Hamrit v. Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

Background

The court addressed whether the parties should conduct limited discovery concerning the existence of an arbitration agreement. The issue is whether Plaintiff entered into such an agreement with Citigroup through the Citi Personal Wealth Management Client Agreement that Plaintiff allegedly executed on May 3, 2020.

Discovery and Depositions

The court allowed the parties to undertake limited discovery on that issue. By April 17, 2024, Plaintiff had to tell Defendants whether he intended to have his deposition taken remotely without an interpreter or in person in the United States with an interpreter. By the same date, the parties had to exchange their initial disclosures identifying individuals they might call to testify at trial and exchange requests for production of documents. Responses to those requests were due May 1, 2024, and all depositions had to be completed by May 17, 2024.

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(4), the court permitted Defendants’ deposition of Plaintiff to take place by videoconference, provided it was conducted without an interpreter. The court also permitted Larry Stewart’s deposition to take place by videoconference if Defendants chose to depose him. The depositions were to occur at a mutually convenient time during Eastern Standard Time working hours.

Disposition

The court entered a discovery and scheduling order; it did not decide whether Plaintiff entered into an arbitration agreement or otherwise resolve the merits of the dispute. Judge John P. Cronan scheduled a status conference for May 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to set a trial date.