Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
Starting July 7, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana will implement a new order changing how civil cases are assigned—expanding the role of Magistrate Judges.
Most civil cases will now be randomly assigned to either a District or Magistrate Judge. If a Magistrate Judge is assigned, parties will receive a notice after the initial scheduling order and have 21 days to consent to the Magistrate Judge handling the entire case, including trial. If all parties consent, the Magistrate Judge will oversee all proceedings. If any party declines, the case goes to a District Judge, with the Magistrate Judge assisting with pretrial matters.
The court highlights Magistrate Judges as vital to timely and efficient case resolution. Because they don’t have to prioritize criminal cases, they can often move civil cases faster, saving time and cost.
Pro se litigants (those representing themselves) will receive a “Fast Track” option for quicker resolution—bench trial within six months—if all parties consent, with limited discovery and no summary judgment motions.
Geographic assignment rules are also being updated: Fort Wayne cases will go to Chief Judge Holly Brady or Judge Cristal Brisco; Hammond and Lafayette cases are to be shared among Judges Simon, Lund, Moody, Springmann, and DeGuilio; South Bend cases will now go to Judges Leichty and Brisco.
Some case types—such as habeas petitions, §2255 motions, prisoner suits, and “Other Contract” matters—will follow special assignment rules, and certain judges will not be assigned specific types of cases.
The systems set forth in the new order aim to streamline civil case management while offering parties faster, flexible resolution options.
This order has been adopted in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana and is set to take effect on July 7, 2025.