ArborWorks, LLC v. Ausburn et al
| ArborWorks, LLC |
| David Ausburn and Stephanie Watson |
| Christopher Knopik |
| 8:2026cv00486 |
| February 20, 2026 |
| U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida |
| William F Jung |
| Anthony E Porcelli |
| Defend Trade Secrets Act (of 2016) |
| 18 U.S.C. § 1836 (b) Civil Action to Protect Trade Secrets |
| Plaintiff |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on August 18, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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| Filing 57 MOTION for Miscellaneous Relief, specifically for Leave to Respond to Arborworks, LLC's Motion to Amend Scheduling Order by Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.. (Hasbun, Marcos) |
Filing 56
ENDORSED ORDER granting #55 Motion to amend the Case Management Scheduling Order as follows: Amendment of pleadings/Joinder of parties deadline and discovery deadline, including filing any motions to compel, is October 9, 2026. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 8/18/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 55 MOTION for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery by ArborWorks, LLC. (Dattilo, J.) |
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Filing 54
CASE MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings/Joinder of Parties due by 8/28/2026. Discovery due by 8/28/2026. Dispositive motions due by 12/7/2026. Pretrial statement due by 4/1/2027. Final Pretrial Conference set for 4/8/2027 at 9:30 AM in Tampa Courtroom 15 B before Judge William F. Jung. Jury Trial set for the May 2027 Trial Term commencing 5/3/2027 at 9:00 AM in Tampa Courtroom 15 B before Judge William F. Jung. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 5/8/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 53 UNILATERAL CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT. (Dattilo, J.) |
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Filing 52
ENDORSED ORDER directing the parties to file a joint Uniform Case Management Report within fourteen (14) days. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 4/23/2026. (CCB)
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Filing 51
ENDORSED ORDER denying as moot #41 Motion to Dismiss. See the Amended Complaint filed this day. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 4/17/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 50 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson with Jury Demand. filed by ArborWorks, LLC. Related document: #1 Complaint, filed by ArborWorks, LLC.(JVC) |
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Filing 49
ENDORSED ORDER granting #48 Motion to Amend. Please file the amended complaint as a separate document on the docket. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 4/16/2026. (Jung, William)
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| Filing 48 Unopposed MOTION to Amend #1 Complaint by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit)(Dattilo, J.) |
| Filing 47 RESPONSE in Opposition re #41 MOTION to Dismiss the Complaint Defendants' Motion and Memorandum of Law in Support of Their Motion to Dismiss the Complaint filed by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit)(Dattilo, J.) |
| Filing 46 NOTICE canceling evidentiary hearing scheduled for 4/8/2026. (CCB) |
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Filing 45
ORDER granting #44 Motion for entry of Agreed Preliminary Injunction and granting #44 Motion to cancel hearing. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 4/3/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 44 Joint MOTION for Preliminary Injunction , Joint MOTION to Vacate April 8, 2026 Evidentiary Hearing by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Preliminary Injunction Order)(Dattilo, J.) |
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Filing 43
ORDER granting #37 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorneys Ross Linzer and Anne Harris are terminated as counsel of record for Defendants and relieved of any further responsibility in this action. Defendants are on notice that they are proceeding in this matter pro se and are expected to adhere to any deadlines as well as to the procedural requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules for the Middle District of Florida. The Clerk is directed to add the contact information for Defendants stated in this Order to the docket and to serve this Order and all future notices to those addresses. See Order for further details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli on 3/27/2026. (SEC)
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Filing 42
ORDER appointing Christopher S. Knopik as mediator in this action. The Court does not allow mediation by telephone or video conference. Personal attendance is required absent Court order. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/26/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 41 MOTION to Dismiss Complaint and Memorandum of Law in Support by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Modified on 3/27/2026 to edit docket text. (WLB). |
| Filing 40 RESPONSE in Opposition re #7 Amended MOTION to Amend 5 Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order filed by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Modified on 3/25/2026 as to docket text (LJC). |
| Filing 39 MEMORANDUM in opposition re #7 Amended MOTION to Amend 5 Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Modified on 3/25/2026 as to docket text (LJC). |
| Filing 38 NOTICE of Plaintiff's Non-Opposition to Counsel's Motion to Withdraw by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson re #37 MOTION for King & Spalding LLP, Ross Linzer, Esq., and Anne Harris, Esq. to Withdraw as Attorney (Linzer, Ross) Modified on 3/25/2026 as to docket text (LJC). |
