**District Judge John Robert Blakey** was appointed to the Northern District of Illinois by President Barack Obama in 2014. Before his federal appointment, Judge Blakey served as Chief of Special Prosecutions Bureau in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office from 2009 to 2014. He previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois from 2004 to 2009, and in the Southern District of Florida from 2000 to 2004. He also served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County from 1996 to 2000 and clerked for Judge William J. Zloch in the Southern District of Florida from 1992 to 1994. He also serves as a Judge for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (2025–present). **Education** - Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1992 - London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, C.F.A., 1989 - University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1988 **Career** - Judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (2025–present) - Chief, Special Prosecutions Bureau, Cook County State's Attorney's Office (2009–2014) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois (2004–2009) - Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Florida (2000–2004) - Assistant State's Attorney, Cook County (1996–2000) - Private practice, Chicago (1995–1996) - Law Clerk, Hon. William J. Zloch, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (1992–1994)
**Courthouse:** Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604 **Chambers:** Room 1288 **Phone:** (312) 435-6058 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Emily Wirtz, (312) 818-6699, Room 1204 - Court Reporter: Kathleen Sebastian, (312) 582-3231, Room 1212 - Law Clerks: Brianna Ivy, Jackie Dunn, Jeremy Wang
Courtesy copies are required for pretrial orders. Details: delivery upon filing, by hand delivery. Pretrial Memorandum must be emailed in Word format with courtesy copy to chambers.
Judge John Robert Blakey's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Parties must conduct Rule 26(f) planning conference.
Judge John Robert Blakey's rule states these limits: 30 pages. Motions in limine must be filed 10 business days before final pretrial conference, limited to 30 pages in a single pleading.
Judge John Robert Blakey's rule states these limits: 30 pages. Responses to motions in limine must be filed 5 business days before final pretrial conference, limited to 30 pages.
The rule requires judge name and case number. Joint status report required; individual reports must be explained.
The rule requires case management plan. Counsel must submit discovery proposal and case management plan.
Requests should be made at least 3 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge John Robert Blakey. Pretrial motions must be filed by Court-ordered date or specified deadline.
Parties must conduct Rule 26(f) planning conference.
Joint status report required; individual reports must be explained.
Incomplete service requires description of efforts and completion estimate per FRCP 4.
Counsel must submit discovery proposal and case management plan.
Proposed confidentiality orders require motion, redlined and clean Word versions to specific email.
Pretrial Memorandum must be emailed in Word format with courtesy copy to chambers.
Pretrial Memorandum must be filed on ECF docket under 'Other Documents'.
List all trial attorneys with contact info; lead counsel must provide cell phone to chambers.
Pretrial Memorandum must include neutral case statement for jury selection.
Pretrial Memorandum must include estimated trial length in days.
Submit agreed exhibits and list factual/testimonial stipulations with Pretrial Memorandum.
Submit proposed trial exhibit list with exhibit number, description, and relevance.
Submit two sets of exhibit binders to chambers by 9:00 AM on first day of jury selection.
Pretrial motions must be filed by Court-ordered date or specified deadline.
Motions in limine must be filed 10 business days before final pretrial conference, limited to 30 pages in a single pleading.
Responses to motions in limine must be filed 5 business days before final pretrial conference, limited to 30 pages.
Trial briefs not required but may be filed with leave of court by motions in limine deadline; no briefs allowed during trial without leave.