Custom Awards, Inc. et al v. Burnett
| Custom Awards, Inc. and Cary Lachman |
| Matthew Burnett |
| 1:2026cv02302 |
| March 2, 2026 |
| U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois |
| Jeffrey I Cummings |
| Other Statutory Actions |
| 29 U.S.C. § 1109 Breach of Fiduciary Duties |
| Plaintiff |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on April 30, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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| Filing 36 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes: On further management of the Court's settlement calendar and in consideration of the parties' scheduling limitations, a settlement conference is set for 10:30 a.m. on 7/20/26 in Courtroom 1342 of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, or in whatever courtroom the magistrate judge is then sitting. Mediation statements in compliance with the Standing Order are due from plaintiff by 5 p.m. on 6/29/26 and from defendant by 5 p.m. on 7/8/26, to the Court's settlement correspondence mailbox at [email protected] and copied to opposing counsel (or party). A pre-settlement telephonic conference is set for 8:30 a.m. on 7/10/26. The dial-in for the hearing is 1-650-479-3207, using access code 1607759621. Entering an attendee code is not required. Members of the public and media will be able to call in to listen to this hearing. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (jn,) |
| Filing 35 ENTERED IN ERROR. Mailed notice. (jn,) Modified on 4/30/2026 (jn, ). |
| Filing 34 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: In light of the ongoing procedures before Magistrate Judge Fuentes, the 4/24/26 tracking status hearing is stricken and reset to 6/1/26 at 9:00 a.m. (to track the case only, no appearance is required). Mailed notice (cc, ) |
| Filing 33 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes: Pre-settlement telephonic conference held. The parties discussed their preparedness for a settlement conference and confirmed their understanding of the full-authority rule. The parties are continuing to work with the Court to determine a mediation and settlement conference schedule that is workable, and the Court expects to enter a further scheduling order promptly. Mailed notice. (jn,) |
| Filing 32 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: The Court is in receipt of defendant Burnett's opposed motion for an extension of time to answer or otherwise plead #28 and opposed second motion for extension of time to answer or otherwise plead #29 . The Court, in its discretion, finds that good cause exists under Federal Rule 6(b) to extend defendant's deadline to answer or otherwise plead to allow the parties to focus their efforts on their settlement negotiations. Defendant is ordered to file an answer or otherwise plead to plaintiffs' complaint no later than 14 days following the conclusion of the settlement conference, if the case does not settle; or within 14 days of the date when the settlement referral is terminated, whichever is earlier. Mailed notice. (jn,) |
| Filing 31 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: Tracking status hearing set for 4/24/26 at 9:00 a.m. (to track the case only, no appearance is required). Mailed notice. (jn,) |
| Filing 30 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes: Pre-settlement telephonic conference held, Liberty recording sealed. The magistrate judge determined that not all parties are currently prepared to engage in a settlement conference, but that they may be by 4/23/26. Further telephonic pre-settlement conference set for 8:30 a.m. on 4/23/26 to discuss whether a settlement conference will be scheduled or whether the settlement referral will be terminated. Mailed notice. (jn,) |
| Filing 29 OPPOSED SECOND MOTION by Defendant Matthew Burnett for extension of time to answer or otherwise plead. (Received via Pro se portal 3/31/26) Presented before District Judge (nsf, ) |
| Filing 28 OPPOSED MOTION by Defendant Matthew Burnett for extension of time to answer or otherwise plead. (Received via online pro se portal on 3/31/26). Presented before District Judge (gcy, ) |
| Filing 27 TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on March 20, 2026 before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings. Order Number: 54941. Court Reporter Contact Information: Ms. Joene Hanhardt, Official Court Reporter, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 1222, Chicago, Illinois 60604, 312-435-6874. IMPORTANT: The transcript may be viewed at the court's public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter/Transcriber or PACER. For further information on the redaction process, see the Court's web site at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov under Quick Links select Policy Regarding the Availability of Transcripts of Court Proceedings. Redaction Request due 4/20/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/30/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/29/2026. (Hanhardt, Joene) |
| Filing 26 ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman by David Aaron Moskowitz (Moskowitz, David) |
| Filing 25 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes: This matter coming before the magistrate judge on referral for a settlement conference (doc. #24 ), a pre-settlement telephonic conference with counsel and Defendant is set for 11:15 a.m. on 4/2/26 to discuss format and scheduling of a settlement conference. Counsel and Defendant shall be prepared with available settlement conference dates for counsel and clients and Defendant in May and June 2026. Counsel and Defendant shall contact the magistrate judge jointly at the time of the pre-settlement conference on the number to be provided to them by the courtroom deputy. Counsel and Defendant are further directed to review the Court's Standing Order for Settlement Conferences available on the Court's website. Emailed notice (yt) |
| Filing 24 Pursuant to Local Rule 72.1, this case is hereby referred to the calendar of Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes for the purpose of holding proceedings related to: settlement conference.(cc, )Mailed notice. |
| Filing 23 NOTICE of Unavailability by Matthew Burnett. (Received via online pro se portal on 3/25/26). (gcy, ) Modified on 3/25/2026 (gcy, ). |
| Filing 22 CERTIFICATE of Compliance with Temporary Restraining Order. (Attachments). (Received via online pro se portal on 3/25/26). (gcy, ) |
