Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01151/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01151-6/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

MICHELLE-LAEL B. NORSWORTHY,

Plaintiff,

v.

OFFICER FELIX, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:23-cv-01151-KES-SKO

ORDER REFERRING CASE TO POSTSCREENING ADR AND STAYING CASE 

FOR 120 DAYS

FORTY-FIVE (45) DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff Michelle-Lael B. Norsworthy is presented by counsel in this civil rights action.

The matter proceeds on Plaintiff’s Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause violations 

against Defendants Felix, Haynes, Villanueva, and Does 1 through 50, and Eighth Amendment 

failure to protect claims against Defendants Cowing, Villanueva, and Does 1 through 50. (See 

Doc. 23.) 

Defendants Cowing, Haynes, Felix, and Villanueva filed an answer to Plaintiff’s 

complaint on November 12, 2024. (Doc. 27.) 

The Court refers all civil rights cases filed by pro se inmates to Alternative Dispute 

Resolution (“ADR”) to attempt to resolve such cases more expeditiously and less expensively.

Although Plaintiff is represented by counsel in this action, the Court elects to stay this matter 

briefly to learn whether the parties would find early ADR productive. 

Case 1:23-cv-01151-KES-SKO Document 28 Filed 11/14/24 Page 1 of 4
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The Court stays this action for 120 days to allow the parties to investigate Plaintiff’s 

claims, meet and confer, and participate in an early settlement conference. The Court presumes 

that all post-screening civil rights cases assigned to the undersigned will proceed to a settlement 

conference. If after investigating Plaintiff’s claims and meeting and conferring, either party finds 

that a settlement conference would be a waste of resources, the party may opt out of the early 

settlement conference. 

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED:

1. This action is STAYED for 120 days to allow the parties an opportunity to settle their 

dispute before the discovery process begins. No pleadings or motions may be filed in 

this case during the stay. The parties shall not engage in formal discovery, but they 

may engage in informal discovery to prepare for the settlement conference.

2. Within 45 days from the date of this Order, the parties SHALL file the attached 

notice, indicating their agreement to proceed to an early settlement conference or their 

belief that settlement is not achievable at this time.

3. Within 60 days from the date of this Order, defense counsel SHALL contact the 

undersigned’s Courtroom Deputy Clerk at wkusamura@caed.uscourts.gov to schedule 

the settlement conference, assuming the parties agree to participate in an early 

settlement conference.

4. If the parties reach a settlement during the stay of this action, they SHALL file a 

Notice of Settlement as required by Local Rule 160.

5. The Clerk of the Court SHALL serve a copy of this Order to ADR Coordinator Sujean 

Park.

6. The parties must keep the Court informed of their current addresses during the stay 

and the pendency of this action. Changes of address must be reported promptly in a 

Notice of Change of Address. See L.R. 182(f).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 13, 2024 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

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UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHELLE-LAEL B. NORSWORTHY,

Plaintiff,

v.

OFFICER FELIX, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-01151-KES-SKO 

NOTICE REGARDING EARLY 

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

1. Counsel and/or the party agrees that an early settlement conference would be productive 

and wishes to engage in an early settlement conference.

Yes ____ No ____

2. Counsel and/or the party (check one):

_____ would like to participate in the settlement conference in person.

_____ would like to participate in the settlement conference by video conference.

Dated:

________________________________

Counsel for Plaintiff or Defendants 

Case 1:23-cv-01151-KES-SKO Document 28 Filed 11/14/24 Page 4 of 4