Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-02509/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-02509-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 28:451 Employment Discrimination

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MERCEDES PADILLA, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF 

CORRECTIONS & REHABILITATION; 

DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA; 

DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH 

AUTHORITY; DAN VALDEZ; ERIN 

BROOK; and DONNIE ALEXANDER, 

Defendants. 

No. 2:15-cv-02509-JAM-CKD 

ORDER 

The Court recently learned from defense counsel that 

Plaintiff Mercedes Padilla’s attorney, Daniel Mitchell, has died. 

After receiving Plaintiff’s contact information from defense 

counsel, the Court contacted Padilla to inquire whether she knew 

her attorney had passed and whether she wanted to continue with 

this litigation. 

Padilla indicated that she knew her attorney had passed and 

that he died before her deposition. Padilla also indicated that, 

on December 30, 2016, she spoke with her attorney’s investigator. 

Case 2:15-cv-02509-JAM-CKD Document 34 Filed 01/04/17 Page 1 of 2
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During that conversation, Padilla learned that her attorney’s son 

had collected client files and that the California State Bar 

would provide her a list of attorneys. Padilla said she has not 

received that list from the California State Bar. 

The Court orders both parties to meet either in person or 

via telephone immediately to discuss this case. The case is 

stayed for 30 days in order to allow Plaintiff time to retain new 

counsel. If Plaintiff does not find new counsel, she will have 

to represent herself and the Court will refer her case to the 

magistrate judge. See E.D. Cal. L.R. 302(c)(21). 

Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, ECF No. 

23, remains under submission. Defendants’ Motion to Modify the 

Scheduling Order, ECF No. 28, and Motion for Terminating 

Sanctions, ECF No. 32, have been continued to March 21, 2017 at 

1:30PM. The parties are ordered to file a joint status report no 

later than February 6, 2017. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 3, 2017 

 /s/ John A. Mendez___________ ____ 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE 

Case 2:15-cv-02509-JAM-CKD Document 34 Filed 01/04/17 Page 2 of 2