Case Management Orders and Scheduling |
The Court routinely issues its Notice of Scheduling and Case Management Conference after the Answer is filed. If there is more than one named Defendant, the Court typically schedules the conference after all Defendants have filed Answers, unless doing so will cause significant delay. A notice generally will be sent within two to four weeks after a responsive pleading is filed. The parties are required to submit a Rule 26(f) plan and/or a Case Summary as described in the Notice no later than seven days before the initial scheduling conference.
If a dispositive motion is filed in lieu of an Answer, the Court generally will hold the initial scheduling conference after the motion is ruled upon. This may occur the same day as the motion hearing if the Judge rules from the bench.
At the initial scheduling conference, the Court expects lead counsel to attend (regardless of whether the conference is held in person, telephonically, or via video conference). The parties should be prepared to discuss the case and the issues, the Court's subject matter jurisdiction, the parties' interest in state court evaluation and/or facilitation, and any other standard procedural/scheduling issues. The Court expects counsel to discuss alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options with their clients in advance of the conference.
Unless otherwise decided at the initial scheduling conference, the Court will issue a global referral of all discovery matters to the assigned Magistrate Judge.
Notice of Scheduling Conference
All parties must attend the settlement conference with the trial attorneys. Both counsel and clients must be prepared for serious settlement discussions. Insurance representatives with full settlement authority, and other persons necessary to the resolution of the case, must also attend. In non-jury cases, a settlement conference before a Magistrate Judge will ordinarily be scheduled before the final pretrial conference. The parties must notify chambers in writing within one business day of the case settling by sending an email to the Case Manager. If a case does not resolve, the Case Manager will schedule the final pretrial conference and trial.
Trial procedures and final pretrial matters are discussed with the Court at this conference. Motions in limine may also be heard at the conference in order to avoid delay on the first day of trial.
The Court may schedule a status conference to facilitate the administration of a case when necessary. Counsel may request a status conference at any time during the litigation. These may be conducted by conference call upon request and should be scheduled through the Case Manager. Additional conferences with the Court, including settlement conferences, will be scheduled upon request.
Social Security appeals and pro se prisoner civil rights cases are generally referred to the Magistrate Judge for case management.
The Court will issue a scheduling order. Requests to modify or enlarge the calendar dates shall be made by motion and must include a stipulation to extend time and a waiver under the Speedy Trial Act if they affect the trial date.
A final pretrial conference is conducted by the Court. The final pretrial conference is generally held one to two weeks prior to the start of trial. Motions in limine may also be heard at the conference in order to avoid delay on the first day of trial.
The Court may schedule a status conference to facilitate the administration of a case when necessary. Counsel may request a status conference at any time during the proceedings. These may be conducted by conference call upon request and should be scheduled through the Case Manager. Additional conferences with the Court, including settlement conferences, will be scheduled upon request.