Procedures verified June 28, 2026
Judge M. David Weisman -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1300, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Courtesy copies of ALL electronic filings required -- deliver to Room 1318 within one business day of filing. This is broader than most ILND judges.
- 2. ALL filings must be searchable PDF generated from original word processing file. Scanned PDFs are NOT acceptable (use only for appendix/reference materials unavailable in PDF).
- 3. Call chambers (312-435-5656) or courtroom deputy (312-408-5058) after 4:00 p.m. the day before to confirm whether appearance is needed. Even for agreed motions, all counsel must appear unless Court specifically says otherwise.
- 4. 3-business-day filing deadline before the motion hearing day (e.g., Thursday hearing = filed by Monday).
- 5. Motion schedule changes week-to-week -- check the Court's website notice for which days motions are heard in the current week.
- 6. LR 37.2 meet-and-confer: failure to seriously engage is grounds for denial. Face-to-face or telephone required -- email alone not sufficient.
- 7. Discovery motions: Court ordinarily rules after oral argument without briefing -- be fully prepared to argue on presentment date.
- 8. Emergency motions: inform courtroom deputy BEFORE filing; three-day notice otherwise required.
- 9. Summary judgment courtesy copies due within ONE business day of CM/ECF filing -- securely bound, tabbed, indexed.
- 10. Extension motions: must include statement that movant sought other side's agreement and result of that request.
- 11. Court encourages junior lawyers to present argument, examine witnesses, and attend settlement conferences.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil and criminal motions and status hearings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. All motions must be filed no later than three business days before the hearing day (e.g., for a Thursday hearing, filed no later than Monday of that week). Call chambers at (312) 435-5656 or courtroom deputy at (312) 408-5058 after 4:00 p.m. the day before the motion to find out if an appearance will be required. Unless Court has told a party it need not appear, counsel for all parties must be present even if the motion is agreed. If no appearance required, moving counsel must notify other counsel. Court will hear argument and ordinarily rule on discovery motions on the date noticed for presentment. Parties may jointly email the courtroom deputy to reschedule any hearing date. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies of ALL electronic filings required. Deliver to Judge Weisman's chambers (Room 1318) within one business day of filing. Per... [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General] |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | Court will attempt to avoid unnecessary appearances and accommodate telephonic appearances when appropriate. For civil hearings conducted remotely, hearings may not be recorded -- if not recorded, Court will advise parties and only record will be the minute order. Parties may jointly email courtroom deputy to seek telephonic appearance at least three days prior to hearing if unable to appear in person. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Weisman in referral and consent cases. LR 37.2 required. Court will not hear any discovery motion unless parties have complied with LR 37.2. Any discovery motion must state with specificity when and how movant complied with LR 37.2. Compliance requires face-to-face or telephone communication -- mere exchange of correspondence (including email) will not normally be sufficient. Court considers failure to seriously engage in meet-and-confer as grounds for denial. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil and criminal motions and status hearings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. All motions must be filed no later than three business days before the hearing day (e.g., for a Thursday hearing, filed no later than Monday of that week). Call chambers at (312) 435-5656 or courtroom deputy at (312) 408-5058 after 4:00 p.m. the day before the motion to find out if an appearance will be required. Unless Court has told a party it need not appear, counsel for all parties must be present even if the motion is agreed. If no appearance required, moving counsel must notify other counsel. Court will hear argument and ordinarily rule on discovery motions on the date noticed for presentment. Parties may jointly email the courtroom deputy to reschedule any hearing date. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General]
Notice Period
3 business days before the scheduled hearing.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General]
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 generated by printing to PDF from original word processing file so text is searchable. PDF images created by scanning are NOT acceptable -- use only for appendix or reference materials not available in PDF format. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General]
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy copies of ALL electronic filings required. Deliver to Judge Weisman's chambers (Room 1318) within one business day of filing. Per LR 5.2: paper copies must be bound on left side and include protruding tabs for exhibits; list of exhibits required for documents with more than one exhibit. Court appreciates paper copies compiled in an orderly and organized fashion. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General]
Proposed Orders
Email Word format to Proposed_Order_Weisman@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include: case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of proposed order. Must be submitted in Word-compatible format. Any proposed order must also be served on all other parties by copying the email submission to all parties of record. [Judge Weisman -- 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
Call chambers at (312) 435-5656 or courtroom deputy at (312) 408-5058 after 4:00 p.m. the day before to check whether appearance is needed. Unless Court has said no appearance is required, all counsel must appear even for agreed motions. If no appearance required, moving counsel must notify other counsel. [Judge Weisman -- Motion and Status Practice: General]
Remote Appearances
Court will attempt to avoid unnecessary appearances and accommodate telephonic appearances when appropriate. For civil hearings conducted remotely, hearings may not be recorded -- if not recorded, Court will advise parties and only record will be the minute order. Parties may jointly email courtroom deputy to seek telephonic appearance at least three days prior to hearing if unable to appear in person.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Call courtroom deputy Alyssia Owens at (312) 408-5058 as soon as possible if parties resolve an issue scheduled for argument or under consideration. After normal business hours, leave a voicemail message.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by Judge Weisman in referral and consent cases. LR 37.2 required. Court will not hear any discovery motion unless parties have complied with LR 37.2. Any discovery motion must state with specificity when and how movant complied with LR 37.2. Compliance requires face-to-face or telephone communication -- mere exchange of correspondence (including email) will not normally be sufficient. Court considers failure to seriously engage in meet-and-confer as grounds for denial.
Discovery Dispute Procedure Calendar-first
LR 37.2 required. All parties must be fully prepared to argue any discovery motion on the date noticed for presentment. Court ordinarily will decide discovery motions after oral argument and without briefing. If Judge Weisman thinks a response is necessary, presentment date may be stricken and another date set, or Court will rule on papers via CM/ECF. [Judge Weisman -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
Court has prepared a Standing Order for settlement conference procedures available from website or courtroom deputy. Counsel and clients must read and follow the Standing Order prior to any settlement conference. Parties should consider the Settlement Term Sheet Judge Weisman often requires at conclusion of settlement conference. [Judge Weisman -- Settlement Conference]
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel for each party, or attorney with substantial familiarity with and responsibility for the case, should appear at initial status conference prepared to discuss all aspects of the case. Court strongly encourages parties to permit less experienced lawyers to actively participate in proceedings (argument at motions, settlement conferences, examining witnesses at hearings and trial).
Under Seal Filings
No documents may be filed under seal without prior order of Court specifying particular document. As alternative to filing under seal, LR 26.2 allows judge to order parties to retain confidential documents, file redacted copy with Clerk, and provide judge with complete copy for in camera use. Court generally will not approve filing entire pleadings or briefs under seal. Motion to seal must demonstrate good cause with specific description of document(s) and explanation of why confidentiality is necessary.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Any extension of time motion must include: (1) statement that movant has sought other side's agreement; and (2) specification of result of that request. In non-consent cases, consider nature of referral -- if district court affirmatively stated Judge Weisman may not extend discovery dates, file with district court. If dates were set by Judge Weisman, file with this Court.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Calendar-first model: civil and criminal motions/status M/Tu/W/Th at 9:15 a.m. (check weekly schedule notice for variations). Courtesy copies required for ALL filings within one business day. All PDFs must be searchable (no scanned images). Call after 4:00 p.m. day before to confirm appearance needed. Magistrate judge who encourages consent jurisdiction, firm trial dates, and junior lawyer participation.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 28, 2026.
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