[sheet: Index Header]

Field	Value
Document Title	Master Document Index — Calderwood & Harkness LLP Work Product File
Matter Name	Vantor Holdings Corp. v. Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
Case Number	22-cv-07841 (S.D.N.Y.)
Matter Number	1012-00005
Client	Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
Presiding Judge	Hon. Margaret T. Calloway, U.S.D.J.
Responsible Partner	Samuel Eklund
Billing Partner	Linda Osei
Prepared By	Helen Tsao, Senior Paralegal
Date Prepared	January 10, 2025
Classification	Confidential — Attorney Work Product / Attorney-Client Privileged
Total Documents Indexed	150
Categories	13

[sheet: I. Engagement & Admin]

Doc #	Title	Date	Author / From	To / Recipient	Format	Description
1	Engagement Letter — Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.	September 1, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Tobias Wren (SLG)	docx	Formal engagement letter setting forth scope (defense of Vantor v. Stonefield, 22-cv-07841), billing rates (with 10% Ridgeline portfolio discount on associate rates), staffing, estimated budget range, and terms of representation under NY law.
2	Conflict Check Memorandum	August 29, 2022	Linda Osei	Samuel Eklund	docx	Internal memo confirming conflicts clearance for representation of Stonefield against Vantor Holdings Corp.; notes no prior matters involving Vantor or its affiliates; confirms Ridgeline existing-client clearance.
3	New Matter Intake Form	September 1, 2022	Helen Tsao	C&H Records / Finance	docx	Internal intake form: Matter No. 1012-00005; client Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.; matter type Litigation (General); responsible partner Eklund; billing partner Osei.
4	Litigation Hold Memorandum to Client	September 2, 2022	Patrick Gallagher	Tobias Wren, Priya Ramachandran, Carlos Medina, Janet Kirkwood, Raymond Hess (SLG)	docx	Instructs SLG personnel to preserve all documents and ESI related to the Vantor relationship, TSA, termination, and related communications; details categories of documents subject to hold.
5	Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Kirkwood	September 6, 2022	Janet Kirkwood	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
6	Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Hess	September 5, 2022	Raymond Hess	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
7	Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Medina	September 7, 2022	Carlos Medina	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
8	Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Ramachandran	September 6, 2022	Priya Ramachandran	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
9	Budget Memorandum — Preliminary Litigation Budget	September 12, 2022	Linda Osei	Tobias Wren, Alison Trang (Ridgeline)	xlsx	Preliminary budget for defense through summary judgment: estimated $3.5M–$5.2M in fees; $400K–$750K in costs/disbursements; broken out by phase (pleadings, discovery, depositions, experts, dispositive motions, trial prep).
10	Quarterly Billing Summary — Q4 2022	January 15, 2023	Linda Osei	Tobias Wren	xlsx	Summary of fees ($487,250) and disbursements ($42,180) for Oct.–Dec. 2022.
11	Quarterly Billing Summary — Q1 2023	April 14, 2023	Linda Osei	Tobias Wren	xlsx	Summary of fees ($612,400) and disbursements ($78,340) for Jan.–Mar. 2023.
12	Quarterly Billing Summary — Q2 2023	July 15, 2023	Linda Osei	Tobias Wren	xlsx	Summary of fees ($891,700) and disbursements ($194,620) for Apr.–Jun. 2023 (heavy discovery period).

[sheet: II. Case Assessment & Strategy]

