throbber
Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 1 of 36
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
`ATLANTA DIVISION
`
`
`
`SIPCO, LLC, et al,
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`
`v.
`
`EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., et al,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CIVIL ACTION NO.
` 1:16-CV-2690-AT
`
`
`
`
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`
`
`
`STANDING ORDER:
`GUIDELINES TO PARTIES AND COUNSEL
`IN CASES PROCEEDING BEFORE
`THE HONORABLE AMY TOTENBERG
`
`This case has been assigned to Judge Amy Totenberg. These guidelines are
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`furnished to inform the parties and their counsel of the Court’s policies,
`
`procedures, and practice, and to promote the just, speedy, and economical
`
`disposition of cases. This order, in combination with the Local Rules of this
`
`Court and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, shall govern this case. You are
`
`required to sign and file a Certificate of Compliance in a format
`
`consistent with the Certificate of Compliance attached hereto.
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 2 of 36
`
`Table of Contents
`
`I. General Matters ......................................................................................... 4
`
`II. Case Administration ................................................................................... 4
`a. Contacting Chambers ............................................................................ 4
`b. Courtesy Copies of Documents................................................................5
`c. Attorneys .............................................................................................. 6
`i. Admission of Counsel Pro Hac Vice................................................... 6
`ii. Electronic Registration for All Counsel.............................................. 6
`iii. Leaves of Absence ..............................................................................7
`iv. Withdrawal or Substitution of Counsel...............................................7
`v. Corporate Representation ..................................................................7
`d. Pro Se Litigants ..................................................................................... 8
`
`III. Case Management ..................................................................................... 11
`a. Motions for Temporary Restraining Orders or Preliminary Injunctive
`Relief ................................................................................................... 11
`b. Extensions of Time ............................................................................... 11
`c. Conferences.......................................................................................... 12
`d. Discovery ............................................................................................. 12
`i. General Principles of Discovery........................................................ 12
`ii. Discovery Responses: Boilerplate and General Objections ................ 14
`iii. Interrogatories ................................................................................ 15
`iv. Requests for Production or Inspection ............................................. 17
`v. Requests for Admission ................................................................... 18
`vi. Depositions ..................................................................................... 18
`e. Discovery Disputes .............................................................................. 20
`f.
`Confidentiality Agreements, Protective Orders, and Motions to Seal .....22
`i.
`Legal Standards Governing Public Access to Judicial Proceedings ....22
`ii. Procedure for Requesting the Court to Seal Information Designated as
`“Confidential” ..................................................................................24
`g. Electronic Filing of Exhibits and Attachments.......................................25
`
`
`
`2
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 3 of 36
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`h. Motions for Summary Judgment ..........................................................25
`i.
`Form of Statement of Material Facts & Response to Statement of Material
`Facts ................................................................................................... 26
`j. Amended Complaints and Motions to Dismiss ...................................... 27
`k. Requests for Oral Argument on Motions ............................................... 27
`l.
`Pretrial Conference............................................................................... 27
`m. Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law .............................. 28
`n. Jury Trial ............................................................................................ 29
`o.
`Jury Charges ........................................................................................34
`p. Courtroom Technology .........................................................................34
`
`
`Appendix: Certificate of Compliance
`
`
`
`
`
`3
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 4 of 36
`
`I.
`
`GENERAL MATTERS
`
`Attorneys and pro se litigants appearing in this court in civil litigation must
`
`observe three sets of rules:
`
`1. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules are available at
`
`www.uscourts.gov/RulesAndPolicies/FederalRulemaking/Overview.aspx.
`
`2. The local rules of this District Court and Instructions Regarding Pretrial
`
`Proceedings. The local rules of this Court are available for downloading at
`
`www.gand.uscourts.gov/local-rules. Various forms and the Court’s pretrial
`
`instruction package are available at http://www.gand.uscourts.gov/rules-
`
`standing-orders-forms.
`
`3. The rules and practices of the district judge, and magistrate judge if
`
`appropriate, assigned to your case.
