James v. The State University of New York

Nature of the Order

This is a notice of reassignment and case-management order. It does not rule on the merits of Jeremy Allan James’s claims against The State University of New York. The opinion text does not describe the claims or defenses in detail.

Reassignment and Existing Dates

The case was reassigned to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden. Unless the court orders otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines remain effective despite the reassignment. Conferences or oral arguments before, or directed by, the Magistrate Judge must proceed as previously ordered. Previously scheduled appearances or conferences before the district judge are adjourned until the court provides further notice.

Required Joint Status Letter

Within three weeks after the order’s filing, the parties must confer and prepare a joint letter updating the court on the case’s status. The defendants must file the letter electronically and serve it on pro se plaintiff Jeremy Allan James. The letter may not exceed five double-spaced pages and must separately address, when relevant:

- counsel and current contact information; - the nature of the claims and principal defenses; - the basis for federal jurisdiction and venue, including citizenship information required in diversity cases; - existing deadlines and cutoff dates; - previously scheduled but unfinished conferences or arguments; - outstanding motions and the relief sought; - pending appeals; - discovery completed and discovery still needed for meaningful settlement discussions; - the status of settlement discussions without revealing exact offers or demands; - discussions about alternative dispute resolution, such as a settlement conference, mediation, or a private mediator; - the estimated trial length; and - other information that could help the court move the case forward, including dispositive or novel issues.

If the case has already been settled or otherwise terminated, the parties do not need to submit the letter or appear if they file appropriate proof of termination before the submission deadline.

Attached Individual Rules

The order also provides Judge Rearden’s rules for civil cases and civil cases involving pro se parties. Among other things, those rules direct pro se parties to communicate with the Pro Se Office rather than directly with chambers, require them to keep a current mailing address, describe acceptable filing methods, establish procedures for discovery disputes and motions, and set requirements for conferences, pretrial filings, sealing or redacting documents, protective orders, and default-judgment requests. The Clerk must mail the order and the rules to James.

Disposition and Classification

The court entered administrative and case-management directives concerning reassignment, scheduling, and a status update. It did not grant or deny a merits motion, dismiss the case, enter judgment, or decide the parties’ underlying legal dispute.