Free Order - District Court of Arizona - Arizona

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

) ) ) vs. ) ) ) ) Midland Credit Management ) Long Term Disability Plan, ) et al. ) Defendants. ) ______________________________)

Angela Jolicoeur, Plaintiff,

CIV 04-0499-PHX-SRB ORDER SETTING RULE 16 SCHEDULING CONFERENCE

Pursuant to the local rule governing differentiated case management, this action, commenced on March 12, 2004, is designated a standard track case. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: Pursuant to Rule 16, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a Pretrial Scheduling Conference is set for April 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Courtroom #502, Fifth Floor, Federal Accordingly,

Building, 401 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Counsel are directed to Rule 16 for the objectives of this conference. COUNSEL WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRIAL OF THE LAWSUIT FOR EACH PARTY SHALL PERSONALLY APPEAR AND
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PARTICIPATE IN THE PRETRIAL SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. At least one of the attorneys for each party attending the conference shall have authority to enter into stipulations and make admissions regarding all matters which may be discussed. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all parties are directed to meet at least 21 days before the scheduling conference, in accordance with Rule 26 (f), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to discuss the following matter: 1. The possibility of consent to trial before a

United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(c), the suitability for referral to this District's court-annexed voluntary arbitration program or any other alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or the reference of this matter to a special master; 2. Any matters relating to jurisdiction, venue or

joinder of additional parties; 3. The nature and bases of their claims and defenses

and the possibilities for a prompt settlement or resolution of the case; 4. A schedule of all pretrial proceedings, including

any evidentiary hearings pursuant to Rule 702, Federal Rules of Evidence;

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5.

Whether any party desires having a settlement

conference before a judicial officer, or participating in any other alternative dispute resolution forum; and 6. Arrangements for Initial Disclosure in compliance

with Rule 26(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Unless otherwise stipulated in writing by the parties or otherwise directed in a written order of this Court, Initial Disclosure shall be made at the initial Rule 26(f) case management meeting or within 14 days after the meeting; 7. The subjects on which discovery may be needed, when

discovery should be completed and whether discovery should be conducted in phases or be limited to or focused upon particular issues; 8. Any other matters which counsel may feel will help

dispose of the matter in an efficient and economical manner. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that at the Rule 26(f) Case Management Meeting, the parties shall develop a PROPOSED CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN. This plan and shall include individually numbered brief statements concerning: 1. The nature of the case, setting forth in brief

statements the factual and legal basis of plaintiff's claims and defendant's defenses;

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2.

A list of the elements of proof necessary for

each count of the Complaint and each affirmative defense. Where the burden of proof shifts, each party shall list the elements of proof that party must prove in order to prevail. The list of the elements of proof must contain citations to relevant legal authority, (i.e., United States statutory and/or administrative law, U.S. Supreme Court case law, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case law, Arizona State case and statutory law, or other authority as dictated by conflicts of law rules); 3. The factual and legal issues genuinely in

dispute, and whether they can be narrowed by stipulation or motion; 4. The jurisdictional basis of the case, citing

specific statutes; 5. Parties, if any, which have not been served,

as well as parties which have not filed an answer or other appearance, including fictitious parties. Unless counsel

can otherwise show cause, an order shall accompany the joint report dismissing any party which has not been served, naming fictitious or unnamed parties, or seeking default judgment on any non-appearing party.

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6.

The names of parties not subject to the

Court's jurisdiction; 7. Whether there are dispositive or partially

dispositive issues to be decided by pretrial motions, and the legal issues about which any pretrial motions are contemplated; 8. Whether the case is suitable for reference to

arbitration, to a master, or to a United States Magistrate Judge; 9. The status of related cases pending before

other judges of this Court or before other courts; 10. Suggested changes, if necessary, in the

timing, form, or requirement for disclosures under Rule 26(a), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including a statement of when Initial Disclosures were made or will be made; 11. Proposed deadlines for:* (a) discovery; (b) (c) filing dispositive motions; disclosure of expert testimony under Rule 26(a)(2)(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil

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Procedure; (d) pretrial disclosures under Rule 26(a)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; and (e) scheduling of the final pretrial conference (allowing sufficient time for briefing dispositive motions (see LRCiv 56.1) plus 60 days). 12. The scope of discovery and whether discovery

should be conducted in phases or should be limited to or focused upon particular issues. For example, where

dispositive motions will be filed (e.g., motions for summary judgment or a defense relying on the statute of limitations) counsel should consider limiting discovery to the issue at hand until the Court has ruled on the motion; 13. Suggested changes, if any, in the limitations

on discovery imposed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 14. Estimated date that the case will be ready for trial, the estimated length of trial, and any suggestions for shortening the trial;

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15. Whether a jury trial has been requested and whether the request for a jury trial is contested. If the

request for a jury trial is contested, the Proposed Case Management Plan shall set forth the reasons that a trial by jury is in dispute; 16. The prospects for settlement, including any request to have a settlement conference before another United States District Court Judge or Magistrate Judge, or other request of the court for assistance in settlement efforts; 17. In class actions, the proposed dates for class certification proceedings and other class management issues. Such certification will result in the case being reassigned to the complex track for case management purposes; 18. Whether any unusual, difficult, or complex problems or issues exist which would require this case to be placed on the complex track for case management purposes; and 19. Any other matters which counsel feel will aid the Court in resolving this dispute in a just, speedy, and inexpensive manner.

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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that counsel shall jointly file their Proposed Case Management Plan with the Clerk of the Court not less than FIVE (5) WORKING DAYS before the Pretrial Scheduling Conference. be granted. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that it is the responsibility of counsel for the Plaintiff(s) to initiate the communications necessary to prepare the joint Proposed Case Management Plan. Once contacted by counsel for No extensions of time will

Plaintiff(s), counsel for Defendant(s) shall act in an expeditious manner to effectuate the preparation of the Case Management Plan. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that counsel for all parties are expected to comply with Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and to minimize the expense of discovery. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT counsel must be prepared to discuss what the parties must prove in order to prevail on their respective claims or defenses at the time of the Pretrial Scheduling Conference and to discuss logistical matters. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Court, after consultation with counsel and the parties, will enter a Rule

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16(b) Scheduling Order concerning, inter alia, discovery, the filing of a pretrial order, the holding of a Final Pretrial Conference, and the setting of a trial date. To

the extent that the Court's Rule 16 Scheduling Order differs from the parties' Proposed Case Management Plan, the provisions of the Court's Order shall supersede the parties' Proposed Case Management Plan and shall control the course of this action unless modified by subsequent Order of this Court. The parties and their counsel are all cautioned that

the deadlines set in the Rule 16 Scheduling Order shall be strictly enforced. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court views the Pretrial Scheduling Conference as critical to its case management responsibilities and the responsibilities of the parties under Rule 1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH EVERY PROVISION OF THIS ORDER MAY LEAD TO SANCTIONS PURSUANT TO FEDERAL RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 16(F). DATED this 6th day of December, 2006.

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