discovery-plan

# 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

| Section | Contents |
|---|---|
| Caption & Introduction | Court/division, case number, parties, cite to FRCP 26(f) or state equivalent, meet-and-confer date and counsel |
| Discovery Subjects & Scope | Claim-by-claim discovery needs tied to legal elements and factual disputes |
| ESI Protocol | Production formats, metadata, search terms, TAR/predictive coding, preservation |
| Privilege Procedures | FRE 502(d) clawback, privilege log requirements, timing |
| Discovery Limitations | Depositions, interrogatories, RFAs, time/geographic/custodian limits |
| Phased Discovery | If warranted: threshold issues, liability/damages bifurcation, multi-defendant sequencing |
| Proposed Schedule | All milestone deadlines in tabular format |
| Signature Blocks & Certificate of Service | All counsel of record with bar numbers, firm, address, phone, email |

### 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

| Element | Provision |
|---|---|
| Clawback order | FRE 502(d) — inadvertent production does not waive privilege |
| Clawback procedure | Written notice with specificity + privilege basis → return/destroy within 5–10 business days |
| Receiving party duty | Assert within 30 days or before use in deposition/filing |
| Privilege log fields | Date, author, recipients, document type, subject description |
| Log timing | 30 days after each production (or rolling) |
| Categorical exclusions | Consider post-litigation counsel-client and pure legal advice communications |
| Common interest/JDA | Address if applicable |

### 5. Set Discovery Limitations

| Type | Presumptive Limit | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Depositions per side | 10 (adjust for complexity) | Rule 30(a)(2)(A)(i) |
| Deposition duration | 7 hours/deponent | Rule 30(d)(1) |
| Interrogatories | 25 including subparts | Rule 33(a)(1) |
| RFAs | 25–50 (stipulate) | Rule 36 |
| Contention interrogatories | Deferred until close of fact discovery | — |

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

### 6. Build Proposed Schedule

Work backward from anticipated trial date:

| Milestone | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Join parties | +90–120 days from order |
| Amend pleadings | +120–180 days |
| Fact discovery closes | +9–12 months (moderate complexity) |
| Plaintiff expert reports | +30–60 days after fact discovery |
| Defendant expert reports | +60–90 days after plaintiff reports |
| Rebuttal expert reports | +30–45 days after defendant reports |
| Expert depositions complete | +30–45 days after final reports |
| Dispositive motions | +30–45 days after expert discovery |
| Responses | +21–30 days |
| Replies | +14–21 days |
| Motions in limine / jury instructions | –30–45 days before trial |
| Final pretrial conference | –14–30 days before trial |
| Trial | ~18–24 months from order (moderate) |

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