Ortega v. Carewell Family, Inc.

Background

The case was reassigned to Judge Jesse M. Furman. The order does not describe the underlying claims or defenses beyond identifying Juan Ortega as the plaintiff and Carewell Family, Inc. as the defendant.

Court’s directives

The court ordered the parties to file a joint letter on the electronic docket by April 18, 2022. The letter could not exceed five pages and had to address, in separate paragraphs, counsel’s names and contact information; the nature of the case and principal defenses; the basis for federal jurisdiction and venue; all deadlines and cutoff dates; previously scheduled conferences; outstanding motions; pending appeals; discovery completed and still needed for meaningful settlement discussions; prior settlement discussions; possible alternative dispute resolution; estimated trial length; and other information that could help move the case toward settlement or trial.

The court kept all dates and deadlines in effect despite the reassignment. Any currently scheduled conference or oral argument before Judge Furman was postponed until further order, but appearances before the assigned magistrate judge remained in effect. The court also stated that a status letter was unnecessary if the case had been settled or otherwise terminated and the appropriate proof of termination was filed before the deadline.

Extension and postponement requests

Under the order, requests for extensions or postponements had to be made by letter-motion filed electronically at least 48 hours before the relevant deadline or conference. The request had to state the original dates, the number and results of prior requests, whether the opposing party consented and, if not, that party’s reasons, and the date of the next scheduled appearance.

Disposition

This was a case-management order. Judge Jesse M. Furman did not decide the merits of the dispute, dismiss any claim, or enter judgment.