Cardiovascular Research Foundation v. Willis Towers Watson Southeast, Inc.

Background

The case was reassigned to Jessica G. L. Clarke, a United States District Judge. The opinion does not describe the underlying claims or defenses. It states that, unless the court later orders otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines remain effective. Any currently scheduled conference or oral argument before the court was adjourned pending further order.

Order to Update the Court

The court ordered the parties to file a joint letter on the electronic filing system no later than August 14, 2023. The letter could not exceed five pages, although an appendix could be used for lengthy information about the citizenship of members, shareholders, partners, or trustees when relevant to diversity jurisdiction.

The 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; - the basis for jurisdiction and venue, including the required citizenship information for entities in diversity cases; - all existing deadlines and cutoff dates; - previously scheduled conferences that had not occurred; - outstanding motions and the relief requested; - pending appeals; - discovery already completed, including depositions taken and discovery still needed for meaningful settlement discussions; - the status of settlement discussions without revealing exact offers or demands; - whether the parties had discussed a settlement conference, the District’s Mediation Program, or a private mediator, and when such a process might be appropriate; - the estimated trial length; and - any other information that could help the court move the case toward settlement or trial, including dispositive or novel issues.

If the case had been settled or otherwise terminated, counsel did not need to file the letter or appear, provided that a stipulation of discontinuance, voluntary dismissal, or other proof of termination was filed before the deadline.

Other Instructions and Disposition

The court directed the parties to use a letter-motion filed electronically for any request to extend a deadline or adjourn a conference. Such a request had to be received at least 48 hours before the deadline or conference and had to provide the original and requested new dates, information about prior requests, the reason for the request, the opposing party’s position, and, when applicable, the next scheduled court appearance. Unless the parties were notified that a conference had been adjourned, it would occur as scheduled.

Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke’s order was a case-management order. It did not resolve the merits of the dispute, dismiss any claim, or grant or deny a dispositive motion.