Opinion
OP 22-0101
03-03-2022
DEERE & COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. MONTAN EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, CASCADE COUNTY, THE HONORABLE ELIZABETH A. BEST, Presiding, Respondent.
ORDER
Petitioner Deere & Company, via counsel, seeks a writ of supervisory control over the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, to vacate its February 24, 2022 Order Granting Motion Regarding Discovery in its Cause No. BDV-19-0439. Petitioner alleges that the District Court Order erroneously granted an untimely discovery request from the Plaintiffs in the underlying case which requires Petitioner to produce work product information dating back to 1993. Petitioner asserts that the time investment required for such production will prejudice its ability to prepare for trial, which is set for May 9, 2022. Petitioner further alleges that the protective order the District Court fashioned is insufficient to protect Petitioner's interests in proprietary information that may be disclosed as part of this discovery.
Having reviewed the Petition and the challenged Order, this Court deems it appropriate to obtain a summary response. In light of the May 9, 2022 trial date, we conclude it is appropriate to order this matter be considered on an expedited basis. Therefore, in accordance with M. R. App. P. 14(7), IT IS ORDERED that Joe Garrity d/b/a Garrity Ranches and Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, Plaintiffs in BDV-19-0439, and the Eighth Judicial District Court are each granted until March 15, 2022, to prepare, file, and serve responses to the petition for writ of supervisory control.
The Clerk is directed to provide immediate notice of this Order to all counsel of record in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, Cause No. BDV-19-0439, and the Honorable Elizabeth A. Best, presiding.