Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05939/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05939-1/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHN D. WHITE, et. al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

FREDERICK A. BROWN, et. al.

Defendants.

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CASE NO. 1:02cv5939 OWW TAG

ORDER REGARDING 

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE 

On May 12, 2005, the Court convened a settlement conference in this case pursuant to

the Scheduling Conference Order of the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger dated November 22,

2002 (Doc. 10) as modified by Order dated February 8, 2005 (Doc. 59), and Rule 16-270 of

the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The

settlement conference was held before Magistrate Judge Theresa A. Goldner. Michael P.

Stone, Esq., and Stephen J. Horvath, Esq., appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs. Deputy Attorney

General Michael G. Lee, appeared on behalf of Defendants.

At the conclusion of the proceedings on May 12, 2005, the Court made the following

findings:

1. Plaintiffs John D. White and Beverly White were present at the settlement

conference and had authority to settle the case.

2. Defendants were not present at the settlement conference, did not cause any

person authorized to settle the matter on their behalf to be present at the

settlement conference with Defendants’ counsel, and did not cause a

representative from the California Department of Corrections to be present at

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the settlement conference with authority to settle the case. In sum, Defendants’

counsel appeared at the settlement conference unaccompanied by any

Defendant, or any person capable of disposition or with authority to settle the

case on their behalf at the settlement conference. 

3. Defendants did not obtain Court permission to allow their counsel to appear at

the settlement conference unaccompanied by any Defendant, or any person

with authority to settle the case on their behalf.

4. Defendants’ failure to appear at the settlement conference or to cause any 

person with authority to settle the case on their behalf to appear with

Defendants’ counsel at the settlement conference was in violation of Rule 16-

270(f)(1) of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern

District of California, as well as the provisions of Paragraph XIII 2 of the

Scheduling Conference Order. 

5. Due to Defendants’ failure to appear at the settlement conference with counsel,

or to cause any person with authority to settle the case on their behalf to appear

at the settlement conference with Defendants’ counsel, the Court was unable to

conduct a meaningful settlement conference on May 12, 2005. 

6. The Court was advised at the settlement conference that the persons with

authority to settle this matter on behalf of Defendants include Bruce Slavin,

Esq., General Counsel, California Youth & Adult Correctional Agency, and

Jeanne Woodford, Director, California Department of Corrections.

Based on the foregoing findings, the Court makes the following orders:

1. The settlement conference in this matter is rescheduled for May 26, 2005 at

10:00 a.m. before Judge Goldner, at 1200 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 120,

Bakersfield, California.

2. Defendants are ordered to have the following persons present at the May 26,

2005 settlement conference: Bruce Slavin, Esq., General Counsel, California

Youth & Adult Correctional Agency, and Jeanne Woodford, Director,

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California Department of Corrections.

3. Deputy Attorney General Michael G. Lee and Chief Assistant Attorney General

Robert R. Anderson, both of whom are counsel whose names appear as

Defendants’ counsel on the pleadings in this matter, are to cause Bruce Slavin,

Esq. and Jeanne Woodford, Director, California Department of Corrections, to

be effectively served with a copy of this Order no later than May 23, 2005, and

to cause proof of service thereof to be filed with the Court no later than May

24, 2005.

4. Any request to continue the May 26, 2005 settlement conference shall be the

subject of a fully executed stipulation and for a date cleared in advance through 

Courtroom Deputy A. Leon Guerrero at 661-326-6620. 

5. The Court finds that Plaintiffs have incurred the following expenses in

connection with the settlement conference: Seven hours of attorney time for

Michael P. Stone, Esq., at $350.00 per hour for a total of $2,450.00; Seven 

hours of attorney time for Stephen J. Horvath, Esq., at $150.00 per hour for a

total of $1,050.00; and Plaintiffs’ travel and lodging expenses in the amount of

$200.00 for a total amount of $3,700.00.

6. Based on the amounts found in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Court

orders Defendants and each of them to pay Plaintiffs forthwith the sum of

$3,700.00 as a sanction for the violations of Rule 16-270(f)(1) of the Local

Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California,

and the Scheduling Conference Order. 

7. The Order for sanctions in the amount of $3,700.00 is stayed until May 26,

2005 and will be reconsidered by Judge Goldner at the conclusion of the May

26, 2005 settlement conference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 19, 2005 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

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j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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