Sessa v. Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

D. Nevada

Sessa v. Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

District Court, D. Nevada·Decided April 23, 2021·No. 2:20-cv-02292·Unknown

Opinion

Miles N. Clark, Esq. COHEN-JOHNSON, LLC Nevada Bar No. 13848 H. Stan Johnson, Esq. (SBN: 0265) Matthew I. Knepper, Esq. (sjohnson@cohenjohnson.com) Nevada Bar No. 12796 375 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite 104 KNEPPER & CLARK LLC Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 5510 So. Fort Apache Rd, Suite 30 Telephone: (702) 823-3500 Las Vegas, NV 89148 Facsimile: (702) 823-3400 Phone: (702) 856-7430 Fax: (702) 447-8048 QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & Email: Miles.Clark@knepperclark.com SULLIVAN, LLP Shon Morgan (Pro Hac Vice) Michael F. Ram (Pro Hac Vice) (shonmorgan@quinnemanuel.com) Marie N. Appel (Pro Hac Vice) John W. Baumann (Pro Hac Vice) MORGAN & MORGAN COMPLEX (jackbaumann@quinnemanuel.com) LITIGATION GROUP 865 South Figueroa Street, 10th Floor 711 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500 San Los Angeles, California 90017 Francisco, CA 94102 Telephone: (213) 443-3000 Telephone: (415) 358-6913 Facsimile: (213) 443-3100 Facsimile: (415) 358-6293 Email: MRam@forthepeople.com Cristina Henriquez (Bar No. 317445) Email: MAppel@forthepeople.com (cristinahenriquez@quinnemanuel.com) 555 Twin Dolphin Drive, 5th Floor Benjamin R. Osborn (Pro Hac Vice) Redwood Shores, California 94065 102 Bergen Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Telephone: (650) 801-5000 Telephone: (347) 645-0464 Facsimile: (650) 801-5000 Email: Ben@benosbornlaw.com Attorneys for ANCESTRY.COM Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed OPERATIONS INC., ANCESTRY.COM Class INC., and ANCESTRY.COM LLC UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEVADA ANTHONY SESSA and MARK SESSA, on Case No.: 2:20-cv-02292-GMN-BNW behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, JOINT DISCOVERY PLAN AND Plaintiffs, PROPOSED ORDER v. Complaint filed: Dec. 17, 2020 ANCESTRY.COM OPERATIONS INC., a Virginia Corporation; ANCESTRY.COM INC., a Delaware Corporation; and ANCESTRY.COM LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, Defendants. The parties to the above-entitled action jointly submit this JOINT DISCOVERY PLAN & PROPOSED ORDER pursuant to Civil Local Rule 26-1. 1. Discovery Cut-Off Date. Plaintiffs’ Position: Ancestry filed an anti-SLAPP motion to strike on February 10, 2021 (Dkt. No. 19). Plaintiffs believe the motion is baseless. A similar anti-SLAPP motion by Ancestry was denied in a related California case. Callahan v. Ancestry.com Inc., No. 3:20-cv-08437-LB, 2021 WL 783524, at *11 (N.D. Cal., Mar. 1, 2021). However, because an anti-SLAPP motion triggers an automatic stay of discovery on topics unrelated to the anti-SLAPP motion itself, Plaintiffs cannot yet commence discovery. Plaintiffs anticipate completing discovery within 12 months of the entry of a dispositive ruling on the anti-SLAPP motion. Ancestry Position: As set forth in Ancestry’s motion to dismiss and strike, Ancestry disputes the Court’s subject-matter jurisdiction based on plaintiffs’ lack of Article III standing and also disputes personal jurisdiction over Ancestry. See ECF No. 19. In addition, Ancestry’s filing of the motion to strike pursuant to Nevada’s anti-SLAPP statute automatically stays discovery pending resolution of the motion. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.660(3)(e); See also Foley v. Pont, No. 2:11-CV-01769-ECR, 2012 WL 2503074, at *5 (D. Nev. June 27, 2012) (“staying discovery pending the outcome of the [] Defendants’ antiSLAPP motion to dismiss is warranted under NRS 41.660(3).”). Accordingly, it is Ancestry’s position that it is premature to engage in discovery or to try to establish a schedule for discovery. This is especially true in light of the automatic right to appeal the denial of an anti- SLAPP motion, which appeal would result in an automatic stay of the district court proceedings (including discovery) until the appeal is resolved. As described more fully in Ancestry’s motion to dismiss, this case is one of three virtually identical, class actions in different federal courts that plaintiffs’ counsel have filed. The first has already been dismissed for reasons that apply equally here. See Callahan v. Ancestry.com, Case No. 20-cv-08437-LB, 2021 WL 783524, *4-6 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 1, 2021). A motion to dismiss in the second action will be fully briefed by the end of the month. See Bonilla v. Ancestry.com, Case No. 1:20-cv-07390 (N.D. Ill.). 2. Amending the Pleadings and Adding Parties, Expert Disclosures, Dispositive Motions, and Pretrial Order. Because of Ancestry’s pending anti-SLAPP motion, the parties are unable to estimate a specific date for close of discovery. For the same reason, they are not yet able to provide dates for the various deadlines that are measured by reference to the close of discovery. Should this case proceed past the pleadings, Ancestry (1) anticipates filing a motion for summary judgment and a motion to deny class certification, and (2) may engage experts, including with respect to potential class certification issues. 3. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a) Disclosures Plaintiffs’ Position: Ancestry has taken the position it is not obligated to provide Rule 26(a) disclosures while the anti-SLAPP motion is pending. Plaintiffs are prepared to exchange Rule 26(a) disclosures at any time. Ancestry Position: Ancestry objects to the initial disclosure requirement set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a). Ancestry has filed a motion to strike plaintiffs’ complaint pursuant to Nevada’s anti-SLAPP statute. Accordingly, discovery is automatically stayed pending resolution of the motion and the disposition of any appeal from the ruling on the motion. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.660(3)(e); Foley v. Pont, No. 2:11-CV-01769-ECR, 2012 WL 2503074, at *5 (D. Nev. June 27, 2012) (“staying discovery pending the outcome of the [] Defendants’ anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss is warranted under NRS 41.660(3).”). 4. Alternative Dispute Resolution The parties have conferred and agree any mediation would be most productive following resolution of Ancestry’s pending motion to dismiss and anti-SLAPP motion to strike. If this case survives the pending motion to dismiss and strike, the parties also agree, subject to approval from the Court, to participate in private mediation. 5. Alternative Forms of Case Disposition The parties certify that they considered trial by magistrate judge and use of the Short Trial Program. The parties agree that neither are appropriate for this matter. 6. Electronic Evidence Discovery has not yet begun as resolution of Ancestry’s anti-SLAPP motion is pending. Thus, the parties have not yet discussed whether they intend to present evidence in electronic format to jurors. Respectfully submitted,

KNEPPER & CLARK LLC COHEN-JOHNSON, LLC /s/ Miles N. Clark /s/ H. Stan Johnson Matthew I. Knepper, Esq., SBN 12796 H. Stan Johnson, Esq., SBN 0265 Miles N. Clark, Esq., SBN 13848 375 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite 104 Shaina R. Plaksin, Esq., SBN 13935 Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 5510 So. Fort Apache Rd, Suite 30 Email: sjohnson@cohenjohnson.com Las Vegas, NV 89148 Email: matthew.knepper@knepperclark.com Attorneys for Defendants Ancestry.com Email: miles.clark@knepperclark.com Operations Inc., Ancestry.com Inc., and Email: shaina.plaksin@knepperclark.com Ancestry.com LLC

Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class

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Miles N. Clark, Esq. COHEN-JOHNSON, LLC Nevada Bar No. 13848 H. Stan Johnson, Esq. (SBN: 0265) Matthew I. Knepper, Esq. (sjohnson@cohenjohnson.com) Nevada Bar No. 12796 375 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite 104 KNEPPER & CLARK LLC Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 5510 So. Fort Apache Rd, Suite 30 Telephone: (702) 823-3500 Las Vegas, NV 89148 Facsimile: (702) 823-3400 Phone: (702) 856-7430 Fax: (702) 447-8048 QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & Email: Miles.Clark@knepperclark.com SULLIVAN, LLP Shon Morgan (Pro Hac Vice) Michael F. Ram (Pro Hac Vice) (shonmorgan@quinnemanuel.com) Marie N. Appel (Pro Hac Vice) John W. Baumann (Pro Hac Vice) MORGAN & MORGAN COMPLEX (jackbaumann@quinnemanuel.com) LITIGATION GROUP 865 South Figueroa Street, 10th Floor 711 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500 San Los Angeles, California 90017 Francisco, CA 94102 Telephone: (213) 443-3000 Telephone: (415) 358-6913 Facsimile: (213) 443-3100 Facsimile: (415) 358-6293 Email: MRam@forthepeople.com Cristina Henriquez (Bar No. 317445) Email: MAppel@forthepeople.com (cristinahenriquez@quinnemanuel.com) 555 Twin Dolphin Drive, 5th Floor Benjamin R. Osborn (Pro Hac Vice) Redwood Shores, California 94065 102 Bergen Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Telephone: (650) 801-5000 Telephone: (347) 645-0464 Facsimile: (650) 801-5000 Email: Ben@benosbornlaw.com Attorneys for ANCESTRY.COM Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed OPERATIONS INC., ANCESTRY.COM Class INC., and ANCESTRY.COM LLC UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEVADA ANTHONY SESSA and MARK SESSA, on Case No.: 2:20-cv-02292-GMN-BNW behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, JOINT DISCOVERY PLAN AND Plaintiffs, PROPOSED ORDER v. Complaint filed: Dec. 17, 2020 ANCESTRY.COM OPERATIONS INC., a Virginia Corporation; ANCESTRY.COM INC., a Delaware Corporation; and ANCESTRY.COM LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, Defendants. The parties to the above-entitled action jointly submit this JOINT DISCOVERY PLAN & PROPOSED ORDER pursuant to Civil Local Rule 26-1. 1. Discovery Cut-Off Date. Plaintiffs’ Position: Ancestry filed an anti-SLAPP motion to strike on February 10, 2021 (Dkt. No. 19). Plaintiffs believe the motion is baseless. A similar anti-SLAPP motion by Ancestry was denied in a related California case. Callahan v. Ancestry.com Inc., No. 3:20-cv-08437-LB, 2021 WL 783524, at *11 (N.D. Cal., Mar. 1, 2021). However, because an anti-SLAPP motion triggers an automatic stay of discovery on topics unrelated to the anti-SLAPP motion itself, Plaintiffs cannot yet commence discovery. Plaintiffs anticipate completing discovery within 12 months of the entry of a dispositive ruling on the anti-SLAPP motion. Ancestry Position: As set forth in Ancestry’s motion to dismiss and strike, Ancestry disputes the Court’s subject-matter jurisdiction based on plaintiffs’ lack of Article III standing and also disputes personal jurisdiction over Ancestry. See ECF No. 19. In addition, Ancestry’s filing of the motion to strike pursuant to Nevada’s anti-SLAPP statute automatically stays discovery pending resolution of the motion. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.660(3)(e); See also Foley v. Pont, No. 2:11-CV-01769-ECR, 2012 WL 2503074, at *5 (D. Nev. June 27, 2012) (“staying discovery pending the outcome of the [] Defendants’ antiSLAPP motion to dismiss is warranted under NRS 41.660(3).”). Accordingly, it is Ancestry’s position that it is premature to engage in discovery or to try to establish a schedule for discovery. This is especially true in light of the automatic right to appeal the denial of an anti- SLAPP motion, which appeal would result in an automatic stay of the district court proceedings (including discovery) until the appeal is resolved. As described more fully in Ancestry’s motion to dismiss, this case is one of three virtually identical, class actions in different federal courts that plaintiffs’ counsel have filed. The first has already been dismissed for reasons that apply equally here. See Callahan v. Ancestry.com, Case No. 20-cv-08437-LB, 2021 WL 783524, *4-6 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 1, 2021). A motion to dismiss in the second action will be fully briefed by the end of the month. See Bonilla v. Ancestry.com, Case No. 1:20-cv-07390 (N.D. Ill.). 2. Amending the Pleadings and Adding Parties, Expert Disclosures, Dispositive Motions, and Pretrial Order. Because of Ancestry’s pending anti-SLAPP motion, the parties are unable to estimate a specific date for close of discovery. For the same reason, they are not yet able to provide dates for the various deadlines that are measured by reference to the close of discovery. Should this case proceed past the pleadings, Ancestry (1) anticipates filing a motion for summary judgment and a motion to deny class certification, and (2) may engage experts, including with respect to potential class certification issues. 3. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a) Disclosures Plaintiffs’ Position: Ancestry has taken the position it is not obligated to provide Rule 26(a) disclosures while the anti-SLAPP motion is pending. Plaintiffs are prepared to exchange Rule 26(a) disclosures at any time. Ancestry Position: Ancestry objects to the initial disclosure requirement set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a). Ancestry has filed a motion to strike plaintiffs’ complaint pursuant to Nevada’s anti-SLAPP statute. Accordingly, discovery is automatically stayed pending resolution of the motion and the disposition of any appeal from the ruling on the motion. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.660(3)(e); Foley v. Pont, No. 2:11-CV-01769-ECR, 2012 WL 2503074, at *5 (D. Nev. June 27, 2012) (“staying discovery pending the outcome of the [] Defendants’ anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss is warranted under NRS 41.660(3).”). 4. Alternative Dispute Resolution The parties have conferred and agree any mediation would be most productive following resolution of Ancestry’s pending motion to dismiss and anti-SLAPP motion to strike. If this case survives the pending motion to dismiss and strike, the parties also agree, subject to approval from the Court, to participate in private mediation. 5. Alternative Forms of Case Disposition The parties certify that they considered trial by magistrate judge and use of the Short Trial Program. The parties agree that neither are appropriate for this matter. 6. Electronic Evidence Discovery has not yet begun as resolution of Ancestry’s anti-SLAPP motion is pending. Thus, the parties have not yet discussed whether they intend to present evidence in electronic format to jurors. Respectfully submitted,

KNEPPER & CLARK LLC COHEN-JOHNSON, LLC /s/ Miles N. Clark /s/ H. Stan Johnson Matthew I. Knepper, Esq., SBN 12796 H. Stan Johnson, Esq., SBN 0265 Miles N. Clark, Esq., SBN 13848 375 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite 104 Shaina R. Plaksin, Esq., SBN 13935 Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 5510 So. Fort Apache Rd, Suite 30 Email: sjohnson@cohenjohnson.com Las Vegas, NV 89148 Email: matthew.knepper@knepperclark.com Attorneys for Defendants Ancestry.com Email: miles.clark@knepperclark.com Operations Inc., Ancestry.com Inc., and Email: shaina.plaksin@knepperclark.com Ancestry.com LLC

Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class

ORDER The Court will construe ECF No. 29 as a stipulation to stay discovery pending a decision « ECF No. 19. The parties' stipulation is GRANTED. IT IS ORDERED that the parties mus file a new proposed discovery plan and scheduling order within 14 days of a decision on ECF No. 19, unless the case is dismissed in its entirety without leave to amend. IT ISSO ORDERED DATED: 4:05 pm, April 23, 2021

Gx lx Ure fat UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 1] 5 of 5

Sessa v. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., (D. Nev. 2021).

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