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Circuit docket: judge denies discovery sanctions, allows counsel withdrawal and approves minor settlements
Summary
At the Dixon County circuit docket the judge denied a motion for sanctions under Rule 37, granted a counsel-withdrawal request, passed a motion to compel pending production, and approved two minor settlements with specified distributions to trust accounts and attorney fees.
The Dixon County circuit court made several procedural rulings during its docket call, denying a motion for sanctions, granting a withdrawal of counsel, passing a motion to compel for later resolution, and approving two minor settlements.
Discovery dispute and Rule 37: Plaintiff counsel argued there had been about "13 attempts" over nine months to obtain discovery and sought attorney fees. Defense counsel said the defendant no longer had some requested documents and opposed sanctions. The judge ruled: "this court does not find that there has been sufficient proof before the court that would warrant an order finding that the defendant has failed to comply with the discovery rules," and denied the Rule 37 relief.
Counsel withdrawal: Chris Coyne of the Davidson County Bar moved to withdraw after being unable to reach a plaintiff for more than a year; the court granted the request and allowed 45 days for the plaintiff to secure new counsel.
Minor settlements: In a petition for approval of minor settlements arising from an August 19, 2024 t-bone collision, counsel presented medical costs and settlement numbers. For Brantley Martin counsel reported $8,202.78 in medical care and a settlement of $11,468; the court approved allocations including a 40% contingency fee to counsel and funds to be held in an interest-bearing trust. For Ryan Ledford counsel reported $21,033.72 in medical expenses and a $24,585 settlement; the court approved the requested distribution into trust and payment of contingency fees and expenses. The judge asked the mother (the petitioning guardian) if she understood that approval would waive future claims on behalf of the minors and accepted her assent before approving the settlements.
Other motions: A plaintiff reported receipt of handwritten interrogatory responses and expected production later that day; the court agreed to pass the motion to compel as counsel confirmed document delivery arrangements.
Administrative: The court handled additional docket matters including defaults and scheduled future status conferences.
