Washington v. Bell

Nature of the Order

This is a notice of reassignment and case-management order. The opinion does not decide the merits of Martin Washington’s case against E. Bell, and it does not identify the claims or defenses in detail.

Reassignment and Existing Schedule

The case was reassigned to Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. The court directed counsel and the pro se petitioner, Martin Washington, to become familiar with Judge Rochon’s individual rules. Unless the court orders otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines remain effective despite the reassignment.

Any conference or oral argument before, or directed by, the magistrate judge will proceed as previously ordered. Previously scheduled appearances or conferences before the district judge were postponed 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. The defense was ordered to file the letter electronically and serve it on the pro se petitioner. The letter may not exceed four pages.

To the extent relevant, the letter must address:

- the names and current contact information of counsel and the pro se petitioner; - the nature of the case and principal defenses; - why federal jurisdiction and venue are proper, including specified citizenship information for cases based on diversity jurisdiction; - existing deadlines and cutoff dates; - scheduled conferences that have not occurred and the matters to be discussed; - outstanding motions and the relief sought; - pending appeals; - discovery completed and any discovery essential to meaningful settlement discussions; - the status of settlement discussions without stating exact offers or demands; - whether the parties have considered mediation or a settlement conference; - the estimated trial length; and - any other information that could help move the case toward settlement or trial, including dispositive or novel issues.

If the case had already been settled or otherwise terminated, the parties did not need to submit the letter or appear, provided that proof of termination was filed before the letter’s deadline. Requests to extend or postpone unaffected dates must comply with Judge Rochon’s rules.

Additional Instructions

The Clerk of Court was directed to mail the order and Judge Rochon’s individual rules for civil and civil pro se cases to Martin Washington. Those rules provide procedures for communications with the court, filing and service, discovery disputes, motions, settlement, pretrial submissions, trials, and electronic devices. They are general case-management instructions and do not resolve the parties’ dispute.

Disposition

Judge Rochon reassigned the case and ordered the status-report process described above. No claim, motion, or underlying legal issue was decided in this opinion.