Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-01032/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-01032-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans with Disabilities Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MARK BAX, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

SUTTER HEALTH, ET AL. 

Defendants. 

_____________________________________/ 

Case No. 1:21-cv-01032-ADAT SKO 

ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE 

This case is set for a Settlement Conference before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 

September 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, 

California, 93721. 

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, at least 3 weeks prior to the 

settlement conference, 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. No later than 2 weeks prior to the settlement conference, 

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. 

 2. Submission and Content of Confidential Settlement Conference Statements 

Case 1:21-cv-01032-DJC-SCR Document 32 Filed 07/28/23 Page 1 of 4
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 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 

7 days before the conference. 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.1

 An insured party shall appear by a representative 

1

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

subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors or the like shall be represented by 

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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.2 

 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 June 6, 2023. The parties are advised that while the 

courthouse restrictions pursuant to General Order No. 618 are in place, Zoom videoconference 

settlement conferences are available. If the settlement conference will be conducted 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. 

 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). 

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. 

2

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

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 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 Discussion 

 Following review of the parties’ Settlement Conference Statements, Magistrate Judge 

Oberto may hold a brief telephonic discussion prior to the Settlement Conference to discuss the 

statements should the Court deem it appropriate. The parties will be provided with the date, time, 

and dial-in number prior to the telephone conference. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: July 28, 2023 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:21-cv-01032-DJC-SCR Document 32 Filed 07/28/23 Page 4 of 4