Adkisson et al v. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (TV1)

Filing 466

ORDER, for good cause shown, the Joint Proposal Regarding Selection of Mediator 465 is GRANTED. In light of the parties' agreement, the Court approves the appointment of Mr. Balhoff (Daniel J. Balhoff) to serve as a mediato r in the present case. The parties are DIRECTED to mediate this litigation in good faith in accordance with the Court's original order referring the case to mediation on January 18, 2019. 459 . Signed by Magistrate Judge H. Bruce Guyton on 3/22/19. (ADA)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
GREG ADKISSON, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

KEVIN THOMPSON, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

JOE CUNNINGHAM, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

BILL ROSE,
Plaintiff,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

CRAIG WILKINSON, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

ANGIE SHELTON, as wife and next of
Kin on behalf of Mike Shelton, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

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No.: 3:13-CV-505-TAV-HBG

Lead Case Consolidated with

No.: 3:13-CV-666-TAV-HBG

as consolidated with

No.: 3:14-CV-20-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:15-CV-17-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:15-CV-274-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:15-CV-420-TAV-HBG

JOHNNY CHURCH,
Plaintiff,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

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DONALD R. VANGUILDER, JR.,
Plaintiff,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

JUDY IVENS, as sister and next of kin,
on behalf of JEAN NANCE, deceased,
Plaintiff,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

PAUL RANDY FARROW,
Plaintiff,
v.
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.,
Defendant.

No.: 3:15-CV-460-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:15-CV-462-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:16-CV-635-TAV-HBG

No.: 3:16-CV-636-TAV-HBG

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This case is before the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636, the Rules of this Court,
and Standing Order 13-02.
Now before the Court is the parties’ Joint Motion for Appointment of Mediator [Doc. 465
in Adkisson, 3:13-CV-505; Doc. 448 in Thompson, 3:13-CV-666; Doc. 428 in Cunningham, 3:14CV-20; Doc. 360 in Rose, 3:15-CV-17; Doc. 368 in Wilkinson, 3:15-CV-274; Doc. 349 in Shelton,
3:15-CV-420; Doc. 348 in Church, 3:15-CV-460; Doc. 352 in Vanguilder, 3:15-CV-462; Doc.

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236 in Ivens, 3:16-CV-635; and Doc. 232 in Farrow, 3:16-CV-636], filed on March 14, 2019. 1
Previously, on January 18, 2019, the Court found that this litigation is one that could benefit
from mediation, and ordered the parties to mediate the case within one hundred fifty (150) days of
the entry of the Order. [Doc. 459 at 5]. The Court subsequently granted an extension of time to
file a joint proposal for the selection of a mediator. [Doc. 461].
In the present motion, the parties have submitted a joint proposal and request that the Court
approve the appointment of Daniel J. Balhoff to serve as a mediator. [Doc. 465 at 2]. Although
Mr. Balhoff is not a member of the Court’s List of Approved Mediators, the parties submit that he
is an experienced mediator in mass tort litigation, including cases regarding injuries alleged to
have been caused by exposure to toxic substances. In support of their motion, the parties have
submitted a copy of Mr. Balhoff’s curriculum vitae and his statement in accordance with Local
Rule 16.
Accordingly, for good cause shown, the Joint Proposal Regarding Selection of Mediator
[Doc. 465] is GRANTED. In light of the parties’ agreement, the Court approves the appointment
of Mr. Balhoff to serve as a mediator in the present case. The parties are DIRECTED to mediate
this litigation in good faith in accordance with the Court’s original order referring the case to
mediation on January 18, 2019. [Doc. 459].
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:

United States Magistrate Judge

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Unless otherwise indicated, citations to the record refer to the docket entries in Adkisson,
3:13-CV-505.
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