Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-06569/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-06569-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question: Employment Discrimination

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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*E-FILED 4/3/08*

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

EDWARD J. QUINONEZ, 

Plaintiff,

 v.

USA WASTE OF CALIFORNIA, INC. dba

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.,

Defendant. /

NO. CV 06-06569 JF (RS)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO

COMPEL PRODUCTION OF

DOCUMENTS AND ADDITIONAL

DEPOSITION

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendant, U.S.A. Waste of California, Inc. (“WM”) moves to compel plaintiff, Edward J.

Quinonez, (1) to produce documents related to a separate piece of litigation between Quinonez and

Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. (“BFI”), another waste management company, and (2) to appear

for two more hours of deposition. Quinonez opposes the motion. Pursuant to Local Rule 7-1 (b),

the court finds this matter suitable for determination without oral argument. The motion is granted

for the reasons set out below.

 II. BACKGROUND

Quinonez brings suit against WM for allegedly terminating his employment due to his past

and possible future military service. Quinonez alleges that WM’s conduct violated the Uniformed

Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA) codified at 38 U.S.C. 

§ 4301, et seq. The USERRA protects military service personnel from employment termination for

one year after active duty discharge, absent cause.

Case 5:06-cv-06569-JF Document 33 Filed 04/03/08 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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WM moves to compel a further production of documents in response to its Document

Request No. 41, which calls for: “Any and all documents or pleadings which relate or refer to the

litigation entitled Edward Quinonnez v. Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc.” The record is not entirely

clear, but it appears that Quinonez may be withholding only one document, namely a settlement

agreement he entered into with BFI.

III. DISCUSSION

Quinonez argues that WM has not shown good cause to obtain the BFI case files that

Quinonez has in his possession. He further argues that WM has had ample time to obtain the

employment records from BFI and that the documents in question are privileged and protected

under attorney-client confidentiality. Lastly, Quinonez attempts to avoid production by arguing

that the information WM is seeking is irrelevant to WM’s particular defenses in this action. 

The documents at issue shall be produced. The settlement agreement between Quinonez

and BFI is not privileged. Any provision by which the parties to the agreement agreed to keep its

terms confidential does not preclude a court from ordering its production where relevant in other

litigation, as it is here. Additionally, Quinonez has waived any objections due to his untimely

responses. As to WM's request to exceed the presumptive seven hour deposition time limit for

Quinonez's deposition by two hours, that time limit is subject to extension upon a showing of good

cause. Here, in light of this order requiring further document production and the fact that the

deposition is of the named plaintiff, a two hour extension is both reasonable and warranted. 

Good cause appearing therefor, the motion is GRANTED. Quinonez shall produce all

responsive documents relating to the BFI suit in his possession, custody, or control within 20 days

of the date of this order. Further, Quinonez shall appear for an additional two hours of deposition. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 3, 2008 

RICHARD SEEBORG

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 5:06-cv-06569-JF Document 33 Filed 04/03/08 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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CV 06-06569 JF (RS) 

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THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT NOTICE OF THIS ORDER HAS BEEN GIVEN TO:

George C. Aucoin aucoingc@att.net, lesliehunt@charter.net

Todd Kenneth Boyer tboyer@littler.com, lcunningham@littler.com, majones@littler.com,

tjones@littler.com

Phillip J Griego pgriego@mindspring.com

Ronald John Holland , II rholland@littler.com, LLew@littler.com

Robert Edward Nuddleman robert@griegolaw.com

Jeffrey Clay Park Jeff@griegolaw.com

Counsel are responsible for distributing copies of this document to co-counsel who have not

registered for e-filing under the Court's CM/ECF program. 

Dated: 4/3/08 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Chambers 

Case 5:06-cv-06569-JF Document 33 Filed 04/03/08 Page 3 of 3