| Filing 37 MOTION for King & Spalding LLP, Ross Linzer, Esq., and Anne Harris, Esq. to Withdraw as Attorney by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - Consent to Withdrawal)(Linzer, Ross) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli. Modified on 3/25/2026 as to docket text (LJC). |
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Filing 36
ENDORSED ORDER denying #35 Motion for Reconsideration. However, given the shortness of time, if additional relevant documents are discovered prior to the hearing, the Court will consider them. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/24/2026. (SZC)
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| Filing 35 MOTION for Reconsideration re #33 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to Plaintiff's Amended Motion for Preliminary Injunction, 34 Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response / Reply by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Modified text on 3/24/2026 (MCB). |
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Filing 34
ENDORSED ORDER denying #33 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response / Reply - see Dkts. 30 and 31. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/23/2026. (Jung, William)
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| Filing 33 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply Defendants' Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Amended Motion for Preliminary Injunction by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) |
| Filing 32 NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING HEARING: The evidentiary hearing previously scheduled for 4/7/2026 is rescheduled due to a Court conflict. New scheduling date and time: Evidentiary Hearing (in person) on preliminary injunctive relief set for 4/8/2026 at 9:00 AM in Tampa Courtroom 15 B before Judge William F. Jung. (CCB) |
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Filing 31
ENDORSED ORDER granting in part and denying in part #30 Motion for Extension of Time to respond. Response due 3/25/26. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/18/2026. (Jung, William)
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| Filing 30 MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Modified on 3/19/2026 to edit docket text (JDR). |
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Filing 29
ENDORSED ORDER granting #28 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Anne Harris may appear pro hac vice on behalf of Defendants. Within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this order, counsel shall comply with the fee and electronic filing requirements and file a notice of compliance with said requirements. Signed by Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli on 3/18/2026. (SEC)
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| Filing 28 Unopposed MOTION for Anne Harris to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-24631564 for $150 by David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli. Modified on 3/19/2026 to edit docket text(JDR). |
| Filing 27 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Stephanie Watson. (Linzer, Ross) |
| Filing 26 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by David Ausburn. (Linzer, Ross) |
| Filing 25 NOTICE of Lead Counsel Designation by Ross Elliot Linzer on behalf of David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. Lead Counsel: Ross E. Linzer. (Linzer, Ross) |
| Filing 24 NOTICE of Appearance by Ross Elliot Linzer on behalf of David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson (Linzer, Ross) |
| Filing 23 NOTICE of Lead Counsel Designation by J. Alexander Dattilo on behalf of ArborWorks, LLC. Lead Counsel: J. Alexander Dattilo. (Dattilo, J.) |
| Filing 22 NOTICE TO ALL COUNSEL of Local Rule 2.02(a), which states, "The first paper filed on behalf of a party must designate only one lead counsel who - unless the party changes the designation - remains lead counsel throughout the action." Counsel must file a Notice of Lead Counsel Designation identifying lead counsel. (Signed by Deputy Clerk) (AR) |
| Filing 21 NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING HEARING: The evidentiary hearing previously scheduled for 3/18/2026 is rescheduled. New scheduling date and time: Evidentiary Hearing (in person) on preliminary injunctive relief set for 4/7/2026 at 9:30 AM in Tampa Courtroom 15 B before Judge William F. Jung. (CCB) |
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Filing 20
ENDORSED ORDER granting unopposed #19 Joint Motion to Reset Hearing Date and extend duration of the Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO") entered at docket 9. The TRO is due to expire March 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The TRO shall remain in effect for an additional 14 days thereafter and is hereby extended until Wednesday April 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The evidentiary hearing will be rescheduled to Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A separate notice of hearing will follow. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/16/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 19 Unopposed MOTION for Miscellaneous Relief, specifically to Reset Hearing Date & Extend Duration of Temporary Restraining Order by ArborWorks, LLC. (Marlowe, Caren) |
| Filing 18 NOTICE of compliance re 15 Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by ArborWorks, LLC (Dattilo, J.) |
| Filing 17 DECLARATION of Caren Marlowe re 16 Registry monies, #9 Order on Motion to Amend / Correct / Modify / Supplement by ArborWorks, LLC. (LSS) |
| Filing 16 REGISTRY MONIES received by ArborWorks, LLC in the amount of $10,000.00; Receipt #TPA-73908. (LSS) |
