Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-02080/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-02080-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Contract Default

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SUNTRUST BANK,

Plaintiff,

v.

ALLEN W. WARREN; YANKEE 

DAWDLE, LLC,

Defendants.

No. 2:12-cv-02080-GEB-CKD

FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER

The final pretrial conference scheduled for July 21, 

2014, is vacated since the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement 

(“JPS”) filed June 18, 2014, indicates this Final Pretrial Order 

should issue.

I. JURY/NON-JURY

All issues shall be tried to a jury. 

II. CLAIMS & AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

The following claim is preserved for trial:

1) Breach of Contract

Since no affirmative defense is identified in the JPS, 

no affirmative defense is preserved for trial. See Status Order 

2:27-3:9, ECF No. 35 (“The joint pretrial statement . . . shall 

set forth each theory of liability (‘claim’) and affirmative 

defense which remains to be tried, and the ultimate facts on 

which each theory/defense is based. . . . The Court uses the 

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parties’ joint pretrial statement to prepare its final pretrial 

order and could issue the final pretrial order without holding 

the scheduled final pretrial conference.”).

III. UNDISPUTED FACTS

The undisputed facts are stated in section 3 of the 

JPS, as follows:

A. On February 23, 2007, Defendants 

executed an Installment Note, Disclosure 

Statement and Security Agreement (the “note") 

for the benefit of SunTrust Bank in the 

original principal amount of $1,561,215.00.

B. The Note was secured by a First

Preferred Ship Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) 

dated February 23, 2007 against a vessel 

known as the “Soul Mates” with Hull 

Identification Number OAX64121A707 (the 

“Vessel”).

C. Defendants did not make all of the 

regular monthly payments as they became due.

D. Defendants’ last payment was made on 

January 13, 2011.

E. SunTrust repossessed the Vessel.

F. SunTrust sent notice of its intent to 

sell the Vessel to the Defendants on June 8, 

2011 and June 10, 2011.

G. On October 21, 2011, SunTrust Bank 

sold the Vessel for $915,000.00.

(JPS 1:23-2:6.)

IV. DISPUTED FACTUAL ISSUES

The parties state the disputed factual issues in 

section 4 of the JPS, as follows: “The amount due is $640,322.32 

plus pre-judgment interest at the rate of 6.87% from November 1, 

2011 through the entry of judgment, attorney’s fees of 

$160,080.58.” (Id. at 2:8-9.)

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V. DISPUTED EVIDENTIARY ISSUES

The parties shall meet and confer for the purpose of 

resolving evidentiary disputes. Any unresolved evidentiary 

dispute capable of being resolved in limine shall be set forth in 

an in limine motion filed no later than twenty-five (25) court 

days before the trial commencement date; an opposition or 

statement of non-opposition to any filed in limine motion shall 

be filed no later than fifteen (15) court days before the trial 

commencement date; any reply shall be filed no later than ten 

(10) court days before the trial commencement date. The failure 

to state a basis for the admissibility or non-admissibility of 

disputed evidence constitutes a waiver or abandonment of that 

basis.

VI. TRIAL BRIEFS

Notwithstanding Local Rule 285, trial briefs shall be 

filed no later than twenty (20) court days prior to the trial 

commencement date. The trial brief(s) must include “a summary of 

points of law, including reasonably anticipated disputes 

concerning admissibility of evidence, legal arguments, and 

citations of authority in support thereof.” E.D. Cal. R. 285.

VII. WITNESSES1

A. Plaintiff anticipates calling the witnesses listed 

in section 9(A) of the JPS.

B. Defendants anticipate calling the witnesses listed 

in section 9(B) of the JPS. 

C. Each party may call a witness designated by the 

 

1 This portion of the Order does not affect the parties’ obligations to 

timely comply with witness disclosure requirements provided in the Federal 

Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, or by Order of this Court.

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opposing party.

D. No person, other than those named on these witness 

lists, will be permitted to testify unless:

(1) The party offering the witness demonstrates 

that the witness is for the purpose of rebutting evidence which 

could not reasonably be anticipated at the pretrial conference; 

or

(2) The witness was discovered after the pretrial 

conference and the proffering party makes the showing required in 

“E,” below.

