O'Connell v. Associates in OB/GYN Care, LLC et al

Filing 99

ORDER granting 84 MOTION to Vacate Default Judgment and Request for Hearing. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 6/16/2017. (Attachments: # 1 Tentative Scheduling Order) (kw2s, Deputy Clerk)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
CHAMBERS

J. FREDERICK

101 WEST LOMBARD STREET
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201
[phone]
[phone] FAX

OF

MOTZ

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

June 16,2017
MEMO TO COUNSEL RE: Christy T. O'Connell v. Steven Brigham, M,D., et al.
Civil Nos. JFM-14-1339 and JFM-15-2418
Dear Counsel:
I have reviewed the memoranda submitted in connection with the motion to vacate
default judgment filed by American Medical Associates, P..C., Steven C. Brigham, M.D., and
Vikram H. Kaji, M.D.
The motion (document 84) is granted. In light of the ambiguities involved in the question
of whether the defendants received actual notice of the law suit and in light of the wellestablished policy that cases should be resolved on their merits, I am satisfied that the default
should be set aside. Defendant should file an answer within fourteen days of the date of this
order.
A conference call will be held on July 13.2017 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the
appropriate schedule in this case. I ask counsel for plaintiff to initiate the call.
Enclosed is a tentative scheduling order with approximate dates for your information.
Please consult with one another before the call and be prepared to discuss whether you would
like to participate in a settlement conference either before or after the completion of discovery,
any changes to the dates in the form scheduling order, and whether there is unanimous consent to
proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for all proceedings.
Also enclosed is a letter regarding a call-in hour program for the resolution of discovery
disagreements.
Despite the informal nature of this letter, it should be nagged as an opinion and docketed
as an order.

Very truly yours,

Ii::..:!

I

United States District Judge