Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00163/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00163-5/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Jason Scott Hounihan
Plaintiff
Jose C. Villasenor
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JASON SCOTT HOUNIHAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

JOSE C. VILLASENOR,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:23-cv-00163-EPG (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

FOR MISCELLANEOUS RELIEF

(ECF No. 21)

ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANT’S

NOTICE TO OPT OUT OF AN EARLY 

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

 (ECF No. 22) 

This matter has been referred for an early settlement conference. (ECF No. 15). However, 

Defendant filed a notice on July 10, 2023, to opt out of the early settlement conference. (ECF No. 

22). As grounds, Defendant states:

On May 19, 2023, this Court directed the parties to participate in an early 

settlement conference. (Doc. No. 15). Having reviewed the allegations and 

available records, Defendant, Jose C. Villasenor, elects to opt out of the early 

settlement conference. Defendant does not believe a settlement conference would 

be productive at this time.

(Id. at 1). 

Before the filing of this notice, Plaintiff filed a motion for miscellaneous relief, stating 

that defense counsel had not reached out to discuss settlement and appearing to ask that he be 

granted the relief sought in the complaint. (ECF No. 21). 

While the Court’s prior order did direct defense counsel to “speak with Plaintiff” about an 

early settlement conference, and it appears that defense counsel has failed to do so, there is no 

Case 1:23-cv-00163-KES-EPG Document 24 Filed 07/11/23 Page 1 of 2
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authority permitting, nor does the Court find it appropriate, to grant Plaintiff the relief sought in 

the complaint based on this failure. It appears that defense counsel has made an informed decision 

to not participate in the settlement conference. 

That said, Plaintiff is permitted to make a settlement offer to defense counsel at any time. 

If the parties believe a settlement conference could be useful in the future, they may contact the 

Court to set one.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED as follows:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for miscellaneous relief (ECF No. 21) is denied.

2. Given Defendant’s decision to opt out of the early settlement conference, the Court will 

issue an order directing the parties to file scheduling and discovery statements. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 11, 2023 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00163-KES-EPG Document 24 Filed 07/11/23 Page 2 of 2