Burge v. Wells

Florida Middle District Court
Judge:	Virginia M Hernandez Covington
Referred:	Christopher P Tuite
Case #:	8:24-cv-02955
Nature of Suit	442 Civil Rights - Employment
Cause	42:2000e Job Discrimination (Employment)

Case Filed:

Dec 23, 2024

Docket
Parties (3)

Last checked: Saturday Jun 21, 2025 5:44 AM EDT

Defendant Rick Wells	Represented By Matthew David Stefany contact info Melanie Matamoros Cruz contact info
Mediator Carlos J. Burruezo	Represented By Carlos J. Burruezo Burruezo & Burruezo, PLLC contact info
Plaintiff Tara M. Burge	Represented By G. Ware Cornell, Jr. Cornell & Associates, PA contact info

Docket last updated: 07/13/2025 11:59 PM EDT

Thursday, May 15, 2025
30		30 order Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney Thu 05/15 3:35 PM ENDORSED ORDER re: Defendant's 27 Motion for Withdrawal of Attorney from Case as to attorney Melanie Matamoros Cruz. In light of Defendant's supplemental notice addressing the 3.01(g) conferral requirement ( 29 ), Defendant's motion is granted. Accordingly, the Clerk of Court is directed to terminate Ms. Cruz as Plaintiff's counsel of record. Signed by Magistrate Judge Christopher P. Tuite on 5/15/2025. (MEL) Related: [-]
29		29 3 pgs motion Withdraw Thu 05/15 11:09 AM NOTICE re27 MOTION for Melanie Matamoros Cruz to Withdraw as Attorney , 28 Order by Rick Wells. (Matamoros Cruz, Melanie) Modified text and changed event to notice per chambers on 5/15/2025 (GL) Related: [-]
Monday, May 12, 2025
28		28 order Order Mon 05/12 10:58 AM ENDORSED ORDER re: Defendant's 27 Motion for Withdrawal of Attorney from Case. It appears from Defendant's motion that he was unable to confer with Plaintiff before filing the motion. Local Rule 3.01(g)(3) dictates that where, as here, "the opposing party is unavailable before [a] motion's filing, the movant after filing must try diligently for three days to contact the opposing party" and that "promptly after either contact or expiration of the three days, the movant must supplement the motion with a statement certifying whether the parties have resolved all or part of the motion." M.D. Fla. R. 3.01(g)(3). A review of the docket reveals that Defendant has not complied with this supplementation requirement. Accordingly, no later than May 16, 2025, Defendant shall file a notice stating whether the parties were able to confer and, if so, whether the parties were able to dispose of all or part of the motion. Plaintiff is cautioned in this respect that the purposeful evasion of a communication under Local Rule 3.01(g) may result in the imposition of sanctions. Id. Signed by Magistrate Judge Christopher P. Tuite on 5/12/2025. (MEL) Related: [-]
Monday, May 05, 2025
27		27 3 pgs motion Withdraw as Attorney Mon 05/05 4:27 PM MOTION for Melanie Matamoros Cruz to Withdraw as Attorney by All Defendants. (Matamoros Cruz, Melanie) Related: [-]
Thursday, February 27, 2025
26		26 3 pgs order Order Thu 02/27 3:42 PM ORDER appointing Carlos Burruezo as mediator in this action. The mediation conference is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The Court directs that all counsel, parties, corporate representatives, and any other required claims professionals shall be present at the mediation conference with full authority to negotiate a settlement. The Court does not allow mediation by telephone or video conference. Personal attendance is required. Signed by Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington on 2/27/2025. (MG) Related: [-]
25		25 notice Notice of mediation conference/hearing Thu 02/27 10:04 AM NOTICE of mediation conference/hearing to be held on September 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. before Carlos Burruezo. (Matamoros Cruz, Melanie) Related: [-]
Monday, February 24, 2025
24		24 14 pgs misc Disclosure Statement - LR 3.03 and FRCP 7.1 Mon 02/24 4:16 PM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Tara M. Burge. (Cornell, G.) Related: [-]
Saturday, February 22, 2025
