ABN Corporation v. Groupe Pelm International Corporation, 3:23-cv-00004

This case is pending in the Northern District of California and involves ABN Corporation and others (Plaintiffs) against Groupe PELM International Corporation, Christian Pellegrini, Victoria Brieant, and the Law Office of Victoria E. Brieant (Defendants).
The litigation was stayed due to the need to resolve a disqualification of counsel issue; the stay was lifted after disqualification, and default was entered against Groupe PELM.
Defendant Pellegrini, based in Canada, has not yet appeared, and there is a pending Order to Show Cause regarding his default.
The Brieant Defendants were previously counsel for GP Defendants but are now represented by separate counsel and are not in default.
The current order resolves several discovery disputes involving requests to compel responses, assertions of privilege, and the effect of default status on discovery duties.
The court declined to resolve privilege issues or compel discovery against defaulted parties or those whose status remains uncertain, and ordered logistical steps for parties to resolve unresolved discovery issues.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether Canadian/Quebec blocking statutes bar discovery	Defendants are subject to jurisdiction, so U.S. rules apply	Blocking statutes require letters rogatory for discovery	Blocking statutes do not preclude U.S. discovery; argument rejected
Compelling discovery from defaulted party (Groupe PELM)	Sought to compel discovery	Party in default; not required to respond	Denied; defaulted parties are treated as non-parties
Compelling discovery from Pellegrini (not yet appeared)	Sought to compel discovery	Not appeared; status uncertain	Denied without prejudice; can be raised if he appears
Compelling Brieant Defendants to provide verifications/logs	Sought compliance, questioned privilege log	Claimed attorney-client privilege applies	Brieant must promptly provide verifications; privilege issues stayed
Removing confidentiality/designation on witness	N/A	Sought to remove confidentiality	Denied as defendant is in default
Compelling discovery from Williams (plaintiff's counsel)	N/A	Sought to compel further responses	Denied as defendant is in default

Jules Jordan Video, Inc. v. 144942 Canada Inc., 617 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 2010) (Defaulted parties are treated as non-parties for discovery purposes)