Troy Byer v. Je Caryous Johnson et al
| Texas Southern District Court | |
| Case #: | 4:25-cv-01384 |
| Nature of Suit | 820 Property Rights - Copyrights |
| Cause | 17:101 Copyright Infringement |
| Case Filed: | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Case in other court: | California Central, 2:24-cv-09024 |
| Last checked: Wednesday Mar 26, 2025 9:05 AM CDT |
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Defendant
DOES
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Defendant
Houston AV Productions LLC
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Represented By
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Defendant
IM Ready Foundation, Inc.
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Represented By
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Defendant
J Ent Touring LLC
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Defendant
JJE LLC
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Defendant
Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC
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Represented By
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Defendant
Jent Holdings LLC
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Represented By
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Defendant
Je Caryous Johnson
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Represented By
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Defendant
Super Freak Tours, LLC
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Represented By
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Defendant
The Promoter Co LLC
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
TROY BYER
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Represented By
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| Docket last updated: 03/26/2025 9:20 AM CDT |
| Friday, October 18, 2024 | ||
| 1 | 1
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COMPLAINT Receipt No: BCACDC-38428665 - Fee: $405, filed by Plaintiff TROY BYER. (Attorney John M. Begakis added to party TROY BYER(pty:pla))(Begakis, John)
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CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff TROY BYER. (Begakis, John)
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Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening)1 , Civil Cover Sheet (CV-71)2 filed by Plaintiff TROY BYER. (Begakis, John)
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REPORT ON THE FILING OF AN ACTION regarding a copyright (Initial Notification) filed by TROY BYER. (Begakis, John)
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CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff TROY BYER, (Begakis, John)
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| Monday, October 21, 2024 | ||
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NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr and Magistrate Judge Margo A. Rocconi. (ghap)
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NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (ghap)
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Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (ghap)
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Standing Order upon filing of the complaint by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. (lfa)
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NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Request to Issue Summons RE: Summons Request3 . The following error(s) was found: Please remove et al from the caption of the summons. The summons cannot be issued until this defect has been corrected. Please correct the defect and re-file your request. (ghap)
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Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening)1 , Civil Cover Sheet (CV-71)2 filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer. (Begakis, John)
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| Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | ||
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21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening)1 as to Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., J Ent Touring LLC, JJE LLC, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, Jent Holdings LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC. (rolm)
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| Thursday, December 12, 2024 | ||
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Joint STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to Houston AV Productions LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; IM Ready Foundation, Inc. answer now due 1/13/2025; J Ent Touring LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; JJE LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; Jent Holdings LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; Je Caryous Johnson answer now due 1/13/2025; Super Freak Tours, LLC answer now due 1/13/2025; The Promoter Co LLC answer now due 1/13/2025, filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer.(Begakis, John)
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Att: 1
Proposed Order
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| Friday, December 13, 2024 | ||
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ORDER RE STIPULATION TO EXTEND TIME TO RESPOND TO INITIAL COMPLAINT BY NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS (L.R. 8-3)13 by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. Pursuant to Local Rule 8-3, the parties have stipulated to extend the time to respond to the complaint by no more than thirty (30) days, making the response due by January 13, 2025. The parties should not expect a further extension absent a showing of good cause. (rolm)
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| Monday, January 13, 2025 | ||
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Joint STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to All Defendants, filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer.(Begakis, John)
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Att: 1
Declaration of John Begakis,
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Att: 2
Proposed Order
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| Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | ||
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ORDER GRANTING REQUEST TO EXTEND TIME TO RESPOND TO COMPLAINT by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The Court grants the Stipulation15 . Defendants shall respond to the complaint by 2/12/2025. (gk)
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| Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | ||
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ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The Court sets an in-person Mandatory Scheduling Conference hearing on February 14, 2025, at 8:30 AM before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. SEE ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND DEADLINE TO FILE A JOINT RULE 26(F) REPORT. (lfa)
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| Tuesday, February 04, 2025 | ||
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JOINT REPORT Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan ; estimated length of trial 4-5 days, filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer.. (Begakis, John)
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| Thursday, February 13, 2025 | ||
| 19 | 19 (In Chambers) Order by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The parties claim that they have filed a stipulation on January 31, 2025 to allow Plaintiff to file a first amended complaint. They have not done so. The response to the operative pleading was due on February 12, and Defendants are in default. The parties should act promptly to correct these violations and should be prepared to address them at the scheduling conference on February 14. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (kac) TEXT ONLY ENTRY | |
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Joint STIPULATION to TO AMEND COMPLAINT filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer.(Begakis, John)
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Att: 1
Exhibit A - First Amended Complaint,
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Att: 2
Exhibit B - Redlined Version of First Amended Complaint,
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Att: 3
Proposed Order
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NOTICE of Appearance filed by attorney Samuel C. Means on behalf of Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC (Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party Houston AV Productions LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party Je Caryous Johnson(pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party IM Ready Foundation, Inc. (pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party Super Freak Tours, LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party The Promoter Co LLC(pty:dft), Attorney Samuel C. Means added to party Jent Holdings LLC(pty:dft))(Means, Samuel)
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| Friday, February 14, 2025 | ||
