Cruz v. Ahlin, et al.

Filing 30

ORDER Setting Settlement Conference signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 08/14/2017. Settlement Conference set for 2/8/2018 at 09:00 AM in Bakersfield, 510 19th Street before Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston.(Flores, E)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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PETER CASEY CRUZ,

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Case No. 1:13-cv-00988-LJO-EPG (PC)

Plaintiff,
v.

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT
CONFERENCE

JONATHAN HAMRICK,

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Defendant.

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Peter Casey Cruz (“Plaintiff”) is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights

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

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from a settlement conference. Therefore, this case will be referred to Magistrate Judge Jennifer

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L. Thurston to conduct a settlement conference at the U. S. District Court, 510 19 th Street,

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Bakersfield, California 93301 on February 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.

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A separate order and writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum will issue concurrently with
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 Jennifer L.

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Thurston on February 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at the U. S. District Court, 510 19th Street,

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Bakersfield, California 93301.

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2. Plaintiff will appear at the settlement conference by video conference, from his present
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place of detainment, as directed by separate order.

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3. A representative with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a binding
settlement shall attend in person.1

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4. 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

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in person may result in the imposition of sanctions.2 In addition, the conference will

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not proceed and will be reset to another date.

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5. At least 14 days before the settlement conference, Plaintiff SHALL submit to

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Defendant, by mail, a written itemization of damages and a meaningful settlement

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demand, which includes a brief explanation of why such a settlement is appropriate,

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not to exceed ten pages in length. Thereafter, no later than 10 days before the

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settlement conference, defendant SHALL respond, by telephone or in person, with an

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acceptance of the offer or with a meaningful counteroffer, which includes a brief

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explanation of why such a settlement is appropriate. If settlement is achieved, defense

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counsel is to immediately inform the courtroom deputy of Magistrate Judge Thurston.

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6. If settlement is not achieved informally, each party shall provide a confidential

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settlement statement to Sujean Park, ADR Division, 501 I Street, Suite 4-200,

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Sacramento, California 95814, or by email to [e-mail] so they arrive

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no later than February 1, 2018, and file a “Notice of Submission of Confidential

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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 (9th Cir. 2012)(“the district court has broad authority to compel participation in mandatory
settlement conference[s].”). The 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 face to face 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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Plaintiff is not required to appear in person.
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Settlement Statement” (See L.R. 270(d)).

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7. Settlement statements should not be filed with the Clerk of the Court nor served on

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any other party. Settlement statements shall be clearly marked “confidential” with

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the date and time of the settlement conference indicated prominently thereon. The

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confidential settlement statement shall be no longer than five pages in length, typed

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or neatly printed, and include the following:

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

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b. A brief statement of the claims and defenses, i.e., statutory or other grounds upon

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which the claims are founded; a forthright evaluation of the parties’ likelihood of

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prevailing on the claims and defenses; and a description of the major issues in

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dispute.

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c. A summary of the proceedings to date.

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

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e. The relief sought.

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f. The party’s position on settlement, including present demands and offers and a
history of past settlement discussions, offers, and demands.

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g. A brief statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the settlement

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conference.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

August 14, 2017

/s/
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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