WOOTEN v. LASALLE SOUTHEAST LLC et al

1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
VALDOSTA DIVISION
DAWN WOOTEN, 	:
:
Plaintiff, 	:
v. 	: 	CASE NO.: 7:26-MC-1 (WLS)
:
LASALLE SOUTHEAST LLC, and 	:
DAVID PAULK, 	:
:
Defendants. 	:
:
Order Denying Motion for Remote Appearance
Movant, Plaintiff, and Defendants move jointly to appear remotely at the Court’s
February 17, 2026, hearing on Movant’s motion to quash subpoena. (Doc. 9). Parties claim a
remote hearing is appropriate to promote “efficiency and economy.” (Id. at 2)1. It has long
been the practice in this Court to continue hearings upon motion when Counsel is actively
performing legislative duties while the state legislature is in session.
But it has long been the Court’s practice to require in-person attendance at hearings.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic required accommodations, the Court has returned to its
longstanding practice of requiring in-person attendance absent a showing of extraordinary
circumstances. Parties’ grounds fail to meet this standard. Counsel who practice in this Court
pro hac vice routinely travel to Albany to attend hearings in person. And Parties have not offered
extraordinary circumstances which might warrant a departure from the Court’s longstanding
practice.
1 Of note, Counsel for Movant has conflicting duties in the Georgia legislative session. (Id.) If Counsel
for Movant has an unavoidable conflict on February 17, 2026, she should confer with Plaintiff and
Defendants and file a motion on the record requesting a continuance. Unless there is a timely motion
to continue, the hearing will occur as scheduled.
Case 7:26-mc-00001-WLS Document 10 Filed 02/02/26 Page 1 of 2

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Hence the Motion to Allow Remote Appearance (Doc. 9) is DENIED. The Court
expects Counsel for all Parties to be present—in-person—at the hearing scheduled for
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at the C.B. King United States Courthouse.
SO ORDERED, this 2nd day of February 2026.
/s/ W. Louis Sands
W. LOUIS SANDS, SR. JUDGE
UNITED STATESDISTRICT COURT
Case 7:26-mc-00001-WLS Document 10 Filed 02/02/26 Page 2 of 2