`
`II. CASE ADMINISTRATION
`
`a.
`
`Contacting Chambers
`
`Amy Cash McConochie, the Courtroom Deputy Clerk, is your principal
`
`point of contact on matters related to this case. Where possible, communications
`
`with Ms. McConochie
`
`should
`
`be
`
`via
`
`email
`
`(Amy McConochie@
`
`gand.uscourts.gov) or telephone (404-215-1437).
`
` Please note that Ms.
`
`McConochie is often in the courtroom, so telephone messages may not be
`
`returned for 24 hours. Any mail, couriered, or hand-delivered communications
`
`should be addressed as follows:
`
`4
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 5 of 36
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`Amy Cash McConochie
`Courtroom Deputy Clerk
`2388 United States Courthouse
`75 Ted Turner Drive, SW
`Atlanta, GA 30303-3309
`
`Neither the parties nor their counsel should discuss the merits of the case with
`
`Ms. McConochie or any of the Court’s law clerks.
`
`b.
`
`Courtesy Copies of Documents
`
`Parties frequently forward copies of motions or other filings directly to
`
`chambers for the Court’s convenience. Courtesy copies are not required except
`
`for emergency motions filed pursuant to Local Rule 7.2B, NDGa, motions for
`
`temporary restraining orders and/or preliminary injunctions, motions for
`
`summary judgment, or motions with voluminous exhibits. Courtesy paper copies
`
`of emergency motions, motions for temporary restraining orders, and/or motions
`
`for preliminary injunctions should be hand-delivered to chambers in Room 2388
`
`on the 23rd floor of the Richard B. Russell Federal Building located at 75 Ted
`
`Turner Drive, SW. Courtesy paper copies of motions for summary judgments,
`
`including all exhibits, or motions with voluminous exhibits, may be either hand-
`
`delivered to chambers in Room 2388 or submitted via regular mail to attention of
`
`the Courtroom Deputy Clerk at the above provided address. Courtesy copies of
`
`motions and exhibits should be printed double-sided directly from the docket on
`
`the CM/ECF system with the docket header across the top of the document so
`
`
`
`5
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 6 of 36
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`that the case number, docket number, and page numbers appear on each page.
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`Courtesy copies should be assembled in a tabbed, indexed three-ring binder.
`
`c.
`
`Attorneys
`
`i.
`
`Admission of Counsel Pro Hac Vice
`
`In the event that lead counsel had been admitted pro hac vice, local counsel
`
`is required to be familiar with the case, and may be called upon to attend
`
`hearings or participate in conferences on behalf of the lead counsel.
`
`ii.
`
`Electronic Registration for All Counsel
`
`All counsel — including counsel admitted pro hac vice — must register and
`
`participate
`
`in
`
`the Court’s
`
`electronic
`
`filing
`
`system, CM/ECF
`
`(Case
`
`Management/Electronic Case Filing). Standing Order 04-01 states,
`
`Effective July 15, 2005, absent good cause shown and the
`permission of the Court, attorneys in good standing admitted
`to practice before the Bar of this Court, to include attorneys
`admitted pro hac vice, will file, sign, and verify documents
`only by electronic means to the extent and in the manner
`authorized by this Standing Order, Local Rule 5.1 A. NDGa.,
`and the administrative procedures attached hereto as Exhibits
`A and B, Administrative Procedures for Filing, Signing, and
`Verifying Pleadings and Papers by Electronic Means in Civil
`and Criminal Cases in the United States District Court for the
`Northern District of Georgia (Administrative Procedures).
`
`
`
`6
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`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 7 of 36
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`iii.
`
`Leaves of Absence
`
`Counsel are encouraged to review their calendars and submit as early as
`
`possible any requests for leave of absence. Leave requests shall comply with
`
`Local Rule 83.1, NDGa.
