General Hurricane Ida Litigation Status Conference – June 14, 2023
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael North will hold a general Hurricane Ida Litigation status conference on Wed., June 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. in courtroom 352. The on-the-record hearing will concern matters arising from the suspension of R. William Huye, III and the withdrawal of McClenny, Moseley & Associates from cases pending in this District. Any defense or plaintiff counsel may attend, but the discussions will be insurer-centric. More information, including lists of specific discussion topics and law firms encouraged to attend, can be found in the Court’s Order.
No. 1 Hurricane Ida - Order to Stay Cases Files by McClenny Moseley & Assoc. (with updated Attachment B)
Amended Hurricane Ida Case Management Order No. 1
The Court has issued its First Amendment to Hurricane Ida Case Management Order No. 1. The features of the amendment are as follows:
• The amendment encourages the parties to use the two forms attached to it as Exhibits B & C to set forth their respective settlement positions at the informal settlement conference and mediation. It creates a uniform method for doing so.
• The amendment eliminates the requirement that the parties affirmatively contact the Court or Program Administrator (“PA”) to request a mediation be set, replacing it with an automatic 75-day window for disclosures and informal settlement conference, after which the PA will automatically set the case for mediation.
• The one-time limit on deadlines is extended to 21 days, consistent with LR 7.8.
• The appointment of umpires where appraisal is invoked will be resolved solely by the Chief Magistrate Judge rather than the presiding Magistrate Judge.
View this PDF
View CMO Exhibit B
View CMO Exhibit C
Orders of Appointment for Neutrals and for Program Administrator in Hurricane Ida Cases
Pursuant to Case Management Order No. 1, In re Hurricane Ida Claims, the Court hereby appoints Mediation Support Services, L.L.C. as Program Administrator for the Court’s Streamlined Settlement Program. The Court also appoints 30 individuals as neutrals for the Program. For more information, please see the orders below.
View this PDF – Neutrals List
View this PDF – Program Administrator Appointment
Hurricane Ida Case Management Order No. 1
The Court hereby approves the Hurricane Ida Case Management Order (“CMO”) No. 1. The CMO outlines procedures for expedited discovery (the “Disaster Protocols”) and establishes a streamlined settlement conference and mediation protocol to facilitate efficient resolution of these matters. The mediation program, called the Streamlined Settlement Program, will include a panel of neutrals and a Program Administrator. The Magistrate Judges shall oversee the Streamlined Settlement Program, with Chief Magistrate Judge Michael North presiding over day-to-day operations. This will include the selection of the neutrals and the Program Administrator. Please see the complete order for further details.
View this PDF (Case Management Order)
View this PDF (Interim Protective Order)