Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01772/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01772-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition For Removal--Other Contract

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07cv1772-JM (BLM)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OLD GROVE SERVICE, INC., a

California corporation,

Plaintiff,

v.

McDONALD’S CORPORATION, a

Delaware corporation; and DOES

1 through 10, inclusive,

Defendants. 

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Case No. 07cv1772-JM (BLM)

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT

MCDONALD’S CORPORATION’S EX

PARTE APPLICATION AND

CONVERTING EARLY NEUTRAL

EVALUATION CONFERENCE TO

TELEPHONIC, ATTORNEYS-ONLY

CONFERENCE

[Doc. No. 18]

On January 10, 2008, Defendant McDonald’s Corporation filed an ex

parte application to reschedule the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference

(“ENE”) presently scheduled for February 4, 2008, due to its client

representatives’ unavailability on that day. Doc. No. 18. McDonald’s

proposes February 28, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. as an alternative date when all

counsel and clients for both parties are available. Id. 

 Because Local Rule 16.1(c) requires this Court to conduct an ENE

within forty-five (45) days of the filing of the first answer and

February 28th is outside of that window, the ex parte application is

DENIED. However, in light of the fact that the representatives from

McDonald’s who have full settlement authority will not be available on

Case 3:07-cv-01772-JM-BLM Document 20 Filed 01/14/08 Page 1 of 3
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28 1 The parties shall not append attachments or exhibits to the ENE statement.

-2- 07cv1772-JM (BLM)

February 4th, the Court finds it appropriate to convert the ENE to a

telephonic, attorneys-only conference. Counsel for both parties shall

participate on February 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. The Court will initiate

the call. Counsel may discuss with the Court at that time whether it

likely would be fruitful to convene a full settlement conference on

February 28, 2008. 

The parties are hereby advised that the Court still requires

confidential ENE statements to be filed no later than five (5) court

days prior to the February 4, 2008 telephonic ENE. The parties shall

submit confidential statements no more than ten (10) pages1 in length

directly to the chambers of the Honorable Barbara L. Major. These

confidential statements shall not be filed or served on opposing

counsel. Each party's confidential statement must include the

following:

a. A brief description of the case, the claims and/or

counterclaims asserted, and the applicable defenses or position

regarding the asserted claims;

b. A specific and current demand or offer for settlement

addressing all relief or remedies sought. If a specific demand or offer

for settlement cannot be made at the time the brief is submitted, then

the reasons therefore must be stated along with a statement as to when

the party will be in a position to state a demand or make an offer; and

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-3- 07cv1772-JM (BLM)

c. A brief description of any previous settlement

negotiations, mediation sessions, or mediation efforts.

General statements that a party will "negotiate in good faith" is

not a specific demand or offer contemplated by this Order. It is

assumed that all parties will negotiate in good faith.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 14, 2008

BARBARA L. MAJOR

United States Magistrate Judge

COPY TO:

HONORABLE JEFFREY T. MILLER

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

ALL COUNSEL

Case 3:07-cv-01772-JM-BLM Document 20 Filed 01/14/08 Page 3 of 3