E. If a witness is discovered after the pretrial 

conference, counsel for the party offering the witness shall 

promptly inform the Court and the opposing party of the existence 

of the unlisted witness so that the Court may consider at trial 

whether the witness shall be permitted to testify. The witness 

will not be permitted to testify unless:

(1) The witness could not reasonably have been 

discovered prior to the pretrial conference;

(2) The Court and opposing counsel were promptly 

notified upon discovery of the witness;

(3) If time permitted, counsel offered the 

witness for deposition; and

(4) If time did not permit, a reasonable summary 

of the witness’ testimony was provided to opposing counsel.

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VIII. EXHIBITS2

A. Plaintiff anticipates offering the exhibits listed 

in section 10(A) of the JPS.

B. Defendants anticipate offering the exhibits listed 

in section 10(B) of the JPS.

C. No other exhibits will be permitted to be 

introduced unless:

(1) The party seeking to use the unlisted exhibit 

demonstrates that the exhibit is being used to rebut evidence 

which could not reasonably have been anticipated at the pretrial 

conference; or

(2) The unlisted exhibit was discovered after the 

pretrial conference and the offering party makes the showing 

required in paragraph “D,” below.

D. Any party proposing to introduce an exhibit which 

was discovered after the pretrial conference shall promptly 

notify the Court and opposing counsel of the existence of such 

exhibit. The Court will not permit any such exhibit to be 

introduced unless it finds:

(1) That the exhibit could not reasonably have 

been discovered prior to the pretrial conference;

(2) The Court and counsel were promptly informed 

of the exhibit’s existence; and

(3) That the offering party has delivered a copy 

of the exhibit to opposing counsel, or, if the exhibit may not be 

copied, that the offering counsel has made the exhibit reasonably 

 

2 This portion of the Order does not affect the parties’ obligations to 

timely comply with disclosure requirements provided in the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, or by Order of this Court.

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available for inspection by opposing counsel. 

E. Plaintiff’s exhibits shall be numbered and marked 

with colored stickers provided by the Court, while Defendants’

exhibits shall be designated by alphabetical letter also marked 

with colored stickers provided by the Court. To obtain stickers,

parties should contact the Clerk of Court at (916) 930-4000.

F. The parties shall exchange with each other, at 

least twenty (20) court days prior to the trial commencement 

date, copies of all of their respective exhibits, marked with 

exhibit stickers provided by the Court. Within five (5) court 

days after receipt and examination of the exhibits, each party 

shall file with the Court and serve upon opposing counsel 

objections, if any, to the exhibits, referencing the exhibits as 

marked by exhibit sticker and specifying the basis for each 

objection.3 Failure to exchange exhibits as ordered could result 

in the exhibit not being used at trial and/or the imposition of 

sanctions. The failure to make objections in the manner 

prescribed by this section shall constitute a waiver of 

objections. A party seeking to admit into evidence an exhibit to 

which no objection was made must identify said exhibit for the 

record and then move it into evidence.

G. Counsel shall produce all exhibits to the 

Courtroom Deputy at the commencement of trial. At that time, the 

parties shall also furnish the Court with a copy of each exhibit, 

unless the exhibit is physically incapable of being or 

impracticable to be reproduced. Failure to produce exhibits as 

 

3 The parties have leave to file joint exhibits. The above procedure is 

designed for separate exhibits.

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ordered could result in waiver of the right to offer those 

exhibits. Each party submitting exhibits shall furnish a list to 

the Court, the Courtroom Deputy, and opposing counsel itemizing 

the exhibits.

IX. FURTHER PREPARATION FOR USE OF DISCOVERY DOCUMENTS

A. Counsel are required to produce to the Courtroom 

Deputy at the commencement of trial, the original transcript of 

any deposition which is to be used at trial for any purpose. The 

original deposition transcript(s) will be returned to counsel at 

the conclusion of trial. Counsel are cautioned that a failure to 

discharge this duty may result in preclusion of the use of the 

deposition(s) or in the imposition of such other sanctions as the 

Court deems appropriate.

B. No later than twenty (20) court days before the 

trial commencement date, counsel for each party shall serve on 

the other parties a statement designating all answers to 

interrogatories and all portions of depositions (except for 

passages to be used solely for refreshing recollection, 

impeachment, or rebuttal). No later than fifteen (15) court days 

before the trial commencement date, counter-designations of other 

portions of these discovery documents may be served. No later 

than ten (10) court days before the trial commencement date, the 

parties shall file and serve any preserved evidentiary objections 

to any designated discovery, or said objections are waived.

