CROWLEY et al v. EPICEPT CORPORATION, et al

Filing 30

ORDER Denying 29 Motion to Continue Discovery and All Other Dates and Deadlines: The Court DENIES the motion WITHOUT PREJUDICE. If necessary, the parties may file a renewed motion after the Mandatory Settlement Conference. Counsel must diligently proceed with discovery in preparation for the Mandatory Settlement Conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal on 9/22/2010. (mjj)

Download PDF
-BGS CROWLEY et al v. EPICEPT CORPORATION, et al Doc. 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 EPICEPT CORP., Defendant. v. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA KENTON L. CROWLEY; JOHN A. FLORES, Plaintiff, Civil No. 09CV641-L (BGS) ORDER DENYING MOTION TO CONTINUE DISCOVERY AND ALL OTHER DATES AND DEADLINES [Doc. No. 29] The parties filed a Joint Motion to Extend Discovery and the Mandatory Settlement Conference. (Doc. No. 29.) The motion and the accompanying declaration state that the parties "have not participated in meaningful discovery exchanges." (Id. at 2.) The Case Management Conference Order was issued on February 18, 2010, thus the parties have had seven months to conduct discovery in this case. (Doc. No. 24.) The Case Management Conference Order contained the following warning: "The dates and times set forth herein will not be modified except for good cause shown." (Id. at 9.) Good cause exists when a deadline "cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of the party seeking the extension." Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 Advisory Comm.'s Notes (1983 Am.). Plaintiffs' counsel bases her request for additional time on her busy trial schedule. During a call with the Court, Plaintiffs' counsel represented that she has not propounded any written discovery and has not taken a deposition. Furthermore, the dates set in the Case Management Order provided for a lengthy discovery period in order to accommodate Plaintiffs' counsel's trial schedule. While Plaintiffs' counsel claims her burdensome trial schedule and the small size of her law firm prevent her from 1 09cv641-L Dockets.Justia.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 meeting the discovery deadlines, such an excuse does not satisfy good cause. See Hernandez v. Mario's Auto Sales, Inc., 617 F. Supp.2d 488, 495 (S.D. Tex. 2009). Furthermore, in Gonzalez v. Ingersoll Milling Machine Co., 133 F.3d 1025, 1030 (7th Cir. 1998), counsel's busy trial schedule did not demonstrate good cause for obtaining an extension of time. The parties have not shown any evidence of diligence in attempting to comply with the deadlines set in the Case Management Conference Order. For the reasons stated above, the Court DENIES the motion WITHOUT PREJUDICE. If necessary, the parties may file a renewed motion after the Mandatory Settlement Conference. Counsel must diligently proceed with discovery in preparation for the Mandatory Settlement Conference. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: September 22, 2010 Hon. Bernard G. Skomal U.S. Magistrate Judge United States District Court 2 09cv641-L

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?