“The motions that defendants filed on March 21, 2011 are hereby granted. Defendants’ reply brief may run to 20 pages,” Tydingco-Gatewood said.
Michael W. Dotts, counsel for former Northern Marianas College regents Janet King and Paz C. Younis, regents Andrew Orsini and Frank Rabauliman, NMC, and John Does 1-10, asked the court to exempt his reply brief from the maximum 10-page rule saying the complexities of the issues would need more pages.
Fernandez sued the defendants for firing her.
Her case is primarily about defamation, wrongful termination and breach of contract.
NMC filed a counter complaint against Fernandez accusing her of breach of contract and fiduciary duty over a number of policy-related issues.
Motions for summary judgment have been filed.
According to Dotts, Fernandez’s opposition brief totaled 40 pages.
“As such, defendants assert exceeding the page limit on their reply is necessary to properly present combined motions…and given the complexities of the issues, and the agreement between the parties, the court should grant the defendants the page limit requested on the reply memorandum,” he said.
The designated judge was persuaded by his argument.
