Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00392/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00392-16/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

COLIN M. RANDOLPH,

Plaintiff,

v.

B. NIX, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:12-cv-00392-LJO-MJS (PC)

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE

NOVEMBER 4, 2015 AT 9:30 A.M. 

CALIFORNIA STATE PRISONCORCORAN

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil

rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Court has determined that this 

case will benefit from a settlement conference. Therefore, this case will be referred to 

Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to conduct a settlement conference at California 

State Prison, Corcoran (CSP-COR), 4001 King Avenue, Corcoran, California, on 

November 4, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This case is set for a settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Jennifer 

L. Thurston on November 4, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at CSP-COR.

2. A representative with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a 

binding settlement on the defendants’ behalf shall attend in person.1

 

1 While the exercise of its authority is subject to abuse of discretion review, “the district court has the 

authority to order parties, including the federal government, to participate in mandatory settlement 

conferences... .” United States v. United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, 694 F.3d 

1051, 1053, 1057, 1059 (9th Cir. 2012)(“the district court has broad authority to compel participation in 

mandatory settlement conference[s].”). The term “full authority to settle” means that the individuals 

attending the mediation conference must be authorized to fully explore settlement options and to agree at 

that time to any settlement terms acceptable to the parties. G. Heileman Brewing Co., Inc. v. Joseph Oat 

Corp., 871 F.2d 648, 653 (7th Cir. 1989), cited with approval in Official Airline Guides, Inc. v. Goss, 6 F.3d 

Case 1:12-cv-00392-LJO-MJS Document 84 Filed 10/13/15 Page 1 of 4
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3. Those in attendance must be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and 

damages. The failure of any counsel, party or authorized person subject to 

this order to appear in person may result in the imposition of sanctions. In 

addition, the conference will not proceed and will be reset to another date.

4. At least 21 days before the settlement conference, Plaintiff SHALL submit to 

Defendant, by mail, a written itemization of damages and a meaningful 

settlement demand, which includes a brief explanation of why such a 

settlement is appropriate, not to exceed ten pages in length. Thereafter, no 

later than 14 days before the settlement conference, Defendant SHALL 

respond, by telephone or in person, with an acceptance of the offer or with a 

meaningful counteroffer, which includes a brief explanation of why such a 

settlement is appropriate. If settlement is achieved, defense counsel is to 

immediately inform the Courtroom Deputy of Magistrate Judge Thurston.

5. If settlement is not achieved informally, each party is directed to submit 

confidential settlement statements no later than October 28, 2015 to 

jltorders@caed.uscourts.gov. Plaintiff shall mail his confidential settlement 

statement to U. S. District Court, ADR Director, 501 I Street, Suite 4-200, 

Sacramento, California 95814 so it arrives no later than October 28, 2015. If a 

party desires to share additional confidential information with the Court, they 

may do so pursuant to the provisions of Local Rule 270(d) and (e). Parties are 

also directed to file a “Notice of Submission of Confidential Settlement 

Statement” (See L.R. 270(d)).

6. Settlement statements should not be filed with the Clerk of the Court nor 

 

1385, 1396 (9th Cir. 1993). The individual with full authority to settle must also have “unfettered discretion 

and authority” to change the settlement position of the party, if appropriate. Pitman v. Brinker Int’l., Inc., 

216 F.R.D. 481, 485-86 (D. Ariz. 2003), amended on recon. in part, Pitman v. Brinker Int’l., Inc., 2003 WL 

23353478 (D. Ariz. 2003). The purpose behind requiring the attendance of a person with full settlement 

authority is that the parties’ view of the case may be altered during the face to face conference. Pitman, 

216 F.R.D. at 486. An authorization to settle for a limited dollar amount or sum certain can be found not to 

comply with the requirement of full authority to settle. Nick v. Morgan’s Foods, Inc., 270 F.3d 590, 596-97 

(8th Cir. 2001).

Case 1:12-cv-00392-LJO-MJS Document 84 Filed 10/13/15 Page 2 of 4
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served on any other party. Settlement statements shall be clearly marked 

“confidential” with the date and time of the settlement conference indicated 

prominently thereon.

7. The confidential settlement statement shall be no longer than five pages in 

length, typed or neatly printed, and include the following:

a. A brief statement of the facts of the case.

b. A brief statement of the claims and defenses, i.e., statutory or other 

grounds upon which the claims are founded; a forthright evaluation of 

the parties’ likelihood of prevailing on the claims and defenses; and a 

description of the major issues in dispute.

c. A summary of the proceedings to date.

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

pretrial, and trial.

e. The relief sought.

f. The party’s position on settlement, including present demands and 

offers and a history of past settlement discussions, offers, and 

demands.

g. A brief statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the 

settlement conference.

8. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order on the Litigation 

Coordinator at California State Prison—Corcoran.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 13, 2015 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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