`
`iv. Withdrawal or Substitution of Counsel
`
`It is counsel’s responsibility to keep the Court informed of any change of its
`
`status. Counsel should comply with Local Rule 83.1, NDGa, when substituting or
`
`withdrawing as counsel. Counsel who do not comply with this Local Rule will not
`
`be allowed to withdraw from the case until compliance is achieved.
`
`v.
`
`Corporate Representation
`
`Corporate entities must be represented in court by an attorney. A
`
`corporate officer may not represent the corporation unless that officer is also
`
`licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia. Local Rule 83.1, NDGa, states:
`
`a corporation may only be represented in court by an attorney,
`that a(n) attorney must sign all pleadings submitted to the
`court, and that a corporate officer may not represent the
`corporation in court unless that officer is also an attorney
`licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia, and that failure
`to comply with this rule could result in a default being entered
`against the corporate party.
`
`Failure to comply with this rule can result in dismissal of a corporation’s
`
`complaint or default being entered against the corporation.
`
`
`
`7
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 8 of 36
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`d.
`
`Pro Se Litigants
`
`Parties proceeding pro se (without an attorney) are ADVISED that they
`
`must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Fed. R. Civ. P.”), as well
`
`as the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Northern District of
`
`Georgia (“LR, NDGa.”). Pro se parties may obtain certain basic materials and
`
`hand-outs from the Office of the Clerk of Court located on the 22nd Floor of the
`
`United States Courthouse, 75 Ted Turner Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia. Many
`
`documents are also available on the Court’s website at www.gand.uscourts.gov.
`
`Pro se litigants may also utilize the law library located on the 23rd floor of the
`
`United States Courthouse at the above provided address.
`
`Counsel and parties representing themselves are prohibited from engaging
`
`in ex parte communications with the Court or the Court’s staff. “Ex parte
`
`communications” mean any form of contact with the Court outside the presence
`
`of the opposing party or opposing party’s counsel. This includes, but is not
`
`limited to, telephone calls, written correspondence, or in-person contact, by one
`
`party or party’s counsel. If counsel or a pro se litigant seeks court action, the
`
`appropriate procedure is to put the request in writing, in the form of a motion,
`
`file the motion with the Clerk’s office and serve the opposing party or party’s
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`counsel. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 5; LR 5.1 and 5.2, NDGa.; see also LR 7.4, NDGa.
`
`(“Communications to judges seeking a ruling or order, including an extension of
`
`time, shall be by motion and not by letter. A letter seeking such action ordinarily
`
`
`
`8
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 9 of 36
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`will not be treated as a motion. Counsel [and pro se litigants] shall not provide
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`the Court with copies of correspondence among themselves relating to matters in
`
`dispute.”).
`
`The Clerk of Court and the U.S. Marshals Service will not serve documents
`
`filed by either party, unless expressly directed to do so by the Court. The Court
`
`will only direct the Clerk or the U.S. Marshals Service to serve in the following
`
`instances: (1) in the event a plaintiff is granted leave to proceed in forma
`
`pauperis (without prepayment of fees), the Court will direct the Clerk to prepare
`
`(and deliver to the U.S. Marshals Service if necessary) a service package
`
`containing the case initiating document(s) or (2) in exceptional circumstances
`
`under the Court’s discretion. The National Association of Professional Process
`
`Servers provides a search engine for locating process servers across the nation at
`
`its website (www.napps.org).
`
`A pro se plaintiff is REQUIRED to provide the Clerk with an original of
`
`any further pleadings or other papers filed with the Court after the complaint and
`
`is further REQUIRED to SERVE upon the defendant(s) or counsel for the
`
`defendant(s), 1 by mail or by hand delivery under Rule 5 of the Federal Rules of
`
`Civil Procedure, a copy of every additional pleading or other paper described in
`
`Rule 5 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
`
`
`1 Once counsel for a defendant has appeared in the case, it is not necessary to serve the
`defendant individually; service on counsel is sufficient.
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`
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`9
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 10 of 36
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`Each pleading or paper described in Rule 5, including pleadings, papers
`
`related to discovery required to be served, motions, notices and similar papers,
`
`shall include a certificate stating the date on which an accurate copy of that
`
`pleading or document was mailed or hand-delivered to the defendant(s) or their
`
`counsel. This Court shall disregard any papers submitted which have not been
`
`properly filed with the Clerk, or which do not include a certificate of service. Pro
`
`se parties are also ADVISED that, under Local Rule 7, NDGa, “PLEADINGS
`
`ALLOWED; FORM OF MOTIONS,” if the deadline for a response to a motion
`
`passes without a response being filed, the motion is treated as unopposed. See
`
`LR 7.1B, NDGa. Furthermore, under Local Rule 56.1, NDGa, the failure by a
`
`respondent to a motion for summary judgment to contest the movant’s statement
`
`of material facts will be taken as an admission of those facts not objected to in
`
`respondent’s statement.
`
`Pro se parties are further REQUIRED to keep the Court advised of their
`
`current address at all times during the pendency of the lawsuit. Local Rule
`
`83.1D(3), NDGa provides that counsel and parties appearing pro se have, in all
`
`cases, a duty to notify the Clerk’s Office by letter of any change in address and/or
`
`telephone number. Per this rule, “a failure to keep the clerk’s office so informed
`
`which causes a delay or otherwise adversely affects the management of a civil
`
`case shall constitute grounds for dismissal without prejudice or entry of a
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`judgment by default.” Pro se parties are encouraged to provide the opposing
`
`
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`10
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 11 of 36
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`party/counsel with an email address for purposes of communicating regarding
`
`the case and serving copies of pleadings filed and served via regular mail. If a pro
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`se party provides an email address, opposing counsel shall serve copies of all
`
`pleadings via email and regular mail. Pro se parties are ADVISED, however,
`
`that the Court serves via paper only and not via email.
`
`III. CASE MANAGEMENT
`
`a. Motions for Temporary Restraining Orders or Preliminary
`Injunctive Relief
`
`The Court will not entertain granting a temporary restraining order or
`
`preliminary injunctive relief absent a properly supported motion with attached
`
`evidence pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 65. See LR 7.1A(1), NDGa. If a party
`
`requests such relief only in their complaint or other pleadings, but fails to file a
`
`separate motion seeking the same, that request will not be considered until the
`
`merits of the case are addressed.
`
`b.
`
`Extensions of Time
`
`The Court, along with counsel for the parties, is responsible for processing
`
`cases toward prompt and just resolutions. To that end, the Court seeks to set
`
`reasonable but firm deadlines. Motions for extension, whether joint, unopposed,
`
`or designated as consent, will not be granted as a matter of course. Parties
`
`seeking an extension should explain with specificity the unanticipated or
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`
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`11
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 12 of 36
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`unforeseen circumstances necessitating the extension and should set forth a
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`timetable for the completion of the tasks for which the extension is sought.
`
`c.
`
`Conferences
`
`Scheduling, discovery, pre-trial, and settlement conferences promote the
`
`speedy, just, and efficient resolution of cases. Therefore, the Court encourages
`
`the parties to request a conference with the Court when counsel believes that a
`
`conference will be helpful and counsel has specific goals and an agenda for the
`
`conference. Conferences may be requested by contacting the Courtroom Deputy
`
`Clerk via email or telephone.
`
`d. Discovery
`
`Initial disclosures should be as complete as possible based upon
`
`information reasonably available. Responses may not be reserved for later
`
`supplementation.
`
`i.
