Boffoli v. Twitter, Inc.

Filing 4

ORDER REGARDING INITIAL DISCLOSURES, JOINT STATUS REPORT AND EARLY SETTLEMENT. Joint Status Report due by 10/23/2012, FRCP 26f Conference Deadline is 10/9/2012, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 10/16/2012, by Hon. Mary Alice Theiler. (JT)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
for the WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON

CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI,
Plaintiff(s),
vs.

TWITTER, INC.,

Case No. 2:12−cv−01534−MAT
ORDER REGARDING INITIAL
DISCLOSURE, JOINT STATUS
REPORT, and EARLY SETTLEMENT

Defendant(s).

I. Initial Scheduling Dates
Pursuant to the December 1, 2000 revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, the Court hereby sets the following dates for initial disclosure and
submission of the Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan:
Deadline for FRCP 26(f) conference...................................... 10/09/2012
Initial Disclosure Pursuant to FRCP 26(a)............................. 10/16/2012
Combined Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan as
Required by FRCP 26(f), and Local Rule CR 16................... 10/23/2012
II. Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan
All counsel and pro se parties are directed to confer and provide the Court
with a combined Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan (the "Report") by
Order Regarding Initial Disclosure, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement − 1

10/23/2012. This conference shall be by direct and personal communication,
whether that be a face−to−face meeting or a telephonic conference. The Report
will be used in setting a schedule for the prompt completion of the case. It must
contain the following information by corresponding paragraph numbers:
1.
2.

3.

4.
5.

6.
7.

A statement of the nature and complexity of the case.
A statement of which ADR method (mediation, arbitration, or other)
should be used. The alternatives are described in Local Rule 39.1,
and in the ADR Reference Guide, which is available on the Court's
website (www.wawd.uscourts.gov). If the parties believe there
should be no ADR, the reasons for that belief should be stated.
Unless all parties agree that there should not be an ADR, a statement
of when mediation of another ADR proceeding under Local Rule 39.1
should take place. In most cases, the ADR proceeding should be held
within four months after the Report is filed. It may be resumed, if
necessary, after the first session.
A proposed deadline for joining additional parties.
A proposed discovery plan that indicates:
A.
The date on which the FRCP 26(f) conference and
FRCP 26(a) initial disclosures took place;
B.
The subjects on which discovery may be needed and whether
discovery should be conducted in phases or be limited to or
focused on particular issues;
C.
What changes should be made in the limitations on discovery
imposed under the Federal and Local Civil Rules, and what
other limitation should be imposed;
D.
A statement of how discovery will be managed so as to
minimize expense (e.g., by foregoing or limiting depositions,
exchanging documents informally, etc.) and;
E.
Any other orders that should be entered by the Court
under FRCP 26(c) or under Local Rule CR16(b) and (c).
The date by which the remainder of discovery can be completed.
Whether the parties agree that The Honorable Mary Alice Theiler,

Order Regarding Initial Disclosure, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement − 2

8.
9.

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

16.

a full−time Magistrate Judge, may conduct all proceedings including
trial and the entry of judgment, under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 636(c) and
Local Rule MJR 13. Agreement will constitute the parties' consent to
have this case remain assigned to Magistrate Judge Mary Alice
Theiler through final disposition of this civil case. When
responding to this question, the parties should only respond "yes"
or "no". Individual party responses should not be provided. A "yes"
response should be indicated only if all parties consent. Otherwise,
a "no" response should be provided.
Whether the case should be bifurcated by trying the liability issues
before the damages issues, or bifurcated in any other way.
Whether the pretrial statements and pretrial order called for by
Local Rules CR16(e), (h), (I), and (1), and 16.1 should be dispensed
with in whole or in part for the sake of economy.
Any other suggestions for shortening or simplifying the case.
The date the case will be ready for trial.
Whether the trial will be jury or non−jury.
The number of trial days required.
The names, addresses, e−mail addresses, and telephone numbers of
all trial counsel.
If, on the due date of the Report, all defendants or respondents have
not been served, counsel for plaintiff, or pro se plantiff, shall advise
the Court when service will be effected, why it was not made earlier,
and shall provide a proposed schedule for the required FRCP 26(f)
conference and FRCP 26(a) initial disclosures.
Whether any party wishes a scheduling conference prior to a
scheduling order being entered in the case.

If the parties are unable to agree on any part of the Report, they may answer
in separate paragraphs. Separate reports are not to be filed.
The time for filing the Report may be extended only by order of the Court.
Any request for extension should be made by filing a motion/proposed order
according to Local Rules.
Order Regarding Initial Disclosure, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement − 3

If the parties wish to have a status conference with the Court at any time
during the pendency of this action, especially concerning discovery disputes,
they should contact Judith A. Thomas, Deputy Clerk, at (206) 370−8420 or via
e−mail at [e-mail].
III. Right to Consent
The parties have the right to consent to assignment of this case to the
Honorable Mary Alice Theiler, United States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to
28 U.S.C. §636(c) and Local MJR 13 to conduct all proceedings. Please refer to
the Notice of Initial Assignment to a United States Magistrate Judge to Exercise
Jurisdiction and Requirement for Consent.
IV. Plaintiff's Responsibility
This Order is issued at the outset of the case, and a copy delivered by the
Clerk to counsel for the plaintiff, or the plaintiff if pro se, and any defendants
who have appeared. Plaintiff's counsel, or the plaintiff pro se, is directed
to serve copies of the Order, along with the Notice of Initial Assignment to a
Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction and Requirement for Consent and
Consent form, on all parties who appear after this Order is filed within ten
(10) days of receipt of service on each appearance. Plaintiff's counsel, or
the plaintiff pro se, will be responsible for starting the communications
needed to comply with this Order.
V. Early Settlement Consideration
When civil cases are settled early, before they become costly and
timeconsuming, all parties and the Court benefit. The Federal Bar Association
Alternative Dispute Resolution Task Force Report for this district stated:
[T]he major ADR related problem is not the percentage of civil cases
that ultimately settle, since statistics demonstrate that approximately
95% of all cases are resolved without trial. However the timing of
settlement is a major concern. Frequently, under our existing ADR
system, case resolution occurs far too late, after the parties have
completed discovery and incurred substantial expenditure of fees
and costs.

Order Regarding Initial Disclosure, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement − 4

The judges of this district have adopted a resolution "approving the
Task Force's recommendation that court−connected ADR services be provided as
early, effectively, and economically as possible in every suitable case."
The steps required by this Order are meant to help achieve that goal while
preserving the rights of all parties.
If settlement is achieved, counsel shall notify Judith A. Thomas, Deputy
Clerk at (206) 370−8420 or via e−mail at [e-mail].
VI. Sanctions
A failure by any party to comply fully with this Order may result in the
imposition of sanctions.
DATED The 11th of September, 2012
s/ MARY ALICE THEILER
United States Magistrate Judge

Order Regarding Initial Disclosure, Joint Status Report, and Early Settlement − 5