Minutes | Filed: October 01, 2026
| Entered: October 01, 2026
Sahabir et al v. Etihad Airways P.J.S.C. et al
P.I.: Other | New York Eastern
Initial Conference Hearing ~Util - Set Deadlines
Minute Entry and Order: A second Initial Conference was held via video on 10/1/2026 before Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl. Appearances by Robert Georges for Plaintiffs and Natalie Cox for Defendant. Discussion held regarding case status and discovery. Per this Court's 9/23/2026 order, the parties confirmed that they have held their Rule 26(f) conference and that initial disclosures have been exchanged. The Court also reminded the parties of their obligations to preserve and, if appropriate, produce electronically stored information during discovery. The parties' proposed confidentiality order shall be filed on ECF by 10/15/2026, if needed. As stated on the record, the parties' discovery plan is adopted, in part, as follows. The deadline for joining additional parties and amending the pleadings as of right is 10/15/2026. First requests for documents and interrogatories shall be exchanged by 10/23/2026. Phase I discovery shall be completed by 11/23/2026. Fact discovery shall be completed on or before 2/16/2027. The parties are directed to file a joint status report certifying the close of fact discovery by 2/23/2027. Exchange of expert disclosures shall be completed by 3/17/2027. Expert depositions shall be completed by 4/16/2027. Exchange of rebuttal expert reports shall be completed by 5/3/2027. All expert discovery shall be completed by 5/28/2027, and certification of the completion of all discovery shall be filed on ECF by 6/11/2027. The last date to take the first step in dispositive motion practice is 7/14/2027, and must be done in accordance with the Individual Rules of the presiding judge.
As discussed at the conference, this case has been assigned to a Magistrate Judge pursuant to the Court's Direct Assignment Program, which is governed by Administrative Order 2025-14. By 10/8/2026, the parties must file on ECF either (1) a Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction Consent Form , available at ECF 2 or within the attachment to this Order, or (2) a Direct Assignment Program Acknowledgement Form , indicating that counsel have conferred with their clients and one another regarding consenting to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction, available within the attachment to this Order or at https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/index.php/bulletin-direct-assignment-program . If no consent is received by that date, the Clerk of Court will be directed to randomly assign a District Judge to this case.
The Administrative Order, answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Direct Assignment Program, information about consenting to a Magistrate Judge, and a biography of the Magistrate Judge assigned to this case are on the Court's website on the Direct Assignment Program page, available at https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/bulletin-direct-assignment-program. You may withhold your consent without adverse substantive consequences.
The parties are directed to file a joint status report by 12/3/2026, including an update as to their progress on discovery, any settlement discussions, and whether the case should be referred for mediation or a settlement conference before the Court.Ordered by Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl on 10/1/2026. (Zoom Log #12:20-12:46.) (SS)
Minutes | Filed: September 23, 2026
| Entered: September 23, 2026
Sahabir et al v. Etihad Airways P.J.S.C. et al
P.I.: Other | New York Eastern
Initial Conference Hearing ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings
Minute Entry and Order: An Initial Conference was held via video on 9/23/2026 before Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl. Appearance by Natalie Deneen Cox for Defendant Etihad Airways P.J.S.C. No appearance by Plaintiff. The parties are directed to exchange initial disclosures by 9/29/2026, and to commence discovery in accordance with the submitted case management worksheet at ECF 13 .
In light of Plaintiff's non-appearance, an additional Initial Conference will be held via Zoom on 10/1/2026 at 12:15 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl. The parties are instructed to copy and paste the following link: https://nyed.zoomgov.com/ into a web browser and enter Meeting ID 160 3477 8681 and Passcode 525035 to join the conference. Parties may also join using the Zoom app on a mobile device, using the same Meeting ID. The public can dial the toll-free number 1-646-828-7666 and enter Meeting ID 160 3477 8681 and Passcode 525035. The parties shall dial in five (5) minutes before the scheduled conference. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl on 9/23/2026. (Zoom Log #3:35-3:39.) (SS)