Watson v. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company

Filing 182

ORDER granting 163 Motion change trial date. Signed by Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on 1/11/18 (RBM)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
NORTHERN DIVISION
KERRICK WATSON

PLAINTIFF

V.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:16-cv-987-CWR-FKB

ALLSTATE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY
INSURANCE COMPANY

DEFENDANT

ORDER GRANTING ALLSTATE’S MOTION TO CHANGE TRIAL SETTING
Before the Court is Allstate’s Motion to Change Trial Setting [163]. On October 31, 2017,
the Court reset the trial of this matter to a two-week term of Court beginning July 2, 2018. [154].
The Order stated that the parties were to contact the Court immediately if they had any conflicts
with the new trial date. [154] at 3. Counsel for Allstate determined that one of its necessary
witnesses had an unavoidable conflict during the July 2, 2018, term and brought the matter to the
attention of counsel for Watson. [163]. After learning that Watson would not agree to a new trial
date, Allstate filed this motion on November 22, 2017. Id. It seeks a two-week delay of the trial
date, to the term beginning July 16, 2018.
Watson did not file his response in opposition until December 20, 2017, after the deadline
as set by L.U.Civ.R. 7(b)(4). [172]. Watson opposes a new trial setting, contending that Allstate
has requested too many continuances. Watson also states that two of his four attorneys are not
available during “the time suggested by Defendant,” which the Court interprets as the July 16,
2017, term of Court mentioned in Allstate’s motion. Compare [172] at 2 with [163] at 3.
“A schedul[ing order] may be modified only for good cause and with the judge’s consent.”
Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). “To show good cause, the party seeking to modify the scheduling order
has the burden of showing ‘that the deadlines cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of

1

the party needing the extension.’” Squyres v. Heico Cos., LLC, 782 F.3d 224, 237 (5th Cir. 2015).
“There are four relevant factors to consider when determining whether there is good cause under
Rule 16(b)(4): ‘(1) the explanation for the failure to timely [comply with the scheduling order];
(2) the importance of the [modification]; (3) potential prejudice in allowing the [modification];
and (4) the availability of a continuance to cure such prejudice.’ Id. (citing Meaux Surface
Protection, Inc. v. Fogleman, 607 F.3d 161, 167 (5th Cir. 2010)).
The Court finds that Allstate has shown good cause as to why the date of the trial should
be changed. Allstate’s explanation is reasonable. The Court anticipates that parties will
occasionally have conflicts with a trial date, which is why parties are instructed to advise the Court
of such conflicts. Here, Allstate did exactly as the Court requested by informing promptly of a
conflict more than seven months in advance. Allstate’s requested schedule modification is
important, as it allows for a necessary witness to be present at the trial. Allstate’s requested
alteration of the schedule – a two-week delay to the next term of Court – is minimal. While Watson
states that two of his attorneys will not be available for the July 16, 2018, term, the Court finds
that a continuance to the next term after that would cure any prejudice Watson would otherwise
face from Allstate’s requested relief.
Accordingly, the CMO [17] is hereby amended as follows:
1. This action is set for a jury trial during a two-week term of court beginning on August 6,
2018, at 9:00 a.m. in Jackson, Mississippi, before United States District Judge Carlton W.
Reeves.1
2. The pretrial conference is set on July 13, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in Jackson, Mississippi, before
United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves.
SO ORDERED, this the 11th day of January, 2018.
/s/ F. Keith Ball
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
1

The parties are advised to contact the Court immediately if they have any conflicts with this trial date.
2