ORDER

RICHARD J. ARCARA, District Judge.

The above-referenced case was referred to Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) for the conduct of pretrial proceedings. On February 14, 2014, Magistrate Judge Schroeder filed a Report and Recommendation, Dkt. No. 60, recommending that the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment as to liability under the first cause of action alleging breach of contract, Dkt. No. 44, be granted, and that defendant's motion for summary judgment, Dkt. No. 45, dismissing plaintiff's breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims be denied.

The Court has carefully reviewed the Report and Recommendation, the record in this case, the pleadings and materials submitted by the parties, including defendant's objections, and, having heard after oral argument March 27, 2014, it is hereby

ORDERED, that pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), upon de novo review, and for the reasons set forth in Magistrate Judge Schroeder's Report and Recommendation, the plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment as to liability on the first cause of action is granted, and the defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff's breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims is denied.

On or before April 2, 2014, the parties are directed to file very short status reports regarding the issue of damages for the breach of contract and whether the Court should consider an Order pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(f)(3) for consideration of summary judgment, or partial summary judgment, on the damages for the breach of contract. The parties shall appear April 4, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. for a status conference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.