Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02031/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02031-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:2671 Federal Tort Claims 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

1 07cv2031 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SINTIA IBARRA, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Defendant.

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Civil No. 07-2031-JLS(LSP)

ORDER FOLLOWING EARLY NEUTRAL

EVALUATION CONFERENCE, SETTING

RULE 26 COMPLIANCE AND NOTICE

OF CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

On January 25, 2008 the Court convened an Early Neutral

Evaluation Conference (ENE) in the above-entitled action. Appearing

were Steven Vosseller on behalf of plaintiff and Ernest Cordero on

behalf of defendant.

Settlement of the case could not be reached at the ENE and

the Court therefore discussed compliance with Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure, Rule 26. Based thereon, the court issues the following

orders:

1. Any objections made to initial disclosure pursuant to

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure, Rule 26(a)(1)(A-D) are overruled,

and the parties are ordered to proceed with the initial disclosure

process. Any further objections to initial disclosure will be

Case 3:07-cv-02031-JLS-LSP Document 8 Filed 01/25/08 Page 1 of 3
 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 07cv2031 

resolved as required by Rule 26.

2. The Rule 26(f) conference shall be completed before

February 19, 2008;

3. The date of initial disclosure pursuant to Rule

26(a)(1)(A-D) shall occur before February 29, 2008;

4. A discovery plan shall be lodged with Magistrate Judge

Papas on or before February 29, 2008; and,

5. A Case Management Conference, pursuant to Federal Rule

of Civil Procedure 16(b) shall be held on March 13, 2008, at 

8:30 AM, in the chambers of Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas. Counsel

may participate by telephone conference call. The Court will

initiate the conference call.

6. A Settlement Conference shall be held on June 9, 2008 at

9:00 AM. All parties or their representatives who have full

authority to enter into a binding settlement, in addition to the

attorneys participating in the litigation, shall be present at the

conference.

Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 16.3, all party representatives

and claims adjusters for insured defendants with full and unlimited

authority to negotiate and enter into a binding settlement, as well

as the principal attorney(s) responsible for the litigation, must be

present and legally and factually prepared to discuss and resolve

the case at the mandatory settlement conference. Retained outside

corporate counsel shall not appear on behalf of a corporation as the

party who has the authority to negotiate and enter into a settlement. 

"Full authority to settle" means that the individuals at the

settlement conference must be authorized to fully explore settlement

Case 3:07-cv-02031-JLS-LSP Document 8 Filed 01/25/08 Page 2 of 3
 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 07cv2031 

options and to agree at that time to any settlement terms acceptable

to the parties. Heileman Brewing Co., Inc. v. Joseph Oat Corp., 871

F.2d 648 (7th Cir. 1989). The person needs to have "unfettered

discretion and authority" to change the settlement position of a

party. Pitman v. Brinker Intl., Inc., 216 F.R.D. 481, 485-486 (D.

Ariz. 2003). The purpose of requiring a person with unlimited

settlement authority to attend the conference includes that the

person's view of the case may be altered during the face to face

conference. Id. at 486. A limited or a sum certain of authority is

not adequate. Nick v. Morgan's Foods, Inc., 270 F.3d 590 (8th Cir.

2001).

Failure of any counsel or party to comply with this Order

will result in the imposition of sanctions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 25, 2008

Hon. Leo S. Papas

U.S. Magistrate Judge

Case 3:07-cv-02031-JLS-LSP Document 8 Filed 01/25/08 Page 3 of 3