Payne v. BlueTriton Brands, Inc.

Nature of the Order

The court entered a scheduling order after the parties appeared for an initial case-management conference. A scheduling order sets deadlines and procedures for moving a case forward; it does not resolve the parties’ underlying claims.

Deadlines and Procedures

The parties could amend the pleadings and join additional parties until June 1, 2023. After that date, further amendments or joinder would require good cause.

The deadline to complete fact discovery was December 29, 2023. The court directed the parties to follow its individual procedures for discovery disputes and required counsel to comply with Rules 1 and 26(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when conducting discovery.

The court also reminded counsel of their obligations under Rules 34 and 26(g) concerning document requests and discovery responses. It warned that broad requests for all documents on a topic are presumptively improper and that objections that do not adequately explain their grounds may be forfeited. The court cited decisions stating that discovery responses failing to state objections specifically and identify whether documents are being withheld may waive those objections, except objections based on privilege.

The parties were required to file a joint status letter by May 29, 2023.

Disposition

Judge Katharine H. Parker entered the scheduling order pursuant to Rule 16. The opinion does not report a ruling on the merits of any claim or defense.