Tran et al v. Merced Irrigation District

Filing 29

ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE. Order signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 1/17/2017. (Thorp, J)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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CHAU TRAN,
Plaintiff,

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MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT,
Defendant.

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ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

v.

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Case No. 1:16-cv-00249-LJO-SAB

_____________________________________/

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This case is set for a Settlement Conference before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on

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February 28, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the U. S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno,

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California, 93721.

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Consideration of settlement is a serious matter that requires thorough preparation prior to

18 the settlement conference. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
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1.

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A settlement conference is more likely to be productive if, before the conference, the

Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer

21 parties exchange written settlement proposals. Accordingly, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the
22 settlement conference, plaintiff’s counsel shall submit a written itemization of damages and
23 settlement demand to each defense counsel with a brief summary of the legal and factual basis
24 supporting the demand. No later than ten (10) days prior to the settlement conference, each
25 defense counsel shall submit a written offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief summary of the legal
26 and factual basis supporting the offer.
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2.

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The parties are to send Confidential Settlement Conference Statements (Settlement

Submission and Content of Confidential Settlement Conference Statements

3 Statement) to the following email address: [e-mail], to arrive no later than
4 five (5) business days before the conference. Additionally, each party shall file a Notice of
5 Submission of Confidential Settlement Conference Statement (See L.R. 270 (d)).
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If the Settlement Conference is continued for any reason, each party must submit a new

7 Settlement Statement that is complete in itself, without reference to any prior Settlement
8 Statements.
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Settlement Statements must be typed and double spaced. Each Settlement Statement shall

10 include the following:
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a.

A brief summary of the core facts, allegations, and defenses.

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b.

A summary of the proceedings to date.

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c.

An estimate of the cost and time to be expended for further discovery,

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pretrial, and trial.

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d.

The nature of the relief sought.

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e.

An outline of past settlement efforts including information regarding the

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"Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer" required

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above (including the itemization of damages), and a history of past

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settlement discussions, offers, and demands.

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f.

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A statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the Settlement
Conference.

3.

Attendance of Trial Counsel and Parties Required

The attorneys who will try the case and parties with full and complete settlement authority
are required to personally attend the conference. 1 An insured party shall appear by a
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Insurance carriers, business organizations, and governmental bodies or agencies whose settlement
agreements are subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors or the
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like shall be represented by a person or persons who occupy high executive positions in the party
27 organization and who will be directly involved in the process of approval of any settlement offers or
agreements. To the extent possible, the representative shall have the authority, if he or she deems it
28 appropriate, to settle the action on terms consistent with the opposing party's most recent demand.

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1 representative of the insurer who is authorized to negotiate, and who has authority to settle the
2 matter up to the limits of the opposing parties’ existing settlement demand. An uninsured
3 corporate party shall appear by a representative authorized to negotiate, and who has authority to
4 settle the matter up to the amount of the opposing parties’ existing settlement demand or offer.
5 It is difficult for a party who is not present to appreciate the process and the reasons that may
6 justify a change in one’s perspective toward settlement. Accordingly, having a client with
7 authority available by telephone is not an acceptable alternative, except under the most
8 extenuating circumstances. 2
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The Court expects both the lawyers and the party representatives to be fully prepared to

10 participate. The Court encourages all parties to keep an open mind in order to reassess their
11 previous positions and to discover creative means for resolving the dispute.
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4.

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The parties shall be prepared to discuss the following at the settlement conference:

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Issues to Be Discussed

a.

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Goals in the litigation and problems they would like to address in the
settlement conference and understanding of the opposing side’s goals.

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b.

The issues (in and outside the lawsuit) that need to be resolved.

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c.

The strengths and weaknesses of their case.

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d.

Their understanding of the opposing side’s view of the case.

e.

Their points of agreement and disagreement (factual and legal).

f.

Any financial, emotional, and/or legal impediments to settlement.

g.

Whether settlement or further litigation better enables the accomplishment

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of their respective goals.

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h.

Any possibilities for a creative resolution of the dispute.

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5.

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Statements Inadmissible

The parties are expected to address each other with courtesy and respect, and are

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Out of town or out of state travel and the purchase of an airplane ticket are not extenuating circumstances.

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1 encouraged to be frank and open in their discussions. Statements made by any party during the
2 settlement conference are not to be used in discovery and will not be admissible at trial.
3 IT IS SO ORDERED.
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Dated:

January 17, 2017

/s/ Sheila K. Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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