**Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Schneider** took her oath of office on February 11, 2021. She serves the Northern District of Illinois Western Division, with her chambers in Rockford. After law school, Judge Schneider clerked for Judge Paul V. Niemeyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. After her clerkship, she practiced federal civil litigation as an associate at Mayer Brown in Chicago. From 2006 through 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois in both its Rockford and Chicago offices. During her time as a federal prosecutor, she was Deputy Chief in the Chicago office's narcotics and violent crimes sections and was the Chief of the Rockford Office. She serves as President of the P. Michael Mahoney (Rockford) chapter of the Federal Bar Association. **Education** - University of Michigan Law School, J.D. - University of Illinois, undergraduate degree **Career** - Chief, Rockford Office, and Deputy Chief, Narcotics/Violent Crimes, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois (2006–2021) - Associate, Mayer Brown, Chicago (federal civil litigation) - Law Clerk, Hon. Paul V. Niemeyer, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
**Courthouse:** Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101 **Chambers:** Room 6300 **Phone:** (779) 772-8037 **Chambers Staff** - Operations Specialist: Jillian Person, (779) 772-8338, Room 6300 - Law Clerks: Anna Roskamp-Maguire, Amy Engerman
Courtesy copies are required when a filing is > 25 pages. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by mail. Statements over 25 pages require courtesy copies to chambers.
Judge Margaret J. Schneider's rule states these limits: 10 pages. Settlement position statements limited to 10 pages each.
Judge Margaret J. Schneider's formatting rule includes joint session with court's opening remarks, private caucuses with each party, no opening presentations by parties, and statements not admissible in discovery or trial. Settlement conferences are typically remote via video but can be in-person if requested; format includes joint session followed by private caucuses.
The rule requires email submission. Settlement statements must be emailed to specific chambers address.
The rule requires certificate of conference. Settlement conference communications are confidential under multiple rules and must be treated as such.
Settlement position statements limited to 10 pages each.
Statements over 25 pages require courtesy copies to chambers.
Settlement statements must be emailed to specific chambers address.
Settlement conference communications are confidential under multiple rules and must be treated as such.
Parties with settlement authority must personally attend settlement conference.
Telephone attendance is prohibited except in extraordinary circumstances with prior court approval; non-compliance results in fee sanctions.
Settlement conferences are typically remote via video but can be in-person if requested; format includes joint session followed by private caucuses.
Settlement terms must be detailed and made binding at conference conclusion; defendants should prepare settlement agreement format in advance.