Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-02144/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-02144-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: Americans with Disabilities Act

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1 06cv2144-LAB(NLS)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EDWARD J. HIESHETTER, JR. et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

BUSINESS PROPERTIES, et al.,

Defendants. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Civil No.06cv2144-LAB (NLS)

ORDER ASSESSING SANCTIONS

AGAINST DEFENSE COUNSEL

An in person Settlement Disposition Conference (“SDC”) was scheduled in the above-captioned

matter on April 18, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. before this Court. Dismissal papers were not filed prior to the date

of the conference, and in violation of this Court’s March 23, 2007 Notice and Order setting the

conference [Doc. No. 7], counsel for both parties failed to appear. Accordingly, the Court issued a

Notice and Order setting a Show Cause Hearing Re: Sanctions for May 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. [Doc. No.

8]. Counsel were instructed in the Court’s order to appear in person for the hearing, as well as to submit

declarations on or before April 27, 2007 outlining any potential justification for their failure to abide by

the Court’s previous order. On April 27, 2007, Plaintiff’s counsel, Theodore A. Pinnock, filed a

declaration in compliance with the Court’s order [Doc. No. 10]. Defense counsel, Michael G. Roddy,

did not file a declaration. 

On May 4, 2007, Mr. Pinnock appeared on time for the 9:30 a.m. Show Cause Hearing. The Court

convened the hearing at approximately 9:45 a.m., after waiting fifteen minutes for Mr. Roddy to appear. 

Mr. Roddy failed to appear for the hearing. During the hearing, Mr. Pinnock took personal

Case 3:06-cv-02144-LAB-NLS Document 11 Filed 05/04/07 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2 06cv2144-LAB(NLS)

responsibility for failing to appear at the April 18, 2007 in person SDC. The Court also notes that Mr.

Pinnock appears to have taken primary responsibility for ensuring that the parties’ joint motion to

dismiss this action with prejudice was filed prior to the Show Cause Hearing [Doc. No. 9]. 

Accordingly, good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT no sanctions be

assessed against Plaintiff’s counsel Theodore A. Pinnock for failing to appear at the April 18, 2007 in

person SDC.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT sanctions in the amount of $500 are assessed against

Michael G. Roddy for failure to appear as ordered by the Court at the April 18, 2007 in person SDC as

well as the May 4, 2007 Show Cause Hearing. Mr. Roddy shall pay the $500 in sanctions to the Clerk

of this Court on or before June 1, 2007. If Mr. Roddy fails to pay the sanctions in a timely manner, this

Court may recommend that the presiding District Judge find him in contempt of court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 4, 2007

Hon. Nita L. Stormes

U.S. Magistrate Judge

Case 3:06-cv-02144-LAB-NLS Document 11 Filed 05/04/07 Page 2 of 2