Reeves v. Discover Your Mobility, Inc. et al
Filing
39
ORDER granting 37 Stipulation to Reopen Discovery. Signed by Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts on 6/3/2024. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - MAM) (Main Document 39 replaced on 6/4/2024) (MAM).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
DISTRICT OF NEVADA
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
10
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
BRADLEY S. MAINOR, ESQ.
Nevada Bar No. 7434
ADAM ELLIS, ESQ.
Nevada Bar No. 14514
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
8367 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 200
Las Vegas, Nevada 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000
Fax: (702) 733-1106
adam@me-injury.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff
ELLEN REEVES, individually,
11
Plaintiff,
CASE NO: 2:22-CV-01361-GMN-DJA
STIPULATION
JOINT MOTION TO REOPEN
DISCOVERY
12
vs.
13
DISCOVER YOUR MOBILITY, INC., a (THIRD REQUEST FOR EXTENSION)
foreign
corporation;
SOLO
WORLD
PARTNERS, LLC., a foreign corporation;
DOE EMPLOYEES I-V, individually; DOE
MANAGERS I-V, individually; ROE
MANUFACTURERS
I-X;
ROE
INSPECTION COMPANIES I-V; ROE
DISTRIBUTORS I-X; DOE INDIVIDUALS
I-X; and ROE BUSINESS ENTITIES I-X,
inclusive,
14
15
16
17
18
19
Defendants.
20
Plaintiff ELLEN REEVES, by and through her counsel of record ADAM ELLIS, ESQ.;
21
22
23
24
25
DISCOVERY YOUR MOBILITY, INC., by and through its counsel of record ADAM KNECHT,
ESQ., and SOLO WORLD PARTNERS, LLC, by and through its counsel of record JOHN
KRIEGER, ESQ., jointly move to reopen the discovery period for one-hundred twenty (120)
days.
26
27
28
Page 1 of 8
1
DECLARATION
2
I, Adam Ellis, declare as follows:
3
1.
4
REEVES. I am competent to and will testify to the following facts if called to do so.
5
6
2.
3.
On January 23, 2024, the Court entered an Order [25] permitting Plaintiff to file an
8
Amended Complaint, adding Defendant SOLO WORLD PARTNERS, LLC (“Solo World”) as a
9
party.
10
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
I make this Declaration in support of the parties’ JOINT MOTION TO REOPEN
DISCOVERY.
7
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
I am a partner at MAINOR ELLIS, LLP, attorneys of record for Plaintiff ELLEN
4.
Plaintiff’s counsel effectuated service on Solo World on February 14, 2024. On
11
March 8, 2024 the Court approved the parties’ Joint Stipulation and Order for Extension of Time
12
for Defendant Solo World, LLC to Respond to Complaint [33].
13
5.
14
March 22, 2024.
15
6.
16
17
Defendant Solo World, LLC filed its Answer to First Amended Complaint [35] on
At that time, discovery was set to close the next day, on March 23, 2024, with
dispositive motions due April 22, 2024.
7.
After Solo World appeared, Plaintiff and Defendant Discover Your Mobility, Inc.
18
began having preliminary settlement discussions, which were complicated by certain issues in the
19
case including lack of insurance coverage.
20
21
22
8.
The parties held a 26(f) conference on May 7, 2024, discussing the discovery
remaining to be completed by all parties, including newly added Solo World.
9.
The parties agreed additional discovery was necessary due to Solo World’s recent
23
appearance in the case, and that they believed all could be accomplished in one-hundred twenty
24
days. The parties also discussed the possibility of resolution, and agreed it would be best explored
25
after Solo World had conducted some discovery.
26
27
10.
Good cause exists to reopen discovery to allow Solo World to conduct discovery,
as it became a party close to the conclusion of the original discovery period. Additionally, good
28
Page 2 of 8
1
cause exists to facilitate any remaining discovery Plaintiff and Defendant Discovery Your
2
Mobility, Inc. seek to complete.
3
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
Excusable neglect exists for the failure to move to reopen discovery prior to 21
4
days before the discovery deadline because Solo World did not become a party until the day
5
before the original discovery period had passed. Additionally, excusable neglect exists for the
6
delay between Solo World’s appearance and this Motion because Plaintiff and Defendant
7
Discovery Your Mobility, Inc. had been exploring the potential for reaching global resolution,
8
which would have eliminated the need to conduct any further discovery.
9
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
11.
12.
Accordingly, the parties respectfully request the Court enter an Order Reopening
10
Discovery for a period of one-hundred twenty (120) days and continuing all other deadlines
11
accordingly.
12
13.
The parties are also submitting a Discovery Plan and Proposed Scheduling Order
13
in compliance with FRCP 26(f), as Defendant Solo World recently appeared. The parties’
14
proposed discovery schedule is the same in both documents.
