Espinola v. Ford Motor Co.

Summary

This Status (Pretrial Scheduling) Order in Espinola v. Ford Motor Co. establishes deadlines and procedures for service, amendments, discovery, motions, pretrial proceedings, settlement, and trial. The order, issued by Judge William B. Shubb on August 4, 2025, sets the final pretrial conference for July 27, 2026, and the jury trial for September 22, 2026.

Holdings

1. All defendants had been served, and no further service was permitted without leave of court upon a showing of good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b).
2. No further joinder of parties or amendments to pleadings would be permitted except with leave of court upon a showing of good cause.
3. The action was within the court's diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because the parties were of diverse citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeded $75,000; venue was proper and undisputed.
4. The court adopted deadlines for initial disclosures, expert disclosures and reports, completion of discovery, motions to compel, motions, the final pretrial conference, settlement proceedings, and trial.

Questions Presented

1. What scheduling and case-management deadlines and procedures should govern the action?
2. Whether service had been completed and whether further joinder or amendment should be permitted absent court-authorized good cause.
3. Whether subject-matter jurisdiction and venue were adequately established.

Disposition

other