Biwer et al v. Pecan Pipeline (North Dakota), Inc. et al

Filing 5

ORDER: Final Pretrial Conference set for 8/7/2018 at 02:00 PM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Charles S. Miller Jr. by Magistrate Judge Charles S. Miller, Jr.(ZE)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
Neal and Cherlyn Biwer,

)
)
ORDER FOR FINAL PRETRIAL
Plaintiffs,
)
CONFERENCE
)
vs.
)
)
Pecan Pipeline, Inc.; EOG Resources, Inc., )
)
Case No. 1-16-cv-378
Defendants.
)
______________________________________________________________________________
IT IS ORDERED:
A final pretrial conference will be held before the magistrate judge on August 7, 2018 at 2:00
p.m.. The conference will be conducted via telephone conference call to be initiated by the court.
PRIOR TO PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
Prior to the date of the final pretrial conference, counsel shall confer in person or by
telephone for the purpose of examining and marking exhibits as detailed below. Two (2) days prior
to the Final Pretrial Conference, counsel shall e-mail the following documents to [e-mail] in "Wordperfect" or "Word" format:
(1)

An exhibit list for each party;

(2)

A witness list for each party; and

(3)

Expert Reports.

Exhibits: Counsel are directed to complete the physical marking and numbering of all papers
and objects that are expected to be introduced as exhibits. The exhibits are to be marked with an
exhibit sticker. The parties must number the exhibits consecutively, with each party using separate
numbers with sufficient gaps for unanticipated or rebuttal exhibits (e.g., the plaintiff using numbers
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P1-P20 and the defendant using numbers D50-D70). The exhibits shall be listed in the form of the
Exhibit List posted on the court's website (http://www.ndd.uscourts.gov/forms/). Counsel will retain
the exhibits in their possession but shall submit the list with the Final Pretrial Statement as a separate
document. Counsel must disclose and list all exhibits relating to an issue on which their client has
the burden of proof or the burden of going forward with the evidence. Each listed exhibit shall be
designated as "will offer" or "may offer." Documents to be used solely for rebuttal purposes need
not be numbered or listed until identified at trial.
Failure to list an exhibit required by this order to be listed or to disclose such exhibit to
adverse counsel will result, except upon a showing of good cause, in the nonadmissibility of the
exhibit into evidence at the trial. Each party shall make its exhibits available for inspection by other
parties prior to the pretrial conference.
For each listed exhibit, counsel shall determine whether they will stipulate to admissibility
for all purposes or at least waive foundation for the opposing party's exhibits. The court strongly
encourages such agreement and expects counsel to waive foundation unless there is a strong, specific
objection to a particular exhibit. Any stipulation to admissibility or waiver of foundation shall be
indicated in the appropriate column on the exhibit list.
Witness Lists: Each party shall prepare a witness list, which shall include the following
information: (1) the name of the witness; (2) whether the witness "will be called" or "may be
called;"; (3) whether the testimony will be by written deposition, video deposition, or video
conference if the witness will not be appearing in person; and (4) whether or not the witness is an
expert.

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Expert Reports: Copies of expert reports prepared in accordance with Rule 26(a)(2)(B) by
those experts the parties anticipate calling as witnesses shall be e-mailed to [e-mail] as a separate document.
PRIOR TO TRIAL
Trial Memorandum: Counsel for the respective parties shall file a trial memorandum with
proof of service upon opposing counsel with the clerk, for presentment to the court, at least seven
working days before the commencement of trial. The trial memorandum shall contain: A general
statement of the case, citation of the authority upon which the party relies on unresolved legal issues,
a general statement of the evidence to be offered, and a statement of any evidentiary or procedural
problem expected to arise, with citations of authority.
Depositions: At least fourteen (14) days before trial the offering party shall file and serve
a designation of those portions of any depositions which will be presented at trial, and the manner
in which each of those depositions was recorded. A transcript of the pertinent portions of any
deposition not stenographically recorded shall accompany the designation. The other parties shall
have until seven (7) days before trial to designate additional portions of any deposition appearing on
the offering party's list.
Any party who objects to admissibility of deposition testimony to be offered shall have until
four (4) days prior to trial to file a list of objections it intends to preserve. All other objections will
be deemed waived. Counsel shall then confer prior to commencement of the trial to edit the
depositions.
As to any deposition which may be used only if the need arises (other than solely for
impeachment purposes), the offering party shall notify the court and other parties at least forty-eight
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(48) hours in advance that it will be offering the deposition at trial, and identify the portions to be
offered. The other parties shall then have twenty-four (24) hours to identify additional portions and
to preserve any objections to admissibility of the deposition testimony. Objections not specifically
preserved will be deemed waived. Counsel shall then confer prior to the offering of the deposition
to edit the testimony.
Jury Instructions: In jury cases, each party must serve and file requested jury instructions
and a proposed verdict form at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of trial. Each party
must also submit the instructions to chambers via e-mail to [e-mail] or
provide chambers with copy of the proposed instructions on CD. A party may present additional
requests for instructions relating to issues arising during the trial at any time prior to argument.
All requests for instructions must be plainly marked with the number of the case and must
designate the party submitting the request. Each requested instruction must be numbered and written
on a separate page, together with a citation of authorities supporting the proposition of law stated in
the instruction. A party requesting an Eighth Circuit or North Dakota pattern instruction need only
designate the pattern jury instruction number and name, unless the pattern instruction is modified.
If the pattern instruction is modified, the entire instruction must be submitted and must be clearly
identified as modified.
Motions in Limine: Motions in limine shall be filed at least thirty (30) days prior to trial
unless otherwise instructed by the court.
Failure to Appear/Comply: Failure of counsel to appear at any scheduled final pretrial
conference, or otherwise to comply with the provisions of this order, may result in dismissal or
default, as may be appropriate.
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Dated this 23rd day of January, 2017.

/s/ Charles S. Miller, Jr.
Charles S. Miller, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge

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