U S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Ecoserve L L C

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE DIVISION US EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CASE NO. 6:23-CV-01321 COMMISSION VERSUS JUDGE ROBERT R. SUMMERHAYS ECOSERVE LLC MAGISTRATE JUDGE DAVID J. AYO

JUDGMENT On January 6, 2025, Magistrate Judge Ayo issued a Memorandum Ruling [ECF No. 83] denying a Motion to Quash or Modify Subpoena or Motion for Protective Order filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). The EEOC has now filed an Appeal [ECF No. 84] of that ruling. Ecoserve, LLC opposes the Appeal. This Court has previously held that “a Magistrate Judge’s discovery ruling that is not dispositive of a party’s claim or defense is subject to a ‘clearly erroneous’ standard of review upon timely objection. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a); 28 U.S.C.A. § 636(b)(1)(A). A ruling is ‘clearly erroneous’ if, ‘on the entire evidence [the reviewing court] is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.’”! Further, in cases such as the present case, where the complained- of ruling provides specific written reasons, the District Judge’s appellate review is limited to whether the Magistrate Judge committed a clear error or mistake in determining whether to review, adopt, modify, or overturn the ruling.’

' Yanoil Completion Sys., LLC v. PTC Do Brasil Tecnologia Em Petroleo LTDA, No. 6:18-CV-00412, 2021 WL 7 15, at *2 (W.D. La. Feb. 22, 2021) (citing United States v. Stevens, 487 F.3d 232, 240 (Sth Cir. 2008)).

The Court has reviewed the Magistrate Judge Ayo’s Memorandum Ruling as well as the arguments of both parties and finds that there is no basis to conclude that he committed a clear error or mistake. For that reason, the Appeal [ECF No. 84] filed by the EEOC is DISMISSED. THUS DONE in Chambers on this 28th day of March, 2025.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE