**Magistrate Judge Albert Berry III** was appointed to the Northern District of Illinois in 2025, filling the vacancy created when Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole retired. Before joining the bench, Judge Berry served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Section in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Prior to joining the USAO, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Attorney General's Office from 2014 to 2016. **Education** - Albany Law School, J.D., 2003 - South Carolina State University, undergraduate degree, 2000 **Career** - Deputy Chief, Violent Crimes Section, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois - Assistant Attorney General, Illinois Attorney General's Office (2014–2016)
**Courthouse:** Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604 **Chambers:** Room 2206 **Phone:** (312) 435-5607 **Fax:** (312) 554-8947 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Yulonda Thomas, (312) 408-5178, Room 2220 - Law Clerks: Amber Freeney, Michael La Mare
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Albert Berry III. Settlement statements must be emailed to Chambers_Berry@ilnd.uscourts.gov; no courtesy copies accepted.
Judge Albert Berry III's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Settlement statements limited to 10 pages each.
The rule requires interpreter responsibility. Non-English speaking parties must provide their own interpreter.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Settlement statements are not to be filed on ECF and are not admissible as evidence.
Parties may contact Judge Albert Berry III's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Counsel may request technology test run with Courtroom Deputy days before conference.
Settlement statements limited to 10 pages each.
Technology test run required 15-30 minutes before video settlement conference.
Counsel may request technology test run with Courtroom Deputy days before conference.
Non-English speaking parties must provide their own interpreter.
Interpreter must provide real-time word-for-word translation.
Violating interpreter requirement may result in sanctions.
Settlement communications cannot be photographed, recorded, or rebroadcasted.
Violating recording prohibitions may result in sanctions.
Parties must inform chambers promptly if rescheduling or canceling settlement conference.
Failure to attend settlement conference without notice may result in monetary sanctions.
Settlement statements must be emailed to Chambers_Berry@ilnd.uscourts.gov; no courtesy copies accepted.
Settlement statements are not to be filed on ECF and are not admissible as evidence.
Insurer representatives with full settlement authority must attend settlement conference.
No telephone-only attendance allowed at settlement conference.
Failure to attend or lack of full settlement authority may result in sanctions.
All parties must be on camera for video settlement conferences.
Cell phone use prohibited for settlement conference attendance.
Participants must use computer/tablet or be with someone who has one.