1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ex rel., No. 2:16-cv-01805-DC-JDP TONI S. LEE, et al., 12 Plaintiffs, 13 SCHEDULING ORDER v. 14 BARCO UNIFORMS, INC., et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 Pursuant to Rule 16(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court reviewed the 18 parties’ joint status report (Doc. No. 97) and has determined that the court need not “consult[] 19 with the parties’ attorneys and any unrepresented parties at a scheduling conference,” before 20 issuing a scheduling order in this case. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(1)(B). 21 I. SERVICE OF PROCESS 22 Defendant Barco Uniforms, Inc. and Defendant Kenny Chan have been served as required 23 by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 and have appeared in this action. Plaintiff United States 24 contends that the named entity defendants, Defendants Able Allied Limited; Nathan Global 25 Direct, Inc.; J & K Garment, Inc.; Mega Goodwill Ltd.; JS Garment Co.; and Superway Import & 26 Export, Inc.; were served by virtue of personal service made on Defendant Kenny Chan, who is 27 an owner, manager, or controlling partner of those entities. (Doc. Nos. 97 at 7, 70.) Plaintiff 28 represents that they have made multiple attempts to serve the remaining named defendant, 1 Defendant David Chan, who resides outside of the United States. Plaintiff shall file a status report 2 regarding the status of service on Defendant David Chan by no later than thirty (30) days from 3 the date of entry of this order. 4 No further service is permitted without leave of court, good cause having been shown 5 under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b). 6 II. JOINDER OF ADDITIONAL PARTIES / AMENDMENT OF PLEADINGS 7 The parties do not anticipate the joinder of additional parties or amendment of the 8 pleadings. 9 No further joinder of parties or amendments to pleadings is permitted without leave of 10 court, good cause having been shown. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b); Johnson v. Mammoth 11 Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 27 604 (9th Cir. 1992). The parties are advised that the filing of 12 motions and/or stipulations requesting leave to amend the pleadings does not imply good cause to 13 modify the existing schedule. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 (b)(4); see also Johnson, 975 F. 2d at 609. 14 Moreover, any amendment requested under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a) must not be: 15 (1) prejudicial to the opposing party; (2) the product of undue delay; (3) proposed in bad faith; or 16 (4) futile. See Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962). 17 III. DISCOVERY PROCEDURES 18 Discovery matters that do not implicate the schedule of the case are referred to the 19 assigned magistrate judge, who will hear all discovery disputes subject to his or her procedures. 20 (The assigned magistrate judge’s initials follow the district judge’s initials next to the case 21 number.) All discovery related filings must include the words “DISCOVERY MATTER” in the 22 caption to ensure proper routing. Do not direct delivery of courtesy copies of these documents to 23 the district judge. Counsel are directed to contact the magistrate judge’s courtroom deputy clerk 24 to schedule discovery matters for hearing. 25 All motions to compel discovery must be noticed on the assigned magistrate judge’s 26 calendar in accordance with the local rules of this court and the magistrate judge’s own 27 procedures. The written ruling of the assigned magistrate judge shall be final, subject to 28 modification by the district court only where it has been shown that the magistrate judge’s order 1 is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). Pursuant to Local Rule 303, 2 any party may file and serve a “Request for Reconsideration by the District Court of Magistrate 3 Judge’s Ruling.” See L.R. 303(c). The requesting party must file and serve any such request 4 within fourteen (14) days of service of a written ruling. L.R. 303(b). The request must specify 5 which portions of the ruling are clearly erroneous or contrary to law and the basis for that 6 contention with supporting points and authorities. L.R. 303(c). 7 In addition, the assigned magistrate judge reviews proposed discovery phase protective 8 orders sought by the parties pursuant to Local Rule 141.1. However, any requests to seal or redact 9 in connection with trial or motions to be resolved by Judge Coggins must be directed to Judge 10 Coggins and comply with her Standing Order and Local Rules 140 and 141. 11 IV. DISCOVERY DEADLINES 12 A. Rule 26(a) Initial Disclosures 13 The parties shall serve their initial disclosures pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14 Rule 26(a)(1) no later than 14 days after the date of entry of this scheduling order. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15 26(a)(1)(C). 16 Any parties served or joined after the issuance of this scheduling order shall “make the 17 initial disclosures within 30 days after being served or joined,” as provided by Rule 26(a)(1)(D). 18 B. Fact Discovery 19 All fact discovery shall be completed1 no later than July 10, 2026. 