Carl O. McNab v. J & J Marine, Inc.

J & J Marine appeals the magistrate judge’s denial of its motion for judgment as a matter of law and motion for a new trial, which were filed after a jury verdict in favor of Carl McNab. Because we determine that the parties did not explicitly consent to have a magistrate judge conduct the trial proceedings, we dismiss this appeal for lack of appellate jurisdiction.

The relevant facts are straightforward. On October 13, 1998, McNab filed this action seeking recovery for breach of a Vessel Construction Contract. The clerk of the district court sent each party’s counsel a document entitled…