UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
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Plaintiff(s)., )
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Plaintiff, )
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v. ) Case No. Case Number.
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Defendant(s)., )
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Defendant. )
ORDER REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 26
The parties are reminded to conduct a conference pursuant to Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 26(f) within the next 21 days. During the Rule 26(f) conference,
the parties shall discuss at least the following topics:
• the nature and basis of the claims and defenses and the possibility of a
prompt settlement or resolution of the case through formal mediation
or informal settlement negotiations;
• a proposed discovery plan, including deadlines for the matters
addressed in sub-paragraphs (1) through (4) of Rule 26(f) and a protocol
to govern the search and production of electronically stored
information; and
• the need for a protective order for disclosure of protected health
information.1
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If the parties agree to the entry of the court’s standard HIPAA protective order, they may indicate
this agreement in the joint report of planning meeting. If the parties require a HIPAA order tailored
to the case, the moving party should email a proposed draft order to the chambers email address
and file an appropriate motion.
If the parties are unable to agree upon a date, time, or place for the Rule 26(f)
conference, the parties are ORDERED to file a joint notice with the court.
Additionally, unless otherwise ordered, the parties shall exchange the initial
disclosures required under Rule 26(a)(1) no later than 7 days before the meeting in
order to facilitate discussion during the discovery conference. Within 14 days of the
Rule 26(f) meeting, the parties must file a joint report of their planning meeting. The
report should include a brief description of the nature of the case; an indication of
the parties’ assessment of the complexity of the case; proposed deadlines for
amending the pleadings, joining additional parties, completing discovery, and filing
dispositive motions; and a statement regarding the parties’ initial interest in
alternative dispute resolution. If the parties disagree about any item, the parties’
must set out their respective positions in separate paragraphs.
DONE and ORDERED on July 12, 2022.
_________________________________
GRAY M. BORDEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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