(2) Other Actions.
(B) By a Party. If actions before different judges present the probability of inefficiency or inconsistency, a party may move to transfer a later-filed action to the judge assigned to the first-filed action. The moving party must file the motion in the later-filed action and a notice and a copy of the motion in the first-filed action. The proposed transferor judge must resolve the motion to transfer but can transfer the action only with the consent of the transferee judge. The transferee judge can order the clerk to assign to the later-filed action the magistrate judge in the first-filed action.
(C) By the Chief Judge. If the judge in a first-filed action declines a transfer, the chief judge can transfer a later-filed action to the judge in the first-filed action upon a request from the judge in the later-filed action and after consultation with the judge in the first-filed action. The transferee judge can order the clerk to assign to the later-filed action the magistrate judge in the first-filed action.
(c) DUTY OF THE LEAD COUNSEL. The lead counsel has a continuing duty to file promptly a “Notice of Related Action” identifying and describing any related action — either pending or closed — in the Middle District or elsewhere.
