Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01300/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01300-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Kyle Azul Cardenas
Plaintiff
Equifax Credit Information Services
Defendant

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Kyle Azul Cardenas,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Equifax Credit Information Services,

Defendant. 

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NO. CIV 05-1300-PHX-SRB

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER

This case has been referred to United States Magistrate Judge David K. Duncan for a

Settlement Conference. 

The purpose of the Settlement Conference is to facilitate settlement of this case, if that

is appropriate. It will be conducted in such a manner as not to prejudice any party in the event

settlement is not reached. To that end, all matters communicated to the undersigned expressly

in confidence will be kept confidential, and will not be disclosed to any other party. Rule 408,

Federal Rules of Evidence, applies to all aspects of the Settlement Conference. All

communications and information exchanges made in the settlement process, not otherwise

discoverable, will not be admissible in evidence for any purpose, and shall not be used for any

purpose outside the settlement process itself. At the conclusion of the Settlement Conference,

all documents submitted by the parties shall be returned, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of

in the manner directed by the settlement judge.

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 1 of 6
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At the Settlement Conference and subject to modification by the Court depending on the

uniqueness of each case, each party, through counsel or individually if unrepresented, may be

asked to give a brief presentation outlining the factual and legal highlights of that party’s case

and may be asked general and specific questions by the Court. Thereafter, separate and private

caucuses will be held with each party, the party’s representative and the settlement judge. 

This Order mandating the parties’, representatives’, and insurers’ physical appearance

is intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Settlement Conference by

reducing the time for communication of offers and expanding the ability to explore the varied

options for settlement; to give the adverse parties the opportunity to hear the rationale and

arguments regarding the likelihood of success of the claims/defenses directly from the lawyers

who will be trying the case; to meet the litigants and representatives themselves; and to hear

first-hand the candid, objective comments by a neutral settlement judge regarding the case or

the judicial process.

Experience has taught the undersigned that the physical presence, rather than the

availability by telephone, and participation of those individuals with the authority to settle cases

will substantially increase the likelihood of settlement and will lead to more meaningful

negotiations. Consequently, and pursuant to the authority granted to the Court in 28 U.S.C. §

473(b)(5), representatives of the parties with full, complete, and unlimited authority to discuss

and settle the case shall be physically present unless expressly excused by the undersigned by

formal motion and order issued prior to the subject settlement conference for good cause shown.

Accordingly,

Pursuant to Rule 16, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and 28 U.S.C. § 473(b)(5),

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. All parties and their counsel who are responsible for trial of this case SHALL

physically appear before the undersigned settlement judge, Courtroom 305, Sandra Day

O’Connor U. S. Courthouse, 401 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, March

31, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 2 of 6
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This requirement that a representative physically appear with full, complete, and unlimited authority is only

satisfied where the representative is the decision-maker with full authority to settle the matter: for a party asserting a claim,

this means full authority to stipulate to dismissal and release of all claims; for a party defending a claim, this means full

authority to satisfy the opposing party's existing settlement demand or offer. If it becomes apparent to the Court that a party

has not complied with this requirement, the Court will recess the settlement conference until such time that the noncomplying

party is in full compliance with this Order. The Court may further order the noncomplying party to show cause why it

should not pay the opposing party's reasonable attorney's fees and transportation costs incurred in attending the first

conference. 

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If a Defendant is an insured party, a representative of that party’s insurer with full,

complete, and unlimited authority to discuss and settle the case SHALL physically appear at

the aforesaid date and time. An uninsured or self-insured corporate party SHALL physically

appear at aforesaid Settlement Conference through its authorized representative with full,

complete, and unlimited authority to discuss and settle the case.1

2. Experience also teaches that settlement conferences are often unproductive unless the

parties have exchanged demands and offers of compromise before the conference and have

made a serious effort to settle the case on their own. Accordingly, before arriving at the

Settlement Conference the parties are to negotiate and make a good faith effort to settle the case

without the involvement of the Court. The parties shall exchange written correspondence

regarding settlement. The Plaintiff's demand shall be delivered to defense counsel, the insurers’

and corporate representatives not less than 15 days before the Settlement Conference

Memoranda are due. Defendant's response to the demand shall be delivered to Plaintiff's

counsel not less than 10 days before the Settlement Conference Memoranda are due.

