Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01249/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01249-11/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO DIVISION

GARY R. THOMAS ) CASE NO. 2:07-CV-01249-RLH-VPC

)

Plaintiff(s), ) ORDER SCHEDULING

) SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

vs. )

)

J. NEVES, et al., )

)

Defendant(s). )

 )

Pursuant to a referral by The Honorable Chief Judge Roger L. Hunt, a settlement conference is

hereby scheduled to commence on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.,in the courtroom of the

undersigned United States Magistrate Judge, Courtroom No. 1, Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and

Federal Building, 400 South Virginia Street, Fourth Floor, Reno, Nevada.

All counsel of record who will be participating in the trial of this case, all parties appearing pro

se, if any, and all individual parties must be present. Inmate plaintiff shall appear via video conference. The

Office of the Attorney General is directed to make the necessary arrangements for plaintiff's appearance

via video and shall notify Lisa Mann, Courtroom Administrator, at least two (2) days prior with the video

conference reservation number and telephone number at which the plaintiff can be reached for the

settlement conference.

In the case of non-individual parties, counsel shall arrange for a representative with binding

authority to settle this matter up to the full amount of the claim and to be present in court for the duration of the

settlement conference. All parties and counsel should make arrangements to be present at the settlement

conference for the entire day. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling airline flights or other obligations

that will interfere with or shorten the full day of settlement negotiations.

Case 2:07-cv-01249-RLH -VPC Document 51 Filed 01/19/10 Page 1 of 7
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PREPARATION FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

I. ATTENDANCE OF COUNSEL AND CLIENT OR CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE

Unless excused by order of the Court, clients or client representatives with complete authority to

negotiate and consummate a settlement must be in attendance at the settlement conference. This requires 

the presence of the client or if a corporate, governmental, or other organizational entity, an authorized

representative of the client. For a defendant, such representative must have final settlement authority to commit

the organization to pay, in the representative’s own discretion, a settlement amount up to the plaintiff’s prayer,

or up to the plaintiff’s last demand, whichever is lower. For a plaintiff, such representative must have final

authority, in the representative’s own discretion, to authorize dismissal of the case with prejudice, or to accept

a settlement amount down to the defendant’s last offer. 

If board approval is required to authorize settlement, the attendance of at least one sitting member of the

board (preferably the chairperson) is absolutely required. Any insurance company that is a party or is

contractually required to defend or to pay damages, if any, assessed within its policy limits in this case must have

a fully authorized settlement representative present. Such representative must have final settlement authority

to commit the company to pay, in the representative’s own discretion, an amount within the policy limits, or up

to the plaintiff’s last demand, whichever is lower. 

The purpose of these requirements is to have in attendance a representative who has both the authority

to exercise his or her own discretion, and the realistic freedom to exercise such discretion without negative

consequences, in order to settle the case during the settlement conference without consulting someone else who

is not present. In the event counsel for any party is aware of any circumstance which might cast doubt on a

client’s compliance with these provisions, s/he shall immediately discuss the circumstance with opposing counsel

to resolve it well before the settlement conference, and, if such discussion does not resolve it, request a telephone

conference with the court and counsel.

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Counsel appearing for the settlement conference without their client representatives or insurance

company representatives, authorized as described above, will cause the settlement conference to be canceled or

rescheduled. The non-complying party, attorney or both may be assessed the costs and expenses incurred by

other parties and the court as a result of such cancellation, as well as any additional sanctions deemed appropriate

by the court. Counsel are responsible for timely advising any involved non-party insurance company of the

requirements of this order.

II. PURPOSE OF THE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

The purpose of the settlement conference is to facilitate settlement of this case. It will be

conducted in such a manner as not to prejudice any party in the event settlement is not reached. To that end, all

matters communicated to the undersigned in confidence will be kept confidential, and will not be disclosed to

any other party, or to the trial judge. The undersigned, of course, will not serve as the trial judge in this case.

At the settlement conference the parties, by counsel, shall be prepared to outline the factual and legal

highlights of their case. Then separate, confidential caucuses will be held with each party and the party's

representative(s). Attached is an outline for counsel to review with the parties prior to the settlement conference

to make the best use of the limited time allotted.

The requirement for parties' personal appearance is intended to increase the efficiency and

effectiveness of the settlement conference, by reducing the time for communication of offers and expanding

the ability to explore options for settlement.

