Block v. Snohomish County et al

Filing 46

ORDER Terminating Plaintiff's 44 Motion to Strike by Judge Richard A Jones. Case stayed pending further order of the court subject to exceptions. (LMK)

HONORABLE RICHARD A. JONES

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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ANNE BLOCK,
Plaintiff,

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CASE NO. C14-235RAJ
ORDER

v.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, et al.,
Defendants.

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The court directs the clerk to TERMINATE Plaintiff’s motion to strike. Dkt. # 44.

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The motion violates this court’s local rules in numerous ways. At a minimum, it violates

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a prohibition on separate motions to strike, it is too long, and it contains no noting date.

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See Local Rules W.D. Wash. LCR 7(b)(1), 7(d)(3), 7(e)(3).

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The record before the court reflects that this litigation threatens to spiral out of

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control. It also reflects that Plaintiff’s communication with opposing counsel and

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opposing parties in this case falls well below the standards of civility that this court

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expects from litigants. To preserve order while the court resolves both the pending

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motions to dismiss and Defendants’ motion for sanctions, the court orders as follows:

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1) This litigation is STAYED pending further order of the court subject only to
the following exceptions:
a) The parties shall complete briefing, in accordance with the local rules,

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on Defendants’ motion for sanctions. Dkt. # 40.

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ORDER – 1

b) Plaintiff and counsel for Defendants may exchange good-faith written

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settlement offers.

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2) No party may propound or pursue discovery while the stay is in effect.

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3) While this stay is in effect, no party may file any motion, unless the motion

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seeks emergency relief or is stipulated.
4) While this stay is in effect, there will be no communication between Plaintiff

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and any Defendant about this lawsuit. Plaintiff and counsel for Defendants

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may communicate only for the purpose of making or responding to a

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settlement offer or for making or responding to a good faith request for a

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stipulation or stipulated motion.
If any party violates this order, the court will impose monetary sanctions and may

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impose evidentiary sanctions or dismiss this action.

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DATED this 29th day of July, 2014.

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A

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The Honorable Richard A. Jones
United States District Court Judge

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ORDER – 2