Joint Discovery Plan & Proposed Scheduling Order

Joint Discovery Plan & Proposed Scheduling Order

Produces a court-ready Joint Discovery Plan and Proposed Scheduling Order reflecting FRCP 26(f) meet-and-confer results while protecting client interests.

Required Inputs

1. Complaint, answer, amended pleadings — all claims, defenses, counterclaims
2. Meet-and-confer details — date, participating attorneys
3. Court information — court/division, case number, judge, local rules, standing orders
4. Initial disclosures — if exchanged
5. Existing court orders — CMC minutes, scheduling preferences, model templates

Workflow

1. Analyze Discovery Scope

For each claim/defense, identify:

• Elements requiring proof and key disputed facts
• Document types, custodians, and witness categories
• Proportionality under Rule 26(b)(1): importance of issues, amount in controversy, relative access, party resources

2. Draft Document Sections

3. Set ESI Protocol

• Format: Native for spreadsheets/databases; searchable PDF or TIFF+load files for static documents
• Metadata: Author, recipient, dates created/modified, custodian, plus case-specific fields
• Email: Preserve threading and family relationships
• Search: Exchange proposed terms → validate against samples → refine precision/recall; specify TAR if used
• Preservation: Custodians, data sources (email, drives, cloud, mobile, social), time period, departing employee protocols
• Cost allocation: Burden-shifting for disproportionate costs, backup tapes, forensic imaging
• Deduplication: Global vs. custodian-level

4. Define Privilege Framework

5. Set Discovery Limitations

Include format (in-person/remote), location protocols, and cost allocation for reporters/videographers.

6. Build Proposed Schedule

Work backward from anticipated trial date:

Adjust for party count, document volume, expert count, jurisdictional constraints, court availability.

7. Add Modification Provisions

• Fact/expert extensions: by stipulation with court approval if they do not affect dispositive motion or trial dates
• Dispositive/trial changes: court approval, good cause required
• Meet-and-confer required before any modification request
• Optional status conferences at key intervals

8. Assess Phased Discovery

Consider phasing when:

• Jurisdictional or limitations issues are threshold
• Liability and damages are naturally bifurcated
• Multi-defendant cases have distinct factual tracks
• Sampling custodians can inform broader discovery scope

Specify clear phase triggers, transition procedures, and right to modify if phasing proves unworkable.

Pitfalls & Checks

• Cite FRCP 26(f) or state equivalent in introduction; confirm local rule and standing order compliance
• Ground every discovery subject in specific pleading allegations — no generic categories
• Use court-adoptable format ("IT IS HEREBY ORDERED" or separate proposed order)
• Number all paragraphs for easy reference
• Verify all deadlines are internally consistent and comply with local rules
• Check for model plans or templates required by the specific court/judge
• Include certificate of service compliant with applicable rules
• Tone: cooperative where appropriate, protective of client interests where necessary