23		23 order Order on Motion to Appear Telephonically / Video Sat 02/22 9:08 AM ENDORSED ORDER denying Defendant's motion for a remote mediation. (Doc. # 22 ). The Court firmly believes that in-person mediations are more productive than video mediations. In-person mediations are appropriate absent truly exigent circumstances, such as serious health concerns. No such concerns are present here. All parties, counsel, and claims representatives must appear in person at the mediation. Signed by Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington on 2/22/2025. (DMD) Related: [-]
Friday, February 21, 2025
22		22 4 pgs motion Appear Telephonically / Video Fri 02/21 3:56 PM Unopposed MOTION to appear by video For a Remote Mediation or for Defendant's Insurance Representative to Appear Remotely by Rick Wells. (Matamoros Cruz, Melanie) Related: [-]
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
21		21 notice Notice of Lead Counsel Designation Wed 02/12 12:13 PM NOTICE of Lead Counsel Designation by G. Ware Cornell, Jr on behalf of Tara M. Burge. Lead Counsel: G Ware Cornell Jr. (Cornell, G.) Related: [-]
Friday, February 07, 2025
20		20 order Case Management Scheduling Order Fri 02/07 4:03 PM CASE MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER: Final Pretrial Conference set for 2/12/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 14 B before Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, Jury Trial set for the March 2026 trial term in Tampa Courtroom 14 B before Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington. Conduct mediation hearing by 9/12/2025. Lead counsel to coordinate dates. Signed by Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington on 2/7/2025. (DAY) Related: [-]
19		19 notice Notice to Counsel of Local Rule Fri 02/07 9:24 AM NOTICE TO COUNSEL G. Ware Cornell, Jr. of Local Rule 2.02(a), which states, "The first paper filed on behalf of a party must designate only one lead counsel who - unless the party changes the designation - remains lead counsel throughout the action." Counsel must file a Notice of Lead Counsel Designation identifying lead counsel. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (JG) Related: [-]
Thursday, February 06, 2025
18		18 misc Disclosure Statement - LR 3.03 and FRCP 7.1 Thu 02/06 4:21 PM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Tara M. Burge. (Cornell, G.) Related: [-]
17		17 misc Amended document (NOT Motion) Thu 02/06 3:58 PM AMENDED document by Rick Wells. Amendment to16 Case Management Report . (Stefany, Matthew) Related: [-]
16		16 misc Case Management Report Thu 02/06 3:11 PM CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT. (Stefany, Matthew) Related: [-]
15		15 misc Disclosure Statement - LR 3.03 and FRCP 7.1 Thu 02/06 3:06 PM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Rick Wells. (Stefany, Matthew) Related: [-]
Thursday, January 30, 2025
14		14 notice Notice of appearance Thu 01/30 4:29 PM NOTICE of Appearance by Melanie Matamoros Cruz on behalf of Rick Wells (Matamoros Cruz, Melanie) Related: [-]
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
13		13 answer Answer to Complaint Wed 01/29 7:15 PM ANSWER and affirmative defenses to 1 Complaint by Rick Wells.(Stefany, Matthew) Related: [-]
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
12		12 notice Notice of appearance Tue 01/21 9:20 AM NOTICE of Appearance and Designation of Lead Counsel by Matthew David Stefany on behalf of Rick Wells (Stefany, Matthew) Modified text on 1/21/2025 (BD) Related: [-]
Friday, January 10, 2025
11		11 order Order Fri 01/10 8:17 AM ENDORSED ORDER: Counsel are directed to meet and confer, in person or by telephone, and by February 12, 2025, file a completed Case Management Report. The Court believes that six to eight months is a sufficient period of time to conduct discovery in the vast majority of cases. If the parties believe that more than eight months will be needed to complete discovery, the parties should provide the Court with a detailed explanation as to why additional time is needed and a timeline for the discovery that is planned. After the Case Management Report is filed, the Court will determine whether a Case Management Hearing is necessary before entry of a Case Management and Scheduling Order. Signed by Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington on 1/10/2025. (DMD) Related: [-]