| Filing 21 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: Hearing regarding plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc. and Cary Lachman's motion for a temporary restraining order/preliminary injunction held on 3/20/26. For the reasons stated on the record, plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order #5 is granted. Defendant is ordered to: (1) provide administrative privileges for the Custom Awards' Microsoft account to plaintiffs by 3/25/26; (2) delete all copies of Custom Awards' digital information, documents, and data in his possession by 3/25/26; and (3) immediately cease accessing Custom Awards' Microsoft account and/or digital information, including emails. Defendant shall file a certificate with this Court by 3/25/26 which confirms his compliance with this Order. Non-party Microsoft is ordered to take all action within its power to facilitate the transfer of administrative control of the Custom Awards' Microsoft account to plaintiffs Cary Lachman and Custom Awards, Inc. As stated on the record, plaintiffs' counsel represents that plaintiffs do not intend to delete any of the data/information currently contained on Custom Awards' Microsoft account pending further order of court. If plaintiffs close the Microsoft account, plaintiffs are ordered to verify that the closure of the account will not destroy any data/information that is currently contained on the account. The Court refers this matter on an expedited basis to the assigned Magistrate Judge for a settlement conference. Mailed notice (cc, ) |
| Filing 20 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: The Court has plaintiffs' fully briefed motion for a TRO, #5 , which is supported by declarations from both sides, under consideration. In light of the declarations, the Court will not require the parties to present testimony from witnesses at the forthcoming hearing on 3/20/26. The parties may call witnesses to present testimony at the TRO hearing to the extent that their testimony will not duplicate testimony that has already been submitted by declaration. Mailed notice (cc, ) |
| Filing 19 REPLY by Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman to memorandum in opposition to motion #14 (Attachments: #1 Appendix Amended Exhibit Appendix, #2 Certificate of Service Certificate of Service, #3 Exhibit Exhibit 11, #4 Exhibit Exhibit A to Exhibit 11, #5 Exhibit Exhibit 12, #6 Exhibit Exhibit A to Exhibit 12)(Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 18 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman as to Matthew Burnett on 3/3/2026, answer due 3/24/2026. (Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 17 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: Defendant's unopposed motion for extension of time to file answer and counterclaims #16 , is granted and defendant is ordered to answer plaintiffs' complaint within twenty-one (21) days after the Court rules on plaintiffs' pending motion for a temporary restraining order #5 . Per the parties' agreement, plaintiffs are granted leave to file a reply in support of their motion for a temporary restraining order and their reply shall be filed on or before 3/17/26. Defendant's motion for leave to bring a laptop computer and cellular telephone into the courthouse for use during the forthcoming temporary restraining order hearing, #15 , is granted. Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order is set for an in-court hearing on 3/20/26 at 2:00 p.m. Mailed notice (cc, ) |
| Filing 16 UNOPPOSED MOTION by Defendant Matthew Burnett for extension of time to file Answer and Counterclaims. (Received via online pro se portal on 3/9/26). (gcy, ) |
| Filing 15 MOTION by Defendant Matthew Burnett for leave to bring Electronic Equipment into the Courthouse. (Received via online pro se portal on 3/8/26). (gcy, ) Modified on 3/10/2026 (gcy, ). |
| Filing 14 MEMORANDUM by Matthew Burnett in Opposition to Plaintiff's motion for Temporary Restraining Order and preliminary injunction #5 . Notice. (Received via online pro se portal on 3/5/26). (gcy, ) |
| Filing 13 PRO SE Appearance by Defendant Matthew Burnett. (Received via Pro se portal 3/4/26) (nsf, ) |
| Filing 12 CERTIFICATE of Service by Plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman regarding set motion and R&R deadlines/hearings,,, #10 (Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 11 SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Defendant Matthew Burnett (vw) |
| Filing 10 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings: This case has been assigned to the calendar of Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings. The Court is in receipt of plaintiffs' motion for TRO and preliminary injunction #5 , which plaintiff represents has been served on defendant via e-mail, U.S. Mail, and U.S. Certified Mail. Defendant shall respond to the motion by 3/5/26. The Court will review the parties' submissions and will enter further orders and set a hearing in due course. The parties are also directed to meet and confer to determine if they can reach an agreement regarding plaintiff's requested relief and shall promptly notify the Court if they reach an agreement. Plaintiffs' counsel shall serve a copy of this order on defendant via e-mail and U.S. Mail shall file a certificate of service with the Court. Mailed notice (cc, ) |
| Filing 8 CERTIFICATE of Service Amended by Kristi L. Browne on behalf of All Plaintiffs regarding memorandum in support of motion #6 , MOTION by Plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman for preliminary injunction #5 (Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 6 MEMORANDUM by Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman in support of motion for preliminary injunction #5 (Attachments: #1 Declaration, #2 Declaration, #3 Declaration, #4 Declaration)(Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 5 MOTION by Plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman for preliminary injunction (Attachments: #1 Certificate of Service)(Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 3 ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman by Kristi L. Browne (Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 2 CIVIL Cover Sheet (Browne, Kristi) |
| Filing 1 COMPLAINT filed by Custom Awards, Inc., Cary Lachman; Jury Demand. Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-24789038. (Attachments: #1 Appendix Exhibit Appendix, #2 Exhibit Exhibit 1, #3 Exhibit Exhibit 2, #4 Exhibit Exhibit 3, #5 Exhibit Exhibit 4, #6 Exhibit Exhibit 5, #7 Exhibit Exhibit 6, #8 Exhibit Exhibit 7, #9 Exhibit Exhibit 8, #10 Exhibit Exhibit 9, #11 Exhibit Exhibit 10)(Browne, Kristi) |
| CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Jeffrey I Cummings. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (ee, ) |
| CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached #Consent To# form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (ee, ) |
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