Beckman et al v. Arizona Canning Company, LLC et al

Filing 51

ORDER Granting 50 Joint Motion to Continue Dates Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Signed by Magistrate Judge Barbara Lynn Major on 3/31/2020. (tcf)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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Case No.: 16cv2792-JAH(BLM)

WILLIAM BECKMAN AND LINDA GANDARA,
individuals, on behalf of themselves, and all
persons similarly situated,

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ORDER GRANTING JOINT MOTION TO
CONINTUE DATES DUE TO COVID-19
PANDEMIC

Plaintiff,

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v.

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ARIZONA CANNING COMPANY, LLC AND
DOES 1-10

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[ECF No. 50]

Defendants.

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On March 30, 2020, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Continue Dates Due to COVD-19

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Pandemic. ECF No. 50. The parties seek to continue the deadlines for expert designations,

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rebuttal expert designations, and filing a motion for class certification by ninety days and the

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deadline for Defendant to file a motion to compel by thirty-three days. Id. at 2. In support, the

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parties state that because 1) President Donald Trump proclaimed a national emergency due to

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COVID-19, 2) “[c]ourts, businesses, and borders have been shut down or are operating on a

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limited or restricted basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” and 3) “Chief United States District

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Judge Larry Alan Burns issued Emergency Order 18, as amended on March 23, 2020,” the

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parties’ ability to travel and conduct depositions has been hampered. Id. at 2-3. The parties

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16cv2792-JAH(BLM)

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further state that Plaintiffs’ counsel has had difficulty communicating with their client who resides

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in Tijuana, Mexico, Plaintiff Beckman and Plaintiffs’ counsel are in groups that are at high risk

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for contracting COVID-19, and that Plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Pettersen, has recently undergone

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heart surgery and suffered the loss of his son. Id. at 3. The parties note that they have been

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diligent in their discovery efforts and that the requested continuance “also contemplates that

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the parties will engage in a pre-certification mediation effort.” Id. at 4.

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Good cause appearing, the parties’ motion is GRANTED as follows:

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1.

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The parties must designate their respective experts on class certification issues in

writing by July 16, 2020.

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2.

The date for exchange of rebuttal experts shall be by August 6, 2020.

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3.

Plaintiffs must file their motion for class certification on or before September 17,

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The parties are ORDERED to contact the chambers of Judge Major within five

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2020.

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days of the District Judge's ruling on the motion for class certification in order to set the

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remaining case deadlines.

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5.

Defendant Arizona Canning Company, LLC must file any motion to compel related

to Plaintiffs' Rule 26(a) disclosures and Rule 26(e) obligations on or before April 30, 2020.

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All other guidelines and requirements previously set remain the same. See ECF No. 49.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: 3/31/2020

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16cv2792-JAH(BLM)