Reyes v. Tai Thai Thailand Home Cooking Inc.

Order

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

The parties were specifically directed to consider whether Plaintiff Mario J. Reyes has satisfied the threshold requirement of standing, meaning whether he is legally entitled to bring the case. The order cites decisions discussing standing. If the parties cannot settle on their own, they must also discuss whether further settlement discussions through the court’s mediation program or before a magistrate judge would be productive.

Required Filing and Notice

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 request either referral to mediation or to a magistrate judge for a settlement conference, while stating a preference between those options, or an initial status conference.

Counsel who had filed notices of appearance when the order issued must promptly serve the order and Judge Garnett’s Individual Rules and Practices on counsel or, if necessary, the party personally. They must also file proof of that notice with the court.

Effect of the Order

This is a case-management and settlement order. It does not grant or deny a motion, resolve standing, decide the underlying claims, or enter judgment. The opinion text does not identify the legal claims asserted in the complaint.