15
16
14.
I declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated: May 31, 2024
Signed: /s/ Adam Ellis
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Page 3 of 8
1
2
I.
3
The parties seek to reopen discovery for one-hundred twenty (120) days. Defendant Solo
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
INTRODUCTION
4
World Partners, LLC appeared in the case the day before discovery closed, and thus could not
5
complete any discovery. This extension will afford Defendant Solo World ample time to conduct
6
discovery. In addition, reopening discovery will allow the parties additional time to discuss the
7
possibility of resolution before heading to trial.
8
II.
9
A. Applicable Legal Standards
10
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
ARGUMENT
A request to reopen discovery must be supported by a showing of good cause
11
and excusable neglect. Local Rule 26-3; Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(B). The good cause analysis turns
12
on whether the subject deadlines cannot reasonably be met despite the exercise of
13
diligence. Johnson v. Mammoth Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 604, 609 (9th Cir. 1992). The
14
showing of diligence is measured by the movant's conduct throughout the entire period of time
15
already allowed. CC.Mexicano.US, LLC v. Aero II Aviation, Inc., 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 169110,
16
at *11-12, 2015 WL 10059063 (D. Nev. Dec. 15, 2015).
17
The excusable neglect “determination is at bottom an equitable one, taking account of all
18
relevant circumstances surrounding the party's omission.” Pioneer Inv. Servs. Co. v. Brunswick
19
Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 507 U.S. 380, 395 (1993). “Neglect” encompasses “both simple, faultless
20
omissions to act and, more commonly, omissions caused by carelessness.” Id. at 388. “[T]he
21
determination of whether neglect is excusable is an equitable one that depends on at least four
22
factors: (1) the danger of prejudice to the opposing party; (2) the length of the delay and its
23
potential impact on the proceedings; (3) the reason for the delay; and (4) whether the movant
24
acted in good faith.” Bateman v. U.S. Postal Service, 231 F.3d 1220, 1223-24 (9th Cir. 2000)
25
(citing Pioneer, 507 U.S. at 388; and Briones v. Riviera Hotel & Casino, 116 F.3d 379, 381-82
26
(9th Cir. 1997)).
27
28
Page 4 of 8
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
1
B. Good Cause Exists to Reopen Discovery
2
Plaintiff moved to amend her Complaint and add Defendant Solo World Partners, LLC as
3
a party at the deadline to add parties and amend pleadings. Once her Motion was granted, she
4
began service of process. Once service was effectuated, Defendant Solo World appeared.
5
However, since pre-existing deadlines continued running while before Solo World made its
6
appearance, only one day of discovery remained when Solo World first appeared in the case.
7
Thus, it did not have any time to complete discovery. Good cause exists to reopen the discovery
8
deadlines to allow Solo World the opportunity to conduct discovery.
9
Good cause also exists to allow the parties sufficient time to conduct additional discovery.
10
Defendant Discover Your Mobility, Inc., had noticed Plaintiff’s deposition for the last day of
11
discovery, March 22, 2024. Due to calendaring error by Plaintiff’s counsel, Plaintiff did not
12
appear for her deposition. Accordingly, good cause exists to reopen discovery to allow the parties
13
to complete Plaintiff’s deposition.
14
15
16
C. Excusable Neglect Exists for Not Submitting this Motion within 21 Days of the
Close of Discovery
Shortly after Solo World made its appearance, Defendant Discover Your Mobility
17
contacted Plaintiff’s counsel to discuss whether it was feasible to resolve the case. Given the
18
unique circumstances of the case, Plaintiff and Defendant Discover Your Mobility focused on
19
whether a global resolution could be reached. While counsel explored options with their clients,
20
the other case-related deadlines passed. In early May 2024, the parties held a 26(f) conference for
21
the purpose of determining the discovery Solo World would need, as well as whether the addition
22
of Solo World in settlement discussions would be productive. The parties agreed that in order to
23
have meaningful settlement discussions, Solo World would first need to conduct some discovery.
24
This Joint Motion followed.
25
The Pioneer factors support a finding of excusable neglect due to filing this Motion after
26
the close of discovery. The first factor, the danger of prejudice to any party, weighs in favor of
27
finding excusable neglect. The parties jointly agree discovery should be reopened, thus there is no
28
Page 5 of 8
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
1
prejudice to any party. Second, the length of delay of one-hundred twenty (120) days is relatively
2
short considering this would just be the third extension of discovery, and the extension is
3
narrowly tailored to allow a newly added party sufficient time to prepare a defense. The third
4
Pioneer factor—the reason for delay—supports a finding of excusable neglect as the parties had
5
hoped to resolve the case globally and obviate the need for any extension. The fourth factor,
6
whether the movant acted in good faith, is likewise present. The parties jointly move to reopen the
7
discovery deadlines, and each agree they have done so in a good faith attempt to permit a newly-
8
added party to conduct discovery.