3. If a third person or corporate entity is involved, such as a worker’s compensation

carrier or a health insurance carrier, who asserts a substantial lien on any settlement monies for

medical and hospital expenses and/or lost wages, arrangements shall be made to notify said

person or entity of the Settlement Conference. Plaintiff's counsel shall promptly provide a true

and complete copy of this Order to said person, entity or its authorized representative. See,

A.R.S. § 23-1023(c); Stout v. State Compensation Fund, 197 Ariz. 238, 3 P.3d 1158 (2000).

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 3 of 6
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4. In the absence of a prior Order by the undersigned to the contrary, all Settlement

Conference Memoranda are to be exchanged between counsel no later than five (5) business

days prior to the Settlement Conference. Counsel and all individuals attending the Settlement

Conference shall review all parties’ memoranda and counsel shall explain the settlement

conference procedures to their clients and representatives before the Settlement Conference.

Each party shall provide the Court with that party’s Settlement Conference

Memorandum, at least three (3) business days before the Settlement Conference. Said

Memoranda may be transmitted by facsimile (602-322-7639) or by such other method of

transmittal as will assure receipt by the undersigned by no later than the deadline prescribed in

the preceding sentence. The Settlement Conference Memoranda shall NOT be filed with the

Clerk. Each Memorandum shall address the following:

a. A brief statement of the facts of the case.

b. A brief statement of the claims or defenses as appropriate for the party, i.e., statutory

or other grounds upon which the claims or defenses are founded, including the citation to

appropriate authorities; a forthright evaluation of the parties’ likelihood of prevailing on the

claims and defenses; and a description of the major issues in dispute.

c. A summary of the proceedings to date including rulings on motions and motions

outstanding, if any.

d. An estimate of the costs and time to be expended for further discovery, pretrial

litigation and trial, including past and future attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

e. A brief statement of the facts and issues upon which the parties agree.

f. Whether there is/are any distinct or dominant issue(s) which, if resolved, would likely

aid in the disposition of the case.

g. The relief sought.

h. Each party’s position on settlement, including present demands and offers and the

history of past settlement discussions, offers and demands.

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 4 of 6
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In the absence of any Order by the undersigned to the contrary, each party’s Settlement

Conference Memorandum shall not exceed seventeen (17) pages exclusive of attachments and

shall otherwise comply with the Rules of Practice for the United States District Court for the

District of Arizona. See, LRCiv 7.2, 7.2(a) and 7.1(b)(1), Rules of Practice, District of Arizona.

No responsive memorandum shall be permitted.

5. If the Settlement Conference is held, the Court will assume that the parties have

agreed to separate meetings (caucuses) with the settlement judge. Ethical rules prohibit ex parte

caucuses without such agreement. By appearing at this conference, the Court will deem that

the parties have consented to this procedure and have waived any objection thereto unless a

written Objection is filed not less than three (3) business days before the Settlement Conference.

6. Absent good cause shown, if any party, counsel or representative fails to promptly

appear at the Settlement Conference, fails to comply with the terms of this Order, is

substantially unprepared to meaningfully participate in the Settlement Conference, or fails to

participate in good faith in the Settlement Conference, sanctions may be imposed pursuant to

Rules 16(f) and 37(b)(2)(D), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which may include an award of

reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses and/or a finding of contempt. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(e).

7. Counsel and any party, if unrepresented by counsel, shall notify the Court in writing

at least ten (10) business days before the Settlement Conference if an attorney or unrepresented

party believes that the Settlement Conference would be a futile act resulting in an economic

waste because, for example, a party or insurer has adopted a position from which that party or

insurer refuses to deviate. The Court will then consider whether the Settlement Conference

would be helpful and, if not, whether the Settlement Conference should be canceled or whether

other forms of alternative dispute resolution should be considered. If there is disagreement

between or among the attorneys or unrepresented parties on this issue or any other issue, they

are instructed to arrange for a telephonic conference with the Court and all counsel as soon as

reasonably practical. If no such conference is arranged, it will be presumed that all counsel,

their clients and any unrepresented party believe that there is a reasonable, good faith

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 5 of 6
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opportunity for settlement, and that the involvement of a settlement judge is needed to

accomplish it.

DATED this 28th day of February, 2006.

Case 2:05-cv-01300-SRB Document 58 Filed 02/28/06 Page 6 of 6