Thomas M. Lynch
How Judge Lynch rules, drawn from 23 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Lynch
Thomas M. Lynch has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since January 2013. He earned degrees from the University of Dayton, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University School of Law. Before joining the bench, he worked in government finance and private law practice.
Judge Lynch's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Lynch, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
- Judge Thomas M Lynch Procedures ↗
- Final Pretrial Order: Standard Trial Form ↗
- Standing Order No. 1: Signature Stamp ↗
Key rules
Filing
Send no courtesy copies to chambers unless Judge Lynch directs otherwise.
“No copies of motions, exhibits or other filings shall be delivered to chambers unless directed by Judge Lynch.”
Trial
For evidentiary hearings, email an electronic exhibit list and PDF exhibits to the court before the hearing unless ordered otherwise.
“The parties shall provide an electronic copy of their exhibit list and all exhibits in PDF format via email to [email protected] prior to the hearing.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Lynch decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
In Primes, Lynch held that a motion for relief from the bankruptcy stay should not become a miniature confirmation hearing.
“Adjudicating a relief from stay motion, therefore, must not be a mini confirmation hearing.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Debtor's objection to her claim that this debt should be given priority status is sustained”
“Claim 3-1 disallowed.”
“we further overrule her objection”
“the Trustee’s objection to the Debtor’s claim of exemption will be sustained.”
“the court therefore sustains the trustee’s objection”
“For the foregoing reasons, both McHen-ry Savings Bank’s motion for relief from the automatic stay under Section 362(d) and its motion for relief from the co-debtor stay under Section 1301(c) will be granted.”
“Accordingly, the motion for relief from the co-debtor stay will be granted.”
“the Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment will be denied.”
“the District cannot now invoke the Tax Injunction Act to challenge this Court’s 2013 Sale Order.”
“Associated Bank’s objection to confirmation of the Amended Plan will be sustained and confirmation denied.”
“the Debtors’ motion to dismiss will be granted without prejudice.”
“the Reorganized Debtor’s motion to substitute as plaintiff will be DENIED”
“Mr. Hovis’s motion to dismiss the adversary will be GRANTED.”
“the Bank’s motion will be denied.”
“Debtor’s motion for rule to show cause will be denied.”
“the application to employ Neal Wolf and the other attorneys of record at Much Shelist will be granted”
Draft for Judge Lynch with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Lynch, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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- Grounded in Judge Lynch's own signed orders
- Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
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