DUNN v. WARD et al

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ALBANY DIVISION
CLEVELAND DUNN, 	:
:
Plaintiff, 	:
:
v. 	: 	CASE NO.: 1:19-CV-00093 (WLS-ALS)
:
TIMOTHY WARD, et al., 	:
:
Defendants. 	:
________________________________ 	:
ORDER
Before the Court is the Parties’ Joint Motion for Referral for Judicial Mediation (Doc.
156) (“Motion”). Therein, the Parties notify the Court that Counsel for the Parties have
conferred and agree that it may be productive to conduct a judicially sponsored mediation, if
available, to explore case resolution and, if not possible, to potentially narrow the remaining
issues. They request the mediation take place in the Macon Division. Generally judicial
mediation in this District is conducted by the United States Magistrate Judge in the Division
where the case is pending—here the Albany Division. The Court sees no valid reason requiring
that such practice should be altered in this case.
Accordingly, the Motion (Doc. 156) is GRANTED and subject to United States
Magistrate Judge Alfreda L. Sheppard’s availability, the Court hereby refers the above-styled
case for mediation with Judge Sheppard, or to such other United States Magistrate Judge in
this District if Judge Sheppard declines or defers, subject also to such other Magistrate Judge’s
availability and willingness to conduct such mediation.
The Parties are hereby ORDERED to promptly confer and schedule a mediation
session with Judge Sheppard, or such other Middle District Magistrate Judge who is available
and willing to conduct such mediation. On or before Monday, February 9, 2026, that Parties
shall notify the Court as to who will be conducting the mediation, and if known, the date and
location of the mediation. The Parties are instructed to mediate in good faith and promptly
communicate to the Court the results of the mediation. An executive, officer, representative,
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agent, or individual with final decision making authority for each party shall be present at and
available to participate in the mediation.
SO ORDERED, this 2nd day of February 2026.
/s/W. Louis Sands
W. LOUIS SANDS, SR. JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Case 1:19-cv-00093-WLS-ALS Document 157 Filed 02/02/26 Page 2 of 2