UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

MIAMI DIVISION

CASE NO. 22-23485-CIV-LENARD/LOUIS

IRAN SAEZ,

Plaintiff,

vs.

LOMAN DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a

Florida for profit corporation, and

MANUEL LOPEZ, individually,

Defendants.

________________________________/

ORDER ADOPTING JOINT SCHEDULING REPORT,

SETTING PRETRIAL CONFERENCE AND TRIAL,

ESTABLISHING PRETRIAL DEADLINES, AND

ESTABLISHING PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PROCEDURES

THIS CAUSE is before the Court on the Parties’ Joint Scheduling Report. Having reviewed

the Report and the record in light of the Court’s civil trial schedule, it is ORDERED AND

ADJUDGED that:

Pretrial Conference and Trial

Trial is set for the two-week calendar commencing September 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Unless otherwise notified by the Court, the trial day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday.

Counsel for all parties shall appear at a Calendar Call on September 20, 2023 at 4:00

p.m. After Calendar Call, all cases will remain on the trial calendar until tried or until counsel

receives further notice from the Court.

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(a) and Local Rule 16.1(c), the Pretrial

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Conference is set for September 11, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. Unless instructed otherwise by

subsequent order, the Pretrial Conference, the Trial, and all other proceedings shall be conducted

at 400 North Miami Avenue, Courtroom 12-1, Miami, Florida 33128. Each Party shall be

represented at the Pretrial Conference and at the meeting required by Local Rule 16.1(d) by the

attorney who will conduct the Trial, except for good cause shown. 

Pretrial Deadlines

The Court hereby establishes the following pretrial deadlines, which, pursuant to Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b), shall not be modified except upon a showing of good cause and by

leave of Court:

By: February 3, 2023 Joinder of parties and amendment of pleadings.

By: March 1, 2023 The Parties shall furnish opposing counsel with a written list

containing the names and addresses of all fact witnesses intended

to be called at trial. Only those witnesses listed shall be permitted

to testify.

By: April 14, 2023 All fact discovery must be completed. The Parties are under a

continuing obligation to supplement discovery responses within ten

(10) days of receipt or other notice of new or revised information.

By: June 2, 2023 Plaintiff/s must furnish an expert witness list to Defendant/s, along

with the reports or summaries required by Rule 26(a)(2) of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Only those expert witnesses shall

be permitted to testify. Within the fourteen-day period thereafter,

Plaintiff/s shall make its experts available for deposition by

Defendant/s.

By: June 2, 2023 Defendant/s must furnish an expert witness list to Plaintiff/s along

with the reports or summaries required by Rule 26(a)(2) of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Only those expert witnesses shall

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be permitted to testify. Within the fourteen-day period thereafter,

Defendant/s shall make its experts available for deposition by

Plaintiff/s.

By: June 2, 2023 All expert discovery must be completed.

By: May 19, 2023 All dispositive pretrial motions and memoranda of law must be filed,

as well as any motions to exclude or limit proposed expert testimony.

By: April 28, 2023 Mediation shall be completed.

By: July 31, 2023 The Parties shall file their motions in limine. Each party is limited to

filing one motion in limine. Evidentiary issues must be delineated by

Roman numerals. If all evidentiary issues cannot be addressed in

a single twenty-page memorandum, a party may file a motion for

leave to file an additional motion in limine.

By: August 14, 2023 The Joint Pretrial Stipulation shall be filed.

Rule 16.1(d) Meeting

In accordance with Local Rule 16.1(d), lead counsel shall meet no later than fourteen (14)

days before the date of the Pretrial Conference. At this meeting, counsel shall discuss settlement;

prepare the Joint Pretrial Stipulation (see detailed instructions, infra), if not already due; finalize

Joint Proposed Jury Instructions and Verdict Form (see detailed instructions, infra); prepare the

Master Exhibit Notebook (see detailed instructions, infra); work to simplify the issues and stipulate

to as many facts and issues as possible; review trial exhibits; and exchange any additional

information as may expedite the presentation of evidence at trial. 

Deposition Designations

Any party intending to use deposition testimony as substantive evidence must designate

by line and page reference those portions in writing. The designations must be served on opposing

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counsel and filed with the Court fourteen (14) days before the deadline to file the joint pretrial

stipulation. The adverse party must serve and file any objections and any cross-designations within

seven days. The initial party shall then have seven days to serve and file objections to the cross

designations. Within seven (7) days of receiving cross-objections, the parties shall provide to the

Court annotated copies of the relevant depositions. The annotated copies shall show to which lines

each party objects and identify the legal basis for those objections in the margins of the deposition. 

