Judge Alonso discourages the filing
of discovery motions; the parties can and should work out most discovery
disputes. The court will not hear or
consider any discovery motion or non-dispositive dispute unless the movant has
complied with the “meet and confer” requirement of
Local Rule 37.2. The motion must state with specificity when
and how the movant complied with
Local Rule 37.2. Parties are reminded that compliance with
Local Rule 37.2 requires a good-faith effort to resolve discovery disputes and
communication that takes place face-to-face or by telephone.
The exchange of correspondence will normally
not be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2.
All
parties should be fully prepared to argue any discovery motion on the date that
it is presented. The court will most
often rule on discovery motions after hearing argument at the motion call and
without briefing. If, after hearing
argument, the court believes that the motion requires briefing, an expedited
briefing schedule will be set so that the matter can be resolved promptly.
Parties
are reminded to notify the court immediately
if they resolve and/or are withdrawing any previously-filed discovery motions.
Parties
are reminded that there is no particular sequence in which discovery must occur
and that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse
any other party’s prompt compliance.