Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2201, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. No letter communications to chambers. Everything must go through motions, briefs, or status reports served on opposing counsel.
- 2. LR 37.2 certification must be a separate document -- not embedded in the motion text -- and must describe specific resolution actions taken.
- 3. Agreed order of dismissal with retained jurisdiction: do NOT use 'with prejudice' language. This is controlled by Seventh Circuit authority on subject-matter jurisdiction.
- 4. Motions to strike disfavored on summary judgment. Raise objections within the 56.1 statement or in the brief.
- 5. Pre-SJ status hearing is set before parties file; exchange offer/demand letters before that hearing.
- 6. Motion for Leave to Cite Additional Authority: citation and issue notation only. No commentary on significance. No response unless court requests it.
- 7. Chambers closes at 4:00 p.m. Calls after 4:00 may not be returned until the next business day.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions: Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. Criminal motions: Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. Do NOT file a notice of motion. The court sets a hearing date only if one is needed. [Judge Lefkow -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Briefs exceeding the limit may be stricken without advance notice. [Judge Lefkow -- Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Courtesy copies not required unless specifically requested. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | WebEx link for hearings: https://us-courts.webex.com. Check docket for case-specific access details. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 in-person or telephone conferral required before filing any discovery motion. |
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
Civil motions: Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. Criminal motions: Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. Do NOT file a notice of motion. The court sets a hearing date only if one is needed. [Judge Lefkow -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
No notice of motion required per General Order 21-0027. File the motion; the court enters a briefing schedule or ruling on the docket.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. Briefs exceeding the limit may be stricken without advance notice. [Judge Lefkow -- 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).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Courtesy copies not required unless specifically requested.
Proposed Orders
Email Word or WordPerfect format (no PDF) to Proposed_Order_Lefkow@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include: (1) case number/name; (2) docket number of motion; (3) title of proposed order. Serve on all parties. Do NOT file on CM/ECF docket. [Judge Lefkow -- Submitting a Proposed Order, Agreed or Otherwise, for Electronic Entry by the Judge]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Motion call exists (Wednesday 9:45 a.m.) but the court may rule without appearance. Court will set hearing if needed.
Remote Appearances
WebEx link for hearings: https://us-courts.webex.com. Check docket for case-specific access details.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No letter communications to chambers. All communications with the court must be via motions, briefs, or status reports served on opposing counsel. Do not call chambers for docket status -- updates appear on the docket.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 in-person or telephone conferral required before filing any discovery motion.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 certification required as a separate document from the motion text. Must state the specific resolution actions taken (date, parties, what was discussed). Correspondence alone is insufficient. Pendency of a motion does not stay discovery. [Judge Lefkow -- Discovery]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures. Agreed order of dismissal with retained jurisdiction must NOT use 'with prejudice' language (per Seventh Circuit authority).
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
No published individual procedures beyond standard motion practice.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Senior district judge. No-presentment model per General Order 21-0027. Court sets hearings and briefing schedules by minute entry. Proposed orders to Proposed_Order_Lefkow@ilnd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect format.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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