Joint Pretrial Stipulation

The Joint Pretrial Stipulation shall be filed jointly. Should any Party refuse to cooperate in

the preparation of the Joint Pretrial Stipulation, all other Parties shall file a certification describing

the conduct of the non-cooperating Party. Upon receipt of the certification, the Court shall issue

an order requiring the non-cooperating Party to show cause why it and its counsel should not be

held in contempt or why sanctions should not be imposed. Unilateral submissions, unaccompanied

by the required certification, shall be stricken from the record. 

In addition to and including the requirements of Local Rule 16.1(e), the Joint Pretrial

Stipulation shall include the following information:

1. A concise statement of the case prepared by each Party in the action.

2. A statement of the basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction.

3. A list of all pleadings raising the issues.

4. A list of all pending motions.

5. A joint statement of stipulated facts which will require no proof at trial. 

a. Counsel are informed that the preparation of this joint statement is not a pro

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forma requirement, as this statement will allow the Parties to eliminate

unnecessary testimony on undisputed facts and thus ensure greater

efficiency in the presentation of evidence. 

b. Counsel are expected to review all admissions contained in the pleadings

and in other discovery in order to identify all uncontested facts in the case.

c. The stipulated facts shall be introduced into evidence as an exhibit and shall

be read to the jury. 

6. A detailed statement of contested facts that remain to be litigated at trial. 

7. A concise statement of issues of law on which there is agreement.

8. A concise statement of issues of law that remain for determination by the Court.

9. An estimate of the amount of time each Party will require to complete its case. 

Counsel are expected to provide their estimate after careful consideration of the

amount of time necessary for direct, cross and re-direct examination of each

witness, in light of the Court’s weekly trial schedule, as set forth above. 

10. Each Party’s estimate of the maximum amount of attorneys’ fees properly allowable,

if any. 

Joint Proposed Jury Instructions

The Parties shall prepare Joint Proposed Jury Instructions which shall be provided to the

Court at the Pretrial Conference. Unilateral submissions shall not be accepted. The document

shall be provided in hard copy and e-mailed to lenard@flsd.uscourts.gov in WordPerfect format.

The Joint Proposed Jury Instructions shall be prepared as follows:

1. All proposed jury instructions and the proposed verdict form shall be contained in

one document. 

2. Each proposed jury instruction shall be identified as “disputed” or “undisputed.”

3. The portions of any proposed instruction that are undisputed, that is, the portions

as to which all Parties are in agreement, shall be printed in plain text.

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4. The portions of each instruction proposed by Plaintiff/s, but objected to by

Defendant/s, shall be printed in italics.

5. The portions of each jury instruction proposed by Defendant/s, but objected to by

Plaintiff/s, shall be underlined.

6. Following each proposed instruction, whether undisputed or disputed, the Parties

shall cite to supporting legal authority or identify the pattern instruction upon which

the proposed instruction is based.

7. A Party disputing any part of the proposed instruction shall state the grounds for its

objection and shall cite legal authority in support of its position. Such citations shall

be exact, i.e., shall include pinpoint citations when appropriate.

8. Photocopies of all cited legal authority cited, that is, all cases, statutes, or

secondary sources, shall be attached to the Joint Proposed Jury Instructions. 

9. These documents need not be filed with the Court.

Verdict Forms

The Parties shall prepare a Joint Verdict Form, or each Party may prepare a Verdict Form,

which shall be provided to the Court at the Pre-Trial Conference. Documents shall be provided in

hard copy and e-mailed to lenard@flsd.uscourts.gov in WordPerfect format. Photocopies of all

cited legal authority cited, that is, all cases, statutes, or secondary sources, shall be attached to

the Verdict Forms. These documents need not be filed with the Court.

Items Due Five (5) Business Days Prior to Pre-trial Conference

1. Exhibits

The Parties shall provide at trial hard copies or original documents of all Exhibits to be

introduced into the record and, in addition, may utilize the Courtroom Computer Presentation

System (described in further detail below).

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2. Witness Lists

Five (5) business days before the Pre-Trial Conference, the Parties shall file lists of their

trial witnesses and their expert witnesses. Each list shall identify those witnesses whom counsel

believes, in good faith, he or she will call in the case. Counsel shall indicate which witnesses will

present live testimony and which will be presented through the reading of depositions or the

presentation of deposition videos. As to the latter types, counsel shall estimate the amount of time

required to read or present the deposition testimony. The Parties shall further provide, as

attachments, the CV of each expert witness as well as a brief summary of his or her proposed

testimony. 

