DOOLAN vs SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY, AN UNKNOWN ENTITY

24CV088667: DOOLAN vs SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY, AN UNKNOWN ENTITY 08/13/2026 Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by DANIEL DOOLAN (Plaintiff) CRS# A-88667-012 in Department 520

Tentative Ruling - 08/07/2026 Jamilah A. Jefferson

The Court directed the parties to continue to meet and confer to narrow the search terms that were proposed for the custodian inboxes at issue. The parties filed a joint status report on August 6, 2026. However, the report is only marginally helpful. It appears that, although there were acknowledged errors with the search that Defendant performed, the search results still yield what Defendant describes as an unreasonable burdensome production.

The parties continue to have conflict during depositions.

There are multiple discovery motions pending (or reserved) for further responses to written discovery.

There is a motion to continue the trial - largely because of discovery obstacles.

-------------------------------------------------

Thus, the parties shall meet and confer to determine as many agreeable terms as possible for appointment of a discovery referee and file a joint status report of not more than five (5) pages no later than August 13, 2026. The status report shall also identify/list as concisely as possible each outstanding discovery dispute.

The Court is not inclined to rule on the pending motions without first determining whether discovery referee will be appointed.

The Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by DANIEL DOOLAN (Plaintiff) CRS# A-88667-012 scheduled for 08/13/2026 is continued to 08/14/2026 at 10:45 AM in Department 520 at Hayward Hall of Justice.

NOTICE: This tentative ruling will automatically become the court’s final order on August 13, 2026 unless, by no later than 4:00 P.M. on August 12, 2026, a party to the action notifies BOTH: 1) the court by emailing Dept520@alameda.courts.ca.gov; AND 2) all opposing counsel or selfrepresented parties (by telephone or email) that the party is contesting this tentative ruling.

The subject line (RE:) of the email must state: “Request for CONTESTED HEARING: [the case name], [number].” When a party emails to contest a tentative ruling, the party must identify the specific holding(s) within the ruling they wish to contest via oral argument.

The court does not provide court reporters for hearings in civil departments. A party who wants a 24CV088667: DOOLAN vs SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY, AN UNKNOWN ENTITY 08/13/2026 Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by DANIEL DOOLAN (Plaintiff) CRS# A-88667-012 in Department 520 record of the proceedings must engage a private court reporter. (Local Rule 3.95.) Any privately retained court reporter must also participate via video conference. Their email must be provided to the court at the time the Notice of Contest is emailed.