Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Andrea R. Wood -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2141, 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. MOST status hearings are by telephone -- check the call sheet or docket entry before each hearing. Do not assume in-person.
- 2. NO courtesy copies unless the court orders them. Exception: Final Pretrial Order requires TWO courtesy copies to chambers.
- 3. Proposed order must be emailed CONTEMPORANEOUSLY with filing the motion -- not days later.
- 4. PDF format: convert from word processor by printing to PDF. Scanned PDFs are not acceptable.
- 5. Reassigned cases: joint status report required within 14 days of reassignment order, not to exceed 5 pages.
- 6. Phone hearings: no speakerphone. Use handset or headset. Landline preferred. Mute while waiting.
- 7. Pendency of a dispositive motion does NOT in itself stay discovery.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Do NOT notice motions for presentment. For contested motions: parties jointly email Courtroom Deputy within 2 business days of filing to request a hearing or briefing schedule. Parties may also request a hearing in the motion itself. Court may also set hearing or briefing schedule without a request. Court often rules on discovery motions after argument without requiring briefing. [Judge Wood -- Discovery Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Wood -- Discovery Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Unless the court directs otherwise, NO courtesy copies may be submitted. If ordered: deliver to drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy's office,... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | MOST status hearings are by telephone. Check the call sheet or docket entry to confirm whether a hearing is in person or by phone. Do not use speakerphone; use a handset or headset. Landline preferred. Mute while waiting. Remote participants: general prohibition on photographing, recording, or rebroadcasting proceedings applies. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Pendency of a dispositive motion does not in itself stay discovery. Court often rules on discovery motions after argument without requiring briefing. |
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
Do NOT notice motions for presentment. For contested motions: parties jointly email Courtroom Deputy within 2 business days of filing to request a hearing or briefing schedule. Parties may also request a hearing in the motion itself. Court may also set hearing or briefing schedule without a request. Court often rules on discovery motions after argument without requiring briefing. [Judge Wood -- Discovery 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 Wood -- Discovery Motion Practice]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1.
Reply Limit
Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Font & Formatting
Electronic filings created with word-processing software should be converted to PDF by printing to PDF (not by scanning). Per LR 5.2(e).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Unless the court directs otherwise, NO courtesy copies may be submitted. If ordered: deliver to drop-box outside Courtroom Deputy's office, Room 2140. Exception: Final Pretrial Order requires TWO courtesy copies to chambers (this is the only filing that requires courtesy copies absent a court order).
Proposed Orders
Email Word-compatible format to Proposed_Order_Wood@ilnd.uscourts.gov contemporaneously with filing the motion. Subject line: (1) case number/name; (2) docket number of motion; (3) title of order. Serve on all parties. Not required for routine motions (extensions) or dispositive motions. Must still file motion on the docket -- email alone is not a substitute. [Judge Wood -- Proposed Orders]
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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
Parties may request hearing in the motion or by joint email to Courtroom Deputy. Court may set hearing without request.
Remote Appearances
MOST status hearings are by telephone. Check the call sheet or docket entry to confirm whether a hearing is in person or by phone. Do not use speakerphone; use a handset or headset. Landline preferred. Mute while waiting. Remote participants: general prohibition on photographing, recording, or rebroadcasting proceedings applies.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
All communications with the court must be through docket filings. Cover letters accompanying courtesy copies are acceptable. Do NOT communicate about case merits by letter, phone, or email (excluding proposed order submission process).
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Pendency of a dispositive motion does not in itself stay discovery. Court often rules on discovery motions after argument without requiring briefing.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 required. Face-to-face or telephonic (correspondence normally insufficient). E-discovery impasse: meet and confer with IT representatives in person or by phone before filing motion. Court often rules after argument without additional briefing. [Judge Wood -- Discovery Motion Practice]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
No published individual procedures.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model per General Order 21-0027. Most status hearings telephonic -- confirm each time. Courtesy copies prohibited except for Final Pretrial Order (two copies required). Proposed orders submitted contemporaneously with motion filing. PDF must be printed-to-PDF, not scanned.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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