Case Management Conference
34-2021-00303135-CU-OE-GDS: Britney Brown vs. Amazon.Com Services LLC 05/30/2025 Case Management Conference in Department 22
Tentative Ruling
The Court has read and considered the Joint Case Management Statement filed by the parties and now issues the following tentative ruling:
APPEARANCE REQUIRED. The parties shall be prepared to address the following issues: 1) Plaintiff's requests to depose John Felton, Dave Clark, and Sarah Rhoads 2) Search terms and custodial collection 3) Deposition of Amazon's PMK and the scope of that deposition 4) Aggrieved employee depositions 5) Schedule for expert discovery 6) Possible stipulations of fact 7) Trial scheduling and case deadlines
The Court also notes that the Joint Statement reflects some potential confusion regarding whether the proceeding scheduled for July 21, 2025 is a "trial" or an "evidentiary hearing." Plaintiff's counsel raised this as a concern because they want to "make sure Amazon understands its upcoming trial obligations and compliance with the rules of civil procedure and evidence applicable to trials." To the extent there is any confusion, counsel is reminded that the Court stated in its December 13, 2024 minute order that this would be a "Phase 1 Trial," which "would be limited in scope to SMF 1 as a bellwether."
The "parties will submit written opening statements and closing arguments, and evidence will be presented live in court." The Court asked the parties "to prepare a proposed trial plan," including various components related to the filing of pre-trial briefs (e.g. motions in limine), the presentation of witnesses, and any stipulations they can reach "before trial." Further, in its March 14, 2025 minute order, the Court noted that "this is a bench trial and the Court is the finder of fact" and asked the parties to focus their motions in limine on evidentiary issues that could arise during the trial.
To the extent counsel has any further questions regarding the Court's expectations for how the Phase 1 Trial will proceed, they shall be prepared to raise those questions at the CMC.
Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government code §68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956
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Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed in the Policy for Official Reporter Pro Tempore available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp-6a.pdf. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp- 13.Pdf
A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not
34-2021-00303135-CU-OE-GDS: Britney Brown vs. Amazon.Com Services LLC 05/30/2025 Case Management Conference in Department 22
using a reporter from the Court's Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list, Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk.
If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will be forward the form to the Court Reporter's Office and an official reporter will be provided.
The parties are encouraged to attend via Zoom with the links below: To join by Zoom link - https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/my/sscdept22 To join by phone dial (833) 568-8864 ID 16184738886
Please note that the Complex Civil Case Department now provides information to assist you in managing your complex case on the Court website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/civil/complex-civil-cases.aspx. The Court strongly encourages parties to review this website regularly to stay abreast of the most recent complex civil case procedures. Please refer to the website before directly contacting the Court Clerk for information.