Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00309/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00309-6/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
J. Marsh
Defendant
Ahkeem Deshavier Williams
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AHKEEM DESHAVIER WILLIAMS,

Plaintiff,

v.

J. MARSH,

Defendant.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:19-cv-00309 LJO SKO

ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

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

March 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM 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 28 days prior to the 

settlement conference, plaintiff’s counsel shall submit a 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 21 days prior to the settlement conference, each defense 

counsel shall submit a written offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief summary of the legal and 

factual basis supporting the offer.

2. Submission and Content of Confidential Settlement Conference Statements 

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 

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14 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 

 

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 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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representative 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 

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).

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.

 

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

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6 Pre-Settlement Telephonic Conference

Prior to the Settlement Conference, Magistrate Judge Oberto will hold a brief, telephonic

discussion on March 3, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. (dial-in number: 1-888-557-8511; passcode: 6208204#). 

Only attorneys and unrepresented parties are required to participate in the conference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 13, 2020 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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