3. Trial Exhibit Lists

. Five (5) business days before the Pre-Trial Conference, the Parties shall file lists of trial

exhibits, other than impeachment exhibits. Each list shall identify those exhibits which counsel

believes, in good faith, he or she will introduce in the case. The list shall be presented in the form

of a chart, employing the following eight (8) columns: exhibit number; title or description of the

exhibit; date; basis for an objection, if any; the name of the identifying witness; the name of any

additional witness referring to the exhibit; “admit”; and “deny.” The basis for all objections shall be

identified by utilizing the codes set forth in Local Rule 16.1(e)(9); the failure to object to an exhibit

listed in the chart shall constitute a waiver of said objection.

4. Joint Statement of the Case

Five (5) business days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference, the Parties shall provide a joint

statement of the nature of the case for purposes of the Court informing the jury during voir dire.

Said statement shall be no more than 100 words.

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Computer Presentation System

The Courtroom is equipped with a high-resolution video presenter (ELMO Visual Present

HV-5100XG) that may be used by the Parties to assist with the presentation of evidence at trial. 

The video presenter is connected to screens in the jury box, allowing counsel to display physical

exhibits, such as paper documents or three-dimensional objects, while scrolling through or zooming

in on specific parts of each exhibit. Also, the video presenter can be connected to counsel’s

computer, allowing for the presentation of computer-generated images, charts, presentations, or

video on the jurors’ screens. 

At the Pretrial Conference, counsel shall indicate whether he or she wishes to use the video

presenter during trial. If so, counsel are encouraged to practice with the presentation system prior

to trial. Upon counsel's request and with sufficient advanced notice, the Courtroom Deputy would

be available for assistance in this regard. 

Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

In cases tried before the Court, each Party shall file, on or before the first day of trial,

proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. These documents shall be provided in hard copy

and e-mailed to lenard@flsd.uscourts.gov in WordPerfect format.

Settlement

If a case is settled, counsel for Plaintiff/s shall inform the Court by calling Chambers and

to submit an appropriate Order For Dismissal, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1) within fourteen

(14) days of the date of settlement. Failure to notify the Court of a settlement may result in the

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imposition of appropriate sanctions. 

Additional Matters

1. The Parties and all counsel are reminded of their ongoing duties to comply with the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules for the Southern District of

Florida. Violations of these rules or of an order of the Court may result in the

imposition of appropriate sanctions, against the responsible Party or attorney. 

2. To the extent this Order conflicts with the Local Rules, this Order supercedes them. 

3. Local Rule 7.1(a)(3) requires that, prior to filing a motion in a civil case, the Moving

Party shall confer or make a reasonable effort to confer will all Parties or NonParties who may be affected by the relief sought in the motion in a good faith effort

to resolve by agreement the issues to be raised in the motion. The failure to include

a certification of compliance pursuant to Local Rule 7.1(a)(3) may result in the

denial of the motion or in the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

4. In accordance with Local Rule 7.1(a)(2) and the rules of this Court, all simple

motions shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Failure to provide such an

order may result in the denial of the motion.

5. Pursuant to Local Rule 11.1(d)(6), no agreement between the Parties or their

counsel, e.g., for extension of time to file a responsive pleading, shall be considered

by the Court. Instead, the Party seeking relief shall file a motion with the Court;

shall note that the motion is unopposed; and shall prepare a proposed order.

6. Unless an emergency situation arises, a motion for a continuance of trial will not be

considered unless it is filed at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled trial date. 

Additionally, the filing of a motion for a continuance of trial shall have no effect on the

requirements relevant to the Rule 16.1(d) Meeting. 

7. Pursuant to Local Rules 5.1(d) and 7.7, counsel shall not deliver any document,

including extra courtesy copies, to Chambers nor address the Court in the form of

a letter. Any application requesting relief of any type, citing authorities, or presenting

arguments shall be filed with the Court.

8. The body of all filings shall be double-spaced (with the exception of block quotations)

and shall be printed in 12 point or larger type in a easily-readable font. All page

limitations set forth by the Local Rules shall be observed. Non-compliant filings may

be stricken from the record. 

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DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida this 22nd day of December, 2022.

________________________________

JOAN A. LENARD

Senior United States District Judge

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