DISCOVERY REFEREE

As the civil trial calendar overwhelms the trial courts with complex procedural and substantive issues, the courts have sought relief through references to "Discovery Referees" as permitted under California Code of Civil Procedure (C.C.P.) sections 638-645.2. The appointment of a Discovery Referee can be beneficial and cost-effective in complex litigation as these cases can involve issues of confidentiality and privilege and tend to be document intensive. When I am the Discovery Referee, I take a "hands-on" approach and actively manage the case by coordinating discovery and resolving discovery disputes so settlement discussions can be productive... Case Management. I work with the parties in outlining the issues and coordinating a discovery plan. There will be scheduled hearing dates to coordinate discovery, to use as meet and confer sessions, as well as having discovery motions heard. On consent of the parties, I will work with the mediator and the settlement judge in directing..

Primary location: Foster City United States