UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

Choose an item. DIVISION

Plaintiff(s).,	)

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Plaintiff(s)	)

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vs.	)	Case No. Case Number.

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Defendant(s).,	)

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Defendant(s)	)

ORDER REGARDING

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 26

The parties are reminded to conduct a conference pursuant to Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The parties must confer no later than twenty-one (21) days after the entry date of this order. During the Rule 26(f) conference, the parties' discussions shall cover 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

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) at least seven (7) days before the meeting in order to facilitate better discussions during the discovery conference. Within fourteen (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, discovery, and dispositive motions; and a statement regarding the parties' initial interest in alternative dispute resolution. Should the parties disagree about an item, the positions of the parties as to that item should be clearly set forth in separate paragraphs.

DONE and ORDERED this __ day of ________, 20__.

HERMAN N. JOHNSON, JR.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE