Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 1 of 7

HONORABLE RICARDO S. MARTINEZ

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE

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MICHAEL HALL, and ELIJAH UBER a/k/a

Elijah Hall, and their marital community; and
AMIE GARRAND and CAROL GARRAND
and their marital community,
Plaintiffs,

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vs.

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BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY, a Delaware

Corporation,

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Defendant.

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No.: 2:13-cv-02160-RSM

JOINT STATUS REPORT

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The parties, by and through their attorneys, hereby submit the following Joint Status

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Report (JSR):
1.

This is a non-complex case concerning claims of employment discrimination with respect

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Statement of the Nature and Complexity of the Case:

to health care benefits.

2.

Proposed Deadline for the Joining of Additional Parties:

The parties suggest January 31, 2015 as the deadline to join additional parties.

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JOINT STATUS REPORT - 1
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 2 of 7

3.

Assignment to United States Magistrate Judge:

The parties do not consent to assignment to United States Magistrate Judge Brian A.

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Tsuchida.

4.

(A)

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Discovery Plan:
Rule 26(a)(1) initial disclosures will be submitted on or before November 21,

2014, as provided in the Courts Order of October 17, 2014.

(B)

BNSF proposes to handle the issue of liability as a question of law based on

stipulated and/or undisputed facts. If, after the Courts ruling, further proceedings are necessary,

discovery would be limited to damages. Plaintiffs believe that discovery as to liability facts, and

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damages is needed and discovery would also include subjects related to potential punitive

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damages.

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(C)

Plaintiffs have relatively little electronically stored information (ESI) related to

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the case. BNSF also has relatively little ESI related to the case. The parties do not anticipate

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any issues regarding ESI.

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(D)

so, will produce appropriate privilege logs. The parties will agree on a protective order,
consistent with the model order in the Local Rules, for any individual health care information
and any other confidential materials.

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(E)

The parties do not anticipate the need to change the limitations on discovery

imposed under the Federal and Local Civil Rules.

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Both sides may assert attorney-client privilege relating to certain materials and, if

(F)
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Discovery related orders are not requested by the parties at this time.

Local Civil Rule 26(f)(1) Topics:

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(A)

The parties are willing to engage in efforts to promptly resolve the case and have

already engaged in initial discussions regarding settlement.

JOINT STATUS REPORT - 2
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 3 of 7

(B)

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The parties request mediation under LR 39.1 as the primary method of any court-

supervised ADR efforts.

(C)

The parties are not aware of any related cases.

(D)

There is no need for discovery management.

(E)

Any discovery should be conducted in accordance with the proposals above in

4(B). The parties agree that any documents obtained from third parties will be made available to

the other parties in this case.

(F)

Phasing of motions is not anticipated by the parties at this time.

(G)

The parties do not anticipate any issues related to the preservation of discoverable

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information or the scope of the preservation obligation. To the extent that they have not already

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done so, the parties will ensure that they have preserved all discoverable documents in their

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native format and shall direct their family members, officers, agents, and/or employees, as

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appropriate, to preserve all such evidence for possible production.

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6.

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See Paragraph 4(D) above.

(I)

The parties do not anticipate any need to utilize the Model Protocol for Discovery

(J)

The parties do not anticipate the need for any alternatives to the Model Protocol.

of ESI.

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(H)

Discovery Deadline:
BNSF suggests a discovery cutoff of three months after a final ruling on any motion or

cross-motions for summary judgment on liability issues. Plaintiffs suggest a discovery cutoff
date of July 1, 2015.
7.

Bifurcation:

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There is no need for bifurcation in this case.

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JOINT STATUS REPORT - 3
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 4 of 7

8.

Local Civil Rule 16 Pretrial Statements and Pretrial Order:

The parties will submit separate pretrial statements as required by Local Rule 16(h) and

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16(i).

9.

Individualized Trial Program:

The parties do not consent to utilizing the Individual Trial Program set forth in Local

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Civil Rule 39.2. As noted above, the parties are willing to utilize alternative dispute resolution,

including mediation as set forth in Local Civil Rule 39.1, if they are unable to settle the case by

other means.

10.

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Suggestions for Shortening or Simplifying the Case:

See the procedures suggested above for handing the legal question of liability in advance

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of any damages issues.

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11.

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The parties agree that the case will be ready for trial by November 16, 2015.
12.

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Jury or Non-jury Trial:

The plaintiffs have requested a jury of 12 persons.

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Date the Case Will be Ready for Trial:

Number of Trial Days Required:

Plaintiffs suggest one week and BNSF suggests three days.

14.

The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all trial counsel:

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Donald J. Munro (admitted pro hac vice)

51 Louisiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Telephone: (202) 879-3939
E-mail: dmunro@jonesday.com
Attorneys for Defendant
Bradley Scarp, WSBA No. 21453
Elizabeth Findley, WSBA No. 46990
1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
JOINT STATUS REPORT - 4
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 5 of 7

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Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 625-1801
E-mail: brad@montgomeryscarp.com
liz@montgomeryscarp.com
Attorneys for Defendant
Cleveland Stockmeyer, WSBA No. 21636
8056 Sunnyside Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98103
Telephone: (206) 419-4385
E-mail:cleve@clevelandstockmeyer.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
Duncan C. Turner, WSBA No. 20597
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4750
Seattle, Washington 98104
Telephone: (206) 621-6566
E-mail: duncanturner@badgleymullins.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs

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15.

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Counsel for BNSF currently have conflicts between October 5 and October 16, 2015.
Counsel for plaintiffs currently have conflicts between September 14 and 21, 2015.
16.

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Service of Defendants:
All named defendants have been served.

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Dates Trial Counsel Have Complications to be Considered in Setting Trial Date:

Scheduling Conference:
The parties do not believe a scheduling conference is necessary before the Court enters a

scheduling order.
18.

Date(s) Each Nongovernmental Corporate Party Filed Disclosure Statement:

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Defendant BNSF Railway Company filed a Corporate Disclosure Statement on April 2,
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2014.

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JOINT STATUS REPORT - 5
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 6 of 7

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19.

Judiciary's Pilot Project on Cameras in the Courtroom:

The parties do not consent to having hearings in this matter video recorded as part of the

Judiciarys Pilot Project on Cameras in the Courtroom.

DATED this 28th day of November, 2014.

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JONES DAY

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

_s/ Donald J. Munro ________

Donald J. Munro (admitted pro hac vice)
51 Louisiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Telephone: (202) 879-3939
E-mail: dmunro@jonesday.com
Attorneys for Defendant BNSF

__s/ Bradley Scarp__________

__s/ Elizabeth Findley_________
Bradley Scarp, WSBA No. 21453
Elizabeth Findley, WSBA No. 46990
1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 625-1801
E-mail: brad@montgomeryscarp.com
liz@montgomeryscarp.com
Attorneys for Defendant BNSF

CLEVELAND STOCKMEYER, PLLC

BADGLEY MULLINS TURNER,

PLLC

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_s/ Cleveland Stockmeyer_______

Cleveland Stockmeyer, WSBA No. 21636
8056 Sunnyside Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98103
Telephone: (206) 419-4385
E-mail:cleve@clevelandstockmeyer.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs

_s/ Duncan Turner

________

Duncan C. Turner, WSBA No. 20597

701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4750
Seattle, Washington 98104
Telephone: (206) 621-6566
E-mail: duncanturner@badgleymullins.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs

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JOINT STATUS REPORT - 6
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807

Case 2:13-cv-02160-RSM Document 41 Filed 11/28/14 Page 7 of 7

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

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I am over the age of 18; and not a party to this action. I am the assistant to an attorney
with Montgomery Scarp, PLLC, whose address is 1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500, Seattle,
Washington, 98101.
I hereby certify that true and complete copies of the foregoing have been filed with the
United States District Court via the ECF system which gives automatic notification to the
following interested parties:
Cleveland Stockmeyer
Cleveland Stockmeyer, PLLC
8056 Sunnyside Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98103
Telephone: (206) 419-4385
E-mail: cleve@clevelandstockmeyer.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs

Duncan C. Turner
Badgley Mullins Turner, PLLC
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4750
Seattle, Washington 98104
Telephone: (206) 621-6566
E-mail: duncanturner@badgleymullins.com
Attorneys for Plaintiffs

Jennifer C. Pizer
Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc.
4221 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 280
Los Angeles, California 90010 730
Telephone: (213) 382-7600
E-mail: jpizer@lambdalegal.org
Attorneys for Amicus Curiae

Tara L. Borelli
Gregory R. Nevins
Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc
Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1070
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Telephone: (404) 897-1880
E-mail: tborelli@lambdalegal.org
E-mail: gnevins@lambdalegal.org
Attorneys for Amicus Curiae

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Jennifer S. Divine
Miller Nash LLP
601 Union Street, Suite 4400
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone: (206) 622-8484
E-mail: Jennifer.divine@millernash.com
Attorneys for Amicus Curiae

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DATED this 28th day of November, 2014, at Seattle, Washington.

s/ Allison Whitney__________
Allison Whitney, Paralegal

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JOINT STATUS REPORT - 7
[Cause No. 2:13-cv-02160-RSM]

MONTGOMERY SCARP, PLLC

1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone (206) 625-1801
Facsimile (206)625-1807