20 The parties do not propose any limitations or changes to the governing provisions of the 21 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, other than the parties’ agreement that to permit 15 depositions 22 and 30 interrogatories. (Doc. No. 97 at 9.) 23 C. Expert Discovery 24 1 As used herein, the word “completed” means that all discovery shall have been conducted so 25 that all depositions have been taken and any disputes relevant to discovery shall have been resolved by appropriate order if necessary and, where discovery has been ordered, the order has 26 been obeyed. The parties are advised that motions to compel must be filed in advance of the 27 discovery completion deadlines so that the court may grant effective relief within the allotted discovery time. A party’s failure to have a discovery dispute heard sufficiently in advance of the 28 discovery cutoff may result in denial of the motion as untimely. 1 Disclosures of expert witnesses, if any, must be made pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 2 Procedure 26(a)(2)(A), (B) and (C), and shall include all information required thereunder. Each 3 expert witness must be fully prepared to be examined on all subjects and opinions included in the 4 disclosures. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the imposition of appropriate 5 sanctions, including the preclusion of the expert’s testimony, or of other evidence offered through 6 the expert. 7 The parties shall disclose initial experts and produce reports in accordance with Federal 8 Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2) by no later than August 10, 2026.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ex rel., No. 2:16-cv-01805-DC-JDP TONI S. LEE, et al., 12 Plaintiffs, 13 SCHEDULING ORDER v. 14 BARCO UNIFORMS, INC., et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 Pursuant to Rule 16(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court reviewed the 18 parties’ joint status report (Doc. No. 97) and has determined that the court need not “consult[] 19 with the parties’ attorneys and any unrepresented parties at a scheduling conference,” before 20 issuing a scheduling order in this case. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(1)(B). 21 I. SERVICE OF PROCESS 22 Defendant Barco Uniforms, Inc. and Defendant Kenny Chan have been served as required 23 by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 and have appeared in this action. Plaintiff United States 24 contends that the named entity defendants, Defendants Able Allied Limited; Nathan Global 25 Direct, Inc.; J & K Garment, Inc.; Mega Goodwill Ltd.; JS Garment Co.; and Superway Import & 26 Export, Inc.; were served by virtue of personal service made on Defendant Kenny Chan, who is 27 an owner, manager, or controlling partner of those entities. (Doc. Nos. 97 at 7, 70.) Plaintiff 28 represents that they have made multiple attempts to serve the remaining named defendant, 1 Defendant David Chan, who resides outside of the United States. Plaintiff shall file a status report 2 regarding the status of service on Defendant David Chan by no later than thirty (30) days from 3 the date of entry of this order. 4 No further service is permitted without leave of court, good cause having been shown 5 under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b). 6 II. JOINDER OF ADDITIONAL PARTIES / AMENDMENT OF PLEADINGS 7 The parties do not anticipate the joinder of additional parties or amendment of the 8 pleadings. 9 No further joinder of parties or amendments to pleadings is permitted without leave of 10 court, good cause having been shown. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b); Johnson v. Mammoth 11 Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 27 604 (9th Cir. 1992). The parties are advised that the filing of 12 motions and/or stipulations requesting leave to amend the pleadings does not imply good cause to 13 modify the existing schedule. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 (b)(4); see also Johnson, 975 F. 2d at 609. 14 Moreover, any amendment requested under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a) must not be: 15 (1) prejudicial to the opposing party; (2) the product of undue delay; (3) proposed in bad faith; or 16 (4) futile. See Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962). 17 III. DISCOVERY PROCEDURES 18 Discovery matters that do not implicate the schedule of the case are referred to the 19 assigned magistrate judge, who will hear all discovery disputes subject to his or her procedures. 20 (The assigned magistrate judge’s initials follow the district judge’s initials next to the case 21 number.) All discovery related filings must include the words “DISCOVERY MATTER” in the 22 caption to ensure proper routing. Do not direct delivery of courtesy copies of these documents to 23 the district judge. Counsel are directed to contact the magistrate judge’s courtroom deputy clerk 24 to schedule discovery matters for hearing. 25 All motions to compel discovery must be noticed on the assigned magistrate judge’s 26 calendar in accordance with the local rules of this court and the magistrate judge’s own 27 procedures. The written ruling of the assigned magistrate judge shall be final, subject to 28 modification by the district court only where it has been shown that the magistrate judge’s order 1 is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). Pursuant to Local Rule 303, 2 any party may file and serve a “Request for Reconsideration by the District Court of Magistrate 3 Judge’s Ruling.” See L.R. 303(c). The requesting party must file and serve any such request 4 within fourteen (14) days of service of a written ruling. L.R. 303(b). The request must specify 5 which portions of the ruling are clearly erroneous or contrary to law and the basis for that 6 contention with supporting points and authorities. L.R. 303(c). 