ORDER

BRIAN K. EPPS, Magistrate Judge.

Plaintiff filed the above-captioned case on May 23, 2017. (Doc. no. 1.) Defendants were served on May 25, 2017, (doc. nos. 6, 7, 8), and Defendant Lazega & Johanson, LLC, filed the first answer on June 14, 2017. (Doc. no. 9.) The deadline for the parties to confer as provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) and then submit a joint 26(f) Report as set forth in the Court's prior Order has passed. (See doc. no. 3.) However, no Rule 26(f) Report has been filed. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS the parties to conduct a conference within fourteen days of the date of this Order and to file a joint 26(f) Report within seven days of the conference. The Court DIRECTS the CLERK to attach the standard "RULE 26(f) REPORT" to this Order.

SO ORDERED.

RULE 26 INSTRUCTION ORDER

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) requires the parties to confer, develop a proposed discovery plan, and submit a report to this Court. Subsequent to the filing of the report, a Scheduling Order must be entered pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). Therefore, the parties shall confer as provided in Federal Rule 26(f) by the earlier of 60 days after any defendant has been served with the complaint or 45 days after any defendant has appeared. See L.R. 26.1(a).1 Thereafter, within 14 days after the required conference held pursuant to Rule 26(f), the parties shall submit to the Court a written report conforming to the language and format of the Rule 26(f) Report attached to this Order outlining their discovery plan. See L.R. 26.1(b).

Except in unusually protracted or complex cases, the parties will be expected to adhere to the following deadlines and limitations:

Plaintiff's counsel, or, if applicable, the pro se plaintiff, shall ensure that a copy of this Order is served upon all parties. Finally, a party who cannot gain the cooperation of the other party in preparing the Rule 26(f) Report should advise the Court prior to the due date of the report of the other party's failure to cooperate.

SO ORDERED.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA Select a Division

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT S.D. Ga. LR 7.1.1

The undersigned, counsel of record for _____________ certifies that the following is a full and complete list of the parties in this action:

The undersigned further certifies that the following is a full and complete list of officers, directors, or trustees of the above-identified parties:

The undersigned further certifies that the following is a full and complete list of other persons, firms, partnerships, corporations, or organizations that have a financial interest in, or another interest which could be substantially affected by, the outcome of this case (including a relationship as a parent or holding company or any publicly-held corporation that holds 10% or more of a party's stock):

UNITED STATES DIS I RICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA AUGUSTA DIVISION

CERTIFICATE OF COUNSEL REFILED OR RELATED CASES

Pursuant to the Local Rules of this Court, I hereby certify that this is a ref led case which involves substantially the same issues or parties as in the case of___________________ ____________, plaintiff vs._______________, defendant, Civil Action No. _____________, or that this case relates to property included in, involves the same issues appearing in, or grows out of the same transaction involved in a case already pending in _________________ Court, captioned _______________, plaintiff, vs. _________________ defendant, Civil Action No. __________________.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA AUGUSTA DIVISION

NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION and CASE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

(LITIGANTS' BILL OF RIGHTS) S.D. Ga. LR 16.7

Litigants in this Court may wish to utilize procedures that are available to assist the speedy and efficient resolution of civil cases. This notice must be furnished by plaintiffs counsel to his client and served with the complaint upon all defendants. Counsel for each party represented shall ensure that the notice is filled out, signed by the party, and returned to the Clerk's office (1) by counsel for the plaintiff within 15 days of filing the complaint, and (2) by counsel for the defendant with the answer or other responsive pleading.

Notice to Parties and Counsel

1. If all parties in a case elect to do so, a civil case in this Court can be referred to non-binding mediation. The purpose of such is to assist the parties in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their respective positions and to facilitate settlement.

Do you wish to use such a procedure and for your lawyer to meet with opposing counsel and a Judge of this Court to establish a mediation plan for this case?

2. If the parties in a case elect to do so, a civil case in this Court can be referred to binding or non-binding arbitration. In some instances, arbitration may be quicker, cheaper, and less formal than litigation. Its outcome can be binding or purely advisory, depending on the parties' agreement. The parties can also agree to tailor the rules of procedure.

Do you wish to consider such a procedure and for your lawyer to meet with opposing counsel and a Judge of this Court to establish an arbitration plan for this case?

3. If all parties in a case consent and the Court concurs, the right to proceed before a United States District Judge may be waived, and the case can be presided over by a United States Magistrate Judge.

Would you like to consider use of a Magistrate Judge and receive more information on this alternative?

4. After the complaint and answer are filed in a case, the rules of this Court normally allow four (4) months for the completion of discovery. If discovery continues for a longer period of time, it will be because the attorneys have requested an extension of time from the Court.

5. If justified by the complexity or difficulty of a case, the Court will consider the entry of a special case management order. After hearing from the parties, this order would supersede the Local Rules and provide new dates for the different aspects of discovery, amendments to the pleadings, the filing of motions, conferences with the Court, and preparation for the ultimate pretrial order and trial of the case.

The lawyers for all of the parties are encouraged to consult concerning the need for such a case management order.

6. At the completion of discovery and before trial, each party will be required to participate in the filing of a pretrial order. In most cases, there will also be a pretrial conference with the presiding Judge. At the conference, the Court will inquire about the prospects for settlement of the case. Normally the Court will require the client to be present in person or by telephone.

By Order of the Court.

I have reviewed with my attorney the above notice and have indicated my desired responses to paragraphs 1, 2, and 3.

Certificate of Counsel

I have furnished a copy of this notice to the party represented by me (including any insurance company assisting with the cost of defense) and discussed with my client responses to paragraphs 1, 2. and 3 which have been noted. I have also served opposing counsel with a copy of this completed notice.

NOTE: If there is unanimity among the parties that the case should be referred to mediation, arbitration, or a Magistrate Judge, counsel for the plaintiff shall so notify the Clerk, who will then inform the presiding District Judge of the parties' interest in one or more of these procedures.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the Southern District of Georgia

NOTICE, CONSENT, AND REFERENCE OF A CIVIL ACTION TO A MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Notice of a magistrate judge's availability. A United States magistrate judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action (including a jury or nonjury trial) and to order the entry of a final judgment. The judgment may then be appealed directly to the United States court of appeals like any other judgment of this court. A magistrate judge may exercise this authority only if all parties voluntarily consent.

You may consent to have your case referred to a magistrate judge, or you may withhold your consent without adverse substantive consequences. The name of any party withholding consent will not be revealed to any judge who may otherwise be involved with your case.

Consent to a magistrate judge's authority. The following parties consent to have a United States magistrate judge conduct all proceedings in this case including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings.638244033892439327638244033892439327

Reference Order

IT IS ORDERED: This case is referred to a United States magistrate judge to conduct all proceedings and order the entry of a final judgment in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73.

Note: Return this form to the clerk of court only if you are consenting to the exercise of jurisdiction by a United States magistrate judge. Do not return this form to a judge.