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Filing 15
ENDORSED ORDER denying as moot #11 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting #14 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney J. Alexander Dattilo may appear pro hac vice on behalf of Plaintiff. Within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this order, counsel shall comply with the fee and electronic filing requirements and file a notice of compliance with said requirements. Signed by Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli on 3/13/2026. (SEC)
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| Filing 14 Amended MOTION for J. Alexander Dattilo to appear pro hac vice by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - Certification)(Marlowe, Caren) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli. |
| Filing 13 NOTICE of compliance re #9 Order on Motion to Amend / Correct / Modify / Supplement by ArborWorks, LLC (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A, #2 Exhibit B)(Marlowe, Caren) |
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Filing 12
ENDORSED ORDER granting in part and denying in part #8 Motion to Expedite discovery. Expedited discovery is permitted on the following issues: Requiring Defendants to Answer all Interrogatories ("ROGs") in Plaintiff's First Sets of ROGs issued to each one; Requiring Defendants to Respond to all Requests for Production ("RFPs") in Plaintiff's First Set of RFPs issued to each one; Requiring Defendants to produce their Answers to the First Sets of ROGs and Responses to the First Set of RFPs within 14 days of service; Requiring Defendants to appear for depositions within 14 days of service of any Notice of Deposition; Requiring Defendants to immediately return all Company-owned devices; and Requiring Defendants to immediately produce all of their personal devices for forensic examination, including but not limited to all seven computers and multiple phones onto which Defendant Ausburn allegedly downloaded Company files. However, the Court DENIES Plaintiff's request for expedited third-party discovery regarding non-party Ceres. Any discovery as to a non-party will be completed in the normal manner as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the MDFL Local Rules. See FRCP 45; FRCP 26(f); Local Rule 3.04. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/13/2026. (SZC)
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| Filing 11 MOTION for J. Alexander Dattilo to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-24603597 for $150 by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - Certification)(Marlowe, Caren) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli. |
| Filing 10 NOTICE of Hearing on preliminary injunctive relief: Evidentiary Hearing set for 3/18/2026 at 01:30 PM in Tampa Courtroom 15 B before Judge William F. Jung. (CCB) |
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Filing 9
ORDER granting #7 Amended motion for temporary restraining order in accordance with the attached Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 3/10/2026. (CCB)
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| Filing 8 MOTION to Expedite Discovery and Incorporated Memorandum of Law by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A-I)(Marlowe, Caren) Modified on 3/11/2026 to edit docket text (JDR). |
| Filing 7 Amended MOTION to Amend 5 Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A-E, #2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order TRO)(Marlowe, Caren) Modified on 3/11/2026 to edit docket text (JDR). |
| Filing 6 SUMMONS issued as to David Ausburn, Stephanie Watson. (MLB) |
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Filing 5
ENDORSED ORDER denying without prejudice #2 Plaintiff's Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. Rule 65(b)(1)(B) requires a party seeking a TRO to provide a written certification describing his or her efforts to give notice to the adverse party and explaining why notice should not be required. Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)(1)(B). As another district court has noted, "the requirements of Rule 65(b)(1) are not mere technicalities but establish minimum due process." Woodard-CM, LLC v. Sunlord Leisure Products, Inc., No. 20-23104-CIV, 2020 WL 5547917, at *1 (S.D. Fla. July 29, 2020). Here, Plaintiff's counsel has failed to submit an affidavit certifying her efforts to notify Defendants of the TRO and the reasons why it should not be required. Any updated TRO should also include "a precise and verified explanation of the amount and form of the required security," as required by Local Rule 6.01(a)(4) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(c). Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 2/23/2026. (SZC)
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| Filing 4 NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge William F. Jung and Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli. New case number: 8:26-cv-486-WFJ-AEP. (RLD) |
| Filing 3 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by ArborWorks, LLC identifying Other Affiliate Tree Service Unlimited, Inc., Other Affiliate Ceres Environmental Services for ArborWorks, LLC. (Marlowe, Caren) Modified text on 2/23/2026 (EGP). |
| Filing 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - Declaration (Veleta), #2 Exhibit B - Declaration (Zavala), #3 Exhibit C - Declaration (Kerr), #4 Text of Proposed Order)(Marlowe, Caren). |
| Filing 1 COMPLAINT against All Defendants with Jury Demand (Filing fee $405 receipt number AFLMDC-24502611) filed by ArborWorks, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Proposed Summons Ausburn, #3 Proposed Summons Watson)(Marlowe, Caren) |
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