Doc #	Title	Date	Author / From	To / Recipient	Format	Description
13	Preliminary Case Assessment Memorandum	September 9, 2022	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund, Linda Osei	docx	18-page analysis of the Complaint, TSA provisions, and Stonefield's termination; assesses strength of 'for Cause' termination defense; identifies key risks (Kirkwood email re volume diversion; rate adjustment motive); recommends filing Rule 12(b)(6) motion targeting liquidated damages and lost profits claims.
14	TSA Contract Review Memorandum	September 14, 2022	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund	docx	Detailed 22-page analysis of TSA terms, focusing on Section 13.1 (Termination for Cause), Section 14.2 (liquidated damages), Section 12.1 (Force Majeure), Section 7.4 (Substitute Equipment), and Schedule C (Exclusivity). Identifies ambiguity in 'material breach' definition and cure standard.
15	Memorandum re Enforceability of Liquidated Damages Clause Under NY Law	September 19, 2022	Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher	docx	Research memo analyzing NY law on enforceability of liquidated damages provisions; discusses two-part test; assesses likelihood of court finding $67.23M liquidated damages clause is an unenforceable penalty. Concludes: 'moderate' chance of unenforceability finding.
16	Memorandum re Force Majeure Defense — ACV Shortfall	September 22, 2022	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund	docx	Analysis of Stonefield's invocation of force majeure under Section 12.1 for COVID-19 freight demand impact (April–September 2020); concludes invocation was timely and proper; adjusted CY2 ACV of $21.6M well exceeded by $31.8M in actual tenders.
17	Defense Strategy Outline	September 26, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Tobias Wren, Alison Trang	docx	High-level litigation strategy memorandum: (1) file MTD on liquidated damages and lost profits; (2) build factual record of VTS operational failures through discovery; (3) retain damages rebuttal expert; (4) pursue summary judgment on Cause termination; (5) contingency: explore settlement if discovery produces adverse facts on rate-adjustment motive.
18	Email — Initial Assessment Discussion with Client	September 10, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Tobias Wren, Marcus Denton	eml	Email summarizing initial impressions and scheduling in-person strategy session for Sept. 15.
19	Meeting Notes — Strategy Session (Sept. 15, 2022)	September 15, 2022	Helen Tsao	File	docx	Notes from in-person meeting at SLG Fort Worth offices. Attendees: Eklund, Gallagher (C&H, via video); Denton, Wren, Ramachandran, Medina, Kirkwood, Hess (SLG). Discussed timeline of Vantor failures, cure process, Kirkwood email context, rate adjustment awareness. Kirkwood stated volume diversion was to 'non-Primary Lanes only' and was responsive to VTS tender rejections.
20	Memorandum re Exclusivity Analysis — Schedule C Lanes	September 30, 2022	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Analysis of 14 'Primary Lanes' in Schedule C; maps Cascade Freight Systems and Briarwood Trucking usage to Lanes 8–14; concludes Lanes 8–14 are classified as 'Secondary Lanes' and not subject to exclusivity restrictions under Schedule C, Section 2(b).
21	Email — Ridgeline Board Update	October 3, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Alison Trang, Douglas Whitmore (Ridgeline)	eml	Privileged email updating Ridgeline on initial assessment, litigation strategy, and budget; requests authorization for expert retention.
22	Research Memorandum — Pretext and Good Faith in Termination for Cause	October 7, 2022	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund	docx	Memo analyzing NY case law on 'pretextual' terminations; concludes that even if Stonefield had mixed motives (cost savings + genuine performance concerns), termination remains valid if objective Cause existed at the time of termination; burden on Vantor to show no Cause existed.

[sheet: III. Pleadings & Court Filings]

Doc #	Title	Date	Author / From	To / Recipient	Format	Description
23	Notice of Appearance — Calderwood & Harkness LLP	September 8, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Clerk, S.D.N.Y.	docx	Notice of appearance on behalf of defendant Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
24	Draft Motion to Dismiss (Rule 12(b)(6)) — Internal Working Draft	September 28, 2022	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund	docx	First draft of MTD arguing: (i) liquidated damages clause is unenforceable penalty; (ii) lost profits claim fails to plead damages with requisite certainty.
25	Revised Draft Motion to Dismiss	October 5, 2022	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund	docx	Revised draft incorporating Eklund's comments; refined penalty argument; added alternative argument that liquidated damages and lost profits are duplicative. [Redline of Doc. 24]
26	Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Final	October 14, 2022	Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher	Court (Filed)	docx	28-page memorandum filed with the Court; argues the liquidated damages clause in Section 14.2 constitutes an unenforceable penalty under NY law and that the lost profits claim is inadequately pled.
27	Declaration of Samuel Eklund in Support of Motion to Dismiss	October 14, 2022	Samuel Eklund	Court (Filed)	docx	Attorney declaration attaching TSA (Ex. A) and Cure Notice (Ex. B).
28	Analysis of Vantor's Opposition to Motion to Dismiss	November 22, 2022	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund	docx	Internal memo analyzing Vantor's opposition brief; identifies strong and weak arguments; recommends approach for reply.
29	Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Draft	November 29, 2022	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund	docx	Draft reply addressing Vantor's opposition; distinguishes cited cases; argues Vantor conflates enforceability analysis with factual merits.
30	Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Final	December 5, 2022	Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher	Court (Filed)	docx	Filed reply memorandum. (Note: Motion was denied as moot Dec. 16, 2022, following filing of Amended Complaint.)
31	Internal Memorandum — Analysis of Amended Complaint	December 5, 2022	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund	docx	Analysis of Vantor's Amended Complaint filed Dec. 2, 2022; identifies new allegations of Stonefield volume shortfall breach, lane exclusivity violations, and pretextual termination motive (rate adjustment avoidance); recommends not filing renewed MTD in favor of answering and building factual record.
32	Draft Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Complaint	December 19, 2022	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund	docx	First draft of Answer; includes 14 affirmative defenses (valid termination for Cause, unenforceable penalty, failure to mitigate, force majeure, unclean hands, contributory breach, waiver, estoppel, setoff, among others).
33	Revised Draft Answer and Affirmative Defenses	January 4, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund	docx	Revised draft incorporating Eklund's edits and client comments from Tobias Wren. [Redline of Doc. 32]
34	Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaim — Final (Filed)	January 13, 2023	Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher	Court (Filed)	docx	42-page Answer denying Vantor's material allegations; asserting 14 affirmative defenses; asserting counterclaim for declaratory judgment that Stonefield's termination of the TSA was valid and for Cause, that no liquidated damages are owed, and that any material breach was committed by VTS.
35	Memorandum re Counterclaim Strategy	January 6, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund	docx	Internal memo analyzing merits and strategic value of declaratory judgment counterclaim; concludes it frames the narrative, preserves right to affirmative relief, and positions SLG for summary judgment.
36	Analysis of Vantor's Answer to Counterclaim	February 1, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Brief memo noting Vantor's denials and affirmative defenses to counterclaim; no surprises.
37	Joint Proposed Case Management Plan	February 7, 2023	Patrick Gallagher (jointly with Jason Whitford, CRS)	Court	docx	Jointly submitted proposed discovery schedule and case management plan.
38	Letter Brief re Initial Pretrial Conference	February 9, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Hon. Margaret T. Calloway	docx	Pre-conference letter summarizing defendant's position on case management, proposed schedules, and anticipated discovery issues.
39	Case Management Order — Annotated Copy	February 17, 2023	Simone Laroche	File	docx	C&H's annotated copy of Judge Calloway's CMO with internal deadline tracking and notes on key provisions. Fact discovery deadline: Sept. 29, 2023; expert discovery deadline: Jan. 12, 2024; dispositive motions: Mar. 1, 2024.
40	Letter to Court re Vantor's Failure to Retain Counsel	January 8, 2024	Samuel Eklund	Hon. Margaret T. Calloway	docx	Letter advising the Court that Vantor has failed to retain substitute counsel by the December 17, 2023 deadline; requesting status conference and consideration of dismissal for failure to prosecute under FRCP 41(b).
41	Draft Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute (FRCP 41(b))	January 15, 2024	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund	docx	Internal draft of motion; held in reserve pending Court's action on Order to Show Cause.
42	Memorandum re Strategy Following Vantorovich Pro Se Appearance	February 14, 2024	Patrick Gallagher	Samuel Eklund, Linda Osei	docx	Analysis of implications of Vantorovich's pro se appearance on Feb. 12; notes corporate entity cannot appear pro se in federal court; recommends monitoring deadline and preparing renewed motion to dismiss.

[sheet: IV. Discovery — Propounded]

Doc #	Title	Date	Author / From	To / Recipient	Format	Description
43	Defendant's First Set of Interrogatories to Plaintiff	March 6, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	25 interrogatories targeting Vantor's damages calculations, mitigation efforts, fleet deployment decisions, and basis for 'pretextual termination' allegation.
44	Defendant's First Request for Production of Documents	March 6, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	38 document requests covering: VTS internal communications re SLG account; fleet records; financial statements; mitigation efforts; communications with alternative shippers; Vantor board minutes; expert retention documents.
45	Defendant's Second Request for Production of Documents	May 5, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	12 targeted requests focusing on: VTS fleet redeployment records (Q3–Q4 2021); communications between Milescu and Vantorovich re SLG dedicated capacity; VTS contracts with shippers to whom fleet was redirected; VTS driver termination records (post-March 2022).
46	Defendant's First Set of Requests for Admission	March 6, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	30 RFAs addressing: VTS's Q4 2021 performance metrics; receipt and content of Cure Notice; failure to cure within 30 days; VTS's removal of tractors from SLG dedicated lanes; applicability of force majeure clause.
47	Defendant's Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition Notice — Vantor	June 15, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	Notice designating 12 topics for corporate deposition of Vantor/VTS, including: fleet management decisions; SLG contract performance; damages calculation methodology; mitigation efforts; corporate structure and decision-making.
48	Defendant's Subpoena Duces Tecum — Cascade Freight Systems Inc.	June 28, 2023	Simone Laroche	Cascade Freight Systems Inc.	docx	Third-party subpoena seeking contracts and communications between Cascade and Stonefield for Lanes 8–14; intended to demonstrate non-Primary Lane usage.
49	Defendant's Subpoena Duces Tecum — Briarwood Trucking Co.	June 28, 2023	Simone Laroche	Briarwood Trucking Co.	docx	Third-party subpoena seeking same categories as Cascade subpoena.
50	Cover Letter re Defendant's Document Production (First Production)	April 14, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	Cover letter accompanying Stonefield's first production of 42,387 documents (approx. 186,000 pages) via Pinnacle Forensics review platform; includes Bates range index (SLG-000001 through SLG-042387) and privilege log reference.
51	Privilege Log — Stonefield First Production	April 14, 2023	Simone Laroche, Helen Tsao	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	xlsx	Log of 1,247 documents withheld on privilege grounds (attorney-client privilege and/or work product); entries include date, author, recipient, subject-matter description, and privilege basis.
52	Supplemental Privilege Log	June 30, 2023	Simone Laroche, Helen Tsao	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	xlsx	Supplemental log adding 218 documents identified during second-phase review.
53	Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's First Set of Interrogatories	April 14, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	Stonefield's responses and objections to Vantor's 25 interrogatories; substantive responses to factual questions regarding termination decision, cure process, volume tenders, and carrier diversification.
54	Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's First Request for Production	April 14, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	Responses and objections to Vantor's 38 RFPs; identifies categories of produced documents by Bates range; asserts objections to 7 requests as overbroad or seeking privileged material.
55	Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's Requests for Admission	April 14, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor)	docx	Responses to 25 RFAs; admits certain undisputed facts (e.g., existence and execution of TSA); denies allegations of pretextual motive and volume shortfall breach; qualifies responses re VTS performance data.

