Sedillo Electric et al v. Colorado Casualty Insurance Company et al

Filing 252

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. Show Cause Hearing set for 4/13/2017 at 08:30 AM in Albuquerque - 440 Hondo Courtroom before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. See also 251 . Plaintiffs' counsel SHALL appear in person. (mej)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
SEDILLO ELECTRIC and
TELESFOR SEDILLO,
Plaintiffs,
v.

CV 15-1172 RB/WPL

COLORADO CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY,
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY,
PEERLESS INSURANCE COMPANY, and
BAKER INSURANCE SERVICES, L.L.C.,
Defendants.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
This matter is before me sua sponte. As noted in my Order on Motions That Relate to
Discovery (Doc. 251), it appears that Plaintiffs’ counsel, Eric Sedillo Jeffries, may have violated
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 and the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct. Upon
review of the filings, it appears that Mr. Jeffries may have violated the rule requiring candor to
the tribunal. See NMRA, Rule 16-303 (incorporated by D.N.M.LR-Civ. 83.9). Specifically, I am
concerned that Mr. Jeffries “knowingly [made] a false statement of fact . . . to a tribunal or
fail[ed] to correct a false statement of material fact . . . previously made to the tribunal by the
lawyer.” Additionally, I am concerned that Mr. Jeffries may have violated Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 11(b)(3), which requires that factual contentions made in any filing “have evidentiary
support,” and requires counsel to certify the same.
Rule 11(c) provides for sanctions if a court determines, after notice and reasonable
opportunity to respond, that Rule 11(b) has been violated. Sanctions may include monetary

sanctions to the court or opposing counsel or both, civil contempt, referral to the State Bar of
New Mexico for disciplinary proceedings, and additional proceedings as necessary.
Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ counsel, Eric Sedillo Jeffries, is hereby ordered to show cause
why I should not impose monetary sanctions, Rule 11 sanctions, hold him in civil contempt,
report him to the State Bar of New Mexico, require him to pay opposing counsel’s attorney’s
fees, or initiate additional appropriate proceedings. Mr. Jeffries shall appear in person on April
13, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. in the Hondo Courtroom of the Pete V. Domenici United States
Courthouse, 333 Lomas Blvd. N.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Plaintiff need not attend, but
Mr. Jeffries may appear with the representation of counsel if he so chooses. Defense counsel
may appear telephonically at this hearing or may appear in person. Defense counsel shall call the
“Meet Me” line at 505-348-2356 to be connected to the proceeding if counsel intends to appear
telephonically.
It is so ordered.

____________________________________
William P. Lynch
United States Magistrate Judge

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