Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2503, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Court will NOT enter protective orders permitting parties to designate material for filing under seal by agreement. Requires a separate motion showing good cause.
- 2. Final pretrial order DOES require a courtesy copy (3-hole punched, tabbed, 3-ring binder) -- even though routine courtesy copies are suspended.
- 3. 'Burdensome' objections to discovery must be substantiated with specifics about effort required and number of documents. Naked objections will not be sustained.
- 4. Motions in limine: 15 pages per side total for ALL in limine motions combined (not 15 per motion).
- 5. Court actively encourages newer and less experienced lawyers to argue. Favorable posture toward oral argument requests.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Until further notice, parties shall NOT notice motions for presentment. For opposed motions, parties propose a briefing schedule by email to Courtroom Deputy Christina Presslak. Court schedules hearing if one is needed. [Judge Pallmeyer -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Pallmeyer -- Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Courtesy copies no longer required unless specifically requested in a particular case. Exception: final pretrial order courtesy copy... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | WebEx hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/pallmeyer_courtroom. Phone: 1-650-479-3207 or toll-free 1-855-244-8681. Access code: 2313 755 6066##. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. Judge encourages parties to work out disputes and discourages discovery motions. LR 37.2 compliance required. Will ordinarily rule from the bench after argument without briefs (unless a difficult privilege issue is presented). Will not sustain a 'burdensome' objection without specifics about effort required and number of documents. |
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
Until further notice, parties shall NOT notice motions for presentment. For opposed motions, parties propose a briefing schedule by email to Courtroom Deputy Christina Presslak. Court schedules hearing if one is needed. [Judge Pallmeyer -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
No notice of motion or presentment date required per General Order 21-0027.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Pallmeyer -- 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 no longer required unless specifically requested in a particular case. Exception: final pretrial order courtesy copy required (3-hole punched, tabbed, 3-ring binder).
Proposed Orders
Email Word-compatible format to Proposed_Order_Pallmeyer@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line: (1) case number/name; (2) docket number of motion (if any); (3) title of order. Serve on all parties. [Judge Pallmeyer -- 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
Court entertains requests for oral argument on contested motions. Is favorably inclined to hear arguments by newer lawyers. Court strongly encourages parties to permit less experienced lawyers to actively participate.
Remote Appearances
WebEx hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/pallmeyer_courtroom. Phone: 1-650-479-3207 or toll-free 1-855-244-8681. Access code: 2313 755 6066##.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No letter communications to chambers. Contact Courtroom Deputy Christina Presslak for scheduling questions.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. Judge encourages parties to work out disputes and discourages discovery motions. LR 37.2 compliance required. Will ordinarily rule from the bench after argument without briefs (unless a difficult privilege issue is presented). Will not sustain a 'burdensome' objection without specifics about effort required and number of documents.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephonic (correspondence normally insufficient). Court rules from the bench after argument without additional briefing except for privilege disputes. 'Burdensome' objections must be substantiated with specifics. [Judge Pallmeyer -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Court will NOT enter protective orders that by their terms permit parties to designate material for filing under seal. Party seeking to file under seal must show good cause in a separate motion.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
No published individual procedures.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Chief Judge of the Northern District of Illinois. No-presentment model per General Order 21-0027. Proposed orders to Proposed_Order_Pallmeyer@ilnd.uscourts.gov in Word-compatible format.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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