Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-01539/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-01539-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 25:640 Indian Tribal Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BEAR RIVER BAND OF 

ROHNERVILLE RANCHERIA,

Plaintiff,

v.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:20-cv-01539-AWI-SKO

ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

A Settlement Conference in this case is hereby SET for October 14, 2021, before 

Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto at the U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, 

California, 93721.1 

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, by no later than September 3, 

2021, 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. By no later than September 10, 2021, 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.

1 The time of the Settlement Conference will be set at the Pre-Settlement Conference on 

September 29, 2021 (see paragraph 6 below).

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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

September 15, 2021. 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 

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

are required to personally attend the conference.2 An insured party shall appear by a 

2

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

agreements are subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors 

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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.3

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the resulting courthouse restrictions, 

see General Orders Nos. 612–618, 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 October 14, 2021. The parties are advised 

that while the courthouse restrictions pursuant to General Order No. 618 are in place, Zoom 

videoconference settlement conferences are available. At the September 29, 2021 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 

October 14, 2021. 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.

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.

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

circumstances.

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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 September 29, 2021, 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: September 1, 2021 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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