[sheet: V. Discovery — Received]

Doc #	Title	Date	Author / From	To / Recipient	Format	Description
56	Analysis of Vantor's Interrogatory Responses	May 8, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund	docx	Memo analyzing Vantor's responses to SLG's First Interrogatories; identifies evasive answers on mitigation efforts (Interrog. 14) and fleet redeployment decisions (Interrog. 9); recommends motion to compel supplementation.
57	Analysis of Vantor's First Document Production	May 12, 2023	Simone Laroche, Kara Nystrom	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo summarizing key documents in Vantor's production of 28,914 documents; highlights Milescu-Vantorovich November 12, 2021 email (VHC-008417); identifies gaps in fleet records and financial data.
58	Key Document Index — Vantor Production	May 15, 2023	Kara Nystrom, Helen Tsao	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	xlsx	Indexed compilation of 87 'hot' documents from Vantor's production, organized by topic (fleet decisions, SLG communications, internal strategy, financial records).
59	Memorandum re 'Smoking Gun' Email Analysis (VHC-008417)	May 14, 2023	Simone Laroche	Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher	docx	Detailed analysis of Milescu's November 12, 2021 email stating VTS 'pulled 85 tractors off the SLG dedicated lanes'; argues this demonstrates intentional, undisclosed breach by VTS and undermines Vantor's claim that performance deficiencies were caused by SLG volume shortfalls.
60	Meet-and-Confer Letter re discovery Deficiencies	May 30, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Jason Whitford (CRS)	docx	Letter identifying deficiencies in Vantor's discovery responses and document production; demands supplemental responses to Interrogatories 9, 14, and 18; demands production of fleet redeployment records responsive to Second RFP Nos. 1–5.
61	Discovery Dispute Letter Brief to Court	June 5, 2023	Patrick Gallagher	Hon. Margaret T. Calloway	docx	Letter brief requesting Court intervention re Vantor's refusal to produce fleet redeployment records; argues documents are directly relevant to material breach and mitigation issues.
62	Analysis of Court's June 9, 2023 discovery Order	June 12, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo analyzing Judge Calloway's order compelling production of fleet redeployment records; notes favorable language regarding relevance of VTS's unilateral capacity reduction.
63	Analysis of Vantor's Supplemental Production	July 3, 2023	Kara Nystrom, Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo summarizing Vantor's supplemental production of 4,218 documents (VHC-029001 through VHC-033218); identifies key fleet management documents showing VTS redirected 85 tractors to Northwind Distribution Co. account in October 2021.
64	Key Document Index — Vantor Supplemental Production	July 5, 2023	Kara Nystrom	Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche	xlsx	Index of 34 additional 'hot' documents from supplemental production.
65	Analysis of Vantor's RFA Responses	May 10, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo noting Vantor's qualified denials and evasive responses to key RFAs; identifies admissions useful for summary judgment (e.g., admission that on-time pickup rate was 78.2% in Q4 2021).
66	Analysis of Cascade Freight Systems Subpoena Response	August 1, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo analyzing documents produced by Cascade confirming Stonefield's use of Cascade was limited to Lanes 8–14 (Secondary Lanes); supports non-exclusivity defense.
67	Analysis of Briarwood Trucking Co. Subpoena Response	August 3, 2023	Simone Laroche	Patrick Gallagher	docx	Memo analyzing Briarwood's production; confirms similar lane-specific usage on Secondary Lanes.
68	eDiscovery Status Report	April 10, 2023	David Moretti	Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund	docx	Report on Pinnacle Forensics (Project ID: PF-SLG-2022-0914) processing and review metrics: 186,000 pages processed; 42,387 documents produced; 1,247 documents logged as privileged; 6,842 documents flagged for attorney review; TAR 2.0 model achieving 91.3% recall rate.

