Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06663/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06663-17/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 950
Nature of Suit: Contitutionality of State Statutes
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL VALLEY CHRYSLER CASE NO. CV-F-04-6663 REC LJO

VALLEY JEEP, INC., et al., 

 ORDER ON DEFENDANT’S MOTION

TO COMPEL WRITTEN REPORTS OF 

Plaintiff, EMPLOYEE-DESIGNATED EXPERTS (Doc

219)

vs.

CATHERINE E. WITHERSPOON, 

Defendants.

 /

 

Defendant Catherine Witherspoon moves to compel the production of written expert exports for

plaintiffs’ seven (7) employee-designated experts. Plaintiffs provided reports for the five retained

experts but refuse to provide expert reports for the employee-designated experts on the grounds that Rule

26 does not require employees who do not regularly testify as experts to provide reports. On May 5,

2006, defendant filed her notice of motion and on May 23, 2006, the parties filed a joint statement re

discovery disagreement pursuant to Local Rule 37-251. The matter came on regularly for hearing on May

26, 2006 in Department 8 of the above-entitled court. Plaintiffs appeared by telephone by counsel Tim

Jones, Andrew Clubok, and Derek Bentsen. Defendant appeared by telephone by counsel Ellen Peter

and Kate Keneally. Defendant intervenors appeared by telephone by counsel Danielle Fugere.

Analysis and Discussion

The written report requirement is stated in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2)(B): “Except

as otherwise stipulated or directed by the court, this disclosure shall, with respect to a witness who is

Case 1:04-cv-06663-AWI-GSA Document 225 Filed 05/31/06 Page 1 of 2
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retained or specially employed to provide expert testimony in the case or whose duties as an employee

of the party regularly involve giving expert testimony, be accompanied by a written report prepared and

signed by the witness.” Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 26 (a)(2)(B). 

Plaintiffs rely on the plain language of Rule 26(a)(2)(B) to argue that they are not required to

provide written reports of their employees who do not regularly testify. Defendant implicitly

acknowledges that employee experts are not required to provide reports, pursuant to the plain language;

but argues the policy of “full disclosure” in civil litigation. There is no controlling 9th Circuit authority

on the issue, as the parties acknowledge. Both parties have cited to out-of-district cases.

At oral argument, defendant arguedthat the employee-designated experts occupy highly technical

positions and more focused depositions could be taken with expert reports. Plaintiffs argued that of the

seven employee designatedexperts, six are hybrid fact witness/experts, who have been designated as fact

witnesses or as Rule 30(b)(6) witnesses. Plaintiffs argued that only one employee, George Wolf, would

not be a fact witness, and plaintiffs offered either the provide a report or withdraw his name.

Conclusion

The Court orders as follows. Plaintiffs shall have to June 13, 2006 to either withdraw the name

of George Wolf as an expert or to provide a written expert report. Defendant shall have an opportunity

to rebut George Wolf’s designation, in the event his name is not withdrawn. That time frame will be

limited to ten business days.

While the Court finds that it may be helpful to have a written report by an employee designated

expert, this is true in every case. There are not particular circumstances argued that would warrant

requiring written reports; and there are no exceptions to the Rule. Defendant’s motion is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 26, 2006 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:04-cv-06663-AWI-GSA Document 225 Filed 05/31/06 Page 2 of 2