`
`General Principles of Discovery
`
`Counsel and pro se litigants should be guided by courtesy, candor and
`
`common sense, and should conform to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the
`
`Local Rules and applicable orders in conducting discovery. In particular, counsel
`
`and pro se litigants should have in mind the restrictions on the scope of discovery
`
`stated in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b) and the good faith obligations implicit in Rule
`
`26(g). Direct and informal communication between counsel is encouraged to
`
`
`
`12
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`

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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 13 of 36
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`facilitate discovery and resolve disputes. In this regard, the Court refers counsel
`
`and parties to the guidance offered by the district court for the Central District of
`
`California in O’Connor v. Boeing North American, Inc., 185 F.R.D. 272, 284
`
`(C.D. Cal. 1999) (citations omitted):
`
`The Court would like to take this opportunity to address the
`parties and their counsel, to stress that “[t]he discovery system
`depends absolutely on good faith and common sense from
`counsel. The courts, sorely pressed by demands to try cases
`promptly and to rule thoughtfully on potentially case
`dispositive motions, simply do not have the resources to police
`closely the operation of the discovery process. The whole
`system of [c]ivil adjudication would be ground to a virtual halt
`if the courts were forced to intervene in even a modest
`percentage of discovery transactions. That fact should impose
`on counsel an acute sense of responsibility about how they
`handle discovery matters. They
`should
`strive
`to be
`cooperative, practical and sensible, and should turn to the
`courts (or take positions that force others to turn to the courts)
`only in extraordinary situations that implicate truly significant
`interests.”
`
`All discovery must be served early enough so that the responses thereto are
`
`due on or before the last day of the discovery period. Requests for extension of
`
`the discovery period or deadlines within the discovery period must be made in
`
`accordance with Local Rule 26.2B, NDGa. All requests for extensions of the
`
`discovery period must be made via motion and must state: (1) the original (and if
`
`applicable, current) date from which the extension is being sought; (2) the
`
`number of previous requests for extensions, if any; (3) whether these previous
`
`requests were granted or denied; and (4) whether the adversary consents, and if
`
`not, the reasons given by the adversary for refusing to consent. An agreed upon
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`
`
`13
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 14 of 36
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`or consent motion to extend the discovery period or deadlines therein should be
`
`clearly designated as a consent motion. Motions must be filed prior to the
`
`expiration of the existing discovery period. The Court will not enforce the private
`
`agreements between the parties and/or their counsel to conduct discovery
`
`beyond conclusion of the discovery period.
`
`The Court does not allow evidence at trial which was requested and not
`
`revealed during the discovery period.
`
`ii.
`
`Discovery Responses: Boilerplate and General Objections
`
`Boilerplate objections in response to discovery requests are strictly
`
`prohibited. Parties should not carelessly invoke the usual litany of rote
`
`objections, i.e., attorney-client privilege, work-product immunity from discovery,
`
`overly broad/unduly burdensome, irrelevant, not reasonably calculated to lead to
`
`the discovery of admissible evidence.
`
`Moreover, general objections are prohibited, i.e., a party shall not include
`
`in his response to a discovery request a “Preamble” or a “General Objections”
`
`section stating that the party objects to the discovery request “to the extent that”
`
`it violates some rule pertaining to discovery, e.g., the attorney-client privilege, the
`
`work product immunity from discovery, the requirement that discovery requests
`
`be reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, and the
`
`prohibition against discovery requests that are vague, ambiguous, overly broad,
`
`or unduly burdensome. Instead, each individual discovery request must be met
`
`
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`14
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 15 of 36
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`with every specific objection thereto – but only those objections that actually
`
`apply to that particular request. Otherwise, it is impossible for the Court or the
`
`party upon whom the discovery response is served to know exactly what
`
`objections have been asserted to each individual request. All such general
`
`objections shall be disregarded by the Court.
`
`Finally, a party who objects to a discovery request but then responds to the
`
`request must indicate whether the response is complete, i.e., whether additional
`
`information or documents would have been provided but for the objection(s).
`
`For example, in response to an interrogatory, a party is not permitted to raise
`
`objections and then state, “Subject to these objections and without waiving them,
`
`the response is as follows . . .” unless the party expressly indicates whether
`
`additional information would have been included in the response but for the
`
`objection(s).
`
`iii.
`
`Interrogatories
`
`Whenever possible, counsel should try to exchange information informally.
`
`The results of such exchanges, to the extent relevant, may then be made of record
`
`by requests for admission.
