Sivia
Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla has ordered the plaintiffs in a breach of contract case against Prairie Farms Dairy to file a brief supporting their motion to disclose additional experts by May 25.
Michael and Denise Richter, owners of Rich-Lane Farms, claim that after improving their dairy and buying stock in Prairie Farms as part of a milk marketing agreement, Prairie Farms terminated that agreement in 2005 and "acted in a manner illegal or oppressive" to the plaintiffs as Prairie Farms shareholders.
They sued in 2006.
On May 11 the Richters had asked for more time to file its memorandum, to which Prairie Farms objected.
Hylla ruled in favor of the Richters and wrote that no further extensions would be granted.
He ordered the defense to file its reply by June 11.
Both parties told Hylla about a dispute over the plaintiff's desire to disclose additional experts on March 28. Hylla then continued a case management conference until May 30 and ordered the plaintiff to file a motion for leave to disclose additional experts by April 20.
He ordered the defense to file a response by May 7, and a motion for leave to disclose additional experts to be heard on May 11.
Defense attorney Donald Schoemaker certified Feb. 24 that he mailed documents to fulfill the plaintiff's request for information.
The plaintiffs were ordered to provide affidavits of compliance.
The Richters are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, attorney's fees and costs in a suit they filed in 2006.
Attorney David Antognoli of Edwardsville withdrew his representation of the Richters in May.
Todd Sivia became the lawyer for the Richters on Nov. 4.
Laura Oberkfell also represents Prairie Farms. Shoemaker and Oberkfell both work for Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale in Belleville.
Madison County case number 06-L-892.