Adams et al v. James E. Albertelli, P.A. et al

Filing 34

ORDER re Consent to Magistrate Judge. If the parties wish to consent to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge, the Court requests they file the "Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge" form found its website by February 22, 2017. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 2/8/2017. (LMF)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FORT MYERS DIVISION
DAVID ADAMS and CYNTHIA ADAMS,
Plaintiffs,
v.

Case No: 2:15-cv-620-FtM-38MRM

JAMES E. ALBERTELLI, P.A. and
KATE MUNKITTRICK,
Defendants.
/
NOTICE1
This matter comes before the Court on review of the file. In the Case Management
Report, the parties noted that they would likely consent to the reference of this case to
the United States magistrate judge. (Doc. 28). Since then, the parties reached impasse
at mediation (Doc. 33) and discovery closed (Doc. 31). This Notice follows up on the
parties’ indication of possible consent to the magistrate judge.
To assist the federal courts in coping with dramatically increased caseload,
Congress authorized the reference to a magistrate judge of any or all of the proceedings
in a civil case upon consent of all parties. See 28 U.S.C. § 636. Because of the heavy
caseload in the Middle District of Florida, district judges refer cases to their able and

1

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experienced magistrate judges, who can generally schedule early and firm trial dates in
accordance with the needs of the parties.2 However, the decision to consent is
entirely the parties’ decision, and any party may withhold consent with no adverse
consequences.
Accordingly, if the parties wish to consent to the assigned United States Magistrate
Judge, the Court requests they file the “Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action
to a Magistrate Judge” form found its website by February 22, 2017.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this 8th day of February 2017.

Copies: All Parties of Record

2

The undersigned is currently the only active district court judge in the Fort Myers division,
and likely will be for the near future. The undersigned’s trial calendar is demanding rivaled
only by its motions and case management obligations.

2