9
D. An Extension of Discovery is Warranted
10
1. The Discovery Completed to Date
11
a. Plaintiff’s Initial Rule 26 Disclosures on October 6, 2022;
12
b. Defendant DYM’s Initial Rule 26 Disclosures on November 4, 2022;
13
c. Plaintiff’s First Requests for Production to Defendant DYM on December 16,
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2022, and Defendant DYM’s Responses on March 8, 2023;
d. Plaintiff’s Second Requests for Production to Defendant DYM on March 3,
2023, and Defendant DYM’s Responses on April 10, 2023;
e. Plaintiff’s Interrogatories to Defendant on April 11, 2023, and Defendant
DYM’s Responses on April 19, 2023;
f. Plaintiff’s Requests for Admissions to Defendant DYM on April 11, 2023, and
Defendant DYM’s Responses on May 10, 2023;
g. Plaintiff’s Third Requests for Production to Defendant DYM on October 25,
2023, and Defendant DYM’s Responses;
h. Plaintiff took the deposition of Defendant DYM’s FRCP 30(b)(6) witness
Michael Woods.
25
i. Plaintiff’s disclosure of expert witnesses.
26
j. Defendant noticed Plaintiff’s deposition for the last day of discovery, however
27
it did not go forward.
28
Page 6 of 8
1
2. The Discovery Remaining to be Completed
2
Since Defendant Solo World is new to the case, it will produce its FRCP 26 disclosures,
3
written discovery to Plaintiff and Defendant DYM, subpoenas as needed, depositions as needed,
4
and disclosure of experts.
5
Defendant DYM will complete the deposition of Plaintiff, which was originally scheduled
6
for the last day of discovery yet did not go forward, and may propound written discovery on Solo
7
World.
8
9
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
10
Plaintiff anticipates propounding written discovery on Defendant Solo World, and taking
the deposition of its FRCP 30(b)(6) witness as well as pertinent fact witnesses and expert
witnesses, who are yet to be identified.
11
3. The Reasons Remaining Discovery Remains to be Completed
12
Defendant Solo World has yet to conduct any discovery, nor have the other parties
13
conducted discovery into Defendant Solo World, because it appeared in the case the day before
14
the discovery deadline expired. This is due to the deadlines continuing to run while Plaintiff’s
15
Motion to Amend was pending, as well as while service of process was pending.
16
Defendant DYM was unable to take the deposition of Plaintiff as noticed due to Plaintiff’s
17
counsel’s calendaring error, which caused the need for the deposition to be rescheduled. Since it
18
was originally set for the date the discovery deadline expired, absent an extension, it would
19
necessarily have to have been taken outside of the discovery period.
20
4. The Parties’ Proposed Discovery Schedule
21
The parties propose the following discovery schedule:
22
Event
Current Deadline
Proposed New Deadline
23
Add Parties/Amend Pleadings
Passed
Passed
24
Initial Expert Disclosures
Passed
7/19/24 for Defendant Solo World
25
Rebuttal Expert Disclosures
Passed
8/19/2024
26
Close of Discovery
Passed
9/17/2024
27
28
Page 7 of 8
1
Dispositive Motions
Passed
10/17/2024
2
Joint Pretrial Order
5/22/2024
11/18/24
3
4
III.
5
For the foregoing reasons, the parties respectfully request the Court reopen discovery for
6
7
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
one-hundred twenty (120) days, and continue the remaining case deadlines accordingly.
Respectfully submitted by:
8
MAINOR ELLIS, LLP
HALL & EVANS, LLC
9
/s/ Adam Ellis
BRADLEY S. MAINOR, ESQ.
Nevada Bar No. 7434
ADAM ELLIS, ESQ.
Nevada Bar No. 14514
8367 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 200
Las Vegas, Nevada 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000
Fax: (702) 733-1106
adam@me-injury.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff
/s/ Adam Knecht
ADAM R. KNECHT, ESQ.
1160 North Town Center Drive, Suite 330
Las Vegas, NV 89144
Attorneys for Def. Discover Your Mobility, Inc.
10
8367 W. Flamingo Rd. #200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
Phone: (702) 450-5000 | Fax: (702) 733-1106
CONCLUSION
11
12
13
14
15
16
DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
/s/ John Krieger
Nevada Bar No. 6023
3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 800
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
Telephone: 702-550-4400
Facsimile: 844-670-6009
Email: jkrieger@dickinson-wright.com
Attorneys for Def. Solo World Partners, LLC
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the parties' stipulation to reopen discovery (ECF No.
37) is GRANTED.
25
26
27
28
____________________________________
DANIEL J. ALBREGTS
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
DATED: June 3, 2024
Page 8 of 8
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?