Opinion
20-cv-03664-LHK (SVK) 20-cv-5146-LHK (SVK)
12-20-2021
CHASOM BROWN, et al., Plaintiffs, v. GOOGLE LLC, Defendant. PATRICK CALHOUN, et al., Plaintiffs, v. GOOGLE LLC, Defendant.
Re: Dkt. No. 355 (in 20-cv-3664)
ORDER RE DEPOSITION OF LORRAINE TWOHILL
SUSAN VAN KEULEN, United States Magistrate Judge.
In the Brown v. Google action, the Court is in receipt of the Parties' submission regarding the deposition of Chief Marketing Officer Lorraine Twohill. Dkt. 355. Plaintiffs argue that Ms. Twohill has unique, personal knowledge of relevant issues and that less intrusive means of discovery have been exhausted; Plaintiffs' position is supported by citations to documents produced in this action. Defendant seeks to shield Ms. Twohill as an apex deponent, taking issue with Plaintiffs' interpretation of cited documents. Having carefully considered the Parties' submission, the Court GRANTS IN PART Plaintiffs' request under the following conditions:
• The Brown Plaintiffs may depose Ms. Twohill. The deposition shall not exceed 4.0 hours of testimony;
• In the event the Calhoun Plaintiffs intend to seek the deposition of Ms. Twohill, the date for the deposition must be coordinated such that the witness sits for deposition only once, unless the witness chooses separate dates. In the Calhoun action, an independent showing under the apex standard will be required, and any time allowed for deposition will be in addition to the time allowed in the Brown matter.
SO ORDERED.