X. FURTHER DISCOVERY OR MOTIONS

Pursuant to the Court’s September 22, 2013 Pretrial 

Scheduling Order, (ECF No. 35), all discovery and law and motion 

was to have been completed prior to the date of the final 

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pretrial conference. That order is confirmed. The parties are, of 

course, free to conduct any additional discovery they desire 

pursuant to informal agreement. However, any such agreement will 

not be enforceable in this Court.

XI. AGREED STATEMENT

The parties shall submit a short, jointly-prepared 

statement concerning the nature of this case that can be read to 

the jury during voir dire. The statement shall be filed no later 

than fifteen (15) court days before the trial commencement date. 

If the parties fail to do this, they may be required to give 

their respective opening statements before voir dire. Separate 

statements shall be submitted if agreement is not reached.

XII. JURY INSTRUCTIONS, VOIR DIRE, AND VERDICT FORMS

A. Jury instructions, proposed voir dire, and a 

verdict form shall be submitted fifteen (15) court days before 

trial. The parties shall prepare the instructions and verdict 

forms in accordance with Local Rule 163, and shall tailor all 

general instructions to the facts and law at issue.

B. The parties shall confer and attempt to agree upon 

a joint set of jury instructions and verdict form. As to 

instructions on which there is dispute, the parties shall adhere 

to the following procedure: the party offering the disputed 

instruction(s) shall submit the instruction(s) as its proposed 

jury instruction(s), shall submit authority in support of the 

proposed instruction(s), and shall number the disputed 

instruction(s) in a manner that shows where each disputed 

instruction should be placed in the tendered agreed upon 

instructions.

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C. At the time of electronic filing of the jury 

instructions and verdict forms, the parties shall also submit a 

copy of the sanitized joint jury instructions, the sanitized 

disputed jury instructions, and the joint verdict forms to the 

Court by electronic mail to geborders@caed.uscourts.gov in 

accordance with Local Rule 163.

D. Most of the examination of prospective jurors will 

be conducted by the Court. The parties shall meet and confer and 

attempt to agree upon a joint set of proposed voir dire 

questions. Each side is granted ten (10) minutes to conduct voir 

dire following the Court’s examination of prospective jurors.

XIII. USE OF STRUCK JURY SELECTION SYSTEM

Eight (8) jurors will be impaneled. The “struck jury” 

system will be used to select the jury. At the beginning of the 

voir dire process, approximately eighteen prospective jurors, 

randomly selected by the Jury Administrator, will be seated for 

voir dire. The order of the jurors’ random selection is reflected 

by the order in which they will be seated. The first randomly 

selected juror will be in jury seat number one, which is at the 

extreme right-hand side of the jury box in the top row as the 

jury box is viewed from the well of the courtroom. The eighth 

juror will be in the eighth seat. The ninth selected juror will 

occupy the seat located at the extreme right-hand side of the 

jury box in the bottom row. The fifteenth seat will be in the 

left-hand side of that row. Three chairs will be placed in front 

of the jury box. The sixteenth juror will occupy the seat on the 

right and the eighteenth juror will occupy the seat on the left. 

The first eight jurors on a list, which shall be given to 

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counsel, will constitute the petit jury unless one or more of 

those eight is excused for some reason. Assuming that the first 

and fifth jurors on the list are excused, the second listed juror 

becomes the first, and the other jurors’ numbers are changed 

accordingly, with the ninth juror on the list becoming seventh on 

the list; however, the jurors continue to be identified by their 

original numbers.

Following the voir dire questioning, each side will 

take turns exercising its three allotted peremptory strikes. If a 

side elects to pass rather than exercise a particular peremptory 

challenge, that challenge is waived.

XIV. ATTORNEY’S FEES

The parties are referred to Local Rule 293 concerning 

the post-trial procedure for seeking an award of attorney’s fees. 

XV. SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS

Since the parties indicate in the JPS that a 

“settlement conference . . . would not be helpful[,]” no 

conference is scheduled. (JPS 4:2-3.)

XVI. TRIAL DATE

Trial will commence at 9:00 a.m. on October 21, 2014. 

Trial is held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week from 

9:00 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. However, once the jury 

begins deliberating, counsel shall be available for communication 

with the jury during the above mentioned times, Monday through 

Friday. 

Each side has fifteen (15) minutes within which to make 

an opening statement to the jury and sixty (60) minutes within 

which to make a closing argument.

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Counsel are to call Shani Furstenau, Courtroom Deputy, 

at (916) 930-4114, one week prior to trial to ascertain the 

status of the trial date.

Dated: June 19, 2014

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