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The Standards for Professional Conduct Within the Seventh Federal Judicial Circuit are hereby adopted as the governing standard for matters pending before Magistrate Judge Wilkerson. Pro se litigants will abide by the directions therein to counsel. The standards are located in the Practitioner’s Handbook published by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Internet access to the standards may be obtained at the following URL: www.ca7.uscourts.gov/conduct.pdf

In addition to the Seventh Circuit standards, Judge Wilkerson expects the following:

● Attorneys/pro se litigants are expected to practice civility at all times in the Courtroom and attorneys are expected to exhibit professionalism and courtesy at all times.

● Stand when Judge Wilkerson enters the courtroom.

● Unless permission is granted to do otherwise, parties addressing the court are directed to stand at the podium at all times when speaking in court.

● When examining a witness attorneys/pro se litigants are instructed to ask permission of the Court before approaching a witness. If permission is granted the attorney/pro se litigant need not ask on subsequent occasions to approach that witness.

● When making objections attorneys/pro se litigants must stand.

● All statements by attorneys/pro se litigants must be directed to the Court and not to opposing counsel.

● During argument of opposing counsel, opposing counsel/pro se litigant must remain seated at counsel table and be respectful. Never divert the attention of the Court or jury.

● In the case that an attorney receives an adverse ruling from the Court, Judge Wilkerson expects that attorney to react in a professional manner. Judge Wilkerson does not believe that professionals should engage in fits of pique or vexation in the event of adverse rulings. Higher courts exist to correct mistakes of law. Judge Wilkerson is courteous to all who enter his courtroom and chambers and will not tolerate any less from professionals who appear before him.

The filing of all pleadings shall be with the Clerk’s Office on the first floor of courthouse and not in chambers. However, please alert chambers when filing pleadings less than one week before a scheduled hearing or trial and provide a courtesy copy to the chambers. Once a case is in trial, all filings shall be with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk in the courtroom. Courtesy copies are discouraged, unless they relate to a matter to be heard in court.

All litigants and attorneys should be aware that something filed with the Clerk’s Office will not be conveyed to chambers until docketed, a process which often takes a full business week. Consequently, if asking the court to extend the deadline to file a pleading, the motion should take into account such a time delay. For example, if the motion asks specifically for a four-day extension of time, it likely will not reach Judge Wilkerson’s desk until after that four days has passed. Consequently, the request cannot be granted unless the pleading has in the meantime been deposited with the Clerk’s Office allowing for an order to file instanter. The better practice would be to alert chambers of its filing, so we can direct expedited handling, or make the request open-ended, while advising the judge how much additional time is needed and depositing the pleading with the Clerk within the time requested. If depositing the pleading with the Clerk, prior to leave being granted, supply a proposed order to chambers directly which provides for leave to file instanter.

Judge Wilkerson will hear oral argument on motions in exceptional circumstances only upon his determination of such need. Parties who wish oral argument should make the request in writing and state the reason the exception exists in the motion at issue. If Judge Wilkerson directs that oral argument should proceed, parties will be advised by written or telephone notice and further advised if a time limit on argument has been set. Parties should expect time limits to be strictly enforced.

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Media Relations

The media should expect this chambers and every member of it to comply with Canon 3(A)(6):

A judge should avoid public comment on the merits of a pending or impending action, requiring similar restraint by court personnel subject to the judge’s direction and control. This proscription does not extend to public statements made in the course of the judge’s official duties, to the explanation of court procedures, or to a scholarly presentation made for purposes of legal education.

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Communications with Chambers

When the need arises to communicate with chambers, contact Holly Stone for cases ending with an odd number (618) 482-9382, and Jonathan Waldron for cases ending with an even number (618) 482-9278. If it is a scheduling matter, contact Courtroom Deputy Robin Butler (618) 482-9376.

Direct communication with chambers should only be for urgent matters wherein the usual filing process will cause undue delay. Likewise, such contact shall only be with the knowledge and consent of or in concert with opposing counsel or pro se litigants. Every litigant and all attorneys are expected to respect the rules against inappropriate ex parte communications with all members of chambers. The typical effort to violate this rule occurs when persons attempt to influence law clerks in some action usually through the vehicle of inquiring about the law clerk’s opinion regarding how he or she expects the Court to rule on a pending matter while simultaneously advocating a position. Appropriate communications with law clerks include scheduling matters (in the absence of the Courtroom Deputy and with consent of opposing counsel or parties) and the need for information regarding chambers-specific procedures and policies not clearly established herein. Judge Wilkerson requires adherence to the Local Rules except in rare cases, of which he will directly advise parties. Therefore, questions about Local Rules and procedures covered by such Rules should be addressed by reading the Rules and not directed to law clerks

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Facilities

The following technological devices for evidence presentation or video display are available: ELMO, projection screen and dual television projections. Parties desiring to utilize such equipment must notify the Court in advance.

Counsel should advise clients and witnesses to avoid contact with the jury.

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Court Hours and Promptness

Promptness is expected of everyone involved in the proceedings before Court. The Courtroom Deputy should be advised of any delay to be occasioned by one’s tardiness.

During trial days, Court will be in session from 9:00 until 4:30, with morning and afternoon breaks and an hour and a quarter for lunch. Judge Wilkerson will break between noon and 1:00 for lunch. Counsel’s diligence in keeping track of the time will greatly assist the Court in avoiding an interruption in the testimony at illogical points. The timing of all breaks will be determined by the court.

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Staff:
Main Chambers: (618) 482-9380
Courtroom Deputy Clerk: (Scheduling matters) Robin Butler  (618) 482-9376
Law Clerk: Jonathan Waldron (618) 482-9278
Law Clerk: Holly Stone (618) 482-9382
Court Security Officer: Bennie Radford (618) 482-9139
Teleconference: (618)  482-9004
Fax: (618) 482-9277

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