Norris v. RPC Restaurant Corp.

Order and case status

The case was assigned to Judge Jennifer L. Rochon for all purposes. The opinion is a case-management and settlement order; it does not decide the claims, standing, or any other merits issue.

Settlement meeting

The court ordered the parties to meet and confer—that is, discuss the case with each other—in a good-faith effort to settle the action. The meeting must last at least one hour and must occur within 30 days after service of the summons and complaint.

During those discussions, the parties must consider whether the plaintiff has satisfied the threshold requirement of standing, meaning the requirement that the plaintiff has the legally required connection to bring the case. The court cited Second Circuit decisions addressing standing but did not decide whether standing exists here. If the parties cannot settle on their own, they must also discuss whether additional settlement discussions through the district court’s mediation program or before a magistrate judge would be productive.

Joint letter and next steps

Within 15 additional days—45 days after service of the summons and complaint—the parties must submit a joint letter telling the court whether they settled. If they did not settle, the letter must ask the court either to refer the case to mediation or to a magistrate judge for a settlement conference, while stating the parties’ preference between those options, or to proceed with an initial status conference.

Disposition

Judge Rochon issued the settlement and scheduling directives described above. The order did not grant or deny a motion, dismiss the case, resolve standing, or determine which side is legally correct.