Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01331/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01331-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Defendant
First National Bank
Defendant
Denise Miller
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DENISE MILLER,

Plaintiff,

v.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK, et al.

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-01331-NODJ-CDB

ORDER REQUIRING DEFENDANT FIRST 

NATIONAL BANK TO SHOW CAUSE 

WHY SANCTIONS SHOULD NOT BE 

IMPOSED FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR AT 

SCHEDULING CONFERENCE 

(Doc. 13)

THREE (3)-DAY DEADLINE

On September 7, 2023, Plaintiff Denise Miller initiated against Defendants First National 

Bank and Experian Information Solutions Inc. for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and 

the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. (Doc. 1). The following day, the 

Court set an initial scheduling conference. (Doc. 3). On December 5, 2023, the Court reset the 

scheduling conference to December 18, 2023, as counsel for Defendant First National Bank had 

not executed the parties’ joint scheduling report. (Doc. 13). 

On December 18, 2023, the Court held a scheduling conference via Zoom. Garret F. 

Charity appeared on behalf of Plaintiff and Kja Harper-Gopaul appeared on behalf of Defendant 

Experian Information Solutions, Inc. No counsel for Defendant First National Bank appeared. 

Local Rule 110 provides that “[f]ailure of counsel or of a party to comply with these Rules 

Case 1:23-cv-01331-NODJ-CDB Document 17 Filed 12/18/23 Page 1 of 2
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or with any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions 

. . . within the inherent power of the Court.” The Court has the inherent power to control its docket 

and may, in the exercise of that power, impose sanctions where appropriate, including dismissal 

of the action. Bautista v. Los Angeles County, 216 F.3d 837, 841 (9th Cir. 2000).

While the Court acknowledges that counsel transmitted an email communication to the 

undersigned’s courtroom deputy shortly after the Court terminated the scheduling conference to 

express his apology, more is required. The scheduling conference had been calendared well in 

advance, the courtroom deputy had provided Zoom videoconference connection information to 

counsel in advance, and if counsel for First National Bank was unable to appear, he had a duty to 

contact the Court and/or other counsel prior to the conference to request whatever information 

necessary to facilitate their appearance.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, Defendant First National Bank shall show cause 

in writing within three (3) days of entry of this order why sanctions should not be imposed for its 

failure to appear at the scheduling conference.

Failure to comply with this order to show cause may result in the imposition of 

sanctions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 18, 2023 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01331-NODJ-CDB Document 17 Filed 12/18/23 Page 2 of 2