Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-00176/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-00176-14/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TERRY RENEE MCCLURE, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

PRISONER TRANSPORTATION 

SERVICES OF AMERICA, LLC, et al.

Defendants.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:18-cv-00176 DAD SKO

SECOND AMENDED ORDER re 

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

ORDER FOLLOWING PRESETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

On March 11, 2020, the Court held a telephonic pre-settlement conference. Stratton 

Barbee, Esq. appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs; Christopher Egan, Esq. and Quentin Cedar, Esq. 

appeared on behalf of Defendants Prisoner Transportation Services of America, LLC and 

Cleveland Wheeler; Deborah Bartlett, Esq., appeared on behalf of Defendants Leticia Monique 

Avalos and Fausto Avalos; and Talia Delanoy, Esq. appeared on behalf of Defendant Albert 

Gonzalez. 

The Court discussed with the parties the status of settlement negotiations and whether a 

settlement conference on March 19, 2020, would be productive. The parties indicated that a 

settlement conference on March 19, 2020, would not be productive, in part because Plaintiffs 

failed to serve a settlement demand on all parties at least 28 days prior to the settlement 

conference, as required by the Court’s “Amended Order re Settlement Conference” entered on 

January 8, 2020.1 (See Doc. 113 at 1.)

 

1 Plaintiffs served a settlement demand on only two of the defendants, who had requested a demand.

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2

Thus, the Court determined that a settlement conference on March 19, 2020, would not be 

productive and requested that the parties advise the Court of their availability for a later settlement 

conference. Based on the parties’ availability, the Court hereby CONTINUES the settlement 

conference to August 20, 2020, at 10:30 AM in Courtroom 7 (SKO) before Magistrate Judge 

Sheila K. Oberto. Consideration of settlement is a serious matter that requires thorough 

preparation prior to the settlement conference. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer

A settlement conference is more likely to be productive if, before the conference, the 

parties exchange written settlement proposals. Accordingly, within twenty eight (28) days of the 

date of this Order, Plaintiffs’ counsel shall submit a written itemization of damages and 

settlement demand to each defense counsel with a brief summary of the legal and factual basis 

supporting the demand. Within fourteen (14) days of the date of service of Plaintiffs’ demand, 

each defense counsel shall submit a written offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief summary of the 

legal and factual basis supporting the offer.

 The parties shall continue to meet and confer thereafter to attempt to compromise 

regarding their respective positions, so as to assist with ensuring that the settlement conference 

will be productive. 

2. Submission and Content of Confidential Settlement Conference Statements 

The parties are to send Confidential Settlement Conference Statements (Settlement 

Statement) to the following email address: SKOorders@caed.uscourts.gov, to arrive no later than 

21 days before the conference. Each statement shall be clearly marked “CONFIDENTIAL” with 

the date and time of the mandatory settlement conference indicated prominently. Each party shall

also file a Notice of Submission of Confidential Settlement Conference Statement (See L.R. 270 

(d)). 

If the Settlement Conference is continued for any reason, each party must submit a new 

Settlement Statement that is complete in itself, without reference to any prior Settlement 

Statements.

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3

Each Settlement Statement shall include the following: 

a. A brief summary of the core facts, allegations, and defenses, a forthright 

evaluation of the parties’ likelihood of prevailing on the claims and 

defenses, and a description of the major issues in dispute.

b. A summary of the proceedings to date. 

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

pretrial, and trial. 

d. The nature of the relief sought.

e. An outline of past settlement efforts including information regarding the 

"Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer" required 

above—including the itemization of damages—and a history of past 

settlement discussions, offers, and demands. 

f. A statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the Settlement 

Conference.

3. Attendance of Trial Counsel and Parties Required 

The attorneys who will try the case and parties with full and complete settlement authority 

are required to personally attend the conference.1 An insured party shall appear by a 

representative of the insurer who is authorized to negotiate, and who has full authority to negotiate 

and settle the case. An uninsured corporate party shall appear by a representative authorized to 

negotiate, and who has full authority to negotiate and settle the case. It is difficult for a party who 

is not present to appreciate the process and the reasons that may justify a change in one’s 

perspective toward settlement. Accordingly, having a client with authority available by telephone 

is not an acceptable alternative, except under the most extenuating circumstances.2 

 

1

Insurance carriers, business organizations, and governmental bodies or agencies whose settlement agreements are 

subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors or the like shall be represented by 

a person or persons who occupy high executive positions in the party organization and who will be directly involved 

in the process of approval of any settlement offers or agreements. 

2 Out of town or out of state travel and the purchase of an airplane ticket are not extenuating circumstances. 

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The Court expects both the lawyers and the party representatives to be fully prepared to 

participate. The Court encourages all parties to keep an open mind in order to reassess their 

previous positions and to discover creative means for resolving the dispute.

4. Issues to Be Discussed

The parties shall be prepared to discuss the following at the settlement conference:

a. Goals in the litigation and problems they would like to address in the 

settlement conference and understanding of the opposing side’s goals.

b. The issues (in and outside the lawsuit) that need to be resolved. 

c. The strengths and weaknesses of their case.

d. Their understanding of the opposing side’s view of the case.

e. Their points of agreement and disagreement (factual and legal).

f. Any financial, emotional, and/or legal impediments to settlement.

g. Whether settlement or further litigation better enables the accomplishment 

of their respective goals.

h. Any possibilities for a creative resolution of the dispute.

5. Statements Inadmissible 

The parties are expected to address each other with courtesy and respect, and are

encouraged to be frank and open in their discussions. Statements made by any party during the 

settlement conference are not to be used in discovery and will not be admissible at trial.

6. Pre-Settlement Telephonic Conference

Prior to the Settlement Conference, Magistrate Judge Oberto will hold a brief, telephonic

discussion on August 6, 2020, at 4:00 PM (dial-in number: 1-888-557-8511; passcode: 

6208204#). Only attorneys and unrepresented parties are required to participate in the conference.

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7. Superseding of Amended Order re Settlement Conference; Sanctions

The deadlines and directives in this order supersede the deadlines and directives set 

forth in the “Amended Order re Settlement Conference,” (Doc. 113). The Court may impose 

sanctions on any party or any party’s counsel that fails to comply with this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 17, 2020 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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