Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-05442/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-05442-19/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Civil Rights

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THOMAS A. SPITZER, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

TRISHA A. ALJOE, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 13-cv-05442-MEJ 

ORDER IN PREPARATION FOR GOOD 

FAITH SETTLEMENT HEARING

Re: Dkt. Nos. 135, 136

On August 7, 2015, Plaintiffs Thomas “Leroy” Spitzer and Craig Spitzer (“Plaintiffs”) and 

Defendants City of Pleasanton, Trisha Aljoe, Jonathan Lowell, George Thomas, Walter 

Wickboldt, Officer Ryan Tujague, and Robert Leong (“City Defendants”) engaged in courtordered mediation, which resulted in a settlement agreement. Dkt. No. 135 at 5. Pending before 

the Court is the City Defendants’ Application for a Good Faith Settlement Determination pursuant 

to California Civil Code sections 877 and 877.6. Dkt. No. 136. A hearing on the matter is set for 

October 8, 2015. Dkt. No. 135. 

On September 12, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Leave to File a Motion for 

Reconsideration with respect to the Court’s Order denying Plaintiffs’ Motion for Leave to File a 

Third Amended Complaint, or in the alternative for Leave to File a Motion for Leave to Amend. 

Dkt. No. 139. Specifically, Plaintiffs seek to re-assert claims against a former Defendant, J. 

Benjamin McGrew, whom the Court previously dismissed. Id.; see Dkt. No. 44 (Order re: Mot. to 

Dismiss McGrew). The Court recently granted that Motion in part, permitting Plaintiffs Leave to 

File a Motion to Amend their Complaint, on the basis that Plaintiffs may possess facts establishing 

a viable claim against McGrew. Dkt. No. 145. The Court ordered Plaintiffs to file their motion by 

October 29, 2015. Id.

Case 3:13-cv-05442-MEJ Document 146 Filed 10/01/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Given the Court’s decision to allow Plaintiffs to file a motion to amend, and the potential 

that McGrew may re-enter these proceedings, the Court ORDERS as follows:

(1) The City Defendants shall be prepared to discuss at the hearing the potential impact of 

McGrew’s re-entry to this case on their Application for a Good Faith Settlement 

Determination, paying particular importance to the proportionality factor.

(2) As McGrew may also be affected by the City Defendants’ Good Faith Settlement 

Determination, McGrew shall attend the hearing on October 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in 

Courtroom B, located on the 15th floor of 450 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco, 

California, and be prepared to meaningfully discuss the City Defendants’ Application. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 1, 2015

______________________________________

MARIA-ELENA JAMES

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:13-cv-05442-MEJ Document 146 Filed 10/01/15 Page 2 of 2