Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Mary M. Rowland -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1225, 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. ALL electronic filings must be text-searchable PDF. Scanned images will not be accepted.
- 2. NO courtesy copies accepted. Do not bring copies to chambers or courtroom.
- 3. E-discovery disputes: both parties' IT specialists must attend the LR 37.2 meet-and-confer in person. Attorneys alone is not sufficient. Must discuss search parameters and ESI format specifically.
- 4. Pendency of a dispositive motion does NOT stay discovery unless provided by law or court order.
- 5. All hearings are in person unless otherwise ordered. Request remote appearance at least 24 hours in advance by email to Jasmin_Galindo@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
- 6. Motions to strike disfavored on summary judgment. Raise objections in response/reply briefs instead.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | NOT noticed for presentment. Upon filing of a contested motion, the court enters a minute order setting a hearing, briefing schedule, or further direction. [Judge Rowland -- Individual Procedures] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [N.D. Ill. Local Rule 7.1] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Judge Rowland does NOT accept courtesy copies of court filings. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | All hearings in person unless otherwise ordered. Telephone appearance request must be made to Jasmin_Galindo@ilnd.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court often decides discovery motions after oral argument without requiring briefing. Pendency of a motion (even a dispositive motion) does not stay discovery unless provided by law or court order. |
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.
mail Subscribe to Judge Rowland procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
NOT noticed for presentment. Upon filing of a contested motion, the court enters a minute order setting a hearing, briefing schedule, or further direction. [Judge Rowland -- Individual Procedures]
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. [N.D. Ill. Local Rule 7.1]
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). All electronic filings must be text-searchable PDF -- scanned images not acceptable.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Judge Rowland does NOT accept courtesy copies of court filings.
Proposed Orders
Email Word-compatible format to Proposed_Order_Rowland@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 Rowland -- Proposed Orders]
chevron_right
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 sets hearing or briefing schedule by minute entry after motion is filed. Discovery motions often decided after oral argument without briefing.
Remote Appearances
All hearings in person unless otherwise ordered. Telephone appearance request must be made to Jasmin_Galindo@ilnd.uscourts.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Most efficient contact: email Jasmin_Galindo@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Do not communicate with chambers about case merits by letter, phone, or email.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Court often decides discovery motions after oral argument without requiring briefing. Pendency of a motion (even a dispositive motion) does not stay discovery unless provided by law or court order.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 required. Exchange of correspondence will ordinarily not suffice; in-person or telephonic conferral required. E-discovery impasse: both parties' IT specialists must meet in person (not just attorneys) before filing; must discuss search parameters and ESI format specifically. Court often rules after argument without briefing. [Judge Rowland -- 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
Confidentiality orders: all proposed changes must be shown by redline. Email clean Word version and redlined version to Proposed_Order_Rowland@ilnd.uscourts.gov with copies to all parties.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
No published individual procedures.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model per General Order 21-0027. Court enters minute order setting next steps after each motion is filed. Courtesy copies prohibited. Text-searchable PDF strictly required.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
Verify now →