Order | Filed: August 17, 2026
| Entered: August 17, 2026
HARRIS v. CITY OF EAST ORANGE et al
Civil Rights: Other | New Jersey
Order
TEXT ORDER: The Court held a telephonic status conference in this action on August 17, 2026, which it joined 12 minutes late after being delayed by a discovery dispute in a different matter. While some of the lawyers in this action might have timely joined the teleconference, none bothered to wait for the Court to arrive. After the Court reached plaintiff's counsel through her office staff, plaintiff's counsel called into the conference from her doctor's office but asserted that a medical emergency was underway. Of course, the Court immediately agreed to reschedule the call in light of that emergency. Yet, plaintiff's counsel then confoundingly insisted on proceeding with the call. Even if that made any sense, proceeding with the conference was made impossible by the conduct of the lawyers for the Defendants, who failed to appear or arrived late and unprepared. Specifically, counsel for Defendant Bernal, Abdul Roberts of Jalloh and Jalloh, LLC, failed to appear for the call. But even if he had appeared, Tracy Cosby, counsel for the City of East Orange and all other Defendants, also did not appear. Instead, Ms. Cosby sent a colleague, Ms. Coughlan, who arrived late and unprepared to speak with detail about the status of the case. If Ms. Coughlan intends to appear in this action again, she must, as previously directed, file a notice of appearance. Finally, despite being ordered to do so in the Court's April 21, 2026 Order [D.E. 30], the parties failed to file a joint status letter in advance of the call. Such letters permit the Court to prepare before a conference and maximize efficiency for all. Consequently, the Court will hold an IN-PERSON status conference on September 9, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., in Courtroom 2D of the Martin Luther King Courthouse at 50 Walnut Street, in Newark. All counsel of record shall appear. Also, on or before September 2, 2026, the parties shall file a joint letter detailing the status of discovery, and proposing, if necessary, a FINAL revised schedule for its completion. Failure to comply with this Order will result in sanctions. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on August 17, 2026. (ame)