing argument at motion call without briefing; may set expedited briefing schedule if needed. No sequence in discovery; one party's failure does not excuse another's. Motion to dismiss does not 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
Active motion call. Civil motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Criminal motions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10:00 a.m. THREE business days notice required. The day of filing is NOT counted. After 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon prior to the hearing date, counsel should check the case docket to determine whether an appearance is necessary; may also call Courtroom Deputy Lynn Kandziora at (312) 408-5153. [Judge Kendall -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
THREE business days. The day of filing is not counted. Motion shall be filed a full three (3) business days before the hearing date.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced. Leave to exceed is disfavored and must be requested before submission. [Judge Kendall -- Memoranda of Law]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Strictly enforced.
Reply Limit
Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Font & Formatting
Per LR 5.2(e). Citations must follow Bluebook format with pinpoint citations. Court strongly encourages hyperlinks to cases, docket entries, and exhibits.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy copies should NOT be delivered EXCEPT for: (1) SJ motions and corresponding Rule 56 statements; (2) documents filed under seal; (3) unredacted documents; (4) voluminous filings over 50 pages. When required, deliver to Courtroom Deputy's Office at Room 2528-A. Spiral binding preferred over binders.
Proposed Orders
Email Word or WordPerfect format to Proposed_Order_Kendall@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of the order proposed. IMPORTANT: If you attach an order to your motion, do NOT resubmit it to the inbox. Call ext. 5153 with questions. [Judge Kendall -- Submitting a Proposed Order, Agreed or Otherwise, for Electronic Entry by the Judge]
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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 usually rules at motion call after argument. Parties must be prepared to argue discovery motions on the date presented. Check docket after 4 p.m. the day before to see if appearance is necessary; may also call Courtroom Deputy.
Remote Appearances
ALL HEARINGS ARE PROCEEDING IN PERSON. If you need to appear virtually, email Judge Kendall's Courtroom Deputy at Lynn_Kandziora@ilnd.uscourts.gov at least THREE days prior to the hearing explaining the need for your request or reasons for appearing virtually. The Courtroom Deputy will inform you as to whether your request has been approved by entering an order on the docket. Do not assume virtual appearance is available. [Judge Kendall -- Motion Practice]
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel should not respond to motions by correspondence with the Court, the Court's Law Clerks, or the Courtroom Deputy. After 4 p.m. the day before a hearing, check the docket or call Courtroom Deputy Lynn Kandziora at (312) 408-5153.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required (face-to-face or telephone; correspondence not normally sufficient). E-discovery ESI impasse: in-person conference required with IT representatives of both parties and the ESF before filing motion to compel. Court most often rules on discovery motions after hearing argument at motion call without briefing; may set expedited briefing schedule if needed. No sequence in discovery; one party's failure does not excuse another's. Motion to dismiss does not stay discovery.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 required. Meet and confer face-to-face or by telephone (not by correspondence). E-discovery ESI impasse: in-person conference required -- party seeking discovery must bring IT specialist; both sides prepare to discuss parameters of the search and the ESF. Court rules at motion call after argument without briefing in most cases.
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Court strongly urges parties to exhaust settlement possibilities at the earliest practicable point. Parties appearing before the Court should expect to be continually asked about settlement status and invited to attend settlement conferences with the Court. Request a conference in open court or by telephone from the Courtroom Deputy. Settlement conferences are held in chambers. In bench trials, conferences are usually referred to another judge or magistrate. See judge's page for settlement conference instructions PDF.
Lead Counsel
Lead attorney who will be trying the case must appear at the initial status conference. Telephonic appearances are generally inappropriate for initial status conferences absent extraordinary circumstances.
Under Seal Filings
Presumption of public access. Court will not sign a protective order allowing counsel alone to decide what is confidential. Proposed order must specify categories of documents subject to protection and explain why confidentiality is necessary for each category. Documents containing confidential information shall NOT be filed with the Clerk; submit to chambers in camera in a sealed envelope. Court returns in camera items to producing party after review. Redacted copy must be filed for the public record.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Parties are NOT permitted to agree to an extension of time without moving the Court. Any extension motion must indicate: (1) whether it is the first or subsequent extension; (2) reasons for the request; (3) any previous relief granted; (4) whether any party objects. Failure to state the number of extensions may result in denial or a FINAL extension. Must specify a date certain or specific amount of time.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Chief Judge. Active motion call (Tu/W/Th; 9:30 a.m. civil, 10:00 a.m. criminal; 3 business days notice). ALL HEARINGS IN PERSON -- virtual requires advance approval. CRITICAL EMERGENCY MOTION TRAP: call Courtroom Deputy before filing electronically. Courtesy copies only for SJ, sealed, unredacted, and 50+ page filings. Extensions require a motion -- no stipulations.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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