`
`The parties are expected to observe the limitations regarding the number
`
`and scope of interrogatories as stated in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b) and 33. Counsel’s
`
`or a pro se litigant’s signature on the interrogatories constitutes a certification of
`
`compliance with
`
`those
`
`limitations.
`
`
`
`Interrogatories
`
`should be brief,
`
`
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`15
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 16 of 36
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`straightforward, neutral, particularized, and capable of being understood by
`
`jurors when read in conjunction with the answer. Ordinarily, they should be
`
`limited to requesting objective facts, such as, the identification of persons or
`
`documents, dates, places,
`
`transactions, and amounts.
`
` Argumentative
`
`interrogatories,
`
`attempts
`
`to
`
`cross-examine,
`
`and multiple
`
`repetitive
`
`interrogatories are objectionable.
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 33(b) requires the respondent to provide separate written
`
`answers to each interrogatory unless it is objected to. If an objection is made, the
`
`reason(s) for the objection shall be stated and the interrogatory is to be answered
`
`to the extent it is not objectionable. When in doubt about the meaning of an
`
`interrogatory, give it a reasonable interpretation (which may be specified in the
`
`response) and answer it so as to provide rather than deny information.
`
`Generally, the responding party is required to produce information only in the
`
`form in which it is maintained or is available. If an answer is made by reference
`
`to a document, attach it or identify it and make it available for inspection. (See
`
`No. 9 below). Generalized cross-references, such as to a deposition, are not an
`
`acceptable answer.
`
`The parties are directed to consult Rules 26(b) and 33(b)-(d) about the
`
`permissible scope of discovery and objections. Counsel’s or a pro se litigant’s
`
`signature on the answer constitutes a certification of compliance with the
`
`requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(g).
`
`
`
`16
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 17 of 36
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`If an objection is based on privilege, the claim of privilege must be
`
`supported by a statement of particulars sufficient to enable the Court to assess its
`
`validity. In the case of a document, such a statement should specify the privilege
`
`relied on and include the date, title, description, subject, and purpose of the
`
`document; the name and position of the author; and the addresses of other
`
`recipients. In the case of a communication, the statement should include the
`
`privilege relied on; the date, place, subject, and purpose of the communication;
`
`and the names and positions of all persons present. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(5).
`
`iv.
`
`Requests for Production or Inspection
`
`Please consult Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b) and 34 about the permissible scope of
`
`discovery and objections. To the extent possible, requests should specify with
`
`particularity the title and description of documents or records requested.
`
`(Information needed for specification can often be obtained by informal
`
`discovery or by deposition or by interrogatories, if necessary.) The certification
`
`requirement of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(g) applies.
`
`When responding to requests, materials (including electronically stored
`
`information), should be produced in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 34(b)(2)(E).
`
`Documents should be produced either with labels corresponding to the categories
`
`in the specific requests to which they respond or in the manner in which they are
`
`kept in the usual course of business. Opening a warehouse for inspection by the
`
`requesting party, burying the responsive documents in a mass of materials, and
`
`
`
`17
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`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 18 of 36
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`similar procedures do not meet the good faith requirements of the rules. The
`
`certification procedure of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(g) is applicable.
`
`v.
`
`Requests for Admission
`
`Requests for admission are an economical and efficient means of making a
`
`record of informal exchanges of information, stipulations, and matters subject to
`
`judicial notice, and of narrowing issues. Each request should be brief, clear,
`
`simple, addressed to a single point and stated in neutral, non-argumentative
`
`words. Requests ordinarily should deal with only objective facts. They may be
`
`combined with interrogatories to ask for the factual basis of a claim or a denial.
`
`The attorney’s or pro se litigant’s signature certifies compliance with Fed. R. Civ.
`
`P. 26(g). Fed. R. Civ. P. 36(a)(4) requires that a response shall specifically deny a
`
`matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the party cannot admit or deny. A
`
`denial shall fairly meet the substance of the request, and when good faith
`
`requires, a party shall specify so much as is true and qualify or deny the
`
`remainder. The responding party has a duty to make reasonable inquiry before
`
`responding. The certification requirement of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(g) applies.