III. PRE-CONFERENCE NEGOTIATIONS

Settlement conferences are often unproductive unless the parties have exchanged demands and

offers before the conference and made a serious effort to settle the case on their own. Before arriving at the

settlement conference the parties are to negotiate and make a good faith effort to settle the case without

the involvement of the Court. Specific proposals and counter 

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proposals shall be made. If the parties fail to present specific proposals and counter proposals prior to

the settlement conference, sanctions may be imposed by the court if appropriate. If settlement is not

achieved before the settlement conference, the parties shall be prepared to engage in further negotiation at the

conference.

IV. THE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE STATEMENT

In preparation for the settlement conference, the attorneys for each party, or parties appearing

pro se, shall submit a confidential settlement conference statement for the Court’s in camera review. The

settlement conference statement shall be limited to seven (7) pages and contain the following:

1. A brief statement of the nature of the action;

2. A brief analysis of the key issues involved in the litigation;

3. A discussion of the strongest points in your case, both legal and factual, and a frank

discussion of the weakest points as well;

4. A further discussion of the strongest and weakest points in your opponent’s case, but

only to the extent that they are more than simply the converse of the weakest and

strongest points in your case;

5. A history of settlement discussions held to date, including the current status of

settlement discussions between the parties, and the last settlement proposal made by you

and to you;

6. The settlement proposal that you believe would be fair;

7. The settlement proposal that you would honestly be willing to make in order to

conclude this matter and stop the expense of litigation;

8. You are required to attach proof of the specific proposals and counter proposals made

prior to the settlement conference pursuant to Section III of this order;

9. You may attach to your statement those document or exhibits which are especially

relevant to key factual or legal issues, including selected pages from deposition 

transcripts or responses to other discovery requests.

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The settlement conference statements shall be received in my chambers, 400 S. Virginia Street,

Suite 404, no later than Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by 4:00 p.m.. DO NOT DELIVER OR MAIL THEM TO

THE CLERK’S OFFICE; DO NOT SERVE A COPY ON OPPOSING COUNSEL. The settlement conference

brief should be in an envelope clearly marked “Confidential, Contains Settlement Brief.”

The purpose of the settlement conference statement is to assist the Court in preparing for and

conducting the settlement conference. In order to facilitate a meaningful conference, your utmost 

candor in responding to the above-listed questions is required. The confidentiality of each statement will 

be strictly maintained in my chambers. Following the conference, the settlement conference statements will be

destroyed.

DATED this 15th day of January , 2010.

 

VALERIE P. COOKE

U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE PREPARATION

Experience shows that in negotiations the party who is best prepared usually obtains the best

result. Settlement conferences are more efficient if all parties and counsel are prepared. Consider the following

topics to aid in the effectiveness of your settlement conference.

A. FORMAT

1. Parties with ultimate settlement authority must be personally present.

2. The court will use a mediation format, and private caucusing with each side; the judge

may address your client directly. The judge will not meet with parties separate from

counsel.

3. Have you discussed private mediation with your client? 

B. ISSUES

1. What issues (in and outside of this lawsuit) need to be resolved? What are the strengths

and weaknesses of each issue. What is your most persuasive argument?

2. What remedies are available resulting from this litigation? From a settlement?

3. Is there any ancillary litigation pending or planned which affects case value? What

about liens?

4. Do you have enough information to value the case? If not, how are you going to get

more information before the conference?

5. Do attorney's fees or other expenses affect settlement? Have you communicated this

to the other side?

6. Is defendant and/or its carrier solvent?

C. NEGOTIATIONS

1. Where did your last discussions end? Are you sure?

2. Schedule with opposing party: discussions before the settlement conference to make

it proceed more efficiently? At least one offer and response is required.

3. What value do you want to start with? Why? Have you discussed this with your client?

4. What value do you want to end with? Why? Have you discussed this with your client?

Is it significantly different from values you have placed on this case at other times?

Does your client understand why?

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5. Is there confidential information which affects case value? Why can't/won't/ shouldn't

it be disclosed? How can the other side be persuaded to change value if it doesn't have

this information?

6. What happens if you don't settle the case at the conference? What is your best

alternative to a negotiated settlement? Why? What might change the outcome of the

settlement conference? Pending motions, discovery, expert's report, etc.

D. CLOSING

1. If settlement is reached, it will be on the record.

2. Have you discussed settlement formats with your client? Does the client understand

structured settlements, annuities, Rule 68 offers to compromise?

3. How soon could checks/closing documents be received?

4. If settlement is not reached, and further discovery is needed, what is your plan for

continuing settlement discussions? Do you want court involvement in these talks?

5. If settlement is not reached, be prepared to discuss it again at the Pretrial Conference.

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