Unless specifically authorized, or [unless all counsel agree that a letter is the appropriate form of communication under the circumstances] neither counsel nor pro se litigants may communicate about a case by letter to Judge Lefkow. All communications must be made in the form of a motion, brief, or a status report, served on opposing counsel.

In preparing a protective order, the parties should refer to General Order 12-0018 (Model Confidentiality Order). The parties are instructed to submit a Proposed Model Confidentiality Order to Judge Lefkow's Proposed Order Mailbox (see link on Judge Lefkow's webpage). After a motion is filed, the Court will review the proposed order. A clean version sent in Word format is required. A party who is granted leave to file a document under seal must file a redacted copy of the document for the public file. A copy of the redacted version must be submitted along with the motion for leave to file.

Discovery Parties are reminded that there is no "order" in which discovery must occur, and that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. All motions to compel must comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(2). Certification required by the rule shall be made separately from the text of the motion and shall set out specific actions taken towards resolution. Parties are also reminded that the pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not operate as a stay or extension of discovery.