`
`vi.
`
`Depositions
`
`Barring extraordinary circumstances, opposing counsel and pro se litigants
`
`should be consulted, and the convenience of counsel, witnesses, and the parties
`
`
`
`18
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 19 of 36
`
`accommodated, before a deposition is noticed. Concurrent depositions are not
`
`permitted in the absence of stipulation or order.
`
`When counsel enter (or a party enters) into stipulations at the beginning of
`
`a deposition, the terms of the stipulation should be fully stated on the record of
`
`the deposition.
`
`Questions should be brief, clear, and simple. A deposition should not be
`
`used to harass or intimidate a witness. Normally, except in the case of
`
`impeachment, a witness should be shown a document before being questioned
`
`about it.
`
`Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(c)(2), objections to the manner of taking the
`
`deposition, to the evidence, or to the conduct of a party shall be noted on the
`
`record but the evidence objected to shall be taken subject to the objection. In the
`
`absence of a good faith claim of privilege, instructions not to answer are rarely
`
`justified and may lead to sanctions under Fed. R. Civ. P. 37. Speaking objections
`
`and other tactics for coaching a witness during the deposition are not
`
`permissible. If counsel or a pro se litigant believes that a motion to terminate or
`
`limit the examination under Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(d) would be warranted, counsel
`
`and/or the pro se litigant should promptly initiate a conference call to the Court
`
`with opposing counsel for a pre-motion conference to attempt to resolve the
`
`problem.
`
`
`
`19
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 20 of 36
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(4) should be consulted regarding expert disclosures.
`
`Experts who are prospective witnesses are normally produced for deposition by
`
`the opposing party as a matter of course.
`
`The parties are expected to observe the limitations on depositions specified
`
`in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b) and 30 and, in particular, to avoid unnecessary
`
`depositions.
`
`e. Discovery Disputes
`
`The parties shall not file discovery motions (including motions to compel,
`
`motions for protective order, and motions for sanctions) without prior
`
`permission from the Court. These disputes are often resolved in a conference
`
`with the Court, thus avoiding a delay of discovery. In the event a discovery
`
`dispute arises, the parties are required to meet and confer in an effort to resolve
`
`the dispute. Counsel or pro se litigants are required to confer, by telephone or in
`
`person, in good faith before bringing a discovery dispute to the Court. See Fed. R.
`
`Civ. P. 26(c) and 37(a)(1); LR 37.1A, NDGa. The duty to confer is NOT satisfied
`
`by sending a written document, such as a letter, email, or fax, to the adversary,
`
`UNLESS repeated attempts to confer by telephone or in person are unsuccessful
`
`due to the conduct of the adversary.
`
`If the dispute cannot be resolved, the parties shall file a Consolidated/Joint
`
`Discovery Statement outlining their positions on each of the discovery items in
`
`dispute. The consolidated submission is not to exceed 6 pages if there are 4 or
`
`
`
`20
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-02690-AT Document 122 Filed 08/08/16 Page 21 of 36
`
`less issues. For 5-10 issues, the statement should not exceed 10 pages, and if
`
`there are more than 10 issues, the statement should not exceed 12 pages. The
`
`statement should be formatted in a logical order, i.e., identify each issue in
`
`dispute followed by a discussion from each of the parties setting forth an
`
`explanation of its respective position on the issue as follows:
`
`Identify Discovery Issue #1
`A. Party A’s Position
`B. Party B’s Response
`C. Party A’s Reply
`
`I.
`
`
`
`
`II.
`
`
`
`
`The parties are required to attach as an exhibit to the Consolidated
`
`Identify Discovery Issue #2
`A. Party A’s Position
`B. Party B’s Response
`C. Party A’s Reply
`
`Statement an excerpt of the relevant discovery requests including only the
`
`language of the specific requests and, potentiall

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