[sheet: Index Header]
Field | Value
Document Title | Master Document Index — Calderwood & Harkness LLP Work Product File
Matter Name | Vantor Holdings Corp. v. Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
Case Number | 22-cv-07841 (S.D.N.Y.)
Matter Number | 1012-00005
Client | Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
Presiding Judge | Hon. Margaret T. Calloway, U.S.D.J.
Responsible Partner | Samuel Eklund
Billing Partner | Linda Osei
Prepared By | Helen Tsao, Senior Paralegal
Date Prepared | January 10, 2025
Classification | Confidential — Attorney Work Product / Attorney-Client Privileged
Total Documents Indexed | 150
Categories | 13
[sheet: I. Engagement & Admin]
Doc # | Title | Date | Author / From | To / Recipient | Format | Description
1 | Engagement Letter — Stonefield Logistics Group Inc. | September 1, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Tobias Wren (SLG) | docx | Formal engagement letter setting forth scope (defense of Vantor v. Stonefield, 22-cv-07841), billing rates (with 10% Ridgeline portfolio discount on associate rates), staffing, estimated budget range, and terms of representation under NY law.
2 | Conflict Check Memorandum | August 29, 2022 | Linda Osei | Samuel Eklund | docx | Internal memo confirming conflicts clearance for representation of Stonefield against Vantor Holdings Corp.; notes no prior matters involving Vantor or its affiliates; confirms Ridgeline existing-client clearance.
3 | New Matter Intake Form | September 1, 2022 | Helen Tsao | C&H Records / Finance | docx | Internal intake form: Matter No. 1012-00005; client Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.; matter type Litigation (General); responsible partner Eklund; billing partner Osei.
4 | Litigation Hold Memorandum to Client | September 2, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher | Tobias Wren, Priya Ramachandran, Carlos Medina, Janet Kirkwood, Raymond Hess (SLG) | docx | Instructs SLG personnel to preserve all documents and ESI related to the Vantor relationship, TSA, termination, and related communications; details categories of documents subject to hold.
5 | Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Kirkwood | September 6, 2022 | Janet Kirkwood | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
6 | Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Hess | September 5, 2022 | Raymond Hess | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
7 | Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Medina | September 7, 2022 | Carlos Medina | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
8 | Litigation Hold Acknowledgment — Ramachandran | September 6, 2022 | Priya Ramachandran | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Signed acknowledgment of litigation hold obligations.
9 | Budget Memorandum — Preliminary Litigation Budget | September 12, 2022 | Linda Osei | Tobias Wren, Alison Trang (Ridgeline) | xlsx | Preliminary budget for defense through summary judgment: estimated $3.5M–$5.2M in fees; $400K–$750K in costs/disbursements; broken out by phase (pleadings, discovery, depositions, experts, dispositive motions, trial prep).
10 | Quarterly Billing Summary — Q4 2022 | January 15, 2023 | Linda Osei | Tobias Wren | xlsx | Summary of fees ($487,250) and disbursements ($42,180) for Oct.–Dec. 2022.
11 | Quarterly Billing Summary — Q1 2023 | April 14, 2023 | Linda Osei | Tobias Wren | xlsx | Summary of fees ($612,400) and disbursements ($78,340) for Jan.–Mar. 2023.
12 | Quarterly Billing Summary — Q2 2023 | July 15, 2023 | Linda Osei | Tobias Wren | xlsx | Summary of fees ($891,700) and disbursements ($194,620) for Apr.–Jun. 2023 (heavy discovery period).
[sheet: II. Case Assessment & Strategy]
Doc # | Title | Date | Author / From | To / Recipient | Format | Description
13 | Preliminary Case Assessment Memorandum | September 9, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund, Linda Osei | docx | 18-page analysis of the Complaint, TSA provisions, and Stonefield's termination; assesses strength of 'for Cause' termination defense; identifies key risks (Kirkwood email re volume diversion; rate adjustment motive); recommends filing Rule 12(b)(6) motion targeting liquidated damages and lost profits claims.
14 | TSA Contract Review Memorandum | September 14, 2022 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund | docx | Detailed 22-page analysis of TSA terms, focusing on Section 13.1 (Termination for Cause), Section 14.2 (liquidated damages), Section 12.1 (Force Majeure), Section 7.4 (Substitute Equipment), and Schedule C (Exclusivity). Identifies ambiguity in 'material breach' definition and cure standard.
15 | Memorandum re Enforceability of Liquidated Damages Clause Under NY Law | September 19, 2022 | Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher | docx | Research memo analyzing NY law on enforceability of liquidated damages provisions; discusses two-part test; assesses likelihood of court finding $67.23M liquidated damages clause is an unenforceable penalty. Concludes: 'moderate' chance of unenforceability finding.
16 | Memorandum re Force Majeure Defense — ACV Shortfall | September 22, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund | docx | Analysis of Stonefield's invocation of force majeure under Section 12.1 for COVID-19 freight demand impact (April–September 2020); concludes invocation was timely and proper; adjusted CY2 ACV of $21.6M well exceeded by $31.8M in actual tenders.
