Collado v. Adolfo Meat Market Corp.

What the order does

This is a notice of reassignment. The case was reassigned to Jessica G. L. Clarke, United States District Judge. The opinion does not decide the parties’ underlying claims, defenses, or any motion.

Scheduling and status-report requirements

Unless the court orders otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines remain in effect after the reassignment. The court postponed any currently scheduled conference or oral argument, including the pretrial conference scheduled for September 27, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

The court ordered counsel for all parties to appear in person for a conference before Judge Clarke on July 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The parties also must file a joint letter through the court’s electronic filing system by July 19, 2023. The letter may not exceed five pages, except that lengthy jurisdictional information may be placed in an appendix outside the page limit.

The joint letter must separately address:

- the names and current contact information of counsel; - the nature of the case, principal defenses, and important legal and factual issues; - why federal jurisdiction and venue are proper, including specified citizenship information when applicable; - existing deadlines and cutoff dates; - previously scheduled conferences that have not occurred; - outstanding motions and the relief sought; - pending appeals; - discovery completed and discovery still needed for meaningful settlement discussions; - the status of settlement discussions without stating exact offers or demands; - discussions about alternative dispute resolution, including a settlement conference, the District’s Mediation Program, or a private mediator; - the estimated trial length; and - any other information that could help move the case toward settlement or trial.

If the case has already been settled or otherwise terminated, counsel do not have to file the joint letter or appear, as long as proof of termination is filed on the docket before the deadline.

Extensions and adjournments

The court stated that requests for an extension or adjournment must be made by a letter-motion filed electronically at least 48 hours before the relevant deadline or conference. The request must identify the original and requested new dates, prior requests and their results, the reason for the request, the opposing party’s position, and, when applicable, the next scheduled court appearance. Unless counsel are told that a conference has been postponed, it will occur as scheduled.

Disposition

Judge Clarke entered scheduling and case-management directions. The order does not reach the merits of the dispute.