Karnoski et al v. Trump et al

Filing 466

ORDER PROVIDING NOTICE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL MASTER. The Court intends to appoint a special master to oversee selected discovery issues in this matter. The Court ORDERS any party that opposes such appointment to file a brief not to exceed three pages no later than March 31, 2020. Signed by Judge Marsha J. Pechman. (PM)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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RYAN KARNOSKI, et al.,
Plaintiffs,

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v.

CASE NO. C17-1297 MJP
ORDER PROVIDING NOTICE OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF A
SPECIAL MASTER

DONALD J TRUMP, et al.,
Defendants.

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THIS MATTER comes before the Court sua sponte. In light of the Parties’ ongoing

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dispute regarding the 35,000 to 50,000 documents over which Defendants have asserted the

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deliberative process privilege, the Parties’ inability to resolve disputes without Court

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intervention, and the recent General Order closing the Courthouse, the Court finds that no judge

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can conduct this discovery review in a timely manner. The Court therefore intends to appoint a

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special master to oversee selected discovery issues in this matter. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 53. The

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attorney will bill monthly using his or her standard rate. Invoices will be paid 50%-50% by

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Plaintiffs and the Defendants within 30 days. Special master expenses may be submitted for

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ORDER PROVIDING NOTICE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL MASTER - 1

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consideration as a taxable cost at the conclusion of the case. The Court ORDERS any party that

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opposes such appointment to file a brief not to exceed three pages no later than March 31, 2020.

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The Parties may also comment on the scope of the special master’s review and suggest possible

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special masters, but the candidates must be admitted to the Western District of Washington and

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meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 53.

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The clerk is ordered to provide copies of this order to all counsel.

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Dated March 24, 2020.

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A

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Marsha J. Pechman
United States District Judge

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ORDER PROVIDING NOTICE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL MASTER - 2