Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00753/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00753-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Gerawan Farming, Inc.
Plaintiff
United States Department of Agriculture
Defendant

Document Text:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GERAWAN FARMING, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE,

Defendant.

___________________________________

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

1:08-cv-00753 AWI GSA

SCHEDULING ORDER (Fed. R. Civ. P. 16)

Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Filing Deadline:

November 18, 2008

Defendant’s Opposition and Cross-Motion for

Summary Judgment Filing Deadline:

December 19, 2008

Plaintiff’s Reply and Opposition to CrossMotion for Summary Judgment Filing

Deadline:

January 16, 2009

Defendant’s Reply Filing Deadline:

February 18, 2009

Hearing on Cross-Motions for Summary

Judgment:

March 16, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2

before the Honorable Anthony W. Ishii

I. Date of Scheduling Conference

September 10, 2008.

Case 1:08-cv-00753-AWI -GSA Document 12 Filed 09/10/08 Page 1 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

II. Appearances of Counsel

 Brian C. Leighton appeared on behalf of Plaintiff Gerawan Farming, Inc.

(“Plaintiff”).

 Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey J. Lodge appeared on behalf of

Defendant United States Department of Agriculture (“Defendant”).

III. Factual and Legal Contentions

A. Summary of the Pleadings

1. Complaint

The complaint alleges as follows: On or about August 13, 2001, Plaintiff filed an

administrative petition under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act alleging that the

Nectarine Order and the Peach Order, and the authority to collect assessments from Gerawan

Farming, Inc., used for speech related purposes, violated the First Amendment of the United

States Constitution. Since that time, Gerawan has chosen to pay the Nectarine and Peach

Committees roughly half of the assessments and deposited the withheld amount in a designated

interest bearing account. On May 9, 2008, the Judicial Officer reversed the findings of the

Administrative Law Judge, and ordered Gerawan to pay the past due assessments and applicable

interest and late payment charges and assessed a civil penalty of $100,000.

2. Answer

The United States contends that all the speech at issue is government speech and there is

no violation of the first amendment rights of the Plaintiff. The United States believes that the

Supreme Court’s decision in the case styled Secretary of Agriculture v. Livestock Marketing

Ass’n, 544 U.S. 550, 125 S.Ct. 2055 (2005) is dispositive of the allegations in Plaintiff’s

complaint. 

B. Orders Regarding Amendment of Pleadings.

No amendments are proposed at this time.

//

Case 1:08-cv-00753-AWI -GSA Document 12 Filed 09/10/08 Page 2 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 3

IV. Factual Summary

Uncontested material facts shall be identified by the parties in the form of cross motions

for summary judgment. 

V. Legal Issues

1. Undisputed: Venue.

VI. Consent to the Magistrate Judge

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the parties have not consented in writing to conduct all

further proceedings in this case before the Honorable Gary S. Austin, U.S. Magistrate Judge. 

VII. Discovery Plan and Cut-Off Date

Plaintiff shall file a Motion for Summary Judgment on or before November 18, 2008. 

Defendant shall file an Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and a CrossMotion for Summary Judgment on or before December 19, 2008. Plaintiff shall file a Reply and

an Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment on or before January 16, 2009. 

Defendant shall file a Reply on or before February 18, 2009. The Cross-Motions for Summary

Judgment shall be heard on March 16, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2 before the Honorable

Anthony W. Ishii, United States District Court Judge. The parties shall comply with Local

Rules 78-230 and 56-260.

VIII. Compliance with Federal Procedure

The parties are expected to familiarize themselves with the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure and the Local Rules of Practice of the Eastern District of California, and to keep

abreast of any amendments thereto. The Court must insist upon compliance with these Rules if it

is to efficiently handle its increasing case load and sanctions will be imposed for failure to follow

the Rules as provided in both the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of

Practice for the Eastern District of California.

IX. Effect of this Order

The foregoing order represents the best estimate of the Court and the parties as to the

Case 1:08-cv-00753-AWI -GSA Document 12 Filed 09/10/08 Page 3 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 4

agenda most suitable to dispose of this case. If the parties determine at any time that the

schedule outlined in this order cannot be met, counsel are ordered to notify the Court

immediately of that fact so that adjustments may be made, either by stipulation or by subsequent

status conference. 

Stipulations extending the deadlines contained herein will not be considered unless they

are accompanied by affidavits or declarations, and where appropriate attached exhibits, which 

establish good cause for granting the relief requested.

Failure to comply with this order may result in the imposition of sanctions. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: September 10, 2008 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:08-cv-00753-AWI -GSA Document 12 Filed 09/10/08 Page 4 of 4