--- title: "Janet S. Baer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-s-baer-8786" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Janet S. Baer U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois ยท U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois - State: Illinois - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Illinois, 2012-present - U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, appointed on March 5, 2012 - Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit on March 5, 2012 - Baer first served as a law clerk to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert L. Eisen - Named partner at Baer Higgins Fruchtman LLC and previously worked at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Winston & Strawn LLP, and Schwartz, Cooper, Greenberger & Krauss - Began her legal career as a law clerk to Hon - She has mentored law students, taught at area law schools, and held the role of a Presiding Judge for naturalization ceremonies ### Education - University of Wisconsin - Madison โ€” B.A. - DePaul College of Law โ€” J.D. ### Additional information - Appointed to the court on March 5, 2012, and retired on March 4, 2026. - Before her judicial appointment, Baer had 25 years in private practice as a restructuring attorney - focusing on large publicly held debtors in restructuring and Chapter 11 matters. - She continued working with different law firms until forming her own. - She also maintained a solo practice - Judge Baer has been active in numerous bar organizations, including the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, and American Bankruptcy Institute. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### motion form Scope: courtwide Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order. Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### motion notice timing Scope: courtwide Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion. Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### contested matter notice Scope: courtwide In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one. Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### disputed fact testimony Scope: courtwide Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidentiary hearing notice Scope: courtwide Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidence rules Scope: courtwide Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases. Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oath or affirmation Scope: courtwide A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it. Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8786/janet-s-baer/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8786/janet-s-baer/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8786/janet-s-baer/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8786/janet-s-baer/) - [Hon. Janet S. Baer - 31st Annual Spring Meeting](https://31stannualspringmeeting2013.sched.com/speaker/hon.janets.baer) - [Janet S. Baer - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Janet_S._Baer) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-s-baer-8786", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-s-baer-8786", "name": "Janet S. Baer | KnowJudges", "description": "Janet S. Baer, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-s-baer-8786#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-s-baer-8786#judge", "name": "Janet S. 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