Thursday, January 09, 2025
10		10 1 pgs service Summons returned executed Thu 01/09 4:56 PM RETURN of service executed on 1/8/2025 by Tara M. Burge as to Rick Wells. (Cornell, G.) Related: [-]
Thursday, December 26, 2024
9		9 notice Notice to Counsel of Local Rule Thu 12/26 8:22 PM NOTICE of Local Rule 3.03, which requires each party to file a disclosure statement. Counsel must make their disclosures using the standard court form. The Disclosure Statement form can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (MEJ) Related: [-]
8		8 notice Notice to Counsel of Local Rule Thu 12/26 8:22 PM NOTICE of Local Rule 1.07(c), which requires lead counsel to file promptly a Notice of a Related Action identifying and describing any related action either pending or closed in the Middle District or elsewhere. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (MEJ) Related: [-]
7		7 notice Notice to Counsel of Local Rule Thu 12/26 8:21 PM NOTICE informing the parties that they may consent to the jurisdiction of a United States magistrate judge by filing Form AO 85 Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge using the event Consent to Jurisdiction of US Magistrate Judge . (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (MEJ) Related: [-]
6		6 order Order Thu 12/26 8:18 PM ENDORSED ORDER: The Court is aware of the notice entered in this case, explaining that Local Rule 3.02(a)(2) requires the filing of a uniform case management report with forty or seventy days, depending on the circumstances of the case. However, under Local Rule 1.01(b), a judge can modify or suspend for all or part of an action the application of any rule, except Rule 1.05(a). This Court finds it beneficial to enter a fast-track scheduling order in certain categories of cases before entry of a case management and scheduling order. Additionally, in cases that are not fast-tracked, this Court finds it efficient to have the parties confer and file case management reports within 14 days after the defendant's responsive pleading is due or within 14 days after a case is removed to this Court. In light of this, the Court hereby suspends Local Rule 3.02(a)(2) in this case. At a time the Court deems appropriate, the Court will enter a further order in this case setting either a deadline to file a completed uniform case management report or various fast-track deadlines for the case. Signed by Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington on 12/26/2024. (MEJ) Related: [-]
5		5 notice Notice to Counsel of Local Rule Thu 12/26 8:18 PM NOTICE of Local Rule 3.02(a)(2), which requires the parties in every civil proceeding, except those described in subsection (d), to file a case management report (CMR) using the uniform form at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. The CMR must be filed (1) within forty days after any defendant appears in an action originating in this court, (2) within forty days after the docketing of an action removed or transferred to this court, or (3) within seventy days after service on the United States attorney in an action against the United States, its agencies or employees. Judges may have a special CMR form for certain types of cases. These forms can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov under the Forms tab for each judge. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (MEJ) Related: [-]
4		4 service Summons issued Thu 12/26 9:52 AM SUMMONS issued as to Rick Wells. (BD) Related: [-]
Monday, December 23, 2024
3		3 service Proposed summons Mon 12/23 2:33 PM PROPOSED summons to be issued by Tara M. Burge.(Cornell, G.) Related: [-]
		Att: 1 Civil Cover Sheet
2		2 utility Case Assigned/Reassigned Mon 12/23 12:36 PM NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington and Magistrate Judge Christopher P. Tuite. New case number: 8:24-cv-2955-VMC-CPT. (ARL) Related: [-]
1		1 cmp Complaint Mon 12/23 11:41 AM COMPLAINT against Rick Wells with Jury Demand (Filing fee $405 receipt number AFLMDC-22850060) filed by Tara M. Burge.(Cornell, G.) Related: [-]

Continue to Create Account