17 | Defense Strategy Outline | September 26, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Tobias Wren, Alison Trang | docx | High-level litigation strategy memorandum: (1) file MTD on liquidated damages and lost profits; (2) build factual record of VTS operational failures through discovery; (3) retain damages rebuttal expert; (4) pursue summary judgment on Cause termination; (5) contingency: explore settlement if discovery produces adverse facts on rate-adjustment motive.
18 | Email — Initial Assessment Discussion with Client | September 10, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Tobias Wren, Marcus Denton | eml | Email summarizing initial impressions and scheduling in-person strategy session for Sept. 15.
19 | Meeting Notes — Strategy Session (Sept. 15, 2022) | September 15, 2022 | Helen Tsao | File | docx | Notes from in-person meeting at SLG Fort Worth offices. Attendees: Eklund, Gallagher (C&H, via video); Denton, Wren, Ramachandran, Medina, Kirkwood, Hess (SLG). Discussed timeline of Vantor failures, cure process, Kirkwood email context, rate adjustment awareness. Kirkwood stated volume diversion was to 'non-Primary Lanes only' and was responsive to VTS tender rejections.
20 | Memorandum re Exclusivity Analysis — Schedule C Lanes | September 30, 2022 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Analysis of 14 'Primary Lanes' in Schedule C; maps Cascade Freight Systems and Briarwood Trucking usage to Lanes 8–14; concludes Lanes 8–14 are classified as 'Secondary Lanes' and not subject to exclusivity restrictions under Schedule C, Section 2(b).
21 | Email — Ridgeline Board Update | October 3, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Alison Trang, Douglas Whitmore (Ridgeline) | eml | Privileged email updating Ridgeline on initial assessment, litigation strategy, and budget; requests authorization for expert retention.
22 | Research Memorandum — Pretext and Good Faith in Termination for Cause | October 7, 2022 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund | docx | Memo analyzing NY case law on 'pretextual' terminations; concludes that even if Stonefield had mixed motives (cost savings + genuine performance concerns), termination remains valid if objective Cause existed at the time of termination; burden on Vantor to show no Cause existed.
[sheet: III. Pleadings & Court Filings]
Doc # | Title | Date | Author / From | To / Recipient | Format | Description
23 | Notice of Appearance — Calderwood & Harkness LLP | September 8, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Clerk, S.D.N.Y. | docx | Notice of appearance on behalf of defendant Stonefield Logistics Group Inc.
24 | Draft Motion to Dismiss (Rule 12(b)(6)) — Internal Working Draft | September 28, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund | docx | First draft of MTD arguing: (i) liquidated damages clause is unenforceable penalty; (ii) lost profits claim fails to plead damages with requisite certainty.
25 | Revised Draft Motion to Dismiss | October 5, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund | docx | Revised draft incorporating Eklund's comments; refined penalty argument; added alternative argument that liquidated damages and lost profits are duplicative. [Redline of Doc. 24]
26 | Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Final | October 14, 2022 | Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher | Court (Filed) | docx | 28-page memorandum filed with the Court; argues the liquidated damages clause in Section 14.2 constitutes an unenforceable penalty under NY law and that the lost profits claim is inadequately pled.
27 | Declaration of Samuel Eklund in Support of Motion to Dismiss | October 14, 2022 | Samuel Eklund | Court (Filed) | docx | Attorney declaration attaching TSA (Ex. A) and Cure Notice (Ex. B).
28 | Analysis of Vantor's Opposition to Motion to Dismiss | November 22, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund | docx | Internal memo analyzing Vantor's opposition brief; identifies strong and weak arguments; recommends approach for reply.
29 | Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Draft | November 29, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund | docx | Draft reply addressing Vantor's opposition; distinguishes cited cases; argues Vantor conflates enforceability analysis with factual merits.
30 | Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Final | December 5, 2022 | Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher | Court (Filed) | docx | Filed reply memorandum. (Note: Motion was denied as moot Dec. 16, 2022, following filing of Amended Complaint.)
31 | Internal Memorandum — Analysis of Amended Complaint | December 5, 2022 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund | docx | Analysis of Vantor's Amended Complaint filed Dec. 2, 2022; identifies new allegations of Stonefield volume shortfall breach, lane exclusivity violations, and pretextual termination motive (rate adjustment avoidance); recommends not filing renewed MTD in favor of answering and building factual record.
32 | Draft Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Complaint | December 19, 2022 | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund | docx | First draft of Answer; includes 14 affirmative defenses (valid termination for Cause, unenforceable penalty, failure to mitigate, force majeure, unclean hands, contributory breach, waiver, estoppel, setoff, among others).
33 | Revised Draft Answer and Affirmative Defenses | January 4, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund | docx | Revised draft incorporating Eklund's edits and client comments from Tobias Wren. [Redline of Doc. 32]
