It is essential that each party be represented at the Rule 33 conference by an attorney who is not only conversant with the case but is the attorney on whose advice the party relies. If more than one attorney meets these criteria, either of them may represent the client in the Rule 33 conference. When all participants reside in the Chicago metropolitan area, Rule 33 conferences are usually held in the Settlement Conference Office at the United States Courthouse. Otherwise, conferences are generally conducted by telephone. The telephone equipment used in these conferences accommodates up to six separate lines and enables the settlement conference attorney to speak privately with any combination of participants.
Experience indicates that telephone conferences are often effective in fostering settlements.
Because the resources of the settlement conference program are limited, the settlement conference attorneys cannot regularly hold in-person conferences throughout the Circuit. However, from time to time, in-person conferences are conducted at locations other than Chicago. If the participants believe that an in-person conference outside Chicago would be more productive than a conference by telephone, they may suggest it. Participants are required to keep what is said in these conferences confidential. In this respect, the settlement conference program operates independently of the Court.