Bell et al v. CSX Transportation, Inc.

Filing 114

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER scheduling a Telephone Status Call for Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Signed by Judge James K. Bredar on 6/21/2024. (bw5s, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
DANIEL BELL, et al.,

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Plaintiffs,

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v.

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CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.,

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Defendant.
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Civ. No. JKB-18-00744

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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
On May 8, 2024, the Court issued a Memorandum and Order denying Defendant’s Motion
for Summary Judgment. (ECF No. 105, 106.) The Court subsequently directed Plaintiffs to show
why they were entitled to class certification, and directed both Plaintiffs and Defendant to show
why the Court should not transfer all claims involving non-Maryland Plaintiffs to the Plaintiffs’
respective home districts. (ECF No. 107.) The parties responded. Plaintiffs indicate that they no
longer plan to move for class certification, and that they do not oppose the non-Maryland Plaintiffs’
cases being transferred to their respective home districts. (ECF No. 112.) Defendant opposes the
contemplated transfer and offers several arguments for why transfer is inappropriate. (ECF No.
113.)
The Court also referred the parties to a Mediation and Settlement Conference before a
United States Magistrate Judge. (ECF No. 107) Magistrate Judge Aslan has scheduled that
Conference for September 5, 2024. (ECF No. 111.) As the Court has already stated (see ECF No.
107 at 2), the Court will not decide on the question of venue transfer until after the parties have
participated in good faith in the September 5 Conference. That said, Defendant’s submission
indicates that there may be a need for further discovery in this case. (See ECF No. 113 at 10–11.)

The Court intends to ascertain whether discovery in this case is ongoing, whether it should be
reopened in advance of the September 5 Conference, and—if so—the appropriate scope of the
discovery.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that a Telephone Status Call is set in for Thursday, June
27, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the status of discovery in this matter. Counsel for Plaintiffs are
directed to circulate call-in information to counsel for Defendant and to the Chambers of the
undersigned.

DATED this 21st day of June, 2024.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ JAMES K. BREDAR
James K. Bredar
United States District Judge

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