Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_15-cv-00276/USCOURTS-azd-4_15-cv-00276-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1132 E.R.I.S.A.-Employee Benefits

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Steven Klepinger,

Plaintiff, 

v.

Life Insurance Company of North

America, 

Defendant.

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 No. CV 15-276-TUC-JAS

 ORDER

This order requires the parties to file a Rule 16 joint report by 4/15/16. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

The parties are directed to Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the

objectives of the joint report. 

The parties are directed to confer at least 7 days prior to the deadline for the joint

report to discuss the following matters:

A. Any matters relating to jurisdiction, venue or joinder of additional parties;

B. The nature and basis of their claims and defenses and the possibilities for a

prompt settlement or resolution of the case; 

Case 4:15-cv-00276-JAS Document 16 Filed 03/14/16 Page 1 of 4
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C. The scope of discovery, and possible limitations thereof. The parties are

expected to comply with Rule 26(f), FED.R.CIV.P., and seek to minimize the

expense of discovery. 

In cases where dispositive motions will be filed, the parties should

consider limiting discovery to the issue at hand until the Court has ruled on the

motion;

D. A schedule of all pretrial proceedings, including a trial date, an estimate of the

length of trial, and any suggestions for shortening trial. The parties shall also

discuss any issues relating to disclosure or discovery of electronically stored

information, including the form or forms in which it should be produced, and

any issues relating to claims of privilege or work product. See

FED.R.CIV.P. 16(b)(5) & (b)(6), 26(f)(3). At the joint request of the parties,

the Court may include deadlines in the Scheduling Order pertaining to these

issues.

E. Modification of pretrial procedures due to the simplicity or complexity of the

case;

F. Prospects for settlement, including a request to have a settlement conference

before a Magistrate Judge or United States District Court Judge, or

participating in any other alternative dispute resolution forum; 

G. Arrangements for Initial Disclosures in compliance with Rule 26(a)(1),

FED.R.CIV.P. Unless otherwise stipulated or directed by the Court, Initial

Disclosures shall be made at or within 14 days after the deadline for filing the

joint report;

H. Possibility of consent to trial before a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), suitability for referral to any alternative dispute

resolution mechanism, or reference to a Master;

I. Any other matters which the parties feel may help dispose of the matter in an

efficient and economical manner.

Case 4:15-cv-00276-JAS Document 16 Filed 03/14/16 Page 2 of 4
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED:

J. The joint report shall include individually numbered brief statements

indicating:

1. The nature of the case, setting forth in brief statements the factual and

legal basis of Plaintiffs’ claims and Defendants’ defenses;

2. The factual and legal issues genuinely in dispute, and whether they can

be narrowed by stipulation or motion;

3. The jurisdictional basis of the case, citing specific statutes;

4. Parties, if any, which have not been served, as well as parties which

have not filed an answer or other appearance. Unless the parties can

otherwise show cause, an Order shall accompany the joint report

dismissing any party which has not been served, or seeking default

judgment on any non-appearing party;

5. The names of parties not subject to the Court's jurisdiction;

6. Whether there are further dispositive or partially dispositive issues to

be decided by pretrial motions, and the legal issues of any pretrial

motions contemplated;

7. Whether the case is suitable for reference to a Master, or whether the

parties consent to trial before a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c);

8. The status of related cases pending before other judges of this Court or

before other courts;

9. A statement of when Initial Disclosures were made or will be made, or

any proposed changes in the requirements for Initial Disclosures set

forth in Rule 26(a), FED.R.CIV.P.;

10. Suggested changes, if any, in the limitations on discovery set forth in

Rule 26(b)(2), FED.R.CIV.P.;

11. Proposed deadlines for:

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(a) completing discovery;

(b) filing dispositive motions;

(c) pretrial disclosure of witnesses and expert testimony pursuant to 

 Rule 26(a)(2) and (3), FED.R.CIV.P.; and 

(d) lodging a proposed joint pretrial order;

12. Estimated date and length of trial;

13. Whether a jury trial has been requested;

14. The prospects for settlement, including any request to have a settlement

conference before another Magistrate Judge or United States District

Court Judge, or other request of the Court for assistance in settlement

efforts;

15. Whether any unusual, difficult, or complex problems or issues exist

which would require this case to be placed on the complex track for

case management purposes pursuant to LRCiv 16.2; and

16. Any other matters which the parties feel will aid the Court in expediting

the disposition of this matter efficiently. 

After receiving the joint report, the Court will enter a Scheduling Order, which shall

control the course of this action, unless modified by subsequent Order. The parties are

cautioned that the deadlines set in the Scheduling Order shall be enforced.

The parties are jointly responsible for initiating the communication necessary to

prepare this joint report.

DATED this 14th day of March, 2016.

Case 4:15-cv-00276-JAS Document 16 Filed 03/14/16 Page 4 of 4