Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-02305/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-02305-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LILLIE WILLIS, et al,

Plaintiffs,

v

CITY OF OAKLAND, et al,

Defendant.

 /

No C 04-2305 VRW

ORDER

Plaintiffs originally brought suit on June 14, 2004,

alleging violations of federal and state law based upon the events

leading up to and surrounding the shooting death of Glen Willis. 

Doc #1 (Complaint). At the time, plaintiffs were represented by

attorneys John L Burris and Miles Washington. In October 2005, Mr

Burris and Mr Washington were sanctioned for filing the complaint

without adequate investigation. Doc #40. The court found that

counsel’s reckless behavior had unreasonably and vexatiously

multiplied the proceedings in the case. Id.

On December 14, 2006, the case was referred to Magistrate

Judge Maria-Elena James for a settlement conference. Doc #48. 

Case 3:04-cv-02305-JW Document 54 Filed 05/10/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Magistrate Judge James held a settlement conference on April 9,

2007. Doc #52. That same day, Magistrate Judge James informed the

court by email that she had settled the case and that the parties

would be submitting a dismissal. No dismissal has been filed.

According to the website of the State Bar of California,

Mr Washington resigned from the Bar with charges pending on April

5, 2007.

On May 3, 2007, plaintiffs sent the court a handwritten

pleading, reporting that they had dismissed Mr Burris as their

attorney of record and requesting a stay of the case until they

could find new counsel. The pleading indicates that copies were

sent to Mr Burris as well as counsel for defendants. The court has

not received a response to this request.

Under the current case management scheduling order, the

dispositive motion hearing is set for June 7, 2007. Doc #50. The

filing deadline for dispositive motions was May 3, 2007. No

motions were filed. A pretrial conference is set for July 24,

2007. Doc #50.

In light of the above, the parties are ORDERED to appear

before Magistrate Judge James on or before May 31, 2007 to explain

the status of the case. Magistrate Judge James is requested to

report back to the court as to the status not later than June 4,

2007. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:04-cv-02305-JW Document 54 Filed 05/10/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Case 3:04-cv-02305-JW Document 54 Filed 05/10/07 Page 3 of 3