Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01321/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01321-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 751
Nature of Suit: Labor - Family and Medical Leave Act
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Labor/Mgmnt. Relations

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SHELA BARKER,

Plaintiff,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER 

AFFAIRS, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:15-cv-1321-TLN-KJN PS 

ORDER

On December 3, 2015, the court conducted an initial status conference in this matter. 

Plaintiff Shela Barker, an attorney, appeared representing herself, and attorney Courtney Lui 

appeared on behalf of defendant California Department of Consumer Affairs (“DCA”). Upon 

review of the parties’ joint status report (ECF No. 9), and after further discussion with the parties 

at the status conference, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The parties shall promptly meet and confer regarding plaintiff’s proposed amendment 

of the complaint to remove her federal claim, including a potential stipulation to an 

amendment of the complaint and remand of the action to state court. Any such 

stipulation shall be filed as soon as possible, but no later than January 15, 2016. If the 

parties are unable to reach an agreement, plaintiff shall file a motion to amend the 

complaint and remand the action to state court no later than January 15, 2016. The 

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motion shall be noticed for hearing in accordance with Local Rule 230.

2. Pursuant to the parties’ agreement on the record at the status conference, defendant 

State of California is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE as an unnecessary 

defendant duplicative of defendant California DCA. However, if it is later determined 

that the State of California is a defendant necessary to the prosecution of plaintiff’s 

claims, the parties agree that they would stipulate to an amendment of the complaint 

adding the State of California as a defendant, as if the State of California had been 

named as a defendant from the inception of the case through the time of amendment.

3. Within 30 days of this order, plaintiff shall complete service of process on defendants 

Donald Chang and Anita Scuri, and file a status report indicating whether or not 

service of process on those defendants have been completed. If not, plaintiff shall 

either request dismissal of those defendants without prejudice, or file a request for an 

extension of time to complete service supported by good cause (including what 

specific efforts plaintiff has made to complete service on those defendants). 

4. No later than December 14, 2015, the parties shall contact the undersigned’s 

courtroom deputy clerk regarding potential dates for a settlement conference before 

the undersigned in late January or February 2016. In the event that this action remains 

in federal court, a date for the settlement conference will be set by separate minute 

order.

5. If a settlement conference is scheduled, the parties shall file a joint status report by 

January 15, 2015, addressing the parties’ views with respect to the following topics: 

(a) the status of informal discovery; (b) whether any formal discovery is necessary 

prior to the settlement conference; (c) whether the settlement conference should go 

ahead as scheduled or be continued for a specified period of time; and (d) whether the 

court should schedule remaining case dates and deadlines prior to the settlement 

conference (and if so, the parties should provide revised proposed deadlines).

6. In light of the potential remand to state court and/or the conduct of a settlement 

conference, the court declines to further schedule the case at this juncture.

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IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: December 4, 2015

 

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