Norris v. Ritual Vintage Inc

Order

The court ordered the parties to meet and confer for at least one hour by May 9, 2024, in a good-faith effort to settle the action. During those discussions, the parties were instructed to consider whether the plaintiff had satisfied the threshold requirement of standing, meaning a legally sufficient connection to the dispute that permits a party to bring the case.

Further Settlement Procedures

If the parties could not settle on their own, they were also required to discuss whether additional settlement discussions through the court’s mediation program or before a magistrate judge would be productive at that time. By May 24, 2024, the parties had to submit a joint letter stating whether they had settled. If they had not, the letter had to request either referral to mediation or a magistrate judge for a settlement conference, while indicating which option they preferred, or an initial status conference.

Notice to Other Parties

Counsel who had appeared by the date of the order were directed to notify counsel for parties who had not appeared by serving them with the order and the court’s Individual Rules and Practices. If counsel did not know the identity of another party’s lawyer, counsel had to send those materials directly to that party. Counsel also had to file proof of the notice with the court.

What the Order Decided

This was a case-management and settlement order. It did not decide whether the plaintiff had standing, whether any claim was legally valid, or which side would prevail. Judge Margaret M. Garnett signed the order on April 9, 2024.