judge console · N.D. Ill.
N.D. Ill. · Judge Reinhard · Practice Guide

Hon. Philip G. Reinhard

All local rules for N.D. Ill., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Reinhard — standing order

Important Information The information on this and linked pages contains important information about my pretrial case management procedures. Please take the time to read it carefully. These policies and rules have been designed to facilitate the prompt, efficient and equitable disposition of civil cases on my docket. The success of this court's trial procedures depends on your willingness to familiarize yourself with these materials and to act accordingly. Counsel will be expected to fully explain to the court any failure to comply with the court's pretrial procedures. Calendar Schedule Judge Philip G. Reinhard --> Procedures to be followed in cases assigned to Judge Philip G. Reinhard Local Rule 3.2 First Pleading The attorneys are to comply with LR3.2 when filing the first pleading on behalf of a party. The Judge will disqualify himself from hearing any case where he or his wife own stock in a public company including any affiliates. A listing of Judge Reinhard's current public company stock holdings. Initial Status Conference The court will set cases for status within 60 days of the filing of the complaint. At the initial status conference the parties will: 1) inform the court of the nature and scope of the case, 2) identify settlement opportunities, 3) set the initial pretrial conference, and 4) schedule future conferences and, when necessary, motions. All pretrial matters are referred to the Magistrate Judge, including the initial status conference discovery and scheduling of motions. Scheduling and Settlement Conferences After the initial status and scheduling conference, the Magistrate Judge will hold scheduling and settlement conferences. Some of these may be held by telephone. Motion Scheduling Motions As Judge Reinhard is on Senior Status, motions should not be set for presentment. Rather, the Court will schedule motions for presentment as needed. Any questions, please Courtroom Deputy Rhonda Jones at (779) 772-8305 Dispositive motions are decided by the District Judge unless parties consent to Magistrate Judge. However, briefing schedules are set by the Magistrate Judge. Discovery Motions a. Meeting Requirement The court encourages the parties to work out discovery disputes and discourages the filing of discovery motions. Discovery disputes are normally resolved at a status call or a pretrial conference without briefing. If the matter is not resolved, then the Magistrate Judge will set a briefing schedule. With regard to the filing of motions for discovery and production of documents under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26-37 , the Magistrate Judge will not hear or consider any discovery motions unless the parties have complied with Local Rule 37.2 In any motion for discovery or production of documents, the movant shall state when and how the movant complied with Local Rule 37.2 . Failure to comply with these rules will result in the imposition of sanctions.

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 N.D. Ill. local rule
Motion

15 pages maximum Local Rule 7.1 ↗

Opposition

15 pages maximum Local Rule 7.1 ↗

Reply

15 pages maximum Local Rule 7.1 ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 N.D. Ill. local rule
Notice period

Presentment model; notice date not more than 14 days after filing Local Rule 5.3 ↗

Hearing days

File by 4:30 PM two business days before presentment; hearing days set per judge Local Rule 78.1 ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 N.D. Ill. local rule

Silent on proposed orders. The local rules do not require a proposed order with motions. Consult the assigned judge's individual practices page on the court website. Local Rule 5.3(a) ↗

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 N.D. Ill. local rule

Oral argument at court's discretion; court may rule on papers without hearing Local Rule 78.3 ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 N.D. Ill. local rule

Magistrate assigned to each case; LR 37.2 in-person or phone conferral required before filing Local Rule 72.1 ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Reinhard — standing order

Discovery Motions a. Meeting Requirement The court encourages the parties to work out discovery disputes and discourages the filing of discovery motions. Discovery disputes are normally resolved at a status call or a pretrial conference without briefing. If the matter is not resolved, then the Magistrate Judge will set a briefing schedule. With regard to the filing of motions for discovery and production of documents under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26-37 , the Magistrate Judge will not hear or consider any discovery motions unless the parties have complied with Local Rule 37.2 In any motion for discovery or production of documents, the movant shall state when and how the movant complied with Local Rule 37.2 . Failure to comply with these rules will result in the imposition of sanctions. Most often the Magistrate Judge will rule on these motions after oral argument at the motion call and without briefing. The Magistrate Judge will also consider these motions at a status call or a settlement conference.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Reinhard — deviations that burn people
  • Silent on key_traps.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment
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