34 | Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaim — Final (Filed) | January 13, 2023 | Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher | Court (Filed) | docx | 42-page Answer denying Vantor's material allegations; asserting 14 affirmative defenses; asserting counterclaim for declaratory judgment that Stonefield's termination of the TSA was valid and for Cause, that no liquidated damages are owed, and that any material breach was committed by VTS.
35 | Memorandum re Counterclaim Strategy | January 6, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund | docx | Internal memo analyzing merits and strategic value of declaratory judgment counterclaim; concludes it frames the narrative, preserves right to affirmative relief, and positions SLG for summary judgment.
36 | Analysis of Vantor's Answer to Counterclaim | February 1, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Brief memo noting Vantor's denials and affirmative defenses to counterclaim; no surprises.
37 | Joint Proposed Case Management Plan | February 7, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher (jointly with Jason Whitford, CRS) | Court | docx | Jointly submitted proposed discovery schedule and case management plan.
38 | Letter Brief re Initial Pretrial Conference | February 9, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Hon. Margaret T. Calloway | docx | Pre-conference letter summarizing defendant's position on case management, proposed schedules, and anticipated discovery issues.
39 | Case Management Order — Annotated Copy | February 17, 2023 | Simone Laroche | File | docx | C&H's annotated copy of Judge Calloway's CMO with internal deadline tracking and notes on key provisions. Fact discovery deadline: Sept. 29, 2023; expert discovery deadline: Jan. 12, 2024; dispositive motions: Mar. 1, 2024.
40 | Letter to Court re Vantor's Failure to Retain Counsel | January 8, 2024 | Samuel Eklund | Hon. Margaret T. Calloway | docx | Letter advising the Court that Vantor has failed to retain substitute counsel by the December 17, 2023 deadline; requesting status conference and consideration of dismissal for failure to prosecute under FRCP 41(b).
41 | Draft Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute (FRCP 41(b)) | January 15, 2024 | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund | docx | Internal draft of motion; held in reserve pending Court's action on Order to Show Cause.
42 | Memorandum re Strategy Following Vantorovich Pro Se Appearance | February 14, 2024 | Patrick Gallagher | Samuel Eklund, Linda Osei | docx | Analysis of implications of Vantorovich's pro se appearance on Feb. 12; notes corporate entity cannot appear pro se in federal court; recommends monitoring deadline and preparing renewed motion to dismiss.
[sheet: IV. Discovery — Propounded]
Doc # | Title | Date | Author / From | To / Recipient | Format | Description
43 | Defendant's First Set of Interrogatories to Plaintiff | March 6, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | 25 interrogatories targeting Vantor's damages calculations, mitigation efforts, fleet deployment decisions, and basis for 'pretextual termination' allegation.
44 | Defendant's First Request for Production of Documents | March 6, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | 38 document requests covering: VTS internal communications re SLG account; fleet records; financial statements; mitigation efforts; communications with alternative shippers; Vantor board minutes; expert retention documents.
45 | Defendant's Second Request for Production of Documents | May 5, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | 12 targeted requests focusing on: VTS fleet redeployment records (Q3–Q4 2021); communications between Milescu and Vantorovich re SLG dedicated capacity; VTS contracts with shippers to whom fleet was redirected; VTS driver termination records (post-March 2022).
46 | Defendant's First Set of Requests for Admission | March 6, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | 30 RFAs addressing: VTS's Q4 2021 performance metrics; receipt and content of Cure Notice; failure to cure within 30 days; VTS's removal of tractors from SLG dedicated lanes; applicability of force majeure clause.
47 | Defendant's Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition Notice — Vantor | June 15, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | Notice designating 12 topics for corporate deposition of Vantor/VTS, including: fleet management decisions; SLG contract performance; damages calculation methodology; mitigation efforts; corporate structure and decision-making.
48 | Defendant's Subpoena Duces Tecum — Cascade Freight Systems Inc. | June 28, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Cascade Freight Systems Inc. | docx | Third-party subpoena seeking contracts and communications between Cascade and Stonefield for Lanes 8–14; intended to demonstrate non-Primary Lane usage.
49 | Defendant's Subpoena Duces Tecum — Briarwood Trucking Co. | June 28, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Briarwood Trucking Co. | docx | Third-party subpoena seeking same categories as Cascade subpoena.
50 | Cover Letter re Defendant's Document Production (First Production) | April 14, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | Cover letter accompanying Stonefield's first production of 42,387 documents (approx. 186,000 pages) via Pinnacle Forensics review platform; includes Bates range index (SLG-000001 through SLG-042387) and privilege log reference.
51 | Privilege Log — Stonefield First Production | April 14, 2023 | Simone Laroche, Helen Tsao | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | xlsx | Log of 1,247 documents withheld on privilege grounds (attorney-client privilege and/or work product); entries include date, author, recipient, subject-matter description, and privilege basis.
