Discovery

• Author: Aaron B. Maduff
• Pages: 325-364

DISCOVERY

14-1 LITIGATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT & SEX DISCRIMINATION CASES §14.1

CHAPTER 14: DISCOVERY

§14.1 TASK: DEVELOP DISCOVERY PLAN

§14.1.1 WHAT AND WHY

A discovery plan is an organizational tool to be used throughout the litigation. It may take various forms, e.g., a

graph, a chart or a calendar. A discovery plan sets out the facts you need to prove, the evidence that will establish those

facts, the method of discovery by which you will obtain the needed evidence, and the anticipated timing of discovery.

A discovery plan will help you:

• Identify all the facts and evidence necessary to refute the elements of each cause of action alleged in the complaint;

 

 

• Develop the evidence you need to prevail on a summary judgment motion.

§14.1.2 WHEN

Prepare your discovery plan and think through the discovery that may be needed even before you respond to

the complaint. Update and revise the plan as the case progresses and evolves.

§14.1.3 HOW

§14.1.3.1 Analyze Case in Terms of Discovery

§14.1.3.1.1 Essential Elements of Claims and Defenses

Create a chart that lists each element of each cause of action alleged in the complaint and each element of





the defenses and to discredit the elements of the case.

   

of the motion, but credibility factors may be included in a separate section of the discovery chart, to note incon-

sistencies in testimony.

Practice Note: Check jury instructions for elements

Jury instructions are an easy and reliable means of determining each element of each cause of action and



§14.1.3.1.2 Consider Various Discovery Methods



• Who should be deposed?

 

• What documents must be obtained?

 

   



    





§14.1.3.1.3 Is it Admissible?



copies necessary? Do you need witnesses to authenticate documents at trial? Will you need a business records



authenticity of business records?

DISCOVERY

§14.1 LITIGATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT & SEX DISCRIMINATION CASES 14-2

Practice Note: Anticipate potential problems

-



anticipating problems at this stage is wise.

§14.1.3.1.4 Calendar Deadlines

Prepare a calendar of upcoming events: the date discovery closes; the dates you plan to serve discovery and





Completing all discovery within the time set by the court and well in advance of the trial date provides a



or prejudicial evidence.

Practice Note: Accomplish “paper” discovery f‌irst

Logically, you will want to accomplish the “paper” discovery before taking depositions. Serving interrog-



    



deposition. While you may ask for an unlimited numbers of documents, consider saving a few of your



§14.1.3.1.5 Estimate Costs



with your client.

Practice Note: If the costs exceed the value of the case, consider settlement early



 

Your client will not appreciate $150,000 in fees and costs on a case you could settle for less than $20,000.

Consider settling the case early.

§14.1.3.2 Create Chart

Put the results of your analysis into a concise chart, with the following headings:

• Date to serve and to receive responses.

• Discovery method.

• Party/third party from whom you anticipate receiving information.

• Evidence sought.

 

• Purpose of the evidence, i.e., what this evidence will be used to prove or disprove.

• Costs of discovery.

§14.1.3.3 Share Plan With Client

Share your discovery plan and estimated costs of discovery with the employer. This will give the company

  

of judgment.

DISCOVERY

14-3 DISCOVERY §14.2

§14.2 TASK: COMPLY WITH RULE 26

§14.2.1 WHAT AND WHY

§14.2.1.1 Mandatory Disclosures

    



• Name, address, and phone number of “each individual likely to have discoverable information that the dis-

closing party may use to support its claims or defenses, unless solely for impeachment,” and the subjects of



• A copy of documents “in the possession, custody or control” of the disclosing party that may be used to support

its claims or defenses;

• A compilation of “damages claimed by the disclosing party, making available for inspection and copying as

    



• Any insurance agreement “under which any person carrying on an insurance business may be liable to satisfy







   



 









the production of data which is “active” or “online.” “Active” data is that which is in use currently by the company



than in paper form, as it is often faster, more accurate and cheaper. In electronic form, the date may be searchable

with various search engines, rather than searchable through the tedium of reading reams and reams of paper.



of production of data electronically as well as the types of data used and maintained by the parties. The new rules

also address a controversial provision about “inadvertent production” wherein the company produces otherwise

privileged information during the litigation. This “safe harbor” for “honest mistakes” may be defeated with a proof

  

under these rules on a party for failing to provide electronically stored information lost as a result of the routine,

good faith operation of an electronic information system.”

    



• Name, address, and phone number of “each individual likely to have discoverable information that the dis-

closing party may use to support its claims or defenses, unless solely for impeachment,” and the subjects of



• A copy of documents “in the possession, custody or control” of the disclosing party that may be used to support

its claims or defenses;

• A compilation of “damages claimed by the disclosing party, making available for inspection and copying as

    



• Any insurance agreement “under which any person carrying on an insurance business may be liable to satisfy







   