Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00828/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00828-26/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH BECKER,

Plaintiff,

v.

L. CARTAGENA, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:16-cv-00828-AWI-JDP

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE AND STAYING THE 

CASE

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding with counsel in this civil rights action filed pursuant 

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The parties have stipulated that they are “prepared to enter into immediate 

and good-faith settlement negotiations to reach a reasonable resolution of this lawsuit” and have 

requested “referral to a settlement conference at the Court’s earliest convenience.” ECF No. 150 

at 2. Therefore, this case will be referred to Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean to conduct a 

settlement conference on April 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. The case is stayed, except as necessary to 

prepare for the settlement conference, until April 24, 2020. 

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the evolving coronavirus protocols, 

the settlement conference will be conducted telephonically. The settlement conference will start 

with a single call. To join the conference, each participant is directed to call the toll-free number 

(888) 251−2909 and use Access Code 1024453. As the negotiations proceed, Judge Grosjean 

will have separate calls with the individual parties (and/or their representatives). Counsel for 

Case 1:16-cv-00828-AWI-JDP Document 152 Filed 03/31/20 Page 1 of 3
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each side will need to designate a contact number at which Judge Grosjean can reach them 

following the initial call. 

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This case is set for a telephonic settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Erica 

P. Grosjean on April 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.

2. Unless otherwise permitted in advance by the Court, the attorneys who will try the 

case shall telephonically appear at the Settlement Conference. 

3. If any party wishes to refer to documents, that party must deliver such documents by 

mail or e-mail to the chambers of Judge Grosjean no later than two days before the 

Settlement Conference. 

4. Neither the settlement conference statements nor communications during the 

settlement conference with the settlement judge can be used by either party in the trial 

of this case.

5. Absent permission from the Court, in addition to counsel who will try the case being 

present, the individual parties shall also be present telephonically.

1

 In the case of 

corporate parties, associations or other entities, and insurance carriers, a representative 

executive with authority to discuss, consider, propose and agree, or disagree, to any 

settlement proposal or offer shall also be present telephonically. A representative with 

unlimited authority shall be available by phone throughout the conference. In other 

words, having settlement authority “up to a certain amount” is not acceptable. 

IF ANY PARTY BELIEVES THAT A SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE WOULD 

BE FUTILE, THEN THAT PARTY SHALL CONTACT THE COURT NOT 

LATER THAN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS PRECEDING THE SCHEDULED 

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.

6. At least five (5) court days prior to the settlement conference, each party shall submit 

a Confidential Settlement Conference Statement in Word format directly to Judge 

 

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In prisoner civil rights cases, the individual defendants need only be available by telephone. The court will 

issue a writ in due course to secure plaintiff’s telephonic appearance. 

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Grosjean’s Chambers at epgorders@caed.uscourts.gov. The Statements shall not be 

filed on the docket or served on any other party. Each Statement shall be clearly 

marked “confidential” with the date and time of the settlement conference clearly 

noted on the first page. The Confidential Settlement Conference Statement shall 

include the following:

a. A brief statement of the facts of the case.

b. A brief statement of the claims and defenses, i.e., statutory or other grounds 

upon which the claims are founded; a forthright evaluation of the party’s 

likelihood of prevailing on the claims and defenses; and a description of the 

major issues in dispute.

c. A summary of the proceedings to date.

d. An estimate of the cost and time to be expended for further discovery, pretrial, 

and trial.

e. The relief sought.

f. The party’s position on settlement, including present demands and offers and a 

history of past settlement discussions, offers, and demands.

g. The amount of restitution owed by Plaintiff, if any.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 30, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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