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MINUTES OF Mandatory Scheduling Conference held before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The Court heard from the parties about the contents of their joint Rule 26(f) report. A case management order will be issued separately. The Court approves the parties' stipulation at Dkt. No. 20 to allow Plaintiff leave to file a first amended complaint (FAC). Plaintiff shall file his FAC by 9:00 AM on 2/18/2025. Defendants shall file their motion to dismiss the FAC by 2/21/2025 and notice the motion for hearing on the first available date. The parties are ordered to meet and confer about whether to consent to a magistrate judge. The parties shall file a report on the status of the meet and confer (or the requisite consent form) by no later than 2/21/2024. (SEE DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.) Court Smart: CS 02/14/2025. (gk)
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| Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | ||
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CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The DOE defendants remaining after 4/18/2025 are dismissed by operation of this Order and without further notice. The Court has reviewed the joint Rule 26(f) report and sets the pretrial and trial dates noted in this order based on an evaluation of the complexity of the case. Jury Trial set for 1/5/2026 08:30 AM before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. Final Pretrial Conference and Hearing on Motions in Limine set for 12/19/2025 09:30 AM before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. Motion to Amend Pleadings/Add Parties (Hearing Deadline) 4/18/2025. Non-Expert Discovery cut-off 8/15/2025. Discovery Motion Hearing Deadline19/12/2025. Non-Discovery Motion Hearing Deadline 9/26/2025. Settlement Conference Deadline 10/10/2025. Post-Settlement Status Conference set for 10/24/2025 08:30 AM before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. Joint Status Report due by 10/17/2025. Trial Filings (First Set) Deadline 11/21/2025. Trial Filings (Second Set) Deadline 12/5/2025. (SEE DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.) (gk)
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| Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | ||
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PRETRIAL AND TRIAL ORDER by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. (lfa)
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ORDER RE MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. (lfa)
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| Thursday, February 20, 2025 | ||
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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., J Ent Touring LLC, JJE LLC, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, Jent Holdings LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC amending Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening)1 , filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer(Begakis, John)
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| Friday, February 21, 2025 | ||
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STATUS REPORT [JOINT] filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer. (Begakis, John)
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(Tehrani, Sheena)
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NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction or, in the Alternative, Transfer to the Southern District of Texas filed by Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC. Motion set for hearing on 3/28/2025 at 08:30 AM before Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr.. (Means, Samuel) Modified on 3/24/2025 (gk).
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Att: 1
Declaration DECLARATION OF JECARYOUS JOHNSON IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, TO TRANSFER TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Exhibits A-C to Johnson Declaration,
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Att: 3
Declaration DECLARATION OF SAMUEL C. MEANS IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, TO TRANSFER TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
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Att: 4
Exhibit Exhibits A-B to Means Declaration
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| Monday, February 24, 2025 | ||
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NOTICE OF LODGING filed re NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction or, in the Alternative, Transfer to the Southern District of Texas 29(Means, Samuel)
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Att: 1
Proposed Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss at ECF 29
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Notice filed by Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC. Notice of Errata re Notice of Lodging Dkt. 30(Means, Samuel)
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Att: 1
Exhibit Ex. A to Notice of Errata
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| Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | ||
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NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronic Filed Document RE: Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel (G-123)28 . The following error(s) was/were found: Incomplete docket text; missing name of event and text content. In response to this notice, the Court may: (1) order an amended or correct document to be filed; (2) order the document stricken; or (3) take other action as the Court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the Court directs you to do so. (ak)
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| Thursday, March 06, 2025 | ||
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OPPOSITION re: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction or, in the Alternative, Transfer to the Southern District of Texas 29 filed by Plaintiff Troy Byer.(Begakis, John)
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Att: 1
Declaration OF TROY BYER IN SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF PESONAL JURISDICTION AND IMPROPER VENUE, OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO TRANSFER TO THE SOUTHER DISTRICT OF TEXAS
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| Friday, March 14, 2025 | ||
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REPLY in support of NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction or, in the Alternative, Transfer to the Southern District of Texas 29 filed by Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC.(Means, Samuel)
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Att: 1
Declaration DECLARATION OF JECARYOUS JOHNSON IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS REPLY REGARDING DEFENDANTS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, TO TRANSFER TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
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| Monday, March 17, 2025 | ||
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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Dwayne L. Mason to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-39314784) filed by Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC. (Means, Samuel)
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Att: 1
Proposed Order
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| 36 | 36 (In Chambers) Order by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: The application to appear pro hac vice at Dkt. No. 35 does not include the required certificate of good standing. Counsel shall file his certificate of good standing within seven days. If he fails to do so, the application will be automatically denied without prejudice by operation of this order. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ko) TEXT ONLY ENTRY | |
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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Dwayne L. Mason to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Previously Paid on 3/17/2025, Receipt No. 39314784) filed by Defendants Houston AV Productions LLC, Je Caryous Johnson, Jecaryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC, IM Ready Foundation, Inc., Super Freak Tours, LLC, The Promoter Co LLC, Jent Holdings LLC. (Means, Samuel)
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Att: 1
Proposed Order
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ORDER by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr: Granting37 Non-Resident Attorney Dwayne L. Mason APPLICATION to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Je'Caryous Johnson; Je'Caryous Johnson Entertainment, LLC; I'm Ready Foundation, Inc.; Super Freak On Tour, LLC; The Promoter Co LLC; JENT Holdings LLC; and Houston AV Production LLC, designating Samuel C. Means as local counsel. (es)
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| Thursday, March 20, 2025 | ||
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ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO TRANSFER by Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr.: On balance, the Section 1404(a) factors militate in favor of transfer. Plaintiff, Defendants, and all potential witnesses reside in Texas, and no other factor weighs strongly in favor of requiring the parties to litigate in this district. The motion to transfer29 is granted, and the Court orders this case to be transferred to the Southern District of Texas. Case electronically transferred. (SEE DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.) ( MD JS-6. Case Terminated. ) (gk)
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| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | ||
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Case transferred in from California Central. Case Number 2:24-cv-09024; certified copy of transfer order, certified docket sheet, and transfer letter received
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