Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00778/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00778-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
County of Fresno
Defendant
Michael Estrada
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHAEL ESTRADA,

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF FRESNO,

Defendant.

No. 1:13-cv-00778-GSA

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 February 21, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

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, at least twenty-one (21) 

calendar days prior to the settlement conference, plaintiff’s counsel shall submit a written 

itemization of damages and a good faith settlement demand to defendant’s counsel with a brief 

explanation of why the demand is appropriate. Thereafter, but no later than seven (7) calendar 

days prior to the settlement conference, defendant’s counsel shall submit a good faith written 

offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief explanation of why the offer is appropriate. 

///

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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

At least four (4) calendar days prior to the settlement conference, the parties shall submit 

the Confidential Settlement Conference Statement to Judge Austin’s chambers via 

gsaorders@caed.uscourts.gov. 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.

 

1

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: January 3, 2014 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

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