7 In addition, the assigned magistrate judge reviews proposed discovery phase protective 8 orders sought by the parties pursuant to Local Rule 141.1. However, any requests to seal or redact 9 in connection with trial or motions to be resolved by Judge Coggins must be directed to Judge 10 Coggins and comply with her Standing Order and Local Rules 140 and 141. 11 IV. DISCOVERY DEADLINES 12 A. Rule 26(a) Initial Disclosures 13 The parties shall serve their initial disclosures pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14 Rule 26(a)(1) no later than 14 days after the date of entry of this scheduling order. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15 26(a)(1)(C). 16 Any parties served or joined after the issuance of this scheduling order shall “make the 17 initial disclosures within 30 days after being served or joined,” as provided by Rule 26(a)(1)(D). 18 B. Fact Discovery 19 All fact discovery shall be completed1 no later than July 10, 2026. 20 The parties do not propose any limitations or changes to the governing provisions of the 21 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, other than the parties’ agreement that to permit 15 depositions 22 and 30 interrogatories. (Doc. No. 97 at 9.) 23 C. Expert Discovery 24 1 As used herein, the word “completed” means that all discovery shall have been conducted so 25 that all depositions have been taken and any disputes relevant to discovery shall have been resolved by appropriate order if necessary and, where discovery has been ordered, the order has 26 been obeyed. The parties are advised that motions to compel must be filed in advance of the 27 discovery completion deadlines so that the court may grant effective relief within the allotted discovery time. A party’s failure to have a discovery dispute heard sufficiently in advance of the 28 discovery cutoff may result in denial of the motion as untimely. 1 Disclosures of expert witnesses, if any, must be made pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 2 Procedure 26(a)(2)(A), (B) and (C), and shall include all information required thereunder. Each 3 expert witness must be fully prepared to be examined on all subjects and opinions included in the 4 disclosures. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the imposition of appropriate 5 sanctions, including the preclusion of the expert’s testimony, or of other evidence offered through 6 the expert. 7 The parties shall disclose initial experts and produce reports in accordance with Federal 8 Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2) by no later than August 10, 2026. With regard to expert 9 testimony intended solely for rebuttal, those experts shall be disclosed and reports produced in 10 accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2) on or before September 10, 2026. 11 All expert discovery shall be completed no later than October 13, 2026. 12 V. MOTIONS 13 All motions, except motions for continuances, temporary restraining orders, or other 14 emergency applications, shall be filed on or before December 14, 2026 and shall be noticed for 15 hearing before Judge Coggins on a date not more than 60 days from the date the motion is filed 16 and on a date that is listed on Judge Coggins’s website as an available civil law and motion 17 hearing date. Counsel are directed to refer to the local rules regarding the requirements for 18 noticing and opposing such motions on the court’s regularly scheduled law and motion calendar. 19 Prior to filing a motion for summary judgment or motion for partial summary judgment 20 (summary adjudication), the parties are ordered to meet and confer, in person or by telephone, to 21 discuss the issues to be raised in the motion. In addition to complying with the requirements of 22 Local Rule 260, the parties must prepare a Joint Statement of Undisputed Facts, which identifies 23 all relevant facts subject to agreement by all parties. The moving party is responsible for filing the 24 joint statement concurrently with the motion. In the notice of motion, the moving party shall 25 certify that the parties have met and conferred as ordered above or provide a statement of good 26 cause for the failure to do so. 27 The parties shall refer to Judge Coggins’s Standing Order for her procedures with regard 28 to the filing of cross-motions for summary judgment and related briefing. 1 VI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE 2 The undersigned requires parties to participate in a court-supervised settlement conference 3 with a settlement judge before the action may proceed to trial. A settlement conference has not 4 been set at this time. At any time before the final pretrial conference, the parties may file a joint 5 request that this action be referred to a settlement judge for the setting of a settlement conference. 