Procedures verified June 28, 2026
Judge Laura K. McNally -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2230, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Do NOT notice motions for presentment. Court notifies parties by electronic means whether a hearing is needed.
- 2. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer requirement extends to ALL motions -- not just discovery. Certificate filed separately, attested by attorney, must state in-person or video meeting occurred or why it could not.
- 3. Mere exchange of correspondence is insufficient to satisfy LR 37.2 -- face-to-face or video conference required.
- 4. Courtesy copies required if electronic filing (including exhibits) exceeds 40 pages. Print from ECF so copies include ECF header.
- 5. In-chambers conference with lead attorneys REQUIRED before filing any summary judgment motion -- schedule with Courtroom Deputy after satisfying LR 37.2 obligations.
- 6. LR 56.1: 80-fact-statement cap for movant, 40-fact-statement cap for respondent. Motions to strike LR 56.1 facts not accepted -- raise in briefs.
- 7. Proposed orders by email only to Proposed_Order_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov; do NOT file on CM/ECF. May only be submitted upon request or leave.
- 8. For motions in limine: 3,500-word total cap per party (not per motion). Daubert motions separate and exempt from this cap.
- 9. Joint/agreed/unopposed motions must say so in both title AND body.
- 10. Call chambers immediately when parties resolve an issue scheduled for argument -- after hours voicemail available at (312) 435-5858.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No notice of presentment required. Parties are not to notice motions for presentment. The Court will notify parties of the need, if any, for a hearing by electronic means. Call chambers at (312) 435-5858 after normal business hours if an issue is resolved that was scheduled for argument. [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies required if the electronic filing (including exhibits) exceeds 40 pages. Courtesy copy should always be printed from ECF... [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice] |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Video hearings via WebEx: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/scott_white. Public teleconference: 1-650-479-3207; Access code: 23166424339. Participants not speaking must mute. Audio recording prohibited. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by Judge McNally in referral and consent cases. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required. Court prefers in-person or video conference; mere exchange of correspondence is insufficient. Rule 37.2 Certificate filed separately with motion, attested by attorney. |
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 notice of presentment required. Parties are not to notice motions for presentment. The Court will notify parties of the need, if any, for a hearing by electronic means. Call chambers at (312) 435-5858 after normal business hours if an issue is resolved that was scheduled for argument. [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
Not applicable -- no notice of presentment. Court sets hearing dates.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge McNally -- 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
✓ Required
Courtesy copies required if the electronic filing (including exhibits) exceeds 40 pages. Courtesy copy should always be printed from ECF after electronic filing so that copies include the ECF header. Deposition transcripts: submit only cited excerpts in condensed format -- no full deposition hard copies. Prefer 3-hole punched paper, binder-clipped if more than 5 pages. [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice]
Proposed Orders
Email Word format (not PDF) to Proposed_Order_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include: (1) case number and name; (2) docket number of motion; (3) title of order. Must be served on all parties. Do NOT file on CM/ECF docket. May only be submitted upon request or leave from Court. Proposed order email address may not be used for any other purpose or communication. [Judge McNally -- Submitting a Proposed Order]
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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 notifies parties by electronic means whether a hearing is needed. No notice of presentment required -- parties do not self-schedule motion hearings.
Remote Appearances
Video hearings via WebEx: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/scott_white. Public teleconference: 1-650-479-3207; Access code: 23166424339. Participants not speaking must mute. Audio recording prohibited.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Email Chambers_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov for non-urgent matters with all counsel copied. Call (312) 435-5858 after normal business hours if issue is resolved that is scheduled for argument. No ex parte communications on case merits.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by Judge McNally in referral and consent cases. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer required. Court prefers in-person or video conference; mere exchange of correspondence is insufficient. Rule 37.2 Certificate filed separately with motion, attested by attorney.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Submission-first
LR 37.2 required for all discovery disputes. In-person or video conferral required unless impracticable -- Rule 37.2 Certificate must state this with particularity. Failure to indicate in-person meeting risks motion being stricken. If excessive motions result from parties' inability to compromise, Court may impose court reporter presence at all meet-and-confer sessions at equal cost to parties. [Judge McNally -- Motion Practice]
Ex Parte Applications
No ex parte contact on case merits. Email Chambers_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov for non-urgent matters; copy all counsel of record.
Settlement Notification
Judge McNally encourages early consideration of settlement. Settlement conferences conducted pursuant to Standing Order for Settlement Conferences. Full procedures available from court website or courtroom deputy. [Judge McNally -- Settlement Conferences]
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel with authority to discuss all aspects of the case must attend final pretrial conference.
Under Seal Filings
Leave to File Under Seal only if movant demonstrates good cause. Motion must include specific description of each document or category to be sealed and explanation of why confidentiality is necessary, including citations to supporting authority, plus relevance to litigation. Court generally will not approve filing entire pleadings or briefs under seal -- redacted public version required alongside sealed version.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Extensions of time motions must prominently identify the current deadline, state reason for extension, and number of previous extensions.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Submission-first model -- no notice of presentment; Court sets all hearings. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer extends to all motions. In-chambers conference mandatory before any summary judgment motion. Courtesy copies required for filings over 40 pages. Magistrate judge who encourages consent jurisdiction and can handle firm trial dates.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 28, 2026.
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