Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-03140/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-03140-15/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Insurance Contract

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Case No. 3:13-CV-03140-SI-JCS 1

ONEBEACON’S REQUEST FOR LEAVE FOR CLAIMS MANAGER TO ATTEND SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE TELEPHONICALLY IN OBSERVANCE OF EASTER SUNDAY

Raymond J. Tittmann, No. 191298 

Jodi K. Swick No. 228634 

Robert D. Whitney No. 296015 

EDISON, McDOWELL & HETHERINGTON LLP 

1 Kaiser Plaza, Suite 1010 

Oakland, CA 94612 

Telephone: 510.628.2145 

Facsimile: 510.628.2146 

Email: raymond.tittmann@emhllp.com jodi.swick@emhllp.com edward.valdespino@emhllp.com 

Attorneys for Defendant 

ONEBEACON AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY 

(FOR ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO 

COMMERCIAL UNION INSURANCE COMPANY) 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA –SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION 

JOHN WARD and PIERCE WARD, 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

AMERICAN ZURICH INSURANCE 

COMPANY, et al., 

Defendants. 

Case No. 3:13-CV-03140-SI-JCS 

OneBeacon’s Request for Leave for Claims 

Manager To Attend Settlement Conference 

Telephonically in Observance of Easter 

Sunday 

Hon. Joseph C. Spero 

Date: April 6, 2015 

Time: 9:30 am 

Ctr: G 

Defendant OneBeacon American Insurance Company (“OneBeacon”) hereby consents to 

Plaintiff’s request for leave to attend the April 6, 2015 settlement conference telephonically 

(Docket No. 100), and respectfully asks permission from the Court to permit OneBeacon’s 

claims manager to attend the mediation telephonically or by video conference as well. All 

Parties consented to this when the conference was originally scheduled. OneBeacon’s attorney, 

who will attend personally, has full authority to negotiate a settlement without limitation. 

In alternative to excusing personal attendance, OneBeacon respectfully asks the Court to 

continue the settlement conference to another date. 

The claims manager handling this matter for OneBeacon lives 90 minutes from Boston 

Case 3:13-cv-03140-SI Document 107 Filed 04/03/15 Page 1 of 3
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Case No. 3:13-CV-03140-SI-JCS 2

ONEBEACON’S REQUEST FOR LEAVE FOR CLAIMS MANAGER TO ATTEND SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE TELEPHONICALLY IN OBSERVANCE OF EASTER SUNDAY

Logan International Airport, and would have to travel on Easter Sunday in order to attend the 

April 6 settlement conference on time. He would have to miss his traditional family Easter 

events in order to travel for this conference. We respectfully submit that the religious and family 

nature of this Holiday presents substantial hardship. 

OneBeacon only agreed to conduct a settlement conference on Easter Monday, April 6, on 

the express condition and agreement that client representatives would not have to attend. All 

Parties consented to this in our discussions before Hon. Susan Illston. The Court’s Order of 

March 19, 2015 requiring personal attendance notwithstanding was therefore a surprise to us. We 

have attempted to find a different client representative to attend but there are no closer available 

representatives. OneBeacon would not have agreed to this date for a settlement conference but 

for the agreement among Parties excusing personal client attendance. 

One Beacon is a small player in the negotiation. Even if coverage were established, its 

pro rata share is only 8.7%. OneBeacon and its counsel have discussed this case extensively and 

agree on their settlement position and strategy. As noted, counsel signing this request hereby 

verifies to the Court that he has full negotiation authority. 

There is no additional reason to require the OneBeacon claims manager to miss Easter 

Sunday with his family. This case does not involve unique business or personal issues that 

require client presence. It is an insurance dispute with legal issues fully briefed. 

In order for the client representative to observe family Easter traditions, OneBeacon 

therefore requests that OneBeacon’s claims manager be permitted to attend by telephone or video 

conference, or alternatively that the settlement conference be rescheduled for a later date. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

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Case 3:13-cv-03140-SI Document 107 Filed 04/03/15 Page 2 of 3
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Case No. 3:13-CV-03140-SI-JCS 3

ONEBEACON’S REQUEST FOR LEAVE FOR CLAIMS MANAGER TO ATTEND SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE TELEPHONICALLY IN OBSERVANCE OF EASTER SUNDAY

Dated: April 1, 2015 EDISON, McDOWELL & HETHERINGTON LLP 

By: Raymond J. Tittmann 

 Raymond J. Tittmann 

 Jodi K. Swick 

 Robert D. Whitney 

 Attorneys for Defendant 

ONEBEACON AMERICAN INSURANCE 

COMPANY (FOR ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR 

IN INTEREST TO COMMERCIAL UNION 

INSURANCE COMPANY) 

Dated: 4/2/15

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORN

I

A

DENIED

Judge Joseph C. Spero

Case 3:13-cv-03140-SI Document 107 Filed 04/03/15 Page 3 of 3