Plaquemines Parish v. Exchange Oil & Gas Corporation et al

Filing 30

ORDER & REASONS that the 8 Motion to Stay pending MDL determination is hereby GRANTED. Additionally, all other motions and deadlines are stayed. Signed by Judge Eldon E. Fallon on 6/18/18. (dno)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

PLAQUEMINES PARISH

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 18-5215

EXCHANGE OIL & GAS CORP. ET AL

SECTION "L" (1)

PLAQUEMINES PARISH

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 18-5227

GREAT SOUTHERN OIL & GAS CO., INC., ET AL

SECTION "L" (5)

PLAQUEMINES PARISH

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 18-5259

PALM ENERGY OFFSHORE, L.L.C., ET AL

SECTION "L" (2)

JEFFERSON PARISH ET AL

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 18-5206

DESTIN OPERATING COMPANY, INC. ET AL

SECTION "L" (2)

JEFFERSON PARISH ET AL

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 18-5242

EQUITABLE PETROLEUM CORPORATION, ET AL

SECTION "L" (2)

ORDER & REASONS
Before the Court are Defendants’ motions to stay pending MDL determination. Other
parties have responded in opposition. Considering the parties’ briefs and the applicable law, the

Court issues the following Order & Reasons.
Considering the motion pending before the JMPL and set for discussion on July 26, 2018,
this Court has determined that it is in the best interest of the parties and judicial economy to stay
the proceedings. “Whether or not to grant a stay is within the Court’s discretion and a stay is
appropriate when it serves the interests of judicial economy and efficiency.” Louisiana Stadium
& Exposition Dist. v. Fin. Guar. Ins. Co., 2009 WL 926982 (E.D. La. Apr. 2, 2009). It is not
uncommon for Courts to stay cases pending a decision by the JMPL. See e.g., Cajun Offshore
Charters, LLC v. BP Products N. Am., Inc., 2010 WL 2160292 (E.D. La. May 25, 2010).
Here, considering the possibility of the creation of an MDL which would coordinate the
cases before a single judge, moving forward in the case would likely “waste . . . judicial
resources [because] the Court would have to spend time familiarizing itself with the intricacies of
a case involving complex financial transactions that will ultimately be heard by another judge.”
Louisiana Stadium, 2009 WL 926982, at *1.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that the motions to stay pending MDL determination are hereby
GRANTED. Additionally, all other motions and deadlines are stayed.

New Orleans, Louisiana, this 18th day of June, 2018.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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