Griffin-Robinson v. Salov

Nature of the Order

This is a notice of reassignment and case-management order. The opinion states that the case was reassigned to Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. It does not describe or resolve the parties’ underlying claims or defenses.

Orders After Reassignment

The Court directed all counsel and the self-represented plaintiff, Sonja R. Griffin-Robinson, to familiarize themselves with Judge Rochon’s individual rules, including the rules for civil cases involving self-represented parties.

Unless the Court later ordered otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines remained in effect despite the reassignment. Any conference or oral argument before or directed by a magistrate judge was to proceed as previously ordered. Previously scheduled appearances or conferences before the district court were adjourned pending further notice from the Court.

Required Joint Status Letter

Within three weeks after the order was filed, the parties were ordered to confer and prepare a joint letter updating the Court on the case’s status. The defendants were ordered to file the letter electronically and serve it on the self-represented plaintiff. The letter could not exceed four pages.

To the extent relevant, the letter had to address:

- the parties’ and counsel’s current contact information; - the nature of the case and principal defenses; - the basis for jurisdiction and venue, including citizenship information required in diversity cases; - existing deadlines and cutoff dates; - previously scheduled but not yet held conferences; - outstanding motions and the relief they seek; - pending appeals; - discovery completed and discovery still essential to meaningful settlement discussions; - the status of settlement discussions without stating exact offers or demands; - whether alternative dispute resolution, such as a settlement conference or mediation, would be appropriate; - the estimated trial length; and - any other information that could help move the case toward settlement or trial.

If the case had already been settled or otherwise terminated, the parties did not have to submit the letter or appear, as long as they filed appropriate proof of termination before the letter’s deadline.

Additional Direction

The Court stated that requests to extend deadlines or adjourn dates not affected by the order had to follow Judge Rochon’s individual rules and practices. The Clerk was directed to mail the order, along with Judge Rochon’s rules for civil cases and civil cases involving self-represented parties, to Griffin-Robinson.

Disposition and Classification

The Court entered case-management directions concerning reassignment, scheduling, and a status update. It did not reach the merits of the claims. This is therefore a procedural order.