Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01709/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01709-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: Americans with Disabilities Act

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 “Full authority to settle” means that the individuals at the settlement conference must be authorized to

fully explore settlement options and to agree at that time to any settlement terms acceptable to the parties. 

Heileman Brewing Co., Inc. v. Joseph Oat Corp., 871 F.2d 648 (7th Cir. 1989). The person needs to have

“unfettered discretion and authority” to change the settlement position of a party. Pitman v. Brinker Intl.,

Inc., 216 F.R.D. 481, 485-486 (D. Ariz. 2003). The purpose of requiring a person with unlimited

settlement authority to attend the conference includes that the person’s view of the case may be altered

during the face to face conference. Id. at 486. A limited or a sum certain of authority is not adequate. 

1 06-CV-1709 LAB (CAB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

2150 SIGOURNEY JOSSIAH - FRANCIS

LEE ASSOCIATION, suing on behalf of

THEODORE A. PINNOCK and its members;

and THEODORE A. PINNOCK, an individual,

Civil No. 06-CV-1709 LAB (CAB)

Plaintiffs,

NOTICE AND ORDER FOR EARLY

NEUTRAL EVALUATION

CONFERENCE

v.

PASSIONFRUIT GOURMET, INC., d.b.a.

PASSIONFRUIT GOURMET FOODS;

JAMES R. ROGERS and SHEILA W.

ROGERS TRUST,

Defendants.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that an Early Neutral Evaluation of your case will be held

on December 13, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Cathy Ann

Bencivengo, United States Courthouse, 940 Front Street, Room 1131, San Diego, California.

Pursuant to Rule 16.1(c) of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the

Southern District of California, both counsel and the parties who have full and unlimited authority1

Case 3:06-cv-01709-LAB-CAB Document 4 Filed 10/23/06 Page 1 of 4
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Nick v. Morgan’s Foods, Inc., 270 F.3d 590 (8th Cir. 2001).

2 06-CV-1709 LAB (CAB)

to negotiate and enter into a binding settlement shall appear in person at the conference and shall

be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages.

Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, persons required to attend the

conference pursuant to this Order shall not be excused from personal attendance. Requests for

excuse from attendance for extraordinary circumstances shall be made in writing at least 48

hours prior to the conference. Where the suit involves the United States or one of its agencies,

only counsel for the United States with full settlement authority need appear. All conference

discussions will be informal, off the record, privileged and confidential.

Based upon the Court’s familiarity with these matters and in the interest of promoting

the just, efficient and economical determination of this action, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. All formal discovery shall be stayed in this case until the completion of the Early

Neutral Evaluation Conference set herein;

2. Twenty-one (21) days prior to the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference,

Plaintiff’s counsel shall lodge with Magistrate Judge Bencivengo’s chambers and serve on

opposing counsel a statement, not in excess of two pages, including:

(a) An itemized list of the specific issues on the subject premises which are the

basis of the claimed violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act;

(b) A statement of the amount and category of damages claimed by Plaintiff in this

action;

(c) The amount claimed for attorney’s fees and costs; and,

(d) Plaintiff’s demand for settlement of the case in its entirety.

3. After service of Plaintiff’s statement, or whether or not Plaintiff’s statement is

served, and at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, counsel

for the parties shall meet and confer in person at the subject premises regarding settlement of

(a) alleged premise violations, and (b) damages, costs and attorney fee claims. Plaintiff’s counsel

shall be responsible to make arrangements for the conference. The meet and confer obligation

cannot be satisfied by telephone or by the exchange of letters.

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4. Seven (7) days prior to the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, counsel shall

lodge with Magistrate Judge Bencivengo’s chambers a joint statement advising the Court of the

status of settlement negotiations and setting forth all issues in dispute, including property issues,

Plaintiff’s alleged damages, and the claim for attorney’s fees and costs, along with a description of

any settlement demands and/or offers exchanged. If for any reason counsel cannot comply with

the meet and confer and joint statement requirements set forth in this order, counsel shall contact

the chambers of Magistrate Judge Bencivengo at least two court days before the Early Neutral

Evaluation Conference, to explain the reasons therefore. Monetary sanctions shall be imposed for

failure to comply with this order.

5. At the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, Plaintiff’s counsel shall provide

documentation to the Court for in camera review supporting the amount of attorney’s fees and

costs claimed.

The parties may, but are not required to, submit a short Early Neutral Evaluation

Conference Statement about the case on a confidential basis.

In the event the case does not settle at the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, the

parties shall also be prepared to discuss the following matters at the conclusion of the conference.

1. Any anticipated objections under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(1)(E) to

the initial disclosure provisions of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(1)(A-D);

2. The scheduling of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) conference;

3. The date of initial disclosure and the date for lodging the discovery plan

following the Rule 26(f) conference; and,

4. The scheduling of a Case Management Conference pursuant to Federal Rule of

Civil Procedure 16(b).

The Court will issue an appropriate order addressing these issues and setting dates as

appropriate.

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Questions regarding this case may be directed to Judge Bencivengo’s law clerk at (619)

557-7688.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: October 23, 2006

CATHY ANN BENCIVENGO

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:06-cv-01709-LAB-CAB Document 4 Filed 10/23/06 Page 4 of 4