Judge Karen L. O'Malley
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- Chambers Drop Off • By 4 30pm One Day After Reply Due
Courtesy copies
- Two Days Before Presentment
Petition To Approve Settlement
- Email • Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Motions and response briefs are limited to 15 pages; reply briefs to 8 pages.
Motions and response briefs are strictly limited to 15 pages. Reply brief not to exceed 8 pages.
Motion Or Response Brief
15 pages
Reply Brief
8 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Submissions should be 3-5 pages in length
Summary: Pretrial settlement submissions should be 3 to 5 pages.
Pretrial Settlement Submission
5 pages
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A list of each party's Rule 216 Requests for Admission and responses must be provided.
A list of each party's Supreme Court Rule 216 Request for Admission of Facts and responses thereto, if any;
Document Type
Rule 216 Responses
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Two copies of proposed jury instructions must be submitted, one marked with IPI numbering, the other unmarked, sorted by IPI numbering.
Two copies of proposed jury instructions (one marked with IPI numbering and citations and the other unmarked for the jury), which are to be sorted in the order of their numbering under the IPI system.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Copies of each party's motions in limine must be provided.
Copies of each party's motions *in limine*;
Document Type
Motions In Limine
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A complete jointly prepared exhibit list must identify whether the opposing side has objections and note their nature.
A complete and jointly prepared list of all exhibits each party intends to use at trial and whether the opposing side has any objections. In the event of objections, the nature of the objections must be noted, *i.e.*, foundation, relevance, etc.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Jointly prepared statement of the case to be read to the *venire*, including the expected length of the trial (*i.e.*, number of days/weeks) and a jointly prepared list of all potential witnesses to be read to the jury;
Summary: A jointly prepared statement of the case and a list of potential witnesses must be provided for reading to the jury.
Document Type
Statement Of Case And Witness List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Any stipulations between the parties;
Summary: Any stipulations between the parties must be provided.
Document Type
Stipulations
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The operative complaint and Rule 213 disclosures.
Summary: The operative complaint and Rule 213 disclosures must be provided upon trial assignment.
Document Type
Complaint And Rule 213 Disclosures
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The parties are to submit a proposed briefing schedule.
Summary: The parties must submit a proposed briefing schedule for motions.
Document Type
Briefing Schedule
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
must include a summary of any previous settlement negotiations.
Summary: Pretrial settlement submissions must include a summary of any prior settlement negotiations.
Document Type
Pretrial Settlement Submission
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
8. Two copies of proposed jury instructions (one marked with IPI numbering and citations and the other unmarked for the jury), which are to be sorted in the order of their numbering under the IPI system.
Summary: Two copies of proposed jury instructions (marked and unmarked) sorted by IPI number are required for jury trials.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
B. Transfer Order - Parties must first obtain an Order from Room 2005 transferring the case to Room 2605 for pre-trial purposes only.
Summary: Parties must obtain a transfer order from Room 2005 to move the case to Room 2605 for pretrial purposes.
Document Type
Transfer Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
C. Order — After the transfer order is entered, the parties must present a second Order to the courtroom clerk or karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov setting it for the agreed date and time assigned by the judge.
Summary: After the transfer order is entered, parties must submit a second order to the clerk or judge's email setting the pretrial date.
Document Type
Pretrial Scheduling Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
MOTIONS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE PROCEDURES MAY BE STRICKEN, AND THE COURT WILL NOT RULE ON THEM.
Summary: Motions that do not comply with these procedures may be stricken and the Court will not rule on them.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
COURTESY COPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED WITHOUT THE ACCOMPANYING ORDER.
Summary: Courtesy copies will not be accepted unless accompanied by the briefing order.
Document Type
Chambers Copy
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Pretrial settlement submissions must be made at least 3 days before the conference.
Pretrial settlement submissions should be submitted to the Court at least 3 days prior to the conference.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | II. PRETRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
Pretrial settlement submissions should be submitted at least 3 days before the conference, with parties agreeing on confidentiality.
D. Pretrial settlement submissions should be submitted to the Court at least 3 days prior to the conference. Parties are to agree whether or not the settlement submissions will be confidential.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2
Materials submitted after the courtesy copy deadline will not be accepted or considered in the ruling.
4. Materials submitted after the date above will not be accepted or considered in the ruling;
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTESTED MOTION BRIEFING ORDER
Service and Proof of Service Rules
All email communications to the Court must copy all counsel of record.
All email transmittals must copy all counsel of record.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of all motions must be delivered at least two days before presentment.
Courtesy copies of all motions are to be delivered at least two days before presentment.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | III. MOTIONS
Petitions to approve settlement in specified cases must be filed with courtesy copies emailed to chambers.
Petitions to Approve Settlement in cases involving wrongful death, survival, minor(s) or disabled individuals must be filed, with courtesy copies delivered to karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. PETITIONS TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT
Settlement petitions for specified vulnerable parties must be filed with courtesy copies emailed to the judge, copying all counsel.
Petitions to Approve Settlement in cases involving wrongful death, survival, minor(s) or disabled individuals must be filed, with courtesy copies delivered to karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov. All email transmittals must copy all counsel of record. Adherence to the Procedures adopted by the Law, Municipal and Probate Divisions is required.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2
The movant must deliver courtesy copies, briefs, pleadings, full deposition transcripts, exhibits, and an exhibit list to Room 2204 by hard copy and flash drive by 4:30 p.m. one day after the reply is due.
3. By 4:30 p.m on _________ , the Movant shall deliver all courtesy copies, briefs, pleadings, full deposition transcripts, exhibits, and a list of exhibits if more than one exhibit, to Room 2204 by hard copy and flash drive. (One day after reply due.)
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTESTED MOTION BRIEFING ORDER
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The briefing order sets deadlines for the response and the reply in contested motion briefing.
1. The Response of_________________ is due _______________; 2. The Reply of ___________________ is due ________________;
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTESTED MOTION BRIEFING ORDER
The Court will set a hearing or ruling date after it receives the courtesy copies.
5. Upon receipt of courtesy copies, the Court will enter a date for hearing or ruling.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTESTED MOTION BRIEFING ORDER
Chambers Communication Rules
Attorneys should email 3-5 proposed pretrial dates, including case name/number and copying all counsel.
Attorneys should submit 3-5 possible agreed dates to karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov. Please include the case name and number. Copy all counsel of record on the communication with the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | II. PRETRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
All email transmittals must copy all counsel of record.
All email transmittals must copy all counsel of record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. PETITIONS TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT
Counsel must email the court for a motion presentment date and time.
E-mail the court at karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov for a presentment date and time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | III. MOTIONS
Attorneys must submit 3-5 possible pretrial dates to the judge's email, including case name/number and copying all counsel.
A. Dates — Attorneys should submit 3-5 possible dates and times that work for all parties to karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov. Please include the case name and number. Copy all counsel of record on the communication with the Court. The judge will select the first available date for a pretrial.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
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Judge O'Malley's chambers email address is karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov.
karen.omalley@cookcountyil.gov
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
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Judge O'Malley's chambers phone number is (312) 603-3384.
(312) 603-3384
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
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Court Clerk Rita Patel's email address is Rapatel@cookcountycourt.com.
Court Clerk: Rita Patel Rapatel@cookcountycourt.com
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
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