Opinion
19 CV 11881 (VB)
08-20-2021
YONG BIAO JI, Plaintiff, v. AILY FOOT RELAX STATION, INC., doing business as Foot Relax Spa Station; LINDA FOOT RELAX SPA STATION, INC., doing business as Foot Relax Spa Station; XIANG MAN ZHANG, also known as Ailing Zhang; and KE XUE ZHENG, Defendants.
ORDER
Vincent L. Briccetti, United States District Judge
At the July 7, 2021, status conference in this case, which counsel for all parties attended, the Court scheduled a telephonic pre-motion conference for August 20, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. to discuss defendants' anticipated summary judgment motion. The Court reiterated the date and dial-in information for the pre-motion conference in an Order issued that same day. (Doc. #117).
Today, plaintiff's counsel timely appeared for the conference. Defense counsel, Mr. Ye, failed to appear, without excuse or explanation. Mr. Ye's unprofessional conduct wasted the time of the Court, and the Court does not appreciate having its time wasted.
Later this morning, plaintiff filed a motion for sanctions. (Doc. #122). In addition to asking for monetary sanctions, plaintiff also requested that the Court prohibit defendants from filing a summary judgment motion. (Id.). After plaintiff's letter was filed, Mr. Ye called Chambers to say he was very ill, and then filed a letter on the ECF docket stating he was “seriously ill” and “did not recall” the scheduled hearing. (Doc. #123).
Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED:
1. The pre-motion conference in this matter is adjourned to August 26, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., to proceed by telephone . At the time of the scheduled conference, counsel shall attend by calling the following number and entering the access code when requested:
Number: (888) 363-4749 (toll-free) or (215) 446-3662
Access Code: 1703567
2. The motion for sanctions is DENIED.
The Clerk shall terminate the motion. (Doc. #122).
SO ORDERED.