STEWART D. AARON, Magistrate Judge.
In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, a United States Magistrate Judge is available to conduct all proceedings in this case, including but not limited to any decisions on motions, any jury or nonjury trial, and/or the entry of a final judgment. An appeal from a judgment entered by a Magistrate Judge, if any, is taken directly to the United States Court of Appeals in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of this district court.
Exercise of jurisdiction by a Magistrate Judge is permitted only if all parties voluntarily consent. To determine whether the parties wish to voluntarily consent, the plaintiff is directed to transmit to defendant's attorney on or before Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a copy of the attached consent form bearing either (1) a signature indicating consent to the Magistrate Judge conducting all proceedings in this matter or (2) a notation that the plaintiff does not consent.
On or before March 31, 2020, defense counsel is directed to contact the Deputy Clerk Katherine Lopez either by telephone, at (212) 805-0274, or by letter. Defendant's counsel shall inform the Deputy Clerk whether all parties have consented to the Magistrate Judge conducting the proceedings in this matter. If any party has not consented, counsel for the defendant shall
In the event that all parties have consented, counsel shall file a letter on ECF addressed to the undersigned that attaches the signed form.
This Order is not intended to interfere with the parties' right to have a trial and/or any other dispositive proceedings before a United States District Judge. The parties are free to withhold their consent without adverse substantive consequences, although this will prevent the Court's jurisdiction from being exercised by a United States Magistrate Judge. If any party withholds consent, the identity of the parties consenting or withholding consent shall not be communicated to any Magistrate Judge or District Judge to whom the case has been assigned.