--- title: "Michael Otto | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-otto" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael Otto Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County · Associate Judge, Law Division Motion Section, Calendar R ## Profile - Court: Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County - State: Illinois - Role: Associate Judge, Law Division Motion Section, Calendar R - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile. ## Biography ### Professional career - Michael F. Otto is a long‐serving judge in Cook County, Illinois - is an Associate Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, assigned to the Commercial Calendar Section (Calendar U) of the Law Division - litigation attorney at Jenner & Block LLP ### Education - University of Pennsylvania — B.A. - Washington University in St. Louis School of Law — J.D. ### Additional information - First appointed to the bench in 2012 to fill a judicial vacancy and has since served in various assignments within the Law Division - Associate Judge appointments: 2014, reappointed in 2015 and 2019 - In April 2014, he was reappointed as an Associate Judge and has been reappointed in 2015 and 2019 - He initially served a term from February 15, 2012, to 2014, then ran for election to the Cook County 9th Subcircuit in 2014 but was defeated in the Democratic primary - to Hon. Joseph Gordon of the Illinois Appellate Court (1998–1999) and to Hon. Charles E. Freeman of the Illinois Supreme Court (1999–2007) - After graduating law school, Otto was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1998 - in 1995 - in 1990 - March 10, 1968 - , Judge Michael F. Otto’s career spans high-level litigation, judicial clerkship, and long-term service on the Cook County bench, reflecting both his legal expertise and commitment to public service. - in Evanston, Illinois - His academic qualifications include his - and his - He is a member of Phi Delta Phi and the Order of the Coif - for four years - He also held positions at Thompson Coburn in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in litigation - to fill a vacancy caused by the retirement of Hon. Dennis J. Burke - Class Litigation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association - and has received recognition for his pro bono work from the Family Defense Center - He is a registered Democrat - of the Cook County Circuit Court, among them tort, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle cases - His office is located at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL - In summary ## 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 ### in person default Scope: judge specific Judge Otto conducts future court dates in person unless otherwise specifically ordered. Evidence excerpt: all future court dates in all cases will be conducted in person [Law Division Calendar R Standing Order](https://ocj-web-files.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orders/2024-02-01%20-%20Law%20-%20Calendar%20R%20-%20Otto%20-%20Standing%20Order_2.pdf?VersionId=3.f6Bsla0kROjm5L6eumUjpSY93bWSjC) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### courtesy copies Scope: judge specific Judge Otto requires both electronic and physical complete courtesy-copy sets, with physical exhibits tabbed and materials double-sided. Evidence excerpt: one complete set sent electronically ... and one complete set of physical courtesy copies [Law Division Calendar R Standing Order](https://ocj-web-files.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orders/2024-02-01%20-%20Law%20-%20Calendar%20R%20-%20Otto%20-%20Standing%20Order_2.pdf?VersionId=3.f6Bsla0kROjm5L6eumUjpSY93bWSjC) Source checked: 2026-07-28 ### recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved. Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### official record Scope: statewide The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services. Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court. [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote appearances Scope: statewide Circuit court participants may appear remotely without advance approval in covered proceedings; evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the presiding judge's approval, subject to the rule's case-specific safeguards. Evidence excerpt: Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court's available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote appearance policy Scope: statewide Illinois circuit courts must implement Rule 45 through published local procedures and accessible remote technology; Rule 45 and controlling case orders determine whether approval is required. Evidence excerpt: Supreme Court Rule 45 authorizes and fosters the use of remote appearances in circuit courts with a goal of achieving uniformity in remote appearance practices throughout the state. [Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### extended media coverage Scope: statewide Illinois circuit courts accept extended-media requests for public proceedings, normally at least seven days in advance, but the presiding judge may deny, limit, or terminate coverage and protected proceedings remain restricted. Evidence excerpt: all Illinois judicial circuit courts shall allow requests for extended media coverage of public court proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this policy [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/otto-michael-f) - [Official roster](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/otto-michael-f) - [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/otto-michael-f) - [Law Division Calendar R Standing Order](https://ocj-web-files.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orders/2024-02-01%20-%20Law%20-%20Calendar%20R%20-%20Otto%20-%20Standing%20Order_2.pdf?VersionId=3.f6Bsla0kROjm5L6eumUjpSY93bWSjC) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf) - [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-otto", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-otto", "name": "Michael Otto | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael Otto, Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County. 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Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/10719c29-d129-41cc-b4c8-0027ca878a42/Rule%209.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8b1063af76378b60bb59dbf0) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Discovery](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-01acf8596703e90b82e3e7b0) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8e024c35-ffd1-45bb-a289-eda92bc5e1ee/Rule%2089.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Papers-- Sanctions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8bcee20492ad95411af02906) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/9ce1fce9-895f-463e-b87d-f9b7631f8fde/Rule%20137.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Appearances--Answers--Motions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f58d7fcac0e441aa2b8f5985) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f3e14c02-f103-410a-b192-a7b74607e49d/Rule%20181.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Motions on Grounds of Forum Non Conveniens](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-04f35e4cb24fd9207305e9a3) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/3ca42402-7b18-499d-b048-d45fed36dfa2/Rule%20187.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — General Discovery Provisions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34c75224678e071bb8a403db) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/04def41f-b72c-4fdc-bdd8-eda350a95151/Rule%20201.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Purposes for Which Depositions May be Taken in a Pending Action](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5aa1fc88faa267abb7daaf52) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/744bc960-17d7-4a6d-a14f-fe5540759f4b/Rule%20202.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2089d8e032646c30d3e1fcec) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.