Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00859/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00859-5/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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1. “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. Nick v. Morgan’s Foods, Inc., 270 F.3d 590

(8th Cir. 2001).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRESNO DIVISION

KENNETH L. HOWARD,

Plaintiff,

v.

A. HEDGPETH, et al., 

Defendants.

Case No. 08cv0859 RTB (PCL)

NOTICE OF CASE

MANAGEMENT

CONFERENCE

The court issues the following ORDER:

A Case Management Conference, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b) shall

be held on March 2, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Peter C. Lewis. 

The conference shall be telephonic. Defense counsel shall initiate the call to chambers at (760)

353-4227.

Pursuant to E. D. Civil Rule 16-270 (f)(1), both counsel and the parties who have full and

unlimited authority1/ to negotiate and enter into a binding settlement shall appear by telephone at

the conference and shall be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages. 

Case 1:08-cv-00859-RTB -PCL Document 28 Filed 02/01/10 Page 1 of 3
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08cv1113 MJL (PCL)

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Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, persons required to attend the conference

pursuant to this Order shall not be excused from 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. 

CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE BRIEFS: Parties may, but are not required to,

lodge a confidential brief prior to the Case Management Conference. Case briefs should not

exceed ten (10) pages in length, double spaced, exclusive of exhibits, if any. Copies of all

documents that might enhance the productivity of negotiations (e.g., contracts, key

correspondence or memos, reports of experts, photos, medical bills, wage loss statements, etc.)

should be attached as exhibits to the settlement briefs with significant portions highlighted for

easy reference. Parties may also attach as exhibits helpful judicial opinions and information

about the settlement or judgment value of comparable cases. In addition, each brief shall set

forth the following confidential information: 

(1) A brief analysis of the key issues involved in the litigation;

(2) A description of the strongest and weakest legal and factual points in the party's

case;

(3) A description of the strongest and weakest legal and factual points in the

opponent’s case;

(4) The status of any settlement negotiations, including the last settlement proposal

made by each party; and

(5) The settlement proposal that the party is willing to make in order to conclude the

matter and spare the further expense of litigation.

Parties should mail, electronically mail [efile_lewis@casd.uscourts.gov], or fax the

settlement briefs directly to chambers at (760) 353-9143. Settlement briefs are confidential and

shall not be served on opposing parties nor shall they be filed with the Clerk of the Court.

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08cv1113 MJL (PCL)

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Failure of any counsel or party to comply with this Order will result in the imposition of

sanctions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: January 29, 2010 

Peter C. Lewis

U.S. Magistrate Judge

United States District Court

cc: The Honorable Roger T. Benitez

All Parties and Counsel of Record

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