Lopez v. Cate et al

Filing 210

AMENDED ORDER Setting Settlement Conference, signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 3/28/17. Settlement Conference set for 6/27/2017 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 25 (KJN) before Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman. (Marrujo, C)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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ANDREW R. LOPEZ,

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Plaintiff,

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Case No. 1:10-cv-01773-DAD-SKO (PC)
AMENDED1 ORDER SETTING
SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

v.
Settlement Conference: June 27, 2017

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CATE, et al.,
TWENTY-ONE (21) DAY DEADLINE

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Defendants.

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Plaintiff, Andrew R. Lopez, a state prisoner proceeding through counsel, filed this civil

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rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Court has determined that this case will benefit

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from a settlement conference and it has been referred to Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman to

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conduct a settlement conference at the U. S. District Court, 501 I Street, Sacramento, California

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95814 in Courtroom #25 on June 27, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
A separate order and writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum will issue concurrently with

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this order.

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In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

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1. This case is set for a settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Kendall J.

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Newman on June 27, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at the U. S. District Court, 501 I Street,

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Sacramento, California 95814 in Courtroom #25.
2. A representative with full settlement authority to negotiate and enter into a binding

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settlement on the defendants’ behalf shall attend in person.2

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All requirements and dates remain unchanged. The only revision is that Plaintiff will appear in person rather than
via video conference.
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While the exercise of its authority is subject to abuse of discretion review, “the district court has the authority to
order parties, including the federal government, to participate in mandatory settlement conferences… .” United States
v. United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, 694 F.3d 1051, 1053, 1057, 1059 (9 th Cir.
2012)(“the district court has broad authority to compel participation in mandatory settlement conference[s].”). The

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3. Those in attendance must be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages.

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The failure of any counsel, party or authorized person subject to this order to appear in

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person may result in the imposition of sanctions. In addition, the conference will not

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proceed and will be reset to another date.

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4. The parties are directed to exchange non-confidential settlement statements seven (7)

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days prior to the settlement conference. These statements shall simultaneously be

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delivered to the court using the following email address:

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[e-mail]. If a party desires to share additional confidential

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information with the court, they may do so pursuant to the provisions of Local Rule
270(d) and (e).

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5. Within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this order, if he has not already done so,

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attorney Robert Navarro SHALL file an executed substitution of attorney in

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compliance with Local Rule 182 indicating Plaintiff’s agreement with the notice of

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special appearance that Mr. Navarro filed on March 10, 2017, (Doc. 205).

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6. The writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum which issued on March 23, 2017,

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commanding Plaintiff’s appearance at the settlement conference via video conference

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is VACATED. Plaintiff is required to appear in person.3

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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

March 28, 2017

/s/

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UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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Sheila K. Oberto

term “full authority to settle” means that the individuals attending the mediation conference must be authorized to
fully explore settlement options and to agree at that time to any settlement terms acceptable to the parties. G.
Heileman Brewing Co., Inc. v. Joseph Oat Corp., 871 F.2d 648, 653 (7th Cir. 1989), cited with approval in Official
Airline Guides, Inc. v. Goss, 6 F.3d 1385, 1396 (9th Cir. 1993). The individual with full authority to settle must also
have “unfettered discretion and authority” to change the settlement position of the party, if appropriate. Pitman v.
Brinker Int’l., Inc., 216 F.R.D. 481, 485-86 (D. Ariz. 2003), amended on recon. in part, Pitman v. Brinker Int’l., Inc.,
2003 WL 23353478 (D. Ariz. 2003). The purpose behind requiring the attendance of a person with full settlement
authority is that the parties’ view of the case may be altered during the conference. Pitman, 216 F.R.D. at 486. An
authorization to settle for a limited dollar amount or sum certain can be found not to comply with the requirement of
full authority to settle. Nick v. Morgan’s Foods, Inc., 270 F.3d 590, 596-97 (8th Cir. 2001).
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While the prior writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum for Plaintiff’s video appearance is vacated, a new one will
issue for his personal appearance.

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