Scheduling Conference

[michael_b]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

A Scheduling Conference is set for late next week. What is the purpose of this conference? Must I attend this - it is 120 miles each way? Anything I need to be prepared for?

Thanks.

PS: To answer a previous question about district - it is Central.

[divgradcurl]

Originally Posted by michael_b

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

A Scheduling Conference is set for late next week. What is the purpose of this conference? Must I attend this - it is 120 miles each way? Anything I need to be prepared for?

Thanks.

PS: To answer a previous question about district - it is Central.

At the scheduling conference, as you might expect, the judge will set a schedule -- when discovery will start, when it will end, when experts must be designated, the timing for expert discovery, the timing for dispositive motion, and most likely a trial date. Also, the number of depositions\interrogatories\requests for admission each side gets, whether or not there will be any specific patent disclosures (some districts, like I mentioned earlier, have patent local rules which specify extra patent-specific disclosures -- I don't know if CD CA has adopted any or not, they hadn't a couple of years ago). Also, and most importantly, the court will establish how claim construction will work, and when it will happen, and the schedule for whatever papers the particular judge wants to see with respect to claim construction.

Many judges will allow parties to participate by phone. You should check the local rules and any standing orders or chamber rules your judge has. If you can't find anything, call the clerk to find out if your judge will allow this, and how to call in if he or she does.