52 | Supplemental Privilege Log | June 30, 2023 | Simone Laroche, Helen Tsao | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | xlsx | Supplemental log adding 218 documents identified during second-phase review.
53 | Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's First Set of Interrogatories | April 14, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | Stonefield's responses and objections to Vantor's 25 interrogatories; substantive responses to factual questions regarding termination decision, cure process, volume tenders, and carrier diversification.
54 | Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's First Request for Production | April 14, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | Responses and objections to Vantor's 38 RFPs; identifies categories of produced documents by Bates range; asserts objections to 7 requests as overbroad or seeking privileged material.
55 | Defendant's Responses to Plaintiff's Requests for Admission | April 14, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Caldwell Royce & Shapiro LLP (Vantor) | docx | Responses to 25 RFAs; admits certain undisputed facts (e.g., existence and execution of TSA); denies allegations of pretextual motive and volume shortfall breach; qualifies responses re VTS performance data.
[sheet: V. Discovery — Received]
Doc # | Title | Date | Author / From | To / Recipient | Format | Description
56 | Analysis of Vantor's Interrogatory Responses | May 8, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund | docx | Memo analyzing Vantor's responses to SLG's First Interrogatories; identifies evasive answers on mitigation efforts (Interrog. 14) and fleet redeployment decisions (Interrog. 9); recommends motion to compel supplementation.
57 | Analysis of Vantor's First Document Production | May 12, 2023 | Simone Laroche, Kara Nystrom | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo summarizing key documents in Vantor's production of 28,914 documents; highlights Milescu-Vantorovich November 12, 2021 email (VHC-008417); identifies gaps in fleet records and financial data.
58 | Key Document Index — Vantor Production | May 15, 2023 | Kara Nystrom, Helen Tsao | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | xlsx | Indexed compilation of 87 'hot' documents from Vantor's production, organized by topic (fleet decisions, SLG communications, internal strategy, financial records).
59 | Memorandum re 'Smoking Gun' Email Analysis (VHC-008417) | May 14, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Samuel Eklund, Patrick Gallagher | docx | Detailed analysis of Milescu's November 12, 2021 email stating VTS 'pulled 85 tractors off the SLG dedicated lanes'; argues this demonstrates intentional, undisclosed breach by VTS and undermines Vantor's claim that performance deficiencies were caused by SLG volume shortfalls.
60 | Meet-and-Confer Letter re discovery Deficiencies | May 30, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Jason Whitford (CRS) | docx | Letter identifying deficiencies in Vantor's discovery responses and document production; demands supplemental responses to Interrogatories 9, 14, and 18; demands production of fleet redeployment records responsive to Second RFP Nos. 1–5.
61 | Discovery Dispute Letter Brief to Court | June 5, 2023 | Patrick Gallagher | Hon. Margaret T. Calloway | docx | Letter brief requesting Court intervention re Vantor's refusal to produce fleet redeployment records; argues documents are directly relevant to material breach and mitigation issues.
62 | Analysis of Court's June 9, 2023 discovery Order | June 12, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo analyzing Judge Calloway's order compelling production of fleet redeployment records; notes favorable language regarding relevance of VTS's unilateral capacity reduction.
63 | Analysis of Vantor's Supplemental Production | July 3, 2023 | Kara Nystrom, Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo summarizing Vantor's supplemental production of 4,218 documents (VHC-029001 through VHC-033218); identifies key fleet management documents showing VTS redirected 85 tractors to Northwind Distribution Co. account in October 2021.
64 | Key Document Index — Vantor Supplemental Production | July 5, 2023 | Kara Nystrom | Patrick Gallagher, Simone Laroche | xlsx | Index of 34 additional 'hot' documents from supplemental production.
65 | Analysis of Vantor's RFA Responses | May 10, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo noting Vantor's qualified denials and evasive responses to key RFAs; identifies admissions useful for summary judgment (e.g., admission that on-time pickup rate was 78.2% in Q4 2021).
66 | Analysis of Cascade Freight Systems Subpoena Response | August 1, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo analyzing documents produced by Cascade confirming Stonefield's use of Cascade was limited to Lanes 8–14 (Secondary Lanes); supports non-exclusivity defense.
67 | Analysis of Briarwood Trucking Co. Subpoena Response | August 3, 2023 | Simone Laroche | Patrick Gallagher | docx | Memo analyzing Briarwood's production; confirms similar lane-specific usage on Secondary Lanes.
68 | eDiscovery Status Report | April 10, 2023 | David Moretti | Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Eklund | docx | Report on Pinnacle Forensics (Project ID: PF-SLG-2022-0914) processing and review metrics: 186,000 pages processed; 42,387 documents produced; 1,247 documents logged as privileged; 6,842 documents flagged for attorney review; TAR 2.0 model achieving 91.3% recall rate.

[sheet: Index Header]

Record

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