Mitchell v. DaViga, et al.

Filing 202

ORDER ADOPTING STIPULATION AND CONTINUING DATES, signed by District Judge Dale A. Drozd on 01/12/18. (Replies due by 2/27/2018. Responses due by 2/16/2018, Motion Hearing set for 3/6/2018 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 5 (DAD) before District Judge Dale A. Drozd)(Martin-Gill, S)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

10
11

COREY MITCHELL,

12

No. 1:13-cv-01324-DAD-EPG

Plaintiff,

13

v.

14

CHAVEZ, et al.,

ORDER ADOPTING STIPULATION AND
CONTINUING DATES
(Doc. No. 201)

15

Defendants.

16
On December 21, 2017, this court issued an order directing plaintiff’s counsel to file a

17
18

motion for attorneys’ fees, if sought, and to notice the motion for hearing on February 6, 2018 or

19

as soon thereafter as it may be convenient for the court to hear that motion. (Doc. No. 189.) On

20

January 4, 2018, counsel for defendant Chavez filed two notices of unavailability, indicating

21

defense counsel was unavailable on February 6, 2018. (Doc. Nos. 190, 191.) On January 9,

22

2018, plaintiff’s counsel filed their motion and, as directed, noticed it for hearing on February 6,

23

2018. (Doc. No. 194.) On January 10, 2018, counsel for defendant Sheldon likewise filed two

24

notices of unavailability. (Doc. Nos. 190, 191, 198, 199.) On January 11, 2018, this court issued

25

a minute order directing the parties to meet and confer about their schedules and submit a

26

stipulation and proposed order to move the hearing date. (Doc. No. 200.) The court also directed

27

/////

28

/////
1

1

in that order that the parties were to cease filing notices of their unavailability with the court.1

2

That same day, counsel supplied a stipulation signed by all parties requesting the hearing date be

3

moved to March 6, 2018, that the due date for defendants’ opposition be continued to February

4

16, 2018, and that the due date for plaintiff’s reply be continued to February 27, 2018. (Doc. No.

5

201.)

6

Good cause appearing and given the stipulation of the parties, the stipulation is adopted.

7

Defendants’ opposition to plaintiff’s motion for attorneys’ fees is due February 16, 2018.

8

Plaintiff’s reply to defendants’ opposition is due February 27, 2018. The motion will be set for

9

hearing on March 6, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.

10

IT IS SO ORDERED.

11

Dated:

January 12, 2018
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

1

The filing of notices of unavailability in California stems from a California Court of Appeals
decision upholding the award of sanctions against an attorney who, knowing that opposing
counsel was out of the country on a pre-planned vacation, scheduled depositions, motions, and
court appearances during that time in order to harass opposing counsel. See Tenderloin Housing
Clinic, Inc. v. Sparks, 8 Cal. App. 4th 299, 304–07 (1992). While this practice has apparently
become commonplace in California courts, even those courts have cautioned that, “[t]o the extent
this practice attempts to put control of the court’s calendar in the hands of counsel—as opposed to
the judiciary—it is an impermissible infringement of the court’s inherent powers.” Carl v.
Superior Court, 157 Cal. App. 4th 73, 75, 77 (2007) (also noting that “a ‘notice of unavailability’
is not a fileable document under the Rules of Court and will be returned to counsel”); see also In
re Marriage of Falcone, 164 Cal. App. 4th 814, 825 (2008) (noting that filing requirements in a
civil case are not “modified when a party decides to take a vacation”). Should counsel desire to
move pending deadlines in this court, they may do so by way of stipulation or, if agreement
cannot be reached, by motion or ex parte application, as set forth in the Local Rules of this court.
See L.R. 144 (concerning extending and shortening time); L.R. 230(f) (“All stipulations for
continuance [of a motion set for hearing] shall be submitted for approval to the Court.”).
2