Opinion
22 Civ. 4020 (JPC)
05-18-2022
STORM DAMAGE SOLUTIONS LLC, doing business as SMART TARP, on behalf of FERNANDO INC, doing business as VALARTA PLAZA, Plaintiff, v. MT HAWLEY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant.
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
JOHN P. CRONAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE:
This case has been transferred from the Honorable M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida to the Southern District of New York and assigned to the undersigned. All counsel must familiarize themselves with the Court's Individual Rules, which are available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/hon-john-p-cronan. Unless and until the Court orders otherwise, all prior orders, dates, and deadlines shall remain in effect notwithstanding the case's reassignment. Any currently scheduled conference or oral argument before the Court is adjourned pending further order of the Court. Absent leave of Court obtained by letter-motion filed before the conference, all pretrial conferences must be attended by the attorney who will serve as principal trial counsel.
Additionally, within two weeks of the filing of this Order, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file on ECF a joint letter, described below, updating the Court on the status of the case. The joint letter shall not exceed five (5) pages, and shall provide the following information, to the extent it is relevant, in separate paragraphs:
(1) Names of counsel and current contact information, if different from the information currently reflected on the docket;
(2) A brief statement of the nature of the action and the principal defenses thereto;
(3) A brief explanation of why jurisdiction and venue lie in this Court. In any action in which subject matter jurisdiction is founded on diversity of citizenship pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 1332, the letter must explain the basis for the parties' belief that diversity of citizenship exists. Where any party is a corporation, the letter shall state both the place of incorporation and the principal place of business. In cases where any party is a partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or trust, the letter shall state the citizenship of each of the entity's members, shareholders, partners, and/or trustees;
(4) A statement of all existing deadlines, due dates, and/or cut-off dates;
(5) A statement of any previously scheduled conference dates with the Court that have not yet occurred and the matters that were to be discussed;
(6) A brief description of any outstanding motions, including the date of the motion and the nature of the relief sought;
(7) A statement and description of any pending appeals;
(8) A detailed statement of all discovery undertaken to date, including how many depositions each party has taken and what, if any, discovery remains that is essential for the parties to engage in meaningful settlement negotiations;
(9) A list of all prior settlement discussions, including the date, the parties involved, and the approximate duration of such discussions, if any;
(10) A statement of whether the parties have discussed the use of alternate dispute resolution mechanisms and indicating whether the parties believe that (a) a settlement conference before a Magistrate Judge; (b) participation in the District's Mediation Program; and/or (c) retention of a privately retained mediator would be
appropriate and, if so, when in the case (e.g., within the next sixty days, after the deposition of plaintiff is completed, after the close of fact discovery, etc.) the use of such a mechanism would be appropriate;
(11) The estimated length of trial; and
(12) Any other information that the parties believe may assist this Court in resolving the action, including, but not limited to, a description of any dispositive or novel issue raised by the case.
If this case has been settled or otherwise terminated, counsel are not required to submit such letter or to appear, provided that a stipulation of discontinuance, voluntary dismissal, or other proof of termination is filed on the docket prior to the joint letter submission deadline, using the appropriate ECF Filing Event. See SDNY ECF Rules & Instructions §§ 13.17-13.19, available at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecffiling.php. In accordance with the Court's Individual Rules and Practices, requests for extensions or adjournment may be made only by letter-motion filed on ECF and must be received at least 48 hours before the deadline or scheduled appearance, absent compelling circumstances. The written submission must state (1) the original date(s) set for the appearance or deadline(s) and the new date(s) requested; (2) the reason(s) for the request; (3) the number of previous requests for adjournment or extension; (4) whether these previous requests were granted or denied; and (5) whether opposing counsel consents, and, if not, the reasons given by opposing counsel for refusing to consent.
SO ORDERED.