Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00086/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00086-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

ANITA GONZALEZ, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

CITY OF McFARLAND, ET AL., 

Defendants. 

No. 1:13-CV-00086 JLT 

ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE PROCEDURES 

Consideration of settlement is a serious matter that requires thorough preparation prior to 

the settlement conference. Provided below are the procedures this Court will employ when 

conducting the settlement conference scheduled for October 2, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. before the 

Honorable Gary S. Austin. 

A. Required Pre-Settlement Conference Communications 

 A settlement conference is more likely to be productive if the parties have exchanged 

written settlement proposals in advance of the conference. Accordingly, plaintiff’s counsel shall 

submit a written itemization of damages and a good faith settlement demand to defendants’ 

counsel with a brief explanation of why the demand is appropriate no later than September 22, 

2014. Thereafter, defendants’ counsel shall submit a good faith written offer to plaintiff’s 

counsel with a brief explanation of why the offer is appropriate by September 24, 2014. 

/// 

Case 1:13-cv-00086-JLT Document 55 Filed 09/17/14 Page 1 of 3
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 On occasion, this process will lead directly to a settlement. If settlement is not achieved, 

plaintiff’s counsel shall deliver or fax copies of all settlement proposals along with his/her 

Confidential Settlement Conference Statement to chambers. Copies of these documents are not to 

be filed on the court docket. 

B. Confidential Settlement Conference Statement 

The parties shall submit the Confidential Settlement Conference Statement to Judge 

Austin’s chambers via gsaorders@caed.uscourts.gov by noon on September 29, 2014. This 

statement shall include the following: 

1. A list of all elements of each cause of action or affirmative defense pled in 

the party’s respective complaint or answer; 

2. A brief statement identifying those facts that support each cause of action 

or affirmative defense; 

3. A description outlining the factual and legal contentions upon which the 

parties agree or disagree; 

4. A description identifying the impediments to settlement, including 

financial, emotional or legal concerns; 

5. A summary of the settlement attempts to date; 

6. A statement of the specific relief sought; and 

7. A statement identifying any third party (i.e., lien holder, etc.) with a legal 

interest in this action. 

C. Attendance 

The attorneys who will try the case shall appear at the settlement conference accompanied 

by the named parties and all persons having authority to negotiate the settlement.1 If appropriate, 

the principal representative shall have approval to settle the action on the terms consistent with 

the opposing party’s most recent demand. 

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

subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors, et cetera, 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. 

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D. Mediation Format 

A mediation format will be employed during the settlement conference. The lawyers, the 

parties, and all representatives must be fully prepared and will be expected to participate. The 

Court encourages all participants to be flexible and to reassess their previous positions, as well as 

put to forth their best efforts toward reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. 

E. Statements Inadmissible 

The Court expects full and candid participation during the settlement conference. With 

this in mind, statements made by any party or attorney during the settlement conference are not to 

be used in discovery and will not be admissible at trial. 

F. Sanctions 

Failure to follow this procedure will result in removal of the settlement conference from 

the Court’s calendar and may result in additional sanctions. 

 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: 9/17/2014 /s/ GARY S. AUSTIN 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:13-cv-00086-JLT Document 55 Filed 09/17/14 Page 3 of 3