Judge Andrea R. Wood
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 3 copies • After Final Pretrial Conference
Exhibit Binder
- 2 copies • At Least 5 Business Days Before Final Pretrial Conference
Pretrial Order
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements5 rules
Parties must meet and confer on jury instructions and verdict forms before filing final pretrial order, with specific formatting requirements for disputed instructions.
- Document
- Final pretrial order
Must include
- •Verdict form
- •Jury instructions
Court's wording
The parties are instructed to meet and attempt to agree on the jury instructions and verdict form before filing the final pretrial order. The proposed jury instructions must state, on an instruction-by-instruction basis, the following information: the proponent of the instruction, the legal authority for the instruction, and whether there is an objection to the instruction. If an instruction is disputed, the objecting party must concisely state – either at the bottom of the same page or on the page immediately following the instruction – the grounds for the objection, as well as any proposed modification or alternative. The same principles apply to proposed verdict forms.
Final pretrial conference held 1-3 weeks before trial; objections not raised in final pretrial order or at conference are waived.
- Document
- Final pretrial order
Should include
- •Objections to exhibits
- •Objections to witnesses
Court's wording
The Court will hold a final pretrial conference approximately one to three weeks before trial. Lead trial counsel should appear fully prepared and with authority to discuss all aspects of the case. At the conference, the Court will address pending motions in limine, objections to witnesses and exhibits, contested jury instructions, trial procedures, and scheduling matters. Objections to witnesses, deposition designations, and exhibits that are not raised in the proposed final pretrial order or at the final pretrial conference will be deemed waived, absent a showing of good cause.
Word versions of jury instructions and verdict forms must be emailed to Proposed_Order_Wood@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
Court's wording
In addition to filing the proposed jury instructions and verdict form as part of the final pretrial order, the parties also must submit a Word version of each to the Court’s Proposed Order e- mailbox: Proposed_Order_Wood@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
The parties are advised that the Court prefers the Seventh Circuit Pattern Instructions when applicable.
Trial briefs not required for jury or most bench trials; leave required if not requested by Court.
Court's wording
The Court does not require trial briefs for jury trials or most bench trials. Any party who wishes to file a trial brief in a case where it has not been requested by the Court, must seek leave to do so.
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Three sets of final exhibit binders must be delivered to chambers after final pretrial conference.
After the final pretrial conference and rulings on exhibits, the parties will be asked to deliver three sets of final exhibit binders to chambers, one of which will serve as a witness set at trial.
Civil cases
Final pretrial order must be filed electronically with two courtesy copies to chambers.
For all civil trials, the Court will set a date in advance of trial by which the parties must file a joint proposed final pretrial order. The final pretrial order must be signed by counsel for each party and filed electronically using CM/ECF, with two courtesy copies delivered to chambers.
Civil cases
Two sets of exhibit binders with objections must be delivered to chambers 5 business days before final pretrial conference.
At least five (5) business days before the final pretrial conference, the parties must deliver to chambers two sets of binders containing copies of any proposed exhibits to which a party has raised an objection.
Civil cases
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer on all motions in limine before filing, and state if there is no objection.
The parties must meet and confer on all motions in limine before the motions are filed. If there is no objection, but the movant wishes to file a motion memorializing the issue and non-objection, then the motion must state that there is no objection.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Motions in Limine
Motions in limine typically due with final pretrial order, with briefing to follow Court's schedule.
In most cases, motions in limine will be due on the same date as the final pretrial order, with response and reply briefs to follow according to the schedule set by the Court.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Motions in Limine
Chambers Communication Rules
Court has limited evidence projection systems; request in advance from Joe Novak at (312) 435-6045; parties may use own systems with advance request.
The Court has a limited number of evidence projection systems, which may or may not be available for use on particular dates. Parties desiring access to the Court’s evidence projection systems are advised to submit a request as far in advance as possible to Joe Novak, the Courtroom Technology Administrator. Mr. Novak may be reached at (312) 435-6045. Parties will be permitted to use their own evidence projection systems, upon reasonable terms, if a request is made in advance of trial.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Evidence Projection Systems