Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-00307/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-00307-23/pdf.json

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

---

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

INGRID CRAWFORD SMITH, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

WARREN MARTIN, et al., 

Defendants. 

_____________________________________/ 

Case No. 1:18-cv-00307-DAD-BAK (SKO) 

ORDER re CONTINUED SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE FOLLOWING 

TEMPORARY REFERRAL 

In view of the temporary referral of this case to the undersigned (see Doc. 98), and due to 

the press of business, the Settlement Conference set for June 13, 2022, is CONTINUED to July 

21, 2022, at 10:00 AM, before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto at the U.S. District Court, 2500 

Tulare Street, Fresno, California, 93721. 

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, at least 5 weeks prior to the 

settlement conference, counsel for each plaintiff shall submit an updated written itemization of 

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

factual basis supporting the demand. No later than 4 weeks prior to the settlement conference, 

each defense counsel shall submit a written offer to counsel for each plaintiff with a brief 

summary of the legal and factual basis supporting the offer. 

Case 1:18-cv-00307-KES-CDB Document 104 Filed 05/26/22 Page 1 of 4
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

2 

 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 

14 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. 

 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 

Case 1:18-cv-00307-KES-CDB Document 104 Filed 05/26/22 Page 2 of 4
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

3 

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. 

 In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Court will revisit the in-person 

requirement closer to the date of the settlement conference and reserves the right to modify the 

requirement depending upon the courthouse restrictions, if any, in place as of July 21, 2022. The 

parties are advised that Zoom videoconference settlement conferences are available if appropriate. 

At the July 14, 2022, Pre-Settlement Conference, (see paragraph 6 below), the parties should be 

prepared to discuss the method of conducting the settlement conference and whether the settlement 

conference should proceed on July 21, 2022. If the parties opt to conduct the settlement conference 

by Zoom videoconference, the Court will provide the call-in information closer to the time of the 

settlement conference. 

 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. 

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. 

Case 1:18-cv-00307-KES-CDB Document 104 Filed 05/26/22 Page 3 of 4
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

4 

 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 July 14, 2022, 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. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: May 26, 2022 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:18-cv-00307-KES-CDB Document 104 Filed 05/26/22 Page 4 of 4