Alavez et al v. H & R Block Enterprise, Inc.

Filing 23

STIPULATION Re: Ongoing Mediation Discussions and Applicable Privileges to Proposed Conversations Between Steve Simonian and H&R Block's Consulting Expert; ORDER, signed by Judge Sandra M. Snyder on 1/22/2009. (Herman, H)

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James M. Makasian #071791 A Professional Corporation 1327 N Street Fresno, CA 93721 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Steve P. Simonian, Jr. #082858 1327 "N" Street Fresno, CA 93721 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Attorneys for Plaintiffs ORBELID ZAYAS ALAVEZ and FERNANDO MARTINEZ SERRATOS James P. Wagoner, #058553 Lejf E. Knutson, #234203 McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard Wayte & Carruth LLP P.O. Box 28912 5 River Park Place East Fresno, CA 93720-1501 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Kathleen M. Nemechek, Pro Hac Vice Berkowitz Oliver Williams Shaw & Eisenbrandt LLP 2600 Grand Blvd., Suite 1200 Kansas City, MO 64108 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Attorneys for Defendant H&R BLOCK ENTERPRISE, INC.

(SPACE BELOW FOR FILING STAMP ONLY)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

YORBELID ZAYAS ALAVEZ and FERNANDO MARTINEZ SERRATOS, Plaintiffs, vs. H & R BLOCK, INC., H & R BLOCK ENTERPRISE, INC., AND DOES 1-50, Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:08-cv-01008-AWI-SMS STIPULATION RE: ONGOING MEDIATION DISCUSSIONS AND APPLICABLE PRIVIILEGES TO PROPOSED CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN STEVE SIMONIAN AND H&R BLOCK'S CONSULTING EXPERT; ORDER

STIPULATION ­ Case No. 1:08-cv-01008-AWI-SMS
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COME NOW defendant H&R Block Enterprises, Inc. ("Block"), and Plaintiffs Yorbelid Zayas Alavez and Fernando Martinez Serratos ("Plaintiffs") and their counsel of record, Steve Simonian and James Makasian (plaintiff's "Counsel"), and stipulate and agree as follows: 1) On December 19, 2008, counsel and representatives for Block and counsel and

representatives for Plaintiffs voluntarily took part in a medition before Judge Raul A. Ramirez, Retired at the offices of McCormick & Barstow, L.L.P. in Fresno, California; 2) In furtherance of, and as part of, the ongoing mediation and settlement negotiations

between Plaintiffs and Block which began on December 19, 2008, Block has agreed to allow counsel for Plaintiffs, Steve Simonian, to speak directly with Block's consulting expert ("Consultant") (the "Discussion"); 3) The Parties to this Stipulation agree and do hereby stipulate that the Discussion will be

conducted in accordance with, and subject to the protections provided by, Cal. Evid. Code 1119(a), Federal Rule of Evidence 501 and Local Rule 16-271. See also, Foxgate Homeowners Ass'n v. Bramalea Cal. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1, 15; Folb v. Motion Picture Indus. Pension & Health Plans, 16 F.Supp.2d 1164, 1179-1180 (C.D.Cal. 1998); Olam v. Congress Mortg. Co., 68 F.Supp.2d 1110, 1121 (N.D. Cal. 1999). The parties further agree and do hereby stipulate that nothing said during the Discussion shall be subject to discovery or admissible in this or any other proceeding; 4) The Parties to this Stipulation agree and do hereby stipulate that neither Plaintiffs nor

their Counsel will disclose or use the fact of the Discussion itself or any information learned during the Discussion for any purpose; 5) The Parties to this Stipulation agree and do hereby stipulate that the Discussion does

not waive any privilege that applies to the work of Consultant, including but in no way limited to the work product privilege, the attorney client privilege and/or the protections afforded by Rule 26(b)(4), Cal. Evid. Code 1119(a), Federal Rule of Evidence 501 and/or Local Rule 16-271; /// /// /// /// 2
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STIPULATION ­ Case No. 1:08-cv-01008-AWI-SMS

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6)

The Parties to this Stipulation agree and do hereby stipulate that neither Plaintiffs nor

their Counsel will seek to discover facts known or opinions held by Consultant in this or any other proceeding or use the Discussion as a basis to seek such information. /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// ///

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STIPULATION ­ Case No. 1:08-cv-01008-AWI-SMS

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AGREED: Dated: January 15, 2009 /s/ James M. Makasian James M. Makasian

Dated: January 15, 2009

/s/ Steve P. Simonian, Jr. Steve P. Simonian, Jr. Individuall and as Attorneys for and on behalf of Plaintiffs YORBELID ZAYAS ALAVEZ and FERNANDO MARTINEZ SERRATOS McCORMICK, BARSTOW, SHEPPARD, WAYTE & CARRUTH LLP /s/ James P. Wagoner James P. Wagoner Lejf E. Knutson

Dated: January 20, 2009

Dated: January 20, 2009

BERKOWITZ OLIVER WILLIAMS SHAW & EISENBRANDT LLP /s/ Kathleen M. Nemechek Kathleen M. Nemechek

Attorneys for Defendant H&R BLOCK ENTERPRISE, INC.

Dated: January 20, 2009

RAMIREZ ARBITRATION & MEDIATION SERVICES /s/ Raul A. Ramirez Judge Raul A. Ramirez, Ret.

IT IS SO ORDERED: Dated: 1/22/2009 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder The Hon. Magistrate Judge Sandra Snyder

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STIPULATION ­ Case No. 1:08-cv-01008-AWI-SMS

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