6 If the parties have not participated in a court-supervised settlement conference by the time of the 7 final pretrial conference, the court will refer the action at that time to the assigned magistrate 8 judge for the setting of a settlement conference. The parties shall contact the designated 9 settlement conference judge’s chambers to ascertain that judge’s settlement conference 10 procedures, including the procedure for submitting confidential settlement statements, which shall 11 not be filed and will not otherwise be disclosed to the trial judge. 12 Unless otherwise permitted in advance by the court, the attorneys who will try the case 13 shall appear at the settlement conference. Pertinent evidence to be offered at trial, documents or 14 otherwise, should be brought to the settlement conference for presentation to the settlement judge. 15 Neither the settlement conference statements nor communications during the settlement 16 conference with the settlement judge can be used by either party in the trial of this case. 17 Absent permission from the court, in addition to counsel who will try the case being 18 present, the individual parties shall also be present, and in the case of corporate parties, 19 associations or other entities, and insurance carriers, a representative executive with unrestricted 20 authority to discuss, consider, propose and agree, or disagree, to any settlement proposal or offer 21 shall also be present. If for any reason the representative with unlimited authority cannot attend, 22 such a person must be available by phone or video throughout the conference. In other words, 23 having settlement authority “up to a certain amount” is not acceptable. 24 VII. FINAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 25 The court will not set a final pretrial conference date in this scheduling order. Instead, 26 upon resolution of any motions filed by the deadline set forth in Section V of this order, or upon 27 the expiration of that deadline if no such motions were filed, the court will set a date for a final 28 pretrial conference, which will be conducted in person in Courtroom 10. The court will not 1 entertain requests to conduct the final pretrial conference by Zoom. 2 The parties are directed to file a joint pretrial statement, carefully prepared and executed 3 by all counsel, that complies with the requirements of this Local Rule 281 and Judge Coggins’s 4 Standing Order. Counsel shall also email a copy of the joint pretrial statement in Word format to 5 Judge Coggins’s chambers at dcorders@caed.uscourts.gov. The parties’ attention is directed to 6 Local Rules 281 and 282. This court will insist upon strict compliance with these rules. 7 At the final pretrial conference, the court will set a trial date and deadlines to file trial 8 documents, including motions in limine, trial briefs, and proposed jury voir dire, instructions, and 9 verdict forms (where applicable). In addition, at the final pretrial conference, the parties shall 10 have a joint list of proposed trial dates that are within 60 to 120 days from the date of the final 11 pretrial conference, and the parties shall be prepared to confirm a trial date. 12 VIII. REQUEST FOR BIFURCATION, APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MASTER, OR 13 OTHER TECHNIQUES TO SHORTEN TRIAL 14 The parties have not made any such requests at this time and do not anticipate any such 15 requests. 16 IX. RELATED MATTERS PENDING 17 There is no related litigation. 18 X. OBJECTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE SCHEDULING ORDER 19 This case schedule will become final without further order of the court unless 20 objections are filed within fourteen (14) days of the entry of this order. The schedule, once 21 final, shall not be modified except by leave of court upon showing of good cause. The assigned 22 magistrate judge is authorized to modify the discovery dates set forth in Section IV of this order, 23 but only to the extent that any such modification does not impact the motions filing deadline set 24 forth in Section V of this order. A stipulation or request by the parties to modify only the 25 discovery deadlines shall therefore be directed to the assigned magistrate judge. 26 The parties are reminded that pursuant to Rule 16(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil 27 Procedure, no stipulations extending scheduling requirements or modifying applicable rules are 28 effective until and unless the court approves them. Agreement of the parties by stipulation alone 1 | does not constitute good cause. Any request or stipulation to modify this scheduling order must 2 | set forth: 3 (1) the existing due date or hearing date as well as the discovery cutoff date, and the 4 last date for filing motions; 5 (2) whether there have been prior requests for extensions, and whether these were 6 granted or denied by the court; and 7 (3) specific, concrete reasons supporting good cause for granting of the extension. For 8 example, if the reason for the requested extension is that it “will promote 9 settlement,” the requesting party or parties must indicate the status of ongoing 10 negotiations, 1.e., have written proposals been exchanged; is counsel in the process 11 of reviewing a draft settlement agreement; has a mediator been selected. 12 13 4 IT IS SO ORDERED. □ 15 | Dated: _ December 18, 2025 Qe <—_ Dena Coggins 16 United States District Judge 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28