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On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT, the P. Michael Mahoney Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will present People Who Care After 20 Years: Looking Back at the Landmark Rockford School Desegregation Case.

The program promises a…

The Northern District and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association are seeking nominations – no later than August 1, 2021 – for outstanding pro bono and public interest representation in civil and criminal matters before the Court.

Factors considered include:

  • dedication to pro bono or public interest work;
  • outstanding achievement resulting from the

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The Chicago chapter of the Federal Bar Association is hosting a CLE program designed to introduce the Northern District of Illinois’ newest magistrate judges on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 12pm until 1:30pm. Lunch will be provided, along with 1.25 hours of credit, pending approval. The event is being hosted at the Chicago Bar Association,…

As part of the Northern District of Illinois’ continuing 200th anniversary celebration, the Northern District of Illinois Court Historical Association, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association are hosting a program on March 20, 2019 from 3:00-4:30 pm CT in courtroom 2525 highlighting federal judicial trailblazers:

  • Chief Judge Ruben Castillo –

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The Northern District and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association are seeking nominations (by March 12, 2018) for attorneys who have provided outstanding pro bono and public interest representation in civil and criminal matters before the Northern District that are complete and no longer pending.  In the words of the Northern District:

The…

The Northern District and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association are seeking nominations (by April 3, 2015) for attorneys who have provided outstanding pro bono and public interest representation in civil and criminal matters before the Northern District that are complete and no longer pending.  In the words of the Northern District:

The…

The Federal Bar Association — an excellent group that is worth joining (disclosure: I am a member) — recently held a panel of Northern District judges. Here are my notes regarding Judge Kendall’s comments:
Judge Kendall will allow parties to appear by phone, if there is a legitimate conflict or need, but prefers not to hear counsel ordering a latte during a hearing.
She pointed out that an average district judge has a docket of 300 civil and 100 criminal cases, with about 100 pending motions.
Judge Kendall scans briefs as they come in and meets clerks formally every two weeks to discuss the direction of opinions. Noted that many motions are straightforward to decide.
Judge Kendall has sidebars with jurors either if a juror has private information to share or if a juror has very strong feelings on any question. Sidebars avoid problems, and lawyers tend to be more human during sidebars. Sidebars also allow lawyers to ask questions that they may not be able to in open court.
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Continue Reading N.D. Illinois Judges Panel: Judge Kendall

The Federal Bar Association – an excellent group that is worth joining (disclosure: I am a member) – recently held a panel of Northern District judges. Here are my notes regarding Judge Zagel’s comments:
The most valuable cost control tool Judge Zagel has found is an early deposition, often of a 30(b)(6) designee, allowing for a second deposition later in the case. The early deposition tends to narrow discovery and case issues.
Clerks write first drafts of Judge Zagel’s opinions, with one clerk taking even cases and the other taking odd numbered cases. Clerks can write first drafts because a majority of cases are inadequately prosecuted or defended and, therefore, do not result in motions that are difficult, close calls.
Judge Zagel writes 10-15% of his own opinions.
Judge Zagel does voir dire by himself. Counsel do not ask questions.
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Continue Reading N.D. Illinois Judicial Panel: Judge Zagel

The Federal Bar Association – an excellent group that is worth joining (disclosure: I am a member) – recently held a panel of Northern District judges. Here are my notes regarding Judge Pallmeyer’s comments:
Judge Pallmeyer does not like hearings by phone, but will allow them in appropriate circumstances.
She reads briefs as they come in, but has clerks write some opinions. She also avoids unnecessary opinions.
When possible and appropriate, Judge Pallmeyer encourages live argument and immediate decision. So, show up for hearings prepared to argue.
Judge Pallmeyer uses a two-page questionnaire tailored to each case for voir dire. She then asks follow up and gives counsel brief opportunities to follow up, followed by preemptory challenges.
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Continue Reading N